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NAB data mapping suggests that the ABS retail trade measure will fall 0.1% m/m in December following a gain of 0.9% in November.
The ABS printed a 0.9% gain in November, while NAB forecast 0.6% (revised to 0.5%). The strong November print is likely a result of the relatively new Black Friday sales bringing forward Christmas spending into November. 
Beyond technical questions around seasonal factors, this points to ongoing weakness in the retail sector amid high consumer debt levels and sluggish wage growth.
It is unlikely that the sector will see a sustained lift any time soon. On the contrary, the catastrophic bushfire season may further damage consumer confidence in January and February.
Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/1/22/NAB%20Retail%20Index%20DEC.JPG" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/22/NAB%20Retail%20Index%20DEC.JPG" alt="">
NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster said, "the retail sector has numerous fundamental issues; unemployment is set to edge higher, sluggish wage growth and elevated consumer debt continue to dampen consumer sentiment, despite interest rate cuts and higher house and share prices."
"In parallel to our standard mapping equations, we are running an experimental methodology. This alternative methodology forecast a bigger rise in November and an even weaker result in December."
"If anything, our December forecast has downside risk."
"The current bushfire season – underway since September – is a national tragedy. The local economic impact in bushfire-affected areas has been extreme."
"While it is unlikely that the fires were a major influence on the national December retail data, there may be much more substantial second round impacts in January and February," he concluded.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Weakness in the retail sector exacerbated by bushfires: NAB

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As bushfires escalate across Australia and the country falls significantly short of the targets set by other developed nations, <a href="/news/how-will-australians-live-over-the-next-decade-stockland-research">concerns about climate change</a> and the environment is undoubtedly <a href="https://www.savethechildren.org.au/media/media-releases/leading-agencies-address-climate-crisis" target="_blank">Australia's most pressing issue</a>. 
<h2>Rethinking the residential sector </h2>
The residential sector in Australia, as with other countries, is a significant contributor of overall environmental impact including greenhouse gas emissions and material consumption.
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421519303878?via%3Dihub" target="_blank">Recent research </a>has found that over 80 per cent of detached housing in Australia is only built to the minimum regulatory requirements which is currently 6.0 stars on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, with less than 15 per cent built to the economically and environmentally optimal 7.5 stars for the life of the dwelling. 
The way housing's deigned and constructed has a significant impact on households and society. For instance, a poorly designed and/or built home can add significant energy costs or be hard to keep cool during heatwaves in summertime and warm during winter. 
Across Australia we are seeing an increasing issue emerge in relation to energy poverty and negative health outcomes due to poor quality housing and rapidly increasing energy prices. 
<h2>Blueprint for a sustainable future</h2>
A 12-month independent study conducted by RMIT University and analysis by <a href="https://renew.org.au">Renew</a>, sustainable not-for-profit, aimed to provide evidence of qualitative and quantitative lived experience of a housing development which is attempting to deliver high quality housing. The purpose of this research is to guide other new housing developments and future revisions of minimum performance regulations for housing Australia. 
<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/2020/1/21/1_The%20Cape2.jpg" alt="">
Source: <a href="https://www.liveatthecape.com.au/images" target="_blank">The Cape Galleries </a>
 For this research, <a href="https://www.liveatthecape.com.au" target="_blank">The Cape</a> provided sustainable homes for participants. The Cape is a sustainable housing estate in Victoria's Bass Coast that demonstrates how Australian housing estates can build affordable energy efficient housing, carbon neutral homes that achieve a zero emissions, low, cost future. 
The Cape is the ideal controlled variable for this study with its combined passive solar design and construction techniques with affordable technologies such as heat pump heating, cooling and hot water systems, and solar power, to achieve carbon neutral, healthy homes that are comfortable, resilient and healthy in hot spells and heat waves, with super low running costs compared to conventional homes.
<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/2020/1/21/1_The%20Cape3.jpg" alt="">
Source:<a href="https://www.liveatthecape.com.au/images" target="_blank"> The Cape Galleries</a>
The Cape is also generating three to four times the energy it is using. It demonstrates how new “energy positive” estates can become power stations in suburbs, generating a surplus of clean energy for use on site, to help power electric vehicles, and to export to surrounding neighbourhoods and improving energy security.
