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Medium density housing approvals in the 12 months to March fell by the greatest margin in Queensland, more than in any other state or territory in Australia.
That is one of the key findings of the new Bankwest Housing Density report which analysed approvals in medium density and low density housing over both the long and the short term.
The report reveals the amount of medium density housing approvals in Queensland dropped by over a quarter (25.6%), down 6,789 approvals to just 19,693.
Bankwest General Manager Broker Sales Stewart Saunders says the state’s surplus of apartment style accommodation was the likely driver behind the drop.
“This sharp fall in medium density housing approvals in Queensland can be attributed to a high number of vacant properties, contributing to weaker investor expectations in the state’s hot property markets,” said Mr Saunders.
The drop is mirrored in the report’s findings that the proportion of medium density housing as a percentage of all approvals in Queensland fell by almost a half (45.3%) in the 12 months to March.
Despite this fall, the state’s medium density approvals in this period accounted for almost a fifth (17.8%) of all the approvals in the country over that period.
“The report also shows what’s happening at a more local level with pronounced decline in approvals in inner Brisbane City (down by 54.5% in the 12 months to March) but also a really healthy growth – the second highest in the whole country – in the Nerang area.
The report reveals the top ten fastest growing areas in the country for medium density housing, topped by Cottesloe-Claremont in Perth.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-16%20at%201.05.45%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/08/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-16%20at%201.05.45%20pm.jpg" alt="">
“The increased demand for medium density housing in Nerang in Queensland is also seen in other Gold Coast areas such as a Surfer’s Paradise, Robina and Southport where virtually all of the approvals in the year to March were for medium density housing,” said Mr Saunders.
On a national level, the report paints a picture of a country experiencing a continuing, long term trend towards apartment style living.
“What is noticeable in the short term analysis of the whole country is that we see that over the 12 months to March the country has experienced its biggest decline in the proportion of medium density approvals for four years,” Mr Saunders added.
Medium density approvals declined by 6.5% in the 12 months to March to 110,471, down from 118,156 the previous year.
This national decline was largely driven by declines at a state level in Queensland (down 25.6%), and Western Australia (down 27.1%).
Mr Saunders said the annual Housing Density Report had been produced as part of Bankwest’s ongoing commitment to offer insights on economic data, trends and issues of value to its customers, businesses, communities and policy makers.
“Bankwest is committed to helping customers and local businesses achieve what matters, contributing to the development of our communities and being a positive voice in the debate on the future of the economy.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Apartment-style approvals decline in Queensland: Bankwest

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In South Yarra, an early example of renowned late architect Wayne Gillespie’s work, sold for $270,000 higher than its reserve.
<div class="wp-caption">There were three bidders for 200 Walsh Street South Yarra.</div>
<div class="wp-caption"> </div>
<div class="wp-caption">The four-bedroom late 1970s property sold for $4.77 million through Kay &amp; Burton.</div>
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Wayne Gillespie designed South Yarra home sold

