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The land title of the $100 million Double Bay harbourfront mansion sold to tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie last September has now been mortgaged.
The mortgage was taken last month with Credit Suisse, the amount unknown.
Fairwater had previously been owned by the Fairfax family for more than 100 years.
There have been no renovation plans yet lodged for the estate.
The couple sold their Centennial Park home last year for $16.5 million to art patrons Dr Gene and Brian Sherman, who then sold their 1880s Woollahra residence to sleep medicine specialist Malcolm Ogborne.
This article first appeared in The Sunday Telegraph. 
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Atlassian's Mike Cannon-Brookes borrows money against Double Bay's Fairwater

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A house at Lake Wendouree, in Victoria's Ballarat has sold for $4.25 million to a local family.
It has been sold by Tony Douglass and Tim Valpied from Hockingstuart Ballarat. 
The residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-lake+wendouree-129575874" target="_blank">412 Wendouree Parade </a>is two storey, set on a 1,992 square metres lot. 
Built by Peter Jones, the price breaks the suburb’s previous record, set by the nearby 424 Wendouree Parade which fetched $3.73 million off-market deal in January last year.
The house sold in 2007 at a then record of $2.85 million.
The ground floor comes with formal and informal living spaces, kitchen with granite benchtops, home office, guest bedroom and cellar.
<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/2019/3/5/lake%20wendouree%202.jpg" alt="">
The upstairs comprises main bedroom suite with terrace overlooking Lake Wendouree, five further bedrooms, two marble bathrooms and powder room.
The outside features alfresco entertaining area, heated pool, swimming jets, and spa.
<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/2019/3/5/lake%20wendouree%203.jpg" alt="">
Other highlights include reverse cycle heating/cooling, Clipsal C-bus system, automated sprinkler systems and two double garages.
It's close to schools and only moments to the CBD.
The suburb's median house price sits at<a href="/developments/lake-wendouree-vic-3350"> $687,500</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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Lake Wendouree adjacent Ballarat trophy home sold for record price

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GUEST OBSERVATION
This is an edited version of Steve Hatfield-Dodds’ opening address to the Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/outlook" target="_blank">National Outlook Conference</a> to be delivered on 5 March 2019.
<hr>
The National Farmers Federation wants to lift the value of Australian agricultural production to <a href="https://www.talking2030.com/" target="_blank">$100 billion by 2030</a>.
While that might be possible – on the current trajectory it is forecast to reach $84 billion by 2030 – we should be mindful of the substantial, and sometimes painful, reforms that have been needed to achieve the growth we have in recent decades; and that <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/Documents/snapshot-australian-agriculture.pdf" target="_blank">price increases accounted for 90% of that past growth</a>.
Furthermore, the rate of productivity growth has been slowing. Key reasons include adverse shifts in climate and seasonal conditions, reduced investment in research relative to the value of production, and that fact that the easiest productivity gains have already been made.
This suggests nothing can be taken for granted.
Instead, we should recognise that achieving the best for agriculture, our rural communities and the national economy will require tough choices.
Making farming attractive to workers and investors
The sector is well aware of the need to attract workers with the right mix of skills, and is taking steps to do it. The <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/reporting/budget/seasonal" target="_blank">2018 Budget</a> provided funds to improve our evidence base about labour force issues.
It is encouraging to see sector leaders <a href="https://www.farmonline.com.au/story/4412951/nff-urges-certification-scheme-to-watch-over-farm-labour-contractors/" target="_blank">acknowledging</a> the need to eliminate exploitation of workers, particularly seasonal workers and other vulnerable groups, but actions are always going to speak louder than words in ensuring a positive experience for farm workers.
Investment is crucial to lifting productivity and strengthening supply chains. Unfortunately agriculture faces some headwinds in attracting investment, including high seasonal variability relative to other nations and some persistent policy uncertainty.
This makes it crucial that Australia’s foreign investment rules are applied transparently and predictably, respecting <a href="https://archive.lowyinstitute.org/publications/lowy-institute-poll-2012-public-opinion-and-foreign-policy" target="_blank">community caution</a> that investment should deliver social and economic benefits, while maintaining Australia’s reputation as a <a href="https://cdn.tspace.gov.au/uploads/sites/79/2018/05/FIRB-16-17-Annual-Report.pdf" target="_blank">stable and attractive investment destination</a>.
Harnessing innovation
Australia is not immune to global shifts in research and development.
This includes <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research-topics/productivity/related-research/rural-rde-investment" target="_blank">slower growth</a> in public R&amp;D, which in the past has provided the foundation for growth in private R&amp;D.
Our distinctive use of government and levy funded <a href="http://www.ruralrdc.com.au/about/" target="_blank">Research and Development Corporations</a> has served us well in the past, but needs some adjustment to ensure that the resources available deliver the best possible outcomes for agriculture and the nation as a whole.
Priorities should include reducing fragmentation and improving collaboration on “whole of sector” challenges, greater clarity and consistency around contributions and benefit sharing, and achieving faster adoption and commercialisation of successful research.