<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/2020/1/21/1_The%20Cape4.jpg" alt="" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;">
Source: <a href="https://www.liveatthecape.com.au/images" target="_blank">The Cape Galleries </a>
<h2>Research reveal a preference for a sustainable community</h2>
The report shows that most participating households aimed to live in The Cape permanently. 
There were a range of motivations from the households as to why they had bought land and planned to build a home at The Cape. Motivations ranged from wanting to reduce living costs and environmental impact through to being part of a like-minded community. 
Some households already lived in the area and were looking to move into sustainable and quality housing, while others were from Melbourne, or further afield, and were looking to transition living down at The Cape. 
In interviews with households after they moved, they reported that the housing was thermally comfortable, that they rarely had to use their heating and cooling systems and their energy and water bills had significantly fallen. 
The participants also spoke about how friendly the community was, even though it was still under development. Residents spoke about how the existing community welcomed new households and there were a number of community events starting to occur in the development. 
Some of the residents who were not yet living in the development would drive down from Melbourne to participate in some of the community activities such as the community gardening days.
<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/2020/1/21/1_The%20Cape5.jpg" alt="" width="677" height="425">
Source: <a href="https://www.liveatthecape.com.au/images" target="_blank">The Cape Galleries </a>
Overall the majority of households were extremely happy with the performance and quality of the homes.
The use of the development guidelines provided by the developer and the use of a design review panel helped to ensure improved outcomes from having inputs from sustainable housing experts.
<h2>Efficient energy </h2>
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Data shows that energy imported from the grid ranged from 1,048kWh per year to 2,612 kWh per year or from 2.9-7.2 kWh/day with an average of 5.2kWh/day.
Excess renewable energy generation exports ranged from 2,625 kWh per year to 5,420 kWh per year or 7.2-14.8kWh per day and an average of 12.4kWh/day.
</div>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/21/1%20Table.jpeg" alt="" width="614" height="308">
Analysis of the energy consumption and generation of renewable energy on 5 occupied homes in the study. Source: RMIT/ Renew 
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Analysis from Damien Moyse shows a reduction in energy consumption of 88% compared to a typical new 6 star home of comparable size in Victoria.
In this context the house at The Cape are performing as expected and in line with data from other sustainable housing developments in Australia.
Some of the homes at The Cape have recently added battery storage to take further advantage of the energy their renewable energy systems are generating. 
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</div>
</div>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/21/1%20Table%202.jpeg" alt="" width="615" height="160">
Analysis from Damien Moyse (Renew). Source: RMIT/ Renew
<h2>A low cost future</h2>
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
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<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
A reduction in energy consumption was noticed by the households who reported that their energy costs were significantly lower than their previous homes, estimating that they had now dropped to under $500 a year; a figure confirmed by their energy bills and the modelling we undertook which found economic savings of $2,307/year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/21/1%20Table%203.jpeg" alt="" width="621" height="70" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;">
Source: Source: RMIT/ Renew
Some households were in credit on their energy bills. 
If the energy savings ($2,307/year) found at The Cape were replicated across all new housing in Victoria it would lead to economic savings for those households of almost $91 million per year and across Australia it would be almost $180 million per year. 
If all new housing, which is estimated at 118,300 houses per year, was built to the standard of The Cape across the next decade there could be accumulated economic savings for these households of more than $5 billion.
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<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/1/21/1%20Table%204.jpeg" alt="" width="622" height="292">
Source: RMIT/ Renew
 
 
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Building sustainable housing estates, RMIT University study reveals

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EXPERT OBSERVER
There’s been plenty of media coverage on high-end properties bouncing back in Sydney and Melbourne following the downturn, but the low-end should certainly not be overlooked.
RiskWise projected strong price increases across a large number of areas in Sydney and Melbourne in the short term, but particularly the long term, thanks to a good (while somewhat deteriorating) employment market and strong population growth, particularly in Melbourne.