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/81747/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Domestic animals are rarely associated with Antarctica. However, before non-native species (bar humans) were excluded from the continent in the 1990s, many travelled to the far south.
These animals included not only the obvious sledge dogs, but also ponies, sheep, pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs and a goat. Perhaps the most curious case occurred in 1933, when US Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s second Antarctic expedition took with it three Guernsey cows. 
The cows, named Klondike Gay Nira, Deerfoot Guernsey Maid and Foremost Southern Girl, plus a bull calf born en route, spent over a year in a working dairy on the Ross Ice Shelf. They returned home to the US in 1935 to considerable celebrity. 
Keeping the animals healthy in Antarctica took a lot of doing – not least, hauling the materials for a barn, a huge amount of feed and a milking machine across the ocean and then the ice. What could have possessed Byrd to take cows to the icy south? 
The answer we suggest in our recently published paper is multi-layered and ultimately points to Antarctica’s complex geopolitical history.
Solving the “milk problem”
The cows’ ostensible purpose was to solve the expedition’s so-called “milk problem”. By the 1930s, fresh milk had become such an icon of health and vigour that it was easy to claim it was needed for the expeditioners’ well-being. Just as important, however, were the symbolic associations of fresh milk with purity, wholesomeness and US national identity. 
Powdered or malted milk could have achieved the same nutritional results. Previous expeditions, including those of Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen, had survived just fine with such products. What’s more, William Horlick of Horlick’s Malted Milk sponsored Byrd’s second Antarctic expedition; the seaplane Byrd used was named for this benefactor. 
So if fresh milk was not actually a health requirement, and other forms were readily available, why go to the trouble of lugging three cows and their accoutrements across the ice?
Maximising publicity
The cows represented a first, and Byrd well knew that “firsts” in the polar regions translated into media coverage. The expedition was privately funded, and Byrd was adept at attracting media attention and hence sponsorship. His backers expected a return, whether in the form of photographs of their product on the ice or mentions in the regular radio updates by the expedition. 
The novelty value that the cows brought to the expedition was a valuable asset in its own right, but Byrd hedged his bets by including a pregnant cow – Klondike was due to give birth just as the expedition ship sailed across the Antarctic Circle. The calf, named “Iceberg”, was a media darling and became better known than the expeditioners themselves. 
The celebrity attached to the cows helped the expedition remain in the headlines throughout its time in Antarctica, and they received an enthusiastic welcome upon its return. Although the unfortunate Klondike, suffering from frostbite, had to be put down mid-expedition, her companions made it home in good condition. They were feted on their return, meeting politicians in Washington, enjoying “hay cocktails” at fancy hotels, and making the front page of The New York Times.
It would be easy, then, to conclude that the real reason Byrd took cows south was for the publicity he knew they would generate, but his interest in the animals may also have had a more politically motivated layer.
Eyeing a territorial claim
A third reason for taking cows to Antarctica relates to the geopolitics of the period and the resonances the cows had with colonial settlement. By the 1930s several nations had claimed sectors of Antarctica. Byrd wanted the US to make its own claim, but this was not as straightforward as just planting a flag on the ice. 
According to the Hughes Doctrine, a claim had to be based on settlement, not just discovery. But how do you show settlement of a continent covered in ice? In this context, symbolic gestures such as running a post office – or farming livestock – are useful. 
Domestic animals have long been used as colonial agents, and cattle in particular were a key component of settler colonialism in frontier America. The image of the explorer-hero Byrd, descended from one of the First Families of Virginia, bringing cows to a new land and successfully farming them evoked this history. 
The cows’ presence in Antarctica helped symbolically to turn the expedition base – not coincidentally named “Little America” – into a frontier town. While the US did not end up making a claim to any sector of Antarctica, the polar dairy represented a novel way of demonstrating national interest in the frozen continent.
The Antarctic cows are not just a quirky story from the depths of history. As well as producing milk, they had promotional and geopolitical functions. On an ice continent, settlement is performed rather than enacted, and even Guernsey cows can be more than they first seem.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hanne-e-f-nielsen-139245" target="_blank">Hanne E.F. Nielsen</a> is PhD Candidate in Antarctic Representations, University of Tasmania.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elizabeth-leane-267090" target="_blank">Elizabeth Leane</a> is Associate Professor of English and ARC Future Fellow, University of Tasmania.
Both are authors for <a href="https://theconversation.com/au" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Cows in Antarctica? How one expedition milked them for all their worth

