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Hassad Australia has announced the sale of 18,000 hectare in three large aggregations — Raby Station in NSW, and Glendale and Ungarra aggregations in South Australia.
Fifteen family operators will be acquiring individual parcels of land from all three aggregations.
Landmark Harcourts agent Phil Rourke, <a href="https://hassad.com.au/raby-stud-nsw/" target="_blank">who sold historic Raby at Warren</a>, confirmed it sold to a consortium of local buyers, who would integrate parts of the 9,782 hectare property into their existing operations.
Hassad Australia also sold a dry land cropping aggregation spanning more than 3,000 hectares in South Australia’s mid-north for $16.2 million. 
Located 29 kilometres north-east of Clare, the Glendale Aggregation is suited to growing wheat, barley, canola, lentils and legumes, as well as grazing livestock. 
CBRE Agribusiness’ Danny Thomas and Phil Schell negotiated the sale of Glendale Aggregation, comprising 12 semi-contiguous landholdings totalling 3,263 hectares. 
The sale was one of three properties divested by Hassad Australia – the others being Raby in New South Wales and the Ungarra Aggregation in South Australia.
The sales also follow the earlier transaction of properties in Victoria and Queensland.
The divestments are in preparation for the next phase of the company’s investment strategy that will see further investment in lamb and grain marketing. 
The Glendale Aggregation sold to a number of local adjoining and nearby farmers in South Australia’s mid-north farming region.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Crowdfunding local farmers secure three key Hassad aggregations

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Camm Agricultural Group is selling off its major cropping operation, Morocco near St George in Queensland.
Situated north of St George, Queensland, <a href="https://property.cbre.com.au/properties/surat-qld-4417/" target="_blank">the property</a> represents a significant irrigated and dryland cropping.
There are price expectations of around $18 million, following the family’s recent decision to divest its northern cattle properties to Rural Funds Group.  
A key feature is the 5,340 megalitre water allocation which, coupled with a reliable river system and ample on-farm water storages, completes a productive irrigation enterprise.
The 5,939 hectare farming property is located along the renowned Balonne River and accessed via the Carnarvon Highway.
The Camm family acquired Morocco for $10 million in 2006 from the Mobandilla Land company.
The decision to sell follows the family selling three cattle properties in central Queensland for $72.5 million to the listed Rural Funds Group.
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Camm family list Morocco cropping farm near St George

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Designer William Smart has proposed $4.9 million alterations and additions to his intended Alexandria office property. 
It follows the<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-nsw-alexandria-502372482" target="_blank"> recent purchase</a> by Smart Studio Design.
There was a $2.65 million purchase from NID Pty Ltd of the 3360 square metre site along with $6.55 million of the adjacent warehouse space.
The warehouses of 12-18 Stokes Avenue are representative of Post-War and late twentieth century warehouses constructed during the industrial development of Alexandria during one of the peak periods of Australia's industrialisation.
The 12-18 Stokes Avenue space will accommodate the new fitout for Smart Design Studio and a caretaker's apartment.
A portion is located within the North Alexandria Industrial Heritage Conservation Area, triggering a Heritage Impact Statement.
Two buildings are located on the subject site 12-16 Stokes Avenue and both buildings have primary frontages to Stokes Avenue and rear access via Balaclava Lane.
While 18 Stokes Avenue forms part of the subject site, no works are proposed to the existing warehouse located on this lot.
The properties within the vicinity of the subject site are predominantly commercial in character, with properties surrounding consisting of a mix of warehouses and office spaces.
Buildings designs are typically simple and robust, reflecting the modular building forms, with heavy geometric massing and restrained ornament limited to the brickwork and parapet wall, as is typical for industrial buildings of the inter-war and post-war periods.
The Inter-War and Post-War characteristics of the North Alexandria Industrial HCA can clearly be seen through the stepped parapets and sawtooth roofs.
The development of Stokes Avenue was slow to begin, with subdivision only occurring from 1922. The first developments on Stokes Avenue were single storey residences, which were later replaced by industrial and warehouse buildings during the 1950s and 1960s.
The development of the subject site took place in two stages, with 18 Stokes Avenue being developed as a warehouse site from as early as 1943, followed by the development of 12-16 Stokes Avenue into a warehouse during the 1950s.
The 1951 Civic Survey of Sydney identifies the owners of 18 Stokes Avenue as J. Gadson Pty Ltd, a company which manufactured cans.
Founded in 1879 in Melbourne and begining its first plant in 1912 in Sydney.19 In November 1951, J. Gadsen Pty Ltd merged with R. Hughes Pty Ltd, continuing the use of the Alexandria factory as a can making facility. R. Hughes Pty Ltd had been founded in Sydney in 1880, developing three factories, one of which concentrated in lithographic metal printing and lacquering. 
During the 1950s, 12-16 Stokes Avenue changed uses from residential to industrial, with the construction of a new single storey warehouse building at 12-16 Stokes Avenue, for the manufacturing of confectionary machinery in 1958, owned by Hans Faerber.
Hans emigrated to Australia from Germany following the end of World War II.
Faerber's company was soon designing and building its own sugar sanding and starch moulding machines.
By 1958, Hans's business had grown and was incorporated as New Industrial Design (NID), functioning out of both the new purpose built warehouse at 12-16 Stokes Avenue and the existing warehouse, previously under the ownership of Gadsen- Hughes Pty Ltd at 18 Stokes Avenue. 
Since NID's founding in Alexandria in 1958, the business has continued at 12-18 Stokes Avenue. The property was offered with a year long lease back.
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William Smart Design Studio take on its own ambitious Alexandria warehouse office project