The RBA’s interest rate cuts (the most recent one in October 2019 with the possibility of a further one in the first half of 2020), some loosening of credit restrictions, significant improvement in buyer confidence and increased auction clearance rates provide very strong indications regarding these markets.
Buyer sentiment in relation to housing measures has noticeably improved and the Westpac-Melbourne Institute’s House Price Expectations and Time to Buy a Dwelling Indices show a consistent trend. Auction clearance rates have also recovered and are largely above 70 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne.
As we predicted immediately after the election and in our previous Risks &amp; Opportunities Reports, the market has materially improved with affordable areas that have shown resilience recovering well. Other areas, including lucrative ones that experienced strong price reductions, are now leading the way to this recovery.
However high-end properties, while bouncing back well from the property downturn, were far more sensitive to credit restrictions and investor activity than low-end ones.
That's why high-end properties were impacted dramatically during the downturn but also bounced back dramatically when reversing the negative factors, as we are seeing in prestige areas of Sydney and Melbourne.
Lower-end properties are less subject to credit restrictions and investor activity which actually make them a great buying opportunity. In fact, in some cases areas, such as Geelong, even benefited from the lending restrictions as buyers looked for more affordable options.
Taking a long-term outlook, many of these lower-end areas had a good forecast for strong price increases.
He said many were earmarked for gentrification and that RiskWise research in February 2018 showed a large number of these low-end, high-crime areas outperformed the market.
Our nationwide research actually found gentrifying suburbs with high crime typically deliver strong price growth and outperform the local benchmark.
We found affordable high-crime areas with significant gentrification are likely to produce strong price growth, particularly when dwelling prices in the inner and middle rings are severely unaffordable.
For example, even in high danger areas of New York City and London, etc, provided there is strong population growth and severe unaffordability throughout these cities, these crime areas still increase in popularity and therefore experience price increases.
He said many areas in the western suburbs of both Sydney and Melbourne had provided strong price increases for houses, although this did not apply to units.
In fact, over the long term many low-end areas outperform the top end.
DORON PELEG is the CEO at RiskWise
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Low-end Sydney and Melbourne properties offer great buying opportunity: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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Sydney-based developer, Coronation Property Co, has announced the acquisition of its latest western Sydney site in Merrylands Court, Merrylands.
Situated at 52-54 McFarlane Street, the 12,418 sqm site sits in the heart of the Merrylands town centre, adjacent to one of Stockland’s top-performing shopping centres.
Acquired from Stockland for $41 million, the site is currently DA-approved for the construction of five high-density towers that will comprise 562 residential apartments, as well as approximately 4,500 sqm of ground level retail and basement parking.
Pictured above is a render of the previous owner's plans for the Merryland site (Source: <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/sydney-developer-coronation-property-plans-build-to-rent-project-following-41-million-merrylands-purchase-920972/">https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au</a>).
Following the DA approval, the Merrylands Town Centre planning controls have been amended and as such Coronation is also exploring increased yield at the site, says Managing Director, Joseph Nahas.
“Our goal is to deliver a mixed-use precinct with a combination of build-to-rent and build-to-sell apartments, as well as a bustling new retail offering for the community that will include a gym, supermarket and a wide variety of food and beverage vendors,” said Managing Director, Joseph Nahas
On the topic of build-to-rent, Mr Nahas says Coronation Property is backing the concept to succeed in Australia, adding that he saw the site as a "seed investment" for their build-to-rent business.
Coronation aim to deliver 5,000 apartments over the next seven years and play a leading roles in built-to-rent for Australia.
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Coronation Property acquire $41 million Merrylands residential site

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EXPERT OBSERVER
With economic activity in Western Australia well below its 10-year average and effective unemployment significantly above the 10-year benchmark, the property market, particularly units, continues to experience weakness.
However, according to the latest RiskWise Property Research Risks &amp; Opportunities Report, buyer confidence is on the increase in the state, particularly Perth with housing finance increasing 15.1 per cent since February 2019 after a reduction of 2.4 per cent relative to August 2018.
With low economic activity and high unemployment, Western Australia’s annual population growth of 1 per cent was the third lowest in the country.
