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The REIQ has begun a digital campaign to alert voters to the "threat" of Labor’s negative gearing reforms.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the campaign, called Stand For Stability, "will educate voters about the true impact of Labor’s very damaging negative gearing reforms, an impact that will affect every member of the community through devaluing assets, rising rents and lost government revenue."
“Labor’s proposed changes to negative gearing will be disastrous, adding further pressure to our fragile housing market by pushing down house prices, devaluing people’s biggest asset – their home or their investment property – and pushing up rents,” Ms Mercorella said. 
She highlighted recent concerns that many people don't understand what the proposed changes to negative gearing are and the effect it will have. 
Notably recent research from SQM has suggested rents could rise as much as 22 per cent if the reforms are introduced. 
Ms Mercorella said, “the research is very clear, the economy is facing challenges and the threat to growth is real. Labor will worsen housing affordability for renters through these reforms. Further, if recent reports are accurate, it is clear their policies are based on misleading, inaccurate data.”
“Why would Labor add fuel to the fire with these massive changes to negative gearing structures and capital gains tax arrangements? It’s reckless,” Ms Mercorella concluded
The online campaign will include animated videos, social media tiles and long form articles leading viewers and voters to <a id="LPlnk900533" href="http://reiq.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0yMDM0MTExJnA9MSZ1PTUxMzY3MDk2OSZsaT0xODA1NTI3MQ/index" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">StandForStability.com.au</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

REIQ CEO calls Labor's negative gearing policy reckless and disastrous

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Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital, the first major economist to forecast cash rate cuts, has slightly shifted his view saying that we could see the first rate cut pushed back.
His original forecast of multiple 0.25% rate cuts was made back in the first week of December last year.
Since this point a number of economists and institutions have made similar forecasts, including Westpac's chief economist Bill Evans and Alan Oster, NAB's chief economist.
Oliver suggested the first cut would come around June.
Today he suggests it will now come later given some better than expected economic data.
In his original forecast the reasons he gave were a combination of "falling house prices, tightening credit conditions and constrained growth which will keep wages growth weak and inflation below target".
Shane Oliver said, "however, with the RBA still seeing the next move as being up it will take them a while to change their thinking so we don’t see rates being cut until second half next year."
"When it does start cutting the RBA will likely stick to 0.25% increments and since rate moves are a bit like cockroaches there is likely to be more than one." 
He recently revised his forecast.
In the latest weekly report he released Mr Oliver stated, "due to somewhat better economic data lately, tax cuts for low and middle income earners regardless of who wins the election and ongoing RBA optimism about the economy picking up, rate cut expectations have faded a little bit."
"However, while this could see the first rate cut pushed back out a bit we continue to see the RBA cutting rates twice this year as the housing downturn dampens economic growth and keep inflation below target for longer."
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Shane Oliver pushes cash rate cut forecast back to later this year

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A Derwent Valley home positioned on 4.26ha of bushland in Southern-central Tasmania has been recently sold for $380,000.
It was listed by Oriana Nowicki and Jake Towns from Petrusma Property Howrah.
Situated at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-lachlan-130530338" target="_blank"> 135 Jefferys Track, Lachlan</a>, the main house with upstairs area comes with sunroom, living, loft bedroom, meals and kitchen areas plus bathroom.
The adjoining turret offers a music room with cellar on the lower level, a private meditation room on the first floor, and an accessible rooftop with views over the valley. 
<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/2019/3/19/lachlan%202.jpg" alt="">
Other features include outdoor laundry with additional toilet, silvered pine studio, pickers hut with outer shed, veggie garden and dam.
It was only available to the market for the second time. 
Situated on the tourist trail of the Derwent Valley, Lachlan is an area with award-winning local wineries and just a short drive to local shops, cafes and restaurants. 
<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/2019/3/19/lachlan%203.jpg" alt="">
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Turreted Derwent Valley home with bush views sold for $380,000 

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The latest listing on prestigious Lindsay Avenue, Darling Point is the home of retired car dealer Laurie Sutton.
The luxury Michael Dysart-designed mansion home, set above McKell Park, was influenced by the design aesthetic of Kyoto's imperial palace built around an imposing two-storey atrium.
The five bedroom, seven bathroom home integrates with the natural environment.
Entry to the home is through a grand stone entrance and a panelled door made from zinc.
There is a heated swimming pool, with gun-barrel Harbour views, along with its lift accessed 10 car garage.
Alison Coopes at Alison Coopes Agency has given the home a $35 million price tag.
It has currently been on market for 35 days, for sale through an expressions of interest campaign closing April 17.
Last sold in 20007 the home traded for $18.25 million.
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Michael Dysart-designed Darling Point mansion listed