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There are $7 million to $7.7 million hopes given for the Kew home of the Melbourne QC Garry Bigmore and his wife, Helen.
They have listed the Queen Anne home, Kenilworth, an 1800 square metre estate.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-kew-126870610" target="_blank">Built in 1896</a> and retaining its generous proportions, soaring ceilings and original fireplaces, the property has been restored by Beverly Usher.
It comes with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, grand formal living spaces and a versatile lower-level games room.
Set on 1810 square metres, the property includes a self-contained, two-bedroom apartment and a pool.
The property will go to auction on December 6 through Greg Sinclair Property.
The comparable sales were suggested as:
<table border="1" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>
1 6-7 River Ret KEW 
</td>
<td>
$7,010,000
</td>
<td>
   5/2017
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
2 18 Coleridge St KEW 
</td>
<td>
$6,400,000
</td>
<td>
  10/2017
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
3 6 Merrion Gr KEW 
</td>
<td>
$6,150,000
</td>
<td>
   9/2017
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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1896 Kew trophy home, Kenilworth listed for sale

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The REIV is expecting about 1750 auctions in 399 suburbs this weekend.
The top auction locations this week are Glenroy and Reservoir with 21 auctions, followed by Craigieburn and South Yarra with twenty auctions in each. 
A clearance rate of 70% was recorded last weekend in Melbourne compared to 72% on the prior week.
It was running at 78% this time last year. 
There were 1,496 auctions reported to the REIV, with 1,040 selling and 456 being passed in, 197 of those on a vendor bid.
The REIV collected 94% of auction results last week with a total of 1,595 results including 59 withdrawn and 40 postponed.
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South Yarra and Glenroy among the busiest Melbourne auction suburbs