As a result, the housing market, particularly units, has experienced continued weakness in recent years. According to CoreLogic, house and unit prices in Perth have declined by 8.6 per cent and 9 per cent in the past year, respectively.
Western Australia is still in a long transition process from a mining-oriented economy and while unemployment has slightly improved from 6.1 per cent in April to 5.7 per cent in October, it is still projected to deliver low economic growth, a soft job market and low population growth.
Mortgage arrears are at an alarming level with the delinquency rate sitting at 2.75 per cent. While this has improved from 3.05 per cent as reported in August, this number has grown over the course of several years and is now well above the Australian average. The relatively high unemployment rate also increases the risk of credit defaults.
Negative equity also remains a major risk especially for lenders who have a concentration of loans in this market. These risks are compounded by this high rate of arrears. High-risk borrowers, combined with properties that suffer from low demand, require special attention in relation to credit provisioning.
While Perth was ‘very affordable’, there were a small number of suburbs where houses delivered reasonable capital growth in recent years. However, these were exceptions only.
Despite lower interest rates (with another expected in the new year) and some loosening of credit restrictions, houses still carried a medium level of risk due to Western Australia’s economic conditions.
House prices have declined by 9 per cent in the past year and in Perth, house and unit prices declined by 8.6 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.
Low-performing areas for houses in the past year include Perth - North East (with -8.8 per cent capital growth), Perth – Inner (-8.4 per cent) and Perth - South West (-7.3 per cent).
However, the risks associated with units is even higher as they are expected to deliver poor or negative capital growth due to the combination of oversupply, lending restrictions and low demand as they are generally not attractive to families or owner-occupiers.
Also, units in some suburbs are subject to voluntary lending restrictions by the major lenders, such as lower loan-to-value ratio (i.e. higher deposit). In addition, the state government tax on overseas investors further decreases the demand for new units as investment properties.
Perth – South East has the highest rate of unit oversupply in the state with 1900 units in the pipeline (a 6.7 per cent increase to the current stock).
The issues with construction defects in NSW and Victoria and the publicity they have received in the media mean this situation is unlikely to materially improve in the short term.
While there have been no major construction defects reported in relation to high-rise buildings in Perth, the events in Sydney and Melbourne increase the risk of reputational damage and, consequently, lower demand for both existing and off-the-plan high-rise units.
DORON PELEG is the CEO of RiskWise
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WA property market remains in the doldrums: RiskWise's Doron Peleg

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The latest monthly data from the Commonwealth Bank Household Spending Intentions (HSI) Series indicates that home buying spending intentions are running at a record rate. 
CBA Chief Economist Michael Blythe said, "there are some early signs of a ‘wealth effect’ from the housing market supporting spending on motor vehicles, albeit from a very low level, as well as travel and entertainment."
This means the pick-up in dwelling prices in the second half of 2019 will continue into the first half of this year, and the residential construction downturn should be approaching bottom.
“Past cycles show that leading indicators like building approvals turn about three month after home buying intentions start to lift. A bottoming in the construction cycle would remove a major growth drag on the economy, and also helps retailing," Mr Blythe said.
Noting that retail HSI remained low, Mr Blythe commented, “the flat trend in the retail HSI remains a disappointing outcome relative to the stimulus applied via interest rate cuts, tax rebates and the upturn in dwelling prices. The zig-zag pattern for the retail HSI indicates that the ‘Black Friday’ event brought forward spending from December into November without necessarily boosting spending overall."
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Home buying intentions have reached a record high: CBA

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The Federal Court has found Trivago breached Australian Consumer Law when it made misleading representations about hotel room rates both on its website and television advertising.
The Court ruled that from at least December 2016, Trivago misled consumers by representing its website would quickly and easily help users identify the cheapest rates available for a given hotel.
They found that in fact, Trivago used an algorithm which placed significant weight on which online hotel booking site paid Trivago the highest cost-per-click fee in determining its website rankings and often did not highlight the cheapest rates for consumers.
ACCC Chair Rod Sims said, “Trivago’s hotel room rate rankings were based primarily on which online hotel booking sites were willing to pay Trivago the most."