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Undeterred by its recent tech startup failures, LJ Hooker has announced the release of a tailored new tech platform that promises to lead the digital transformation of the real estate industry.
LJ Hooker chairman L Janusz Hooker said that, for clients, the propriety-built artificial intelligence platform enables a more transparent buying and selling process, maximising customer satisfaction.
He said that, for agents, the platform offers better efficiency and mobile capability, automating the hundreds of steps involved from appraisal to settlement.
Mr Hooker said that the technology is implemented first in LJ Hooker Avnu, before being expanded across the entire franchise network.
“Advancements in technology have now enabled us to build our platform,” he said.
“In particular, the commoditisation of AI and machine learning, spread of cloud computing and access to open source frameworks, and our ability to recruit top engineers with international experience building the tech infrastructure for the likes of Google, LinkedIn and Twitter.
“The modern-day consumer demands the products and services they consume be delivered in real time.
"It’s the right time for Australia’s largest asset class real estate, valued at $7.5 trillion, to deliver on that level of service,” he told an industry website, REB.
Meanwhile The Australian Financial Review has reported today that "several months of inactivity" had led to questions about the viability of the Avnu model, and its cost impact on LJ Hooker.
Hooker responded saying an Avnu office would only be opened in areas where an LJ Hooker franchise didn't already have a presence.
The first Avnu store in Neutral Bay replaced the terminated LJ Hooker Mosman franchise when its former principals moved to Ray White in 2017.
"It's a big investment to make, but we see a big return coming out of it, " Mr Hooker said.
Traditional agents spend approximately 30 percent of their time listing and selling, 30 percent on lead generation and 40 percent on administration tasks.
It is hoped the technology at LJ Hooker Avnu consolidates administration to just 15 percent.
<a href="/news/ljhs-avnu-ceo-chucks-in-job-to-become-domain-s-chief-customer-officer">Avnu lost its CEO Jason Chuck this week</a> in an unexpected disruption to the business rollout.
LJ Hooker's think-tank LJX-Lab previously developed an online and offline real estate agency model to work in partnership with the LJ Hooker business.
Named Settl, it was led by a start-up team staffed with people from Uber, Atlassian, Freelancer and Airtasker, but failed to succeed despite having been in development for 18 months.
LJX-Lab had been hoped to be in a unique position to develop and launch technology for the real estate industry.
LJ Hooker committed $100 million to establish a real estate startup incubator, with LJX-Lab's first development Real Edge, a digital learning and coaching platform that delivers LJ Hooker's training programs online.
 LJX-Lab had assembled an advisory board of business leaders, including:
<ul>
<li>Freelancer.com CEO, Matt Barrie (Sydney);</li>
<li>MD CSIRO Innovation Fund and &amp; Founder of Black Bird Ventures, Bill Bartee (Sydney);</li>
<li>Co-Founder and Principal of RFR Holding, Michael Fuchs (New York);</li>
<li>Director of Zoopla.com and former CEO of Countrywide Real Estate Group, Grenville Turner (London).</li>
</ul>
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LJ Hooker to pioneer artificial intelligence tech platform