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GUEST OBSERVER
Many Australian companies are embracing funky new design features that maximise relaxation and homely chill zones in an effort to lure highly skilled professionals. While these features certainly hold appeal, most workers are looking for more than just neat design when they choose their ideal workplace.
Consulting firm Accenture recently made the news after installing a “Zen room” in its Melbourne offices to attract millennials to its workforce. Designed so that employees can take time out to relax, meditate or think through problems, the space is fitted out with hanging pod chairs, couches and a fireplace. Technology is banned.
And Accenture is not alone. Google has sleep pods and fish tank relaxation rooms with massage chairs in its Sydney office. Hammocks, indoor gardens, mini-golf, pool tables and even in-house bowling alleys are increasingly common fixtures.
Research shows that these types of spaces can accelerate recovery from cognitive fatigue as well as reducing stress. While not new, quiet spaces or relaxation rooms are intended to enhance well-being, increase engagement and improve performance.
Workplace engagement is a significant issue for employers, with levels of engagement continuing to fall. Studies have shown that only 28% of millennials are engaged at work.
At the same time, work-related stress continues to rise. Up to 49% of Australian employees are estimated to be stressed and distracted at work, costing employers more than A$10 billion per year.
Work stress is serious business
The consequences of work stress are of significant public interest because of their association with ill health, including cardiovascular disease and mental illness. Employers continue to experiment with workplace design, as it plays a powerful role in influencing stress. Alterations to design, materials and layout can have both positive and negative outcomes.
Open-plan offices have been a prevalent feature of workplaces for decades. Now more and more companies plan to implement hot-desking environments, where employees have no fixed desk. Research on open-plan environments has conclusively shown that employees struggle to perform effectively due to issues with noise, interruptions, distraction and loss of privacy. If you are interrupted, it can take up to 23 minutes to regain focus on the task.
One employee I spoke with during a workplace study commented that they had counted being interrupted 80 times in one morning. The interruptions had included an impromptu birthday morning tea in the workstations a few feet away, two colleagues having a stand-up argument, and another employee conducting a loud conference call on speakerphone in the open work area.
While it might seem like a folly, the design of relaxation or “zen rooms” has arisen in response to these and other challenges of modern workplace design and work. The photos of the relaxation spaces shown here have both an aesthetically pleasing and a domestic feel, designed to make employees feel relaxed and at home.
When work feels like home
Creating workplaces that don’t feel like offices is gaining popularity. Dropbox’s new Sydney’s office is intentionally designed to appear like an “Australian living room”. But is there any science behind the ideas, and is it likely to make any difference to recruits?
New research has shown that workplaces specifically designed to be aesthetically pleasing and beautiful led to increased levels of trust among new employees who perceived the employer to be more trustworthy as a result. Additionally, the higher levels of trust went on to predict coworker ratings of learning behaviour.
The use of natural materials such as wood and stone, rather than concrete and laminates, has been shown to increase creativity. Additionally, the same study showed that the use of cool colours and attractive details was helpful to creativity.
The benefits of the inclusion of indoor plants and/or views of greenery are supported by evidence showing that exposure to nature resulted in decreased heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol, a stress hormone. Another study showed that workplace greenery improved perceptions of air quality, concentration, satisfaction and productivity.
Relaxation spaces, often closed off from the wider office and fitted with relaxing furniture and good acoustics, address the key complaint of modern workplaces – noise.
Both single-talker and multi-talker distractions in open-plan offices result in higher levels of distraction and lower cognitive performance, according to research, as well as increased levels of annoyance and mental workload.
A key advantage of relaxation spaces are that employees are able to control noise and distraction. The ability of employees to exercise personal control over elements of the environment appears to mediate some of the negative effects.
Lighting levels, access to attractive views such as art, feature installations such as fireplaces, and proximity to windows have been shown to have direct positive physical effects.
Cool office design just one factor among many
While these examples show that the workplace itself is important, there are broader drivers of interest to job-seekers and millennials in particular.
A recent study by Gallup highlighted that opportunities to learn and grow, quality of the individual manager and management overall, interest in the work, and opportunities for advancement were ranked in the top 5 by millennials, gen X and baby boomers.
Empirical research has supported these findings, showing that interesting and flexible work along with good relationships with supervisors and colleagues were rated most important for millennials.
Though millennials seek work-life balance, time flexibility is only one aspect of a flexible environment. Millennials also seek flexibility in terms of employment with different types of contracts, role flexibility and flexibility with location.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/87505/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">Organisations seeking to increase loyalty need to ensure they are balancing attractive workplaces and flexibility with effective management and growth opportunities.
Libby Sander, Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Bond Business School.
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-good-design-alone-wont-attract-millennials-to-your-company-87505" target="_blank">original article</a>.
View of the ‘living-room-like’ Sydney office of Dropbox. Supplied by: Dropbox.
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Why good design alone won't attract millennials to your company: Libby Sander 

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Mortgagees have sold a property in North Queensland's South Mission Beach.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-south+mission+beach-126159274" target="_blank">The $135,000 sale</a> was a modest, low set twin pavilion-style home in good condition.
It was designed for future expansion as needed.
Backing on to rainforest reserve, the one bedroom offering is located less than 400 metres to "the best beach in North Queensland".
It sits on a 805 square metre level block
It was two pavilions linked by covered deck/breezeway.
"This is a perfect place to escape for a weekend of fishing and boating, rainforest walks, or just relax on the beach and enjoy the peaceful surroundings," marketing agent Grahame Anderson said.
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South Mission Beach pavilion-style one bedroom house sold by mortgagees 