“By prominently displaying a hotel offer in ‘top position’ on its website, Trivago represented that the offer was either the cheapest available offer or had some other extra feature that made it the best offer when this was often not the case,” Mr Sims said.
The Court also found Trivago’s hotel room rate comparisons that used strike-through prices or text in different colours gave consumers a false impression of savings because they often compared an offer for a standard room with an offer for a luxury room at the same hotel.
The Court also found that, until at least 2 July 2018, Trivago misled consumers to believe that the Trivago website provided an impartial, objective and transparent price comparison for hotel room rates.
“This decision sends a strong message to comparison websites and search engines that if ranking or ordering of results is based or influenced by advertising, they should be upfront and clear with consumers about this so that consumers are not misled,” Mr Sims said.
A hearing on relief, including penalties, will be held at a later date.
Trivago’s website aggregates deals offered by online hotel booking sites (like Expedia, Hotels.com and Booking.com) and hotel proprietors’ own websites for available rooms at a hotel and highlights one offer out of all online hotel booking sites (referred to as the ‘Top Position Offer’). However, Trivago’s own data showed that higher-priced room rates were selected as the Top Position Offer over alternative lower-priced offers in 66.8% of listings.
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Federal Court finds Trivago misled consumers about hotel room rates: ACCC

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Implosion is the most dramatic way of demolishing a building but it’s also the most wasteful and hazardous.
We are entering a new world where skyscrapers and other huge buildings are becoming redundant and need significant overhaul or replacement. The process is called unbuilding or, if you’re a bit highfalutin, deconstruction.
These so-called <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/spreadsheets-in-the-sky-are-putting-melbourne-s-liveability-at-risk-20191203-p53gek" target="_blank">spreadsheet towers</a> populate every major city. They signalled modernity and provided huge profits for those who built them. But these buildings are <a href="/news">profligate users of fuels</a> for light, power and services.
Most developed world cities started building skyscrapers after the second world war. These buildings were <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/International-Style-architecture" target="_blank">International Style</a> architecture, unrecognisable is terms of a particular locale, universal in terms of their ubiquitous metal, concrete, glass – and fully air-conditioned. Now they are ageing, their use-by date is up and their balance sheet profitability no longer attracts.
The challenges of demolition and reuse
The question is: how do we safely dismantle these high-rise structures, which are generally located in busy cities?
Reminders of the dangers of explosive demolition are tragedies such as the <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6030620/katie-benders-family-commemorate-20-years-since-royal-canberra-hospital-implosion/" target="_blank">death of 12-year-old Katie Bender</a>. She was struck by flying debris when the Royal Canberra Hospital was razed in 1997 to make way for the new National Museum of Australia.
A recent demolition, and the <a href="https://www.archdaily.com/889563/soms-iconic-270-park-avenue-at-risk-of-becoming-the-largest-building-ever-to-be-demolished">tallest ever to be unbuilt</a>, is 270 Park Avenue, New York City (pictured). Its 52 floors were built in 1960 for the Union Carbide chemical company. The building was for 50 years the tallest ever designed by a female architect (Natalie de Bios of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Is that another low hit for gender equality?) Its replacement by architects Norman Foster will be <a href="/news">twice as high</a>.
The business of disassembling these skyscrapers is just now developing, but it will gain pace as more become obsolete.
Some still get imploded, but usually, in a busy city, demolition techniques must be unobtrusive, as quiet and clean as possible. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780865476752">techniques used for cleaning up the World Trade Centre</a> testify to the wastefulness of a more destructive approach.
So how best to demolish a high-rise building?
Plenty of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/18/science/tricky-ways-to-pull-down-a-skyscraper">clever techniques to demolish</a> exist. Some start at the base and work up, others in reverse.
The 40-storey Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo was slowly <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1160452/eco-friendly-japanese-demolition-scheme-slashes-dust-and-noise">demolished in 2012-13</a> using a technique where a cap was built on top of the building. It was stripped floor by floor as the cap was lowered, so all the dust, mess and debris was contained and removed with no effect on the environment.
Buildings are wrapped in scaffold and protective fabric then literally dismantled in the reverse order to which they were built. In the process building waste can be recycled and reused rather than dumped.