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The national broadband network (<a href="https://www.nbnco.com.au/" target="_blank">NBN</a>) has been a major issue in federal election campaigns for close to a decade.
And the 2019 version of the NBN bears little resemblance to the futuristic, egalitarian earlier editions.
Despite years of controversy, cost over-runs, and delays, the coalition government says our <a href="http://mitchfifield.com/Media/MediaReleases/tabid/70/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1688/NBN-marks-10-years-On-track-for-2020-completion.aspx" target="_blank">$50 billion national network</a> is finally nearing completion.
But Labor’s Shadow Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has <a href="http://www.michellerowland.com.au/media_release_labor_s_plan_to_improve_the_nbn_9_april_2019" target="_blank">set out some different priorities</a> should her party achieve government in the coming election. One of these is a “digital inclusion drive”, aimed at improving access to the internet for older Australians and low-income households.
In addition, Labor is making no immediate commitment to <a href="http://www.michellerowland.com.au/speech_address_to_commsday_summit_labor_s_responsible_plan_to_improve_the_nbn_9_april_2019" target="_blank">replacing copper connections with fibre</a>.
Instead, if elected, it will fund service and reliability fixes for those on the copper NBN, and impose service guarantees for small businesses and consumers. It will examine what has happened to the economics of the network, looking at its cash flow, pricing, capital structure, and future options for network upgrades.
Labor’s policy will disappoint those hoping for a fast-tracked return to <a href="http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2009/036.htm&amp;pageID=003&amp;min=wms&amp;Year=&amp;DocType" target="_blank">that party’s original (2009) vision</a> of high-speed fibre for (almost) everyone. But its 2019 plan is an important acknowledgement that network infrastructure is only one part of the NBN story.
Affordability and digital inclusion
The Australian Digital Inclusion Index (<a href="https://digitalinclusionindex.org.au/" target="_blank">ADII</a>) provides data on the affordability of internet services for Australians since 2014. It shows that recent, modest improvements seen by some households have been matched by declines in affordability for a number of Australia’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/digital-inclusion-in-tasmania-has-improved-in-line-with-nbn-rollout-will-the-other-states-follow-102257" target="_blank">more digitally excluded groups</a>.
The results for low-income households, single parents, people outside the labour force, Indigenous Australians, and people with a disability remain poor.
The good news for Australian consumers is that the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/accc-telecommunications-report/accc-communications-market-report-2017-18" target="_blank">pricing of mobile services has improved</a>, reflecting competitive pressures and the reduced cost of delivery as a consequence of investment by network owners.
But when we look at fixed broadband services — the kinds of connections used by most households — recent price increases by NBN have led to a decline in the number of <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/speech/nbn-affordability-a-growing-issue" target="_blank">low-cost plans on the market</a>. This change post-dates the most recent ADII report (2018), and the effects are beginning to work their way into the market.
Communications costs matter
Communications services have a knock-on effect in many other areas of life and work.
Access to high-speed broadband can reduce <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/finance/deloitte-au-fas-benefits-highspeed-broadband-v2-240914.pdf" target="_blank">the costs of using other services considerably</a>. This makes critical activities like banking, seeking government information, looking for work, or studying much easier.
But when we speak of the cost savings linked with online services, we need also to bear in mind the flip-side of those savings: the much higher costs borne by those, often less well-off, citizens who must access services offline.
If an individual on a low income lacks electronic access to banking or government information, the cost of commuting to do these things in person can be prohibitive — and especially so for Australians living in <a href="https://www.communications.gov.au/publications/2018-regional-telecommunications-review-getting-it-right-out-there" target="_blank">remote or regional areas</a>.
For children at school and adults in education or training, a lack of access to the internet means many will <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://apo.org.au/node/221806" target="_blank">fall behind their peers</a>, as access to educational materials and online content becomes a core part of the modern education experience. This has implications for Australia’s ability to take advantage of the next wave of digital transformation.
Expensive for everyone
The costs of inequitable internet access are directly felt by many families, but the broader costs are borne by society.
And so digital exclusion now has the potential to be a drag on Australia’s economic growth and productive potential for decades to come.
For individuals, conducting activities offline may be time-consuming and expensive. But that’s also true for the government. It’s estimated that even taking half of government services online would <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/Economics/deloitte-au-economics-digital-government-transformation-230715.pdf" target="_blank">save around A$20 billion</a>.
Aside from the costs of lower productivity, economic growth and tax receipts, inequitable access means that the material savings from automated services may never be realised.
Affordable access to broadband also supports the cost effective delivery of core government and other services – such as <a href="https://www.who.int/goe/policies/countries/aus__support_tele.pdf" target="_blank">health</a> – to regional and remote locations.
Although addressing inequitable access will involve costs in the short term, effective policy measures to improve affordability are likely to generate considerable national benefits.
How to improve affordability
At this stage Labor is not saying what it might do to improve internet affordability for low-income households.
The idea of writing down the NBN has been <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/there-s-a-big-obstacle-to-an-nbn-write-down-and-it-s-in-the-billions-20190213-p50xhn" target="_blank">widely discussed</a>. It does, however, have serious implications: it will be very costly to taxpayers.
It will also limit the ability of the NBN to invest in future network upgrades and threaten the economics of uniform national pricing, the NBN’s key promise of equity for regional and remote Australia.
That could mean a return to the pre-NBN communications landscape, with regional and remote Australia relying on increasingly obsolete communications infrastructure while metropolitan Australia moves ahead.
A direct increase in cash payments is likely to improve living standards materially for those in poverty, but more money for low income households doesn’t necessarily mean that broadband will be within their reach.
The creation of a concession at a retail level would make the telecommunications companies responsible for selling products at a cheaper rate, which in an era of <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-14/telstra-profit-tumbles-as-nbn-continues-to-drain-revenue/10810552" target="_blank">reduced margins</a> appears unlikely to occur.
Also, a series of retail concessions can lead to consumer confusion, as the scope of each scheme and the discounts on offer vary wildly. We’ve seen these problems in the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/restoring-electricity-affordability-australias-competitive-advantage" target="_blank">energy sector</a>.
Another option is to create a wholesale concession, a measure that has been promoted by <a href="http://accan.org.au/no-australian-left-offline" target="_blank">consumer advocates</a>. This would involve the government paying NBN to put a wholesale product into the market that retailers could purchase and retail to low income households.
A nationally uniform concessional service would allow retailers to compete in offering affordable services to low-income households, boost NBN take-up and consequently its revenue and financial viability.
Focus on inclusion
While the introduction of a concessional arrangement would involve government picking up a part of the tab for service delivery, it offers sizeable benefits.
By ensuring NBN access for low-income households, the government avoids forgoing a large proportion of the savings that should accrued from the digital transformation of government services (and the benefits to be gained from improving services).
It would also prevent a lower take-up of NBN services and revenues. Without such an arrangement, questions will continue to be raised about the financial viability of NBN, its repayment of outstanding debt to government and whether there needs to be a write-down.
The take up of broadband has <a href="https://doi.org/10.1787/5k9bcwkg3hwf-en" target="_blank">historically seen improvements</a> in average household income, productivity, and the creation of new kinds of work and services.
In order to maximise the benefits of the current wave of digital change, we’ll need a broader public debate, that goes beyond the relative merits of fibre and 5G.
Policy will need to address the challenge of affordability, invest in digital literacy, and ensure that all Australians can access the services that they need.
While there are many improvements that can and should be made to our national network infrastructure, a focus on the larger problem of digital inclusion is both welcome, and overdue.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/115135/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;">
Julian Thomas, Professor of Media and Communications; Director, Social Change Enabling Capability Platform, RMIT University
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/labor-will-prioritise-an-nbn-digital-inclusion-drive-heres-what-it-should-focus-on-115135" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Labor will prioritise an NBN ‘digital inclusion drive’ – here’s what it should focus on

