<html><body>
Johnson Property Group has received approval to develop a tourist precinct within its $388 million masterplanned marina community, Trinity Point overlooking Barden’s Bay in Lake Macquarie.
The NSW Planning Assessment Commission has approved the group's plan to modify its earlier approved Masterplan Concept to incorporate a 5-Star hotel/commercial precinct and an apartment precinct which includes short stay and residential apartments.
“This will be a key economic driver for the local community and a major new tourist destination for New South Wales,” said Keith Johnson, CEO of Johnson Property Group.
The hotel precinct is proposed to comprise a 5-star hotel, a resort-style pool, spa and gym facilities, a 200-seat restaurant and a cafe. 
The apartment precinct is expected to comprise 250 apartments comprising of a mix of residential and short stay units, with car parking.
The company received development application approval to build the first 94 berths of a proposed 188-berth marina as part of the masterplanned community earlier, to be called Trinity Point Marina.
Trinity Point spans 23 hectares and is located in Lake Macquarie, an hour and a half from Sydney. 
Former Miss Universe, model and entrepreneur, Jennifer Hawkins is a brand ambassador of Trinity Point, being a local girl from Holmesville near Newcastle. 
Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke joins model Jen Hawkins in becoming an ambassador for Johnson Property Group as he announced this week he had bought into the new development Trinity Point.
<img src="/images/2015/11/23/clarke.jpg" alt="" width="567" height="344">
Caption: Johnson Property Group Managing Director, Keith Johnson and former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke
He bought a three storey, four bedroom terrace off the plan. It cost $1,388,888.
"Trinity Point is going to become an absolute Sydney weekend hotspot – another Palm Beach or daytrip destination but with more of a marina-lifestyle resort focus,” he said.
“We are absolutely delighted to be the first buyers to secure a stunning lakeside home at Trinity Point and are already planning our family holidays and weekend trips away staying in our beautiful three storey terrace house with views out over Lake Macquarie.” 
The launch of land sales at Trinity Point which will take place on November 29 on site.
The first release will comprise a total of 32 land lots, priced from $398,888 ranging in size from 450 square metres to 660 square metres.
To register for interest in land or apartment sales at Trinity Point, register <a href="https://trinitypoint.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
Once completed, Trinity Point will include 189 residential land lots, 250 residential and short stay apartments and a five star, 65 room Pullman resort.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Johnson Property's Trinity Point gets NSW govt nod to modify Lake Macquarie tourist and residential precinct

<html><body>
Close to 5,800 homes will have been auctioned this month in Melbourne in just four Super Saturday weekends, making it the biggest auction month in Victoria’s history.
The previous record was set in November last year, when more than 5,300 homes went to auction.
Capping off the month will be this final weekend, when 1,810 homes will go under the hammer, including 1,735 on the Saturday, and 75 on Sunday. This would break the previous record of 1,740 weekend auctions for the week ending October 26, 2014.
In all, 1,850 homes will go to auction this week, capping off a strong spring selling season.
REIV CEO Enzo Raimondo said it has been a remarkable year for the state’s property sector, particularly in Melbourne, in a year in which:
More homes have gone to auction than ever before: 37,700 across the state in the year to 23 November, 5% above the same period last year;
Auctions in outer suburbs, previously the domain of private sales, continued to grow, following a trend that started in mid-­2014;
The 2015 auction capital was Reservoir for the third successive year with 624 auctions;
Of the top 10 auction suburbs this year, Glen Iris recorded the highest clearance rate at 85.5%;
Croydon South, with 29 auctions, had a 100% rate.
“Victoria’s buoyant property market has recorded solid price growth over the past year with buyer demand and record low interest rates encouraging more vendors to sell their homes at auction,” Raimondo said.
“High auction numbers are creating unparalleled opportunities for buyers, with multiple auctions held in more than 300 Melbourne suburbs in November.
“Melbourne property buyers are currently spoiled for choice with high auction numbers forecast until mid-­December.”
Auction preview for week ending November 29
<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Last weekend</td>
<td>1,350 auctions (exc. 31 postponed and 45 withdrawn)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>This weekend</td>
<td>1,850 auctions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>This weekend last year   </td>
<td>66% from 1,399 auctions</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The REIV expects about 1,850 auctions in 367 suburbs this week. The top auction locations this weekend are Mount Waverley (30 auctions), St Kilda (28 auctions) and Reservoir (27 auctions).
The 1,850 auctions scheduled this week is expected to deliver a national record for auctions. 
CoreLogic RP Data have advised more than 1000 properties are scheduled to go under the hammer across Sydney this weekend.
</body></html>