Reverse building involves removing the glass, then the frames, taking off the wall cladding, then scraping away at the concrete and steel frames bit by bit. Concrete is removed to expose the steel reinforcing bars, which are then separately removed and recycled. In the process unwanted material can be uncovered, like asbestos, which needs particular care in handling.
Interiors are unbuilt the same way – remove floor coverings, cupboards, doors and lightweight walls, strip the electrical wiring and pipes, take out air conditioning and lifts, remove stairs and escalators.
These removalists act smartly, as materials and fabric are recycled and often reused for another building. It is a sustainable way of dealing with the issue. Things that might normally have been reduced to dust and mud by destruction are instead usefully salvaged and recovered for an extended life cycle.
As part of the benefits of this procedure, unbuilding provides <a href="https://www.huduser.gov/Publications/PDF/deconstruct.pdf">large numbers of construction jobs and associated employment</a> in transportation, waste management and recycling.
It also provides new construction sites. This means cities need not expand beyond existing boundaries and the infrastructure of services, roads and public transport need not be extended.
Building with an eye to unbuilding
What has interested those involved with this work is the capacity of building designers (let’s call them architects) to creatively improve their buildings in terms of life after use-by date. Techniques are being developed that assist in unbuilding and salvaging materials, even down to basic principles such as ease of access to pipes and wires, modular components and simplified connection practices.
The logic is that clarity of building structure and services makes retrieval simpler. Less complexity of materials and components means a building can be untangled more efficiently.
Fastening devices can be simplified and mechanical (rather than using glues and sealants), toxic materials avoided, materials selected with an afterlife in mind and structures designed for simplicity and accessibility. Also important is a clear set of as-built documents that map the original building so it can be disassembled.
Clear design thinking will have value for unbuilding and recycling in the future.
Making construction more sustainable
The construction industry is a main consumer of fuels, timber, steel and other metals, concrete and plastics. That demand drives the logging of forests, mining and extraction, leading to material production and transport that contributes to emissions and pollution.
The UK Green Building Council <a href="https://www.ukgbc.org/climate-change/">estimates</a> the construction industry generates about 22% of UK carbon emissions, uses 40% of drinking water, contributes 50% to climate change and over half our landfill waste, and accounts for 39% of global energy use. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also <a href="https://archive.epa.gov/greenbuilding/web/pdf/gbstats.pdf">reports</a> that the industry contributes to asthma and lung cancer by producing radon via contaminated applied finishes (paint).
Driving the need for much greater reuse of old building materials is an awareness of the fragility of our resources and the energy we use to consume them.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/129002/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/norman-day-228477">Norman Day</a>, Lecturer in Architecture, Practice and Design, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/unbuilding-cities-as-high-rises-reach-their-use-by-date-129002">original article</a>.
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Unbuilding cities as high-rises reach their use-by date: Norman Day

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Catastrophic fires have, for over three months, escalated to unprecedented levels in Australia with many beholding the tragic loss of lives, property, wildlife and livelihoods.
Today, CEO of CoreLogic International, Lisa Claes released a statement concerning recent bushfires in Australia. 
"Across the country, people are coming together to support those impacted by these terrible events and we are pleased to let you know that CoreLogic is also making a substantial contribution. We are not only donating to the Australian Red Cross and WIRES to support these efforts, but will also match all employee dollar donations for the bushfire appeal," Ms Claes assures.
"In addition, we would like to acknowledge the significant sacrifices being made by volunteer firefighters across multiple fire zones. As a consequence, CoreLogic employees who are members of the Rural Fire Services are being provided with paid volunteer leave to support their efforts. On top of that, we will also be working closely over the coming months with our community partner Habitat for Humanity Australia, providing employee volunteers to assist with recovery and property clean-up activities in the Cuddlee Creek community in South Australia, where over 85 homes have been lost.
"We have already established a Bushfire Response Team to accelerate a number of initiatives that will help customers impacted. That includes a program to help ensure that our customers (and their customers) receive the assistance they need at this difficult time. All our programs for <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#banking" target="_blank">financial institutions</a>, <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#insurance" target="_blank">insurance companies</a>, <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#government" target="_blank">government agencies</a> and <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#propertyowners" target="_blank">property owners</a> are outlined on this web page."