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House and land packages are attracting investors in Hervey Bay, according to Herron Todd White’s latest August report.
The property investment firm says that lot sizes are steadily decreasing as higher density living rises.
“Investors are typically attracted to standard house and land packages which start at an affordable $330,000 for a basic 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with double garage.
“Lot sizes have been steadily reducing over the past five years as Council looks to promote higher density living particularly within the newly established estates located in the fringe areas of Hervey Bay.
“Over the past few years we have seen many duplex style dwellings constructed, with the floor plan providing 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom accommodation (with single garage) on one side, with an attached 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom flat (with single garage).
“These have been very popular with investors with most yielding 6% to 7% gross return, along with attractive tax depreciation benefits.
“This type of property is currently being marketed to interstate investors and we are yet to see a resale of this type of duplex.
“Investors who choose to purchase on the Fraser Coast have a very wide range of property to choose from, with new estates offering a range of turn-key quality inclusions to attract buyers,” the report stated.
A 2360 sqm lot allotment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-qld-craignish-2499635" target="_blank">38/5 Glen Laton Court</a>, Craignish (above) has been listed for $330,000.
A riverfront 1055 sqm lot allotment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-qld-burrum+heads-2592706" target="_blank">70 Traviston Way</a>, Burrum Heads (below) has been listed for $350,000.
<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/2017/08/04/70%20Traviston%20Way.jpg" alt="">
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Land lots attracting Hervey Bay investors: HTW

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Australia’s population is booming, with some regions growing by more than 50 percent over the last five years.
In celebration of its upcoming 10th anniversary, <a href="https://www.nearmap.com.au" target="_blank">Nearmap</a>, the Aussie aerial imagery company, has paired its high-res aerial imagery with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data, revealing the country's rapid growth through before and after images of the top 10 fastest growing regions in Australia.
As businesses and local governments work to stay ahead of housing and infrastructure demand, it is becoming increasingly important to fully utilise technology to save time, keep costs down and ultimately speed up delivery of large-scale, long-term developments projects, like those pictured below.
Rob Newman, Nearmap CEO, said from the ground it can be difficult to see the pace at which Australia is growing.
"But when you look at it from the air, you can observe in incredible detail the change occurring across our country, even just in the last five years," he said.
“Nearmap captures, manages and delivers the most frequently-updated high res aerial imagery in the world.
“And by having access to the most up to date information, businesses and government agencies are able to make more informed and strategic decisions, critical for effectively planning and managing urban development as Australia’s population continues to grow.”
Below are the top 10 regions around Australia that have experienced the highest percentage of population growth between 2011 and 2016.
<table style="width: 411px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
Order
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Region name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
2011 population
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
2016 population
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
Growth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
State
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Serpentine – Jarrahdale
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
17,805
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
26,873
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
50%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Gungahlin
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
47,303
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
71,142
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
50%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
ACT
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Melbourne City
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
93,612
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
135,969
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
45%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
North Lakes
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
51,568
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
71,560
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
38%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
QLD
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Wyndham
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
166,020
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
221,895
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
33%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Kwinana
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
29,227
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
38,918
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
33%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Casey – South
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
128,361
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
168,177
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
31%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
8
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Ormeau – Oxenford
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
94,056
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
120,883
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
QLD
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
9
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Whittlesea – Wallan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
166,907
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
213,708
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
10
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Bringelly – Green Valley
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
80,339
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
102,811
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
NSW
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Serpentine - Byford December 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.10.24%20AM.png" alt="">
Byford June 2016
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.11.19%20AM.png" alt="">
Gungahlin - May 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.12.40%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Gungahlin April 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.22.31%20AM.png" alt="">
 Melbourne City - Carlton November 2011
<h1 class="filename"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.25.35%20AM.png" alt=""></h1>
 
Carlton May 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.26.16%20AM.png" alt="">
QLD North Lakes
Griffin June 2011
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.27.28%20AM.png" alt="">
Griffin June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.28.12%20AM.png" alt="">
Wyndham Vale Victoria
January 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.29.12%20AM.png" alt="">
Wyndham Vale February 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.30.03%20AM.png" alt="">
Western Australia
Wandi June 2013
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.31.02%20AM.png" alt="">
Wandi June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.31.43%20AM.png" alt="">
 Cranbourne East August 2011
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.33.50%20AM.png" alt="">
Cranbourne East March 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.34.23%20AM.png" alt="">
Queensland 
Ormeau Hills May 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.35.36%20AM.png" alt="">
Ormeau Hills June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.36.30%20AM.png" alt="">
 Victoria
Doreen December 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.37.48%20AM.png" alt="">
Doreen February 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.38.21%20AM.png" alt="">
New South Wales
Cobbitty February 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.39.33%20AM.png" alt="">
Cobbitty April 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.40.18%20AM.png" alt="">
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New images reveal Australia’s 10 fastest growing regions