Melbourne caps off big November 2015 auction month with record Super Saturday

<html><body>
Melton West - and the 3337 postcode - was identified as one of the most affordable rental suburbs closest to Melbourne's central business district, according to Australia's first rental affordability index.
The index is a joint project between peak housing advocate National Shelter, Community Sector Banking and SGS Economics &amp; Planning.
Property Observer went looking for houses and apartments in Melbourne's Melton West to find a suitable range. These are the ones we came up with:
 1. A four-bedroom house on <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/19-lomandra-bowl-melton-west/Property-Details-rent-residential-9789526">19 Lomandra Bowl, MELTON WEST 3337</a> (above) is available for $370 a week. This one topped the rentals for houses. 
2. A three-bedroom house on <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/4-red-oak-street-melton-west/Property-Details-rent-residential-9784033">4 Red Oak Street, MELTON WEST 3337</a> (below) is available for $280 a week.
<img src="/images/2015/11/26/4-Red-Oak-Street-Melton-West-VIC-3337-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9784033.jpg" alt="" width="469" height="352">
3. A two-bedroom unit on <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/2-7-fishburn-grove-melton-west/Property-Details-rent-residential-9787782" target="_blank">2/7 Fishburn Grove, MELTON WEST 3337</a> (below) is out for rent for $255 a week.
<img src="/images/2015/11/26/2-7-Fishburn-Grove-Melton-West-VIC-3337-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9787782.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">
4. A two-bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/25u-scott-street-melton/Property-Details-rent-residential-9789004" target="_blank">25U Scott Street, MELTON 3337</a> (below) is available for $220 a week and was the cheapest. 
<img src="/images/2015/11/26/700_scott.jpg" alt="" width="540" height="328">
The median house rental for Melton West is $280 per week with a median gross yield of 4.7%, according to data on <a href="/news">www.propertyvalue.com.au</a>.
Its median gross yield is higher than the national average of 4.24%.
For units, the median rent is $260 per week, while the gross yield is 5.7%, also higher than the national average of 4.63%, the data shows. 
</body></html>

Melton West rental affordability: What landlords are asking from tenants

<html><body>
A new report by LF Economics compares Australia's housing market to a Ponzi scheme, building on the theme of unaffordability in its previous reports. 
Lindsay David's latest report talks about how many first home buyers (FHBs) depend on their parents for financial assistance for a deposit and then use their homes as collateral to secure mortgages. While this fast-tracks their home ownership, the difficult situation of paying off ever-increasing debt exposes many Baby Boomer parents to a potentially dangerous situation should their children default.
The report says "in reality, many parents (the Baby Boomer cohort) are asset-rich but income-poor". It claims few parents have enough savings and other liquid assets on hand to meet their legal obligations without selling their home if their children default.
It says this loan guarantee strategy in a rising housing market for securing ever-larger amounts of debt is essentially pyramid or Ponzi finance. 
Founded by David and Philip Soos, LF Economics had previously argued that Australia’s housing market was one of the most overleveraged and unaffordable in the Western world.
It says Australia’s long-term housing price index, adjusted for inflation and quality, demonstrates the phenomenal boom in prices beginning in 1996 (a turning point in residential dwelling markets globally).
What distinguishes this boom from all others is its relative size and length of time without incurring a substantial correction. Between 1996 and 2015, real housing prices have risen by 141%. This surge in prices is why the housing market is so unaffordable, it states.
The report is also critical of government and industry claims that declining nominal mortgage interest rates since the peak in 1990 to record lows today has increased affordability, hence assisting FHBs. But this does not account for the ever-rising deposit needed for entry into the housing market given record-high price to income ratios and the hefty cost of lenders mortgage insurance, it adds. The current low interest rate also makes it difficult to save for a deposit.
It says the data shows Australia is in the midst of the largest housing bubble on record, both in terms of prices to rents and household incomes but that government and regulators have been denying the existence of a bubble.
"The price to income ratio (P/I) is as an indicator of residential property valuation, also referred to as the median multiple," says the report.
"When real housing prices began to lift off in 1996, the P/I ratio was around 4 for both houses and units, indicating superior affordability.
"A new peak was established in 2004 and remained steady for the next decade, with a ratio of 7 for houses and 6 for units.
"As the latest booms in Sydney and Melbourne have caused nationwide prices to rise further, the P/I ratio for houses and units have reached a new peak of 8.3 and 6.4 respectively in 2015Q2.
"It is clear a significant increase occurred from 1996 onwards as household incomes have not kept pace with the growth in dwelling prices. The P/I ratio certainly suggests Australia’s residential housing market is unaffordable."
In conclusion, it says the financial services industry does not heed and has no incentive to consider the financial livelihoods of FHBs after purchase. Regulators have ignored the Ponzi lending practices by lenders, believing the RBA will have the adequate ability to bail them out at taxpayers’ expense the day this classic Ponzi lending scheme breaks down.
</body></html>