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New data from the rental property website Rent.com.au has revealed what’s on the minds of renters ahead of the 2019 Federal Election. 
Results from the March election survey indicated that a significant group of Australia’s renters are generally undecided voters, indicating the opportunity available to the various parties if they can clearly articulate their policies.
“Having nearly 70% of our renting population unsure of who to vote for was a surprise to me,” said Rent.com.au CEO Greg Bader (pictured above).
“Maybe it shouldn’t have been, given the recent, relatively unstable nature of federal politics. 
“We have all major parties talking about their potential changes (or lack of changes) to some of the core elements that promote investment in properties such as capital gains tax and negative gearing, yet they do not seem to be able to articulate clearly how this will affect renters: will there be more choice; will prices go up or down? These are the things that the renting (and wider) population would like to know”.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/3/renter%201%20.png" alt="">
Source: rent.com.au
“Given that one-third of the population rents, the responses to this question go broader than renting issues and show that the various political parties still have an opportunity to make a significant difference in the upcoming election. Especially given the number of marginal seats and the rise of independent candidates in our political system,” said Bader.
“To me the message is very clear, renting voters want politicians to be more open and honest with them by explaining their policies (and the reasons) clearly. Renters know that both State and Federal Governments have the power to change policies and legislation that will have significant and lasting impacts on their lifestyle, so for our Federal politicians – speak clearly please. 
“One of the real structural issues in our market (and somewhat unique in the world) is that most of our renting stock is held by private investors with one or two properties – i.e. ‘mums and dads’ whereas other markets have managed to create environments with a diversity of stock. So we would encourage the Federal government, from whichever side of politics, to keep pushing through changes to encourage the ‘build to rent’ industry.”
The perception is that things aren’t getting better for renters 
Asked about change in the political climate for renters since the last election back in 2016, responses were concrete; 83% reported that they felt no improvement in the renters’ lot. 
“We (as an industry and as a community) need to understand that one in three of us rents and that proportion is growing,” Bader said. “What tenants want is a place to live – a home – and the ability to treat that property as their home. Lease security and flexible lease durations are all major issues that renters face.”
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/3/renter%202.png" alt="">
Source: rent.com.au
“Our research shows that 80% of renters feel they have not been acknowledged by major political parties in the lead-up to the 2019 Federal Election. This is an opportunity for our Federal politicians to secure renters votes through policies that can be simply explained including what expected impacts they will have. 
“We also know that State Governments play a significant role with renting legislation. In fact, most states have passed (or are in the process of passing) changes to the Residential Tenancies Act which have been designed to strengthen renters’ rights, better protect vulnerable tenants and enable people to turn the house they rent into a home, for example. Surprisingly, some 70% of respondents were not actually aware of the changes happening in their states so there is also an opportunity to communicate some of the excellent work underway.”
Affordability still an issue, but a growing market wants to rent 
Bader said: “While we’ve recently seen an increase in the amount of people choosing to rent for lifestyle purposes (the ‘practical renter’), our survey found that affordability was still a significant driver.” 
“The renting demographic in this country is on the rise and pretty consistent with global trends. Australia’s 7 million renters make up a significant proportion – around 30% of the total population and this number is steadily increasing. It’s a growing market, and one in need of advocacy and recognition.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/3/renter%203.png" target="_blank">Click here </a>to enlarge: 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/3/renter%203.png" alt="">
“We know from our research and work with our customer base that yes, affordability is still an important factor for many (especially the last few years in Sydney and Melbourne, and more recently in Hobart). We are also seeing that people enjoy the flexibility (lifestyle, location) that renting can offer – in fact, about 25% of our customers indicate they currently own an investment property but live elsewhere (rentvestors) or are currently saving to purchase a property they don’t intend to live in.
“In Australia, we’re starting to see increased momentum in the vocalisation of renters’ needs. This has undoubtedly been caused by factors like housing affordability issues, job mobility, lifestyle and investment preferences.
“In our own business, we’ve seen huge growth in the number of renters (more than half a million) who have gone to great lengths to stand out by creating a Renter Resume on rent.com.au, so there’s a real need there to ensure this important demographic is heard. Political parties ignore renters at their peril.”
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Who Aussie renters are voting for this election