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The Sacred Heart Mission has sold its St Kilda hostel for about $6 million.
The Robe Street premises has housed hundreds in its 25 year history.
The 1154 square metre site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-st+kilda-502444206" target="_blank">41-43 Robe Street</a> includes a historic property, Avonsleigh Terrace.
The community group will spend the sale proceeds on a $27.3 million redevelopment of another St Kilda site it owns nearby.
Residents who have occupied the 29-bedroom Robe Street property will move to the new facility, which will accommodate 97.
Chisholm &amp; Gamon selling agent Torsten Kasper represented Sacred Heart Mission who bought the property for $1.15 million in 1992.
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St Kilda's Avonsleigh Terrace sold by the Sacred Heart Mission

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GUEST OBSERVER
Road congestion in large Australian cities is estimated to cost more than A$16 billion a year. Economists have long argued the best way to improve traffic flow is to charge drivers for their contribution to road congestion. We have now analysed data collected from 1,400 drivers across Melbourne to see whether road user charging can change their behaviour in ways that ease congestion. And the answer is yes.
Because the obstacle to adopting this approach has been concern about its fairness, we also looked at driver incomes. Would congestion-based charges price the poor off the road for the benefit of those who can pay? We calculated how different systems of road use charges affected households on different incomes, and how driving patterns changed under different prices.
The evidence does not support other common policy responses to traffic congestion. Building new roads does little to relieve congestion. Placing tolls on roads can push traffic onto others.
However, even small reductions in congestion can produce large benefits. On congested roads, reducing traffic by 5% can increase traffic speeds by up to 50%.
The question is: what would the optimal charges be? Drivers often plan their travel ahead of time, so Uber-like surge pricing is not necessarily the best way to go. Could simpler fixed charges, based perhaps on time of day or location, be effective?
In 2015-2016, Transurban Group implemented the Melbourne Road Usage Study (MRUS) to answer these questions. More than 1,400 drivers across greater Melbourne installed GPS devices in their vehicles for eight to ten months. After a period to establish baseline use, a randomly selected subset faced a series of road use charges via a system of virtual accounts. Every month participants accumulated real money from reduced charges as a result of their decisions about driving.
Well-targeted charges ease congestion
The Melbourne Road Usage Study tested three simple charges:
<ul>
<li>a flat distance-based charge of 10 cents per kilometre</li>
<li>a time-of-day charge of 15 cents per kilometre at peak times and 8 cents at other times</li>
<li>a distance-plus-cordon charge where drivers were charged 8 cents per kilometre at all times plus A$8 if they entered the inner city.</li>
</ul>
Our working paper, Can Road Charges Alleviate Congestion?, evaluates the raw data.
Charges that vary by time of day were most effective at reducing driving at congested times. Drivers subjected to a higher cost of driving in the weekday peak hours of 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm reduced travel by 10% during these periods.
While a simple 10 cent charge on distance travelled did reduce driving, this was mainly outside the congested inner city and at off-peak times – mostly in the middle of the day and on weekday evenings. Most freeway congestion occurs around morning and late afternoon commutes.
London and Singapore have charges to enter the congested city centre. Further research is needed to assess the effects on inner-city traffic in Australian cities.
The evidence points towards most drivers who enter the CBD being willing to pay higher weekday charges. But few drivers entered the cordon zone during the study. Less than 5% of the drivers made over half of the trips into the area.
Access to reliable public transport matters
Public transit has a key role in getting cars off the road. Our data showed households located far from the CBD and from public transport drive more. Living 500 metres closer to a tram or train station has the same effect on kilometres driven each day as living 5km closer to the CBD.
Households within a 10-minute walk from public transport drive least. The largest reductions in driving from time-of-day and cordon charges come from households living 10 to 20 minutes’ walk away.
Road use charges could be fairer
Congestion-based charges can be a more progressive way to fund roads than the existing system of registration fees and fuel taxes.
The fuel excise makes up almost half of the average annual road bill in Australia. It’s essentially a distance-based fee, but more fuel-efficient vehicles pay less per kilometre travelled. Hybrid vehicle drivers, for example, contribute much less to fuel tax revenue.
Yet, although hybrids contribute less to air pollution, they increase congestion just as much as their petrol-guzzling counterparts. And congestion is a much greater shared economic cost than vehicle air pollution.
Annual vehicle registration fees make up most of the remaining road bill. These provide no incentive to reduce congestion.
Fuel taxes and registration fees put a disproportionate burden on low-income households in the outer suburbs. Our research shows these households would be better off if roads were funded more by congestion charges.
Field experiments help get the settings right
So what is the optimal congestion charge? Economic theory (Pigou 1920) tells us to price at the cost that each extra user imposes on the system.
With road use, though, the calculation is difficult. To fix rates in advance, we would need to know exactly how much longer everyone’s trip is when each extra driver joins each system. And we’d need to cost that slowdown for each individual on the road at that time (i.e. value their time and, potentially, the cost to them of being late). New research has been using clever experimental designs to identify these values.
That said, maybe it is not too important to get the price just right. For electricity, we are starting to see that households respond to there being a price, not its specific level.
Before widespread road use charges are implemented, we would like to see more field experiments like the MRUS to find answers to other questions. Would it be better to combine a time-of-day charge with targeted locations? How effective would it be to charge more for using highly congested arterial roads at peak times? Would this simply push congestion onto nearby local roads? How large a gap between peak and off-peak prices is needed to produce a strong response?
Another interesting option is the i10 model outside Los Angeles. Two lanes are for traffic willing to pay more to get to their destination faster.
Dynamic pricing ensures traffic in these lanes flows freely – if too many use these lanes and traffic slows, the price increases. Drivers can decide every few kilometres if they want to pay more to stay in the express lanes. Those who must get somewhere on time are able to, and the fee revenue can be used to reduce road costs for others.
The Melbourne Road Usage Study (MRUS) shows field experiments can help us design better road use charges. By all appearances, households took it seriously and were positive about their involvement.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/86324/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The MRUS provides evidence that well-designed road use charges could help reduce congestion by encouraging people to drive at different times, take other routes or use other transport. This could lead to better use of existing infrastructure, thereby reducing costs, while generating revenue for infrastructure investments. Under such a system, drivers who contribute little to congestion could see substantial gains.
Leslie A. Martin, Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Economics, University of Melbourne 
Sam Thornton, Master of Economics candidate, University of Melbourne
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/city-wide-trial-shows-how-road-use-charges-can-reduce-traffic-jams-86324" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Melbourne's city-wide trial shows how road use charges can reduce traffic jams