Parental guidance, property and ponzi: LF Economics

<html><body>
Joel Phillip Murray, an estate agent, was reprimanded and had his licence suspended for three months and conditions attached to it, after failing to have his trust accounts audited. 
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that Mr Murray, 41, of Berwick, contravened the Estate Agents Act 1980 and the Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) Regulations 2008.
Mr Murray failed to cause his trust account to be audited within three months of the end of the 2010-2014 financial years, and to lodge copies with the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, as required by the Act.
The tribunal found that Mr Murray contravened the Regulations by failing to exercise due skill, care and diligence in performing his functions as an estate agent, and by engaging in unprofessional conduct.
He was reprimanded and had his licence suspended for three months from 20 October 2015 until 19 January 2016.
His licence was also made subject to a condition that, on or before 19 October in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017, Mr Murray must notify the Director in writing whether or not he has complied with his trust account audit and lodging requirements for the previous financial year.
</body></html>

Strict trust account audit requirements for estate agent Joel Phillip Murray

<html><body>
A speculatively built industrial property comprising six units at Braeside in Melbourne’s south-east has sold for a total of $1.84 million and an average $2,200 a square metre.
Developed by Melbourne-based Ballantyne Builders, the units ranging from 123 to 162 square metres, sold before completion. 
Located at 20 Canterbury Road in a well-established industrial estate, it boasts of tenants such as Nissan Motorsport, Fabtronics Australia and Weber Performance.
"The units were designed to meet pent-up demand in this sector and with few similar units of comparable price and quality available, were quickly taken up," said Chris Telley of Savills, who brokered the deals with Gareth Jackson and Nixon Industrial.
He added that the quick sales were driven by the price point, truck access, secure premises, and size. They are close to Wells Road, Governor Road and Springvale Road.
"Ballantyne seized on a market opportunity and were well rewarded,’’ Telley said.
</body></html>

Six industrial units in Melbourne's Braeside sell for $1.84 million

<html><body>
A 915 square metre site in Melbourne's Collingwood and marketed as a development opportunity has sold for $3.95 million.
The sale was brokered by CBRE’s Jamus Campbell.
According to the agent, the sale of the 73-77 Sackville Street site wasn't without challenges, with the dated office and warehouse accommodation providing no holding income and the Commercial 2 zoning limiting residential development potential.
The price translated to a rate of $4,316 per square metres.
“The high developer demand for Collingwood sites with Commercial 2 zoning has been underpinned by the Victorian state government’s Plan Melbourne 2050 initiative, which earmarked Collingwood for significant urban renewal,” Campbell said.
Plans are also afoot to develop the surrounding areas into a mixed-use precinct comprising cafes, retail, office and residential accommodations.
“To facilitate this vision and enable residential development, the City of Yarra are considering rezoning Commercial 2 properties to Commercial 1, which has resulted in a flurry of savvy landowners in Collingwood making the most of record prices being paid,” Campbell added.
</body></html>

Proposed Collingwood rezoning site sells for $3.95 million 

<html><body>
Carlton conveyancer Mandeep Johal, 37, has been reprimanded and had conditions placed on his licence, by his and Consumer Affairs Victoria's consent, after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found he contravened the Conveyancers Act 2006.
Consumer Affairs Victoria applied for an inquiry into Mr Johal's conduct after receiving numerous complaints when he was trading as MM Conveyancing, Metropolitan Melbourne Conveyancing and Budget Conveyancing.
The tribunal found Mr Johal had contravened the Act and its associated regulations by failing to:
<ul>
<li>disclose a potential or actual conflict of interest relating to his conveyancing services</li>
<li>disclose the costs of conveyancing work to his clients, and including legally required information in his cost disclosures</li>
<li>notify the Business Licensing Authority of information required in his conveyancer's licence application</li>
<li>comply with the rules of conduct a conveyancer must adhere to under the law.</li>
</ul>
As part of the conditions placed on his licence, Mr Johal must:
<ul>
<li>install a voicemail and email notification advising clients that their telephone call or email will be responded to within 48 hours</li>
<li>implement and publish a complaint-handling procedure, have it audited every six months for three years, and provide a copy of the audit report to the Director within five days of receiving it.</li>
</ul>
Mr Johal was also ordered, by consent, to undertake an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing at the Melbourne Polytechnic within nine months of the date of the tribunal's order, and to notify the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria after successfully completing it.
Mr Johal was also ordered to pay a penalty of $1000 into the Victorian Property Fund.
</body></html>