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The Melbourne developer Larry Kestelman plans to demolish a $9 million Williams Road, Toorak house, and an adjacent block on Bruce Street, to construct a 20 apartment complex.
No architect has yet been appointed.
The location is opposite Como Park and the Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club.
Abercromby’s Real Estate secured the sale of 300 and 300a Williams Road.
It is a block of 1123 square metre.
Tim Derham and Sam Goddard of Abercromby’s Real Estate had four bidders, all developers, compete, drawn by the lack of heritage restrictions.
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Larry Kestelman plans a boutique Williams Road, Toorak apartment  complex

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Palazzo, a waterfront Sydney Habour residence with harbour views, has hit the market.
The two storey home has been offered by The Agency's Michael Rava and Scott Thornton. 
Positioned in Birchgrove's most exclusive cul-de-sac, <a href="https://theagency.com.au/16581/99-louisa-road-birchgrove" target="_blank">Palazzo at 99 Louisa Road</a> comes with two bedrooms, separate home office or third bedroom, and entertainer's kitchen.
Other highlights include wide alfresco terrace, C-bus Smart home control, permanent mooring with private jetty and boat pen, and auto lock up garage. 
It has been scheduled for auction on April 18. 
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Birchgrove harbourfront home Palazzo to go to auction 

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A Don Pancho Beach resort, located at the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef on the Coral Coast of Queensland, is for sale.
Situated in Bargara, a seaside town 14 km east of Bundaberg, the multi-level Mediterranean styled resort complex is rated 3.5 stars.
Set on 3,940 sqm the freehold beachfront site has a frontage to Kellys Beach, and is positioned opposite the Bargara Golf Club.
Comprising 44 self-contained units (including a 2-bedroom manager’s residence), the resort complex also features a restaurant, conference room, undercover car parking, swimming pool, BBQ area, and halfcourt tennis court.
CBRE Hotels who hold the listing stated there is "significant value-add opportunity for owner operators and developers alike," as well as a "genuine scarcity of quality beachfront redevelopment sites in the area.".
The listing notes there is potential to renovate and reposition the existing product or redevelop the large footprint and establish a new plan with modern beachfront villas or strata title apartments and sell down subject to council approval.
<div> </div>
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Don Pancho Beach Resort in Bargara, QLD listed for sale

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Staff reporter

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