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Savills have snappily sold a Melbourne city fringe development opportunity designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects.
It sold for $61,888,888 to a childcare operator rather than property developer.
Botree Group sold it to the Little Lane Early Learning Centre which intends to build a super-charged childcare and education centre on the site.
Their intention is for a very high quality childcare, a training college and community support for early childhood education.
Little Lane's chief operating officer Shan Kuo said the group operates 15 centres in Queensland and has another four planned in Melbourne.
They propose facilities including an indoor swimming pool and rock climbing centre.
The <a href="https://commercialpropertysearch.savills.com.au/searchdetailplainnew2noborder.aspx?id=05a59360-50c7-e611-80c4-005056816dfc&amp;jt=For%20Sale&amp;com=False&amp;ret=False&amp;ind=False&amp;lan=False&amp;addr=68%20Buckhurst%20Street%20South%20Melbourne%20%20VIC%203205" target="_blank">68 Buckhurst Street</a>, South Melbourne mixed use project is a near hectare site.
It came with a newly approved permit for a landmark mixed-use development permit that allows for 1,004 apartments over four towers.
It was listed through Savills agents Benson Zhou, Nick Peden and Jesse Radisich, in conjunction with Colliers.
The 9,478 square metre site has three street frontages bounded by Kerr Street, Buckhurst Street and Gladstone Place, South Melbourne. 
It has view corridors toward CBD/Southbank, Royal Botanic Gardens, and Port Philip Bay.
It was 2014 when the then Minister granted a permit for the proposal, subject to conditions, but the land and permit were later sold.
The subsequent owners then prepared an amended proposal. 
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Savills secure snappy Fender Katsalidis-designed South Melbourne site sale to child care operators

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

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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