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A 1940's home in Victoria's suburb of Croydon is on the market with a price guide from between $2.35 to $2.585 million.
The property, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-croydon-126088838" target="_blank">5 Kenmare Ave, Croydon</a>, is a five-bedroom home on a 1943sqm block was purchased around eight years ago by antique dealers.
<div id="rui-main-content" class="primary">
<div class="main-container">
<div class="wp-caption">
<img class="size-full wp-image-207464" src="https://www.realestate.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13120033/capi_131aef075140a8e2c06537c34a1fd9d8_3e0bcf6cb217a64d3fbd0a95efb51cc3.jpeg" alt="5 Kenmare Ave, Croydon. For Herald Sun Realestate" data-capiid="3e0bcf6cb217a64d3fbd0a95efb51cc3"> 
Chris Price, McGrath, Croydon, agent said most of the sash and leadlight windows are from country Victoria, the island bench in the kitchen is a remodelled Victorian-era shop counter with a porcelain butler’s sink, the buffet and hutches are from a church and date back to 1910, and the period lights and switches are French and English. 
“It is probably Croydon’s finest character period home,” he said.
</div>
<div class="wp-caption"><img class="size-full wp-image-207465" src="https://www.realestate.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13120037/capi_131aef075140a8e2c06537c34a1fd9d8_64f3857832b876215be6753c90df6dbe.jpeg" alt="5 Kenmare Ave, Croydon. For Herald Sun Realestate" data-capiid="64f3857832b876215be6753c90df6dbe"></div>
 
The turret has 270-degree views.
A formal lounge with a circular sitting room is beneath the turret. The home also has a rumpus room, study, decorative fireplaces and a heated pool.
<div class="wp-caption"><img class="size-full wp-image-207466" src="https://www.realestate.com.au/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13120041/capi_131aef075140a8e2c06537c34a1fd9d8_f822df56fb8d08fcec8475ddbcfd0552.jpeg" alt="5 Kenmare Ave, Croydon. For Herald Sun Realestate" data-capiid="f822df56fb8d08fcec8475ddbcfd0552"></div>
The property is going to auction 2pm September 23.
</div>
</div>
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1940s home in Victoria's Croydon listed

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The ASX-listed property fund manager GDI Group has sold its A-grade commercial office tower at 66 Goulburn Street in Sydney CBD.
It has been sold to the Singapore real estate firm Ascendas-Singbridge for $252 million.
The 24 floor building has 22,929 square metre of space.
Its tenants include Samuel Griffith Chambers, Government Property NSW, Prudential Investment Co, William Buck and the Copyright Agency.
The tower was acquired in 2014 for $136 million when the building had over 6000sq m of vacancy and expiring leases including one for 10,432sq m.
GDI has since leased, renewed or agreed to lease all its net lettable area.
The property is opposite the recently sold 59 Goulburn Street tower, bought by Fortius Funds Management for $158 million.
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GDI sells 66 Goulburn Street for $252 million

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A Nagambie home designed by architect Gary Windgate is on the market for $1.3 million.
The property fronts Lake Nagambie and is believed to have been the first new home to be built on one of the choicest allotments of the Elloura residential estate development.
The property, at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-nagambie-124318150" target="_blank">16 Lakeside Drive</a> Nagambie is only 124 kms from the City with dual lane freeway access all the way via the Hume and Goulburn Valley Highways.
<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/2017/08/09/16%20Lakeside%20Drive-2.1.jpg" alt="">
Ruralco Property selling agent Brendan Woodley says it has probably the longest view exposure across Lake Nagambie.
The double storey home directly fronts the Lake’s edge with a frontage of 23 metres.
It offers a seven-star rating for efficiency through key features of triple insulation and double glazed glassed areas.
A feature is a slate splashback to the benchtops which the owner specially imported from Brazil.
Ceiling heights throughout the home are at 2.8 metres creating spacious living areas with full height windows to access the water views.
The complete building area is serviced by automatic heating and cooling with an additional gas log fireplace in the downstairs living area.
Brendan Woodley from Ruralco Property said he considers it unlikely that a higher quality waterfront home with unrestricted water views and barely 90 minutes north of the City fringe could be located anywhere else in Victoria.
“By any measure this is a prestige quality home in a magnificent location that makes a design statement and presents a quality of life that is unrivalled," he said.
“At the vendor’s asking price of $1.3 million for 16 Lakeside Drive Nagambie this property will be ideal for retirees seeking a top of the range living address, or for business people seeking an easy retreat from the City”
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Lakefront Nagambie house listed for $1.3 million