MM Conveyancing told to get some education: VCAT

<html><body>
An office, showroom and warehouse in Melbourne's Fairfield has sold under the hammer for $2.030 million to a local investor.
The 40-42 Montefiore Street property fetched $430,000 more than the reserve price of $1.6 million, according to selling agents Dean Alexander and David Bourke of Fitzroys.
The property is on an area of 1,827 square metres, with a building covering 1,675 square metres, including a two-level office/showroom and high clearance warehouse.
It has a 40-metre street frontage and on-site parking.
The Industrial 3-zoned property was sold with a three-year lease term from July 2014 to wheelchair manufacturer Mobility Plus, returning $136,485 per annum plus outgoings.
“The strong result demonstrates the strength of the market, particularly regarding well-located and well-leased properties,” said Alexander.
The property is close to the Eastern Freeway.
</body></html>

Industrial property in Melbourne's Fairfield sells for $2.03 million

<html><body>
The Australian student housing market is set to gain from the fastest growing foreign student population in the world next year, creating a significant development and investment opportunity for domestic and international organisations, says new research by global real estate advisor Savills.
Enrolments by foreign students in Australia rose 10.1% to 348,000 enrolments in the year to March 2015, while its student housing sector recorded annual growth in the volume of beds of 4.3% between 1999 and 2014.
The number of beds is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.7% to 2018 but the sector is expected to suffer a supply shortfall with the provision of purpose-built accommodation currently at just 7%.
The market therefore offers major development and investment opportunities, although competing bids from residential projects for sites in major cities such as Melbourne and Brisbane may drive up costs.
Typical prime initial yields stand at 7%, much higher than the UK (5%) and the US (5.75%).
Savills’ World Student Housing report says Australia is the third biggest destination for foreign students globally, and the third-most popular destination for Chinese students after the US and Japan.
Attracted by an enviable, if comparatively expensive, quality of life, globally-recognised institutions and relative proximity to south-east Asia, Australia’s student population is set to increase exponentially in the coming decades, it says.
“With the US market having reached maturity, and the UK having reported record investment volumes of $ 6.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2015, Australia’s growing popularity among students globally offers a potentially new and exciting opportunity," said Marcus Roberts, director of student investment and development.
"We’ve already seen some landmark deals in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but the market is relatively immature compared to the US and UK, and therefore presents good prospects for entrepreneurial capital and cash-rich organisations which have already cut their teeth in the US or UK."
He had a word of caution for investors, though, because the Australian government’s intention to remove the cap on tuition fees from 2016 could dent the country’s popularity.
</body></html>

Housing to gain as Australia has fastest rise in foreign student population: Savills

ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a>&nbsp;is continuing its push back into the new apartment market, filing plans for a prominent gateway site between Collingwood and East Melbourne.

The development giant, which moved back into the new apartment space when it announced Stanton Place in Sydney's Rosebery and have since filed plans for a 50-storey tower, are jumping into the off the plan Melbourne market.

They are hoping to create a mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-victoria-parade-collingwood-vic-3066">79-81 Victoria Parade</a>, replacing an existing commercial building with a scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/john-wardle-architects">Wardle</a>&nbsp;for 478 apartments,&nbsp;ground-floor retail, new public open spaces and a publicly accessible pedestrian laneway.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72dbbca9-3918-4073-afad-a0c0c35be8e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20pers.png?VersionId=bzMVUKKxvwuNK1m0v_td126Rgct32uk_" />

The design report identifies the public realm as a central driver of the proposal.

"Collingwood has limited access to high-quality parks and public open space, and the proposal delivers valuable new areas for respite, social interaction and fine-grain retail activity."

The development would deliver a diverse mix of housing, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside townhouse-style residences. Two basement levels are proposed beneath the development, providing resident and retail parking as well as extensive bicycle facilities.

Wardle's design draws heavily on Collingwood's industrial character, using articulated building forms, brickwork and robust materials inspired by the suburb's warehouse and manufacturing heritage. The built form has been broken into a series of smaller volumes to better respond to the surrounding streetscape while extensive communal gardens, rooftop amenities and shared resident spaces are integrated throughout the project.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b2135ed-65df-4253-ad53-f216f06bd467" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20podium.png?VersionId=l1B6Hqn8zs772VxH6L1fDPg0KHshan9v" />

The planning documents describe the existing office building as offering little engagement with the public realm, with the redevelopment intended to create a more permeable and active neighbourhood destination.