CoreLogic offer a free of charge on a one-time basis to financial institutions, insurers and property owners.
<h2>Helping Financial Institutions</h2>
CoreLogic can help identify customer properties that may have been impacted by the bushfires. They can also help find the property's recent estimated value, whether it was listed for sale or rent, and the estimated rebuild cost of the property.
<h2>Helping Insurers</h2>
CoreLogic can help identify customers whose properties may have been impacted which enables insurance organisations to reach out proactively to them and to priorities their inbound enquiries. 
<h2>Helping Government Agencies</h2>
<a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#contact_us_form" target="_blank">CoreLogic data</a> can help assist state and federal government agencies by identifying and providing information about those properties that may have been impacted. 
They will help government agencies understand population displacement and dislocation, validate relief payment claims, provide economic impact analysis, assist with tax assessments for individuals, businesses or corporations, and identify longer-term health impacts.
<h2>Helping Property Owners</h2>
CoreLogic's can help simplify the task of estimating rebuild costs using their<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://sumsure.cordell.com.au/?_ga=2.200442925.244147514.1579496227-612828265.1579496227#/products/7/profiles/112" target="_blank"> Cordell Sum Sure Calculator</a>. This is an intuitive digital tool that uses CoreLogic property and construction data. It is available as a free-to-use service to help answer pressing concerns regarding bushfire related damagers.
Ms Claes suggests, "For more information regarding our bushfire response, please contact the CoreLogic Customer Call Centre on 1300 734 318, or your client account manager. Alternatively, use the form at the bottom of this page. We are ready to discuss how we can assist you." 
Main photo from <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/corelogic-australian-bushfire-support#insurance%20owners" target="_blank">CoreLogic News</a>
 
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Response to Australia's bushfire crisis by CoreLogic

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Metrics anticipate the Australian commercial property loan market outlook for 2020.
Non-bank lender activity in the Australia property loan market is forecast to expand further in 2020, driven by increased interest from both developers as well as investors
The Australian non-bank loan market has been an essential source of funding for Australian property developers and investors for decades, but when compared to more developed markets such as the US and Europe, it still has significant potential for expansion.
There are currently a number of structural and cyclical trends playing out in the market that will see it grow in the coming years, notes the nation’s leading non-bank lender Metrics Credit Partners (Metrics).
Non-bank lenders to provide a greater share
One of the hallmarks of the Australian corporate lending market has been the bank dominance of the sector, with the domestic banks currently holding around 70% market share. Due to the large balance sheet capacity and accompanying capital required to operate in the market, barriers to entry are significant.
However, “banks are under significant regulatory pressure to reign in their loan portfolios to meet stricter capital requirements, which has opened up opportunities for non-bank lenders to claim a greater share of the &gt;$900 billion market." notes managing partner at Metrics, Andrew Lockhart.
“For this reason, expect the proportion of non-bank lenders to grow modestly over the coming year.”
Mr Lockhart adds that institutional capital is also driving this corporate loan growth. “The asset class is a key component in institutional portfolios, particularly for those seeking income-producing assets at a time of low yields, and over 80 per cent of managers expect to raise more capital from pension funds and insurance companies in the near future.
“Outside of the institutions, however, there is also significant interest in investing in corporate loans from Australian retail and self-managed superfund investors, drawn by the attractive risk-adjusted returns of four to ten per cent on offer.”
Given continued uncertainty for equities markets resulting from geopolitical issues and the ‘lower for longer’ rate environment impacting cash and term deposits, this is a trend expected to continue into 2020.
Mr Lockhart notes that raising capital for property developments can be a long and expensive process. “The property sector is an attractive opportunity to build a relationship with a lender, rather than relying on commoditised lending products offered by the banks.
“Given the pullback in bank funding in Australia, along with the appetite we are seeing from borrowers of all sizes for alternative sources of funding, we could well see more sizeable transactions in the Australian market in the years to come.”
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Australian property loan market outlook for 2020, Metrics report

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<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/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Staff reporter

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