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Victorian suburbs are set to be the busiest once again this weekend, according to CoreLogic.
The property data firm says the Craigieburn and Reservoir will be the most busiest.
Victoria has all the busiest suburbs for auctions this week, with 19 homes scheduled to go to auction in Craigieburn and Reservoir, while Pakenham will host 15 auctions and Bentleigh East with 14.
The number of auctions scheduled across the combined capital cities this week is expected to see a slight fall, with 1,878 properties scheduled to go under the hammer, after last week saw volumes reach their highest levels since June (2,040).
Across the two largest auction markets, Melbourne and Sydney, volumes are expected to decrease, with 907 homes scheduled to go to auction across Melbourne and Sydney set to host 666 auctions, down from last week’s 955 and 798 auctions respectively.
Across the smaller markets, activity is to be varied this week, with Brisbane, Canberra and Tasmania set to see an increase in activity week-on-week, while Adelaide and Perth the number of auctions scheduled this week are slightly lower.
When compared to last year, volumes continue to track higher each week than what was seen over the corresponding July- August period last year (1,795).
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-craigieburn-125934478" target="_blank">5 Brookedge Court</a>, Craigieburn (above) will be auctioned this weekend for between $550,000 to $600,000.
A two bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-reservoir-126063174" target="_blank">6/35 Cheddar Road</a>, Reservoir (below) will be auctioned for between $450,000 to $470,000.
<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/2017/08/18/6_35%20Cheddar%20Road.jpg" alt="">
Last week Reservoir was also the busiest suburb for auctions, with 17 homes scheduled to go under the hammer.
Sales included a five bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-reservoir-125995538" target="_blank">39 Gertz Avenue</a>, Reservoir (below) that was auctioned and sold for $861,000.
<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/2017/08/10/39%20Gertz%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
A one bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-reservoir-125991070" target="_blank">1/72 Pine Street</a>, Reservoir (below) was also auctioned and sold for $325,000.
<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/2017/08/10/1_72%20Pine%20Street.jpg" alt="">
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Craigieburn and Reservoir tie for the weekend's busiest auction suburb: CoreLogic

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Metro area leases in Perth dropped off in the three months to June according to REIWA.
Latest figures from REIWA show when compared to the same time in 2016, leasing levels in Perth increased by six percent.
Hayden Groves, REIWA president said although activity had dropped off across the metro area in the three months to June, annual activity levels had continued to improve.
“The data for the June quarter 2017 clearly shows an uptick in activity on an annual basis across the board, which is pleasing," he said.
“We’re seeing notably more properties being leased now than we were this time last year.
“All five sub-regions saw lifts in their annual activity levels.
“The stand out performers were the South East and Central sub-regions, which improved by 10.5 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively when comparing June quarter 2017 to June quarter 2016.
“Huntingdale, Booragoon, Bedford, Aubin Grove and Sorrento saw the biggest improvement in leasing activity in the three months to June 2017."
“Karrinyup in the Central sub-region was the best performing suburb for rent price, with its overall median lifting to $570 per week for the three months to June.
“Other suburbs to record positive growth to their median rent prices were Booragoon, East Fremantle, Mount Pleasant and Mindarie,” Mr Groves said.
reiwa.com data shows the median house rent price for the three months to June came in at $360 per week, while Perth’s median unit price was recorded at $330 per week.
It took an average of 52 days for Perth landlords to secure a tenant for their rental in the June quarter.
Mr Groves said the figure recorded for the three months to June was fairly steady on the March quarter, having only increased by one day.
“This stability was felt across all sub-regions, with only minor changes recorded in the average leasing day figure for the June quarter.
“The North West sub-region was the only sub-region to experience a reduction in the number of days it took to lease a property, while the South East sub-region saw no change."
 