"The proposed scheme presents a significant opportunity to deliver a vibrant retail plaza and a local neighbourhood hub serving both existing and future Collingwood residents."

The 79–81 Victoria Parade site occupies a strategic location about 1.5 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, at the threshold between Collingwood and East Melbourne. It is well served by tram services along Victoria Parade and sits within walking distance of St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy Gardens, the Fitzroy activity centre and a broad range of employment, retail and hospitality destinations.

Joel Robinson

Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site

An 1880s timber cottage that has survived Kangaroo Point's transformation from riverside suburb to high-density apartment precinct is set to become the centrepiece of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/zephyr">Zephyr Group</a>'s proposed Banksia development.

Rather than see the locally heritage-listed Alpha Cottage as an obstacle to navigate, plans integrate the landmark home into a new 18-storey residential tower, giving one of the suburb's oldest surviving residences a new role as the project's communal hub.

The development application covers a 1,177 sqm amalgamated site at 127-133 Lambert Street and 30 Shafston Avenue, where Zephyr Group plans to deliver 64 apartments above three basement levels. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/joe-adsett-architects">Joe Adsett Architects</a>, the proposal carefully weaves the retained heritage cottage into a contemporary residential scheme, with the tower elevated above the historic building to preserve its presence within the Lambert Street streetscape.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9dc5bdb-d691-4c60-bf2b-c3ed405a3e75" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Banksia.png?VersionId=Jh4bjlewU.o8HXWt0V4KaFA_lPcF7KWM" />

Named after the native Australian Banksia flower, the project draws inspiration from its distinctive form through curved balconies, sculpted planter boxes and cascading subtropical landscaping that soften the building's profile.

As the design report explains: "The tower's identity is defined by its feature facade, drawing direct inspiration from the Banksia wildflower. The building departs from traditional rigidity through the use of elegant, GRC-moulded planter boxes that appear as if shaped by the breeze."

Plans propose 64 apartments, comprising 32 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom residences, across an 18-storey tower. Residents would have access to rooftop amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, private cinema, dining spaces and landscaped recreation areas, while more than half the site is dedicated to planting and open space.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16041b5f-033e-47fa-8fbe-9886e072c1f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pool.png?VersionId=kpx5w4EbLx0_TdWfDoD1vrSs0_cZ5Ao1" />

The heritage component is the defining feature of the proposal. Constructed in the early 1880s and occupied from at least 1883, Alpha Cottage is recognised by Brisbane City Council as an important surviving example of Kangaroo Point's nineteenth-century residential development and as a representative transverse-gable timber cottage. Despite extensive redevelopment across the peninsula, the building has retained a high degree of its original form and internal fabric.

As part of the redevelopment, the cottage will be carefully relocated a short distance within its original allotment to facilitate construction before being returned to a prominent position along Lambert Street. Original verandah elements will be dismantled, catalogued and reinstated, while significant internal features, including timber flooring, wall linings, joinery, doors, windows and hardware, will be retained. Later additions, including the enclosed rear verandah, will be removed to better reveal the building's original form.

Once restored, Alpha Cottage will accommodate the building manager's office, mail room and parcel facilities, providing an active everyday use that supports its long-term conservation rather than preserving it as a static display. The heritage strategy also maintains landscaped space around the building, allowing it to remain visually distinct beneath the new tower.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43b027e1-576e-4624-a66c-7cc54ea8b7be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/banksia%20tower.png?VersionId=2W6E2yfkj2AQlWlLeV986grA5zB9f817" />

The Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that "the proposal secures the ongoing occupation, maintenance and conservation of Alpha Cottage," finding the development would result in "no more than a minor impact on the cultural heritage significance" of the building while ensuring its long-term future.

Joe Adsett Architects have designed the tower to sit above the heritage building rather than overwhelm it, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The development's flowing balconies, integrated planting and organic façade respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate while complementing the restored cottage below.

Banksia occupies a prominent corner in Kangaroo Point within walking distance of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane River, ferry services, QUT, the CBD and the Woolloongabba precinct. The site also benefits from direct access to active transport infrastructure and sits within an area earmarked for continued higher-density residential growth.

Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6RNt3AvtBpI?si=JUhuCV2ZRXsYaoJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351031]

For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News