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Perth rental market subdued in June quarter: REIWA

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Joel Robinson

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

A proposal to redevelop one of North Sydney's ageing commercial buildings has taken another step forward, with plans for a 38-storey mixed-use tower adding momentum to the long-awaited transformation of the Alfred Street precinct.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority-led State Significant Development pathway, the proposal for 271-273 Alfred Street would replace an underutilised commercial building with 95 apartments, ground-floor retail, commercial space and affordable housing. The proposal was submitted by&nbsp;Tara Shore Pty Ltd, acting for the John Taylor Family Trust.

While the project will deliver much-needed housing on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, it also represents another piece of a broader precinct that has spent years in planning limbo.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e1ce1b4-38df-48ab-992f-386814d86308" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=sC_h6w.A9VEoB98qsqowPlIoz__sBZBt" />

Despite its proximity to both North Sydney Station and the Victoria Cross Metro, redevelopment of Alfred Street has progressed slowly over the past decade as broader planning controls, zoning and building heights remained unresolved. The introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway has provided a new avenue for projects to progress, allowing rezoning and development assessment to occur concurrently and unlocking sites that have long been earmarked for renewal.

Designed by Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder, the proposal seeks to do more than replace an ageing office building. The architects have positioned the project as the first stage of a wider public domain vision that would improve pedestrian connectivity and create a more cohesive mixed-use precinct as neighbouring sites are redeveloped over time.

The proposal includes a widened Alfred Street setback, new street trees, landscaping and outdoor seating, along with a landscaped through-site pedestrian link connecting Alfred Street with Little Alfred Street. The connection is intended to become the first section of a future east-west pedestrian network extending across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: New public domain vision underpins 95-apartment North Sydney tower on Alfred Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ea39ac3-46ad-4562-b4a0-b862e91c2dda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Alfred%20St%20da%20site.png?VersionId=K7umCd21KpetEFuVfsPlnJKhUOsmTTdV" />

The mixed-use tower would comprise retail space at ground level, commercial uses on level two and apartments from level three upwards.

In total, the development would deliver 95 apartments, including nine one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 56 three-bedroom and two four-bedroom residences. Twenty-one apartments, representing 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area, would be secured as affordable housing and managed by a registered community housing provider for at least 15 years.

Nine basement levels would provide 133 resident car spaces, seven motorcycle spaces and 111 bicycle spaces.

According to the Architecture and Urban Design Report, the public domain strategy is designed to transform what is currently an inward-facing commercial edge into a more active and connected pedestrian environment, creating a stronger relationship between the commercial core and surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Office of Cortese &amp; Gilder has also prepared a broader public domain framework spanning neighbouring properties between 263 and 283 Alfred Street, arguing that a coordinated approach to redevelopment will deliver better public spaces, improved tower separation and a more connected streetscape as the precinct evolves.

The proposal comes at a time where North Sydney is slated for future residential growth. Commercial developer FiveX has residential plans for the neighbouring site at 275 Alfred Street. They've proposed a 39-storey mixed-use tower with 184 apartments, while Freecity was recently approved for nearly 300 apartments across a 51-storey building on Walker Street.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-freecity-gets-green-light-for-mixed-use-apartment-and-hotel-tower-in-north-sydney">First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-plans-39-storey-residential-tower-in-booming-north-sydney">First look: Fivex plans 39-storey residential tower in booming North Sydney</a>

&nbsp;

Alfred Street the latest North Sydney pocket to be transformed by residential development

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]

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

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

Staff reporter

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