Promoting resilience
Australian farmers manage very significant variability, including variability in climate and prices. <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/state-of-the-climate/" target="_blank">Climate variability is increasing</a> and extreme events, such as droughts and floods, are becoming more frequent and severe, impacting on output and incomes. Increased variability is also likely to contribute to more volatile global prices.
It is a good bet in these circumstances that future droughts and weather events will continue to trigger calls for government to do more to help famers. But policy makers should continue to be careful in how they respond, as poorly designed polices have the potential to slow farm adaption and structural adjustment, <a href="https://theconversation.com/helping-farmers-in-distress-doesnt-help-them-be-the-best-the-drought-relief-dilemma-105281" target="_blank">hurting productivity</a>.
Australia’s <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/drought-policy" target="_blank">national drought policy</a> rightly establishes a clear separation between promoting proper risk management by farm businesses and providing support to farm households and communities in need.
Eligibility criteria for the Farm Household Allowance are more generous than those that apply to income support available to other groups.
Programs such as the Farm Household Allowance, the Farm Management Deposit Scheme and tax concessions provide important relief for farm households and are consistent with Australian community values.
Overall, their current settings are unlikely to undermine resilience and drought preparedness or to have substantial adverse impact on agricultural productivity.
This is an achievement worth defending against well meaning – or occasionally self-interested – calls to blur the lines between household support and business assistance.
And we should always seek further improvements. Here the remaining policies that provide business assistance, such as concessional finance, need careful assessment.
Over time, the perceived need for such policies could be reduced by further development and uptake of market-based risk management tools, such as multi-peril crop insurance, and index-based insurance for cropping and livestock.
Persisting with water reforms
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan was inspired, in part, by the 2003 <a href="https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/The-Living-Murray-story.pdf" target="_blank">Living Murray Initiative</a> and its vision of a “healthy working river” and in part by a reaction to the realities graphically exposed by the Millennium drought.
It was predicated on the conviction that healthy communities and regional economies required a healthy river, and that achieving it required substantial changes to water management.
<a href="https://ewater.org.au/archive/crcch/archive/pubs/pdfs/technical200205.pdf" target="_blank">These changes were twofold</a>: promoting water trading across the basin, which allows water to move to higher value uses and altering the balance between consumptive and environmental uses to achieve healthy river ecosystems.
This view that healthy industries require healthy catchments has not always been visible in recent debate and finger pointing, which is often framed in terms of trade-offs between “industry” or “development” versus the “environment”.
It is self evident that achieving the National Farmers Federation aspiration for agriculture will require sustainable management of scarce water resources.
Irrigated crops are one of the strongest growing agricultural sectors, with excellent future prospects. Realising the full potential of the irrigation sector will require clear and confident water policy settings which support the sector’s social licence, and avoid the uncertainty associated with acrimonious ongoing debate.
Respecting evolving consumer expectations
Staying ahead of the curve on consumer expectations sits at the heart of agriculture’s value proposition, reputation, and future growth – and can only be effectively led by industry.
Shifts in social expectations may well be both the greatest opportunity, and the greatest threat, facing Australian agriculture.
Rising real incomes allow consumers and citizens to care about issues they have previously ignored, and to express this care through their purchasing decisions and networks. These issues might be personal – such as health – or more general – such as concern for the environment or animal welfare.
Shifts in consumer sentiment can occur rapidly, and be difficult to predict. In 2016, for example, around 15% of milk consumers voted unexpectedly with their wallets by <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-drink/dairy/milk/articles/consumers-buying-more-branded-milk-to-support-farmers" target="_blank">shifting from cut price $1 milk to more expensive branded milk</a>, delivering an additional $100 million in sales revenue, in response to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017-01-27/understanding-the-dairy-crisis/8184510" target="_blank">concerns about the plight of dairy farmers</a>.
But capitalising on consumer concerns over the long term involves risks and hard work.
Back in 2003, Perth-based <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/patagonian-toothfish-launched-on-australian-market/news-story/2b6215e724cc8a71c8cf3cffde50ee4c" target="_blank">Austral Fisheries caused some waves</a> when it set out to secure independent Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification for Patagonian toothfish, as a first step in a sophisticated customer engagement strategy.
Their persistence paid off: today more than half the global catch is certified, its <a href="http://patagonian-toothfish-story.msc.org/" target="_blank">premium market position</a> has been restored and prices increased by around 300%.
Some shifts will involve more threats than opportunities, at least in the absence of stronger engagement by industry. Producers are particularly exposed on environmental and animal welfare issues, where real or perceived poor behaviour by a few players can tarnish the reputation or market access of an entire sector.
Assessing these risks and opportunities requires industry to understand how consumers think and feel, even when this is confronting.
As an example, debates about land clearing can be polarising, generating more heat than light. To be hard nosed about this, however, it is in industry’s interest to consider how the economic rewards of land clearing for some graziers stack-up against the potential risks to the reputation, social licence and market position of the industry nationally, and the various ways these risks could be managed.
Focusing on the main game
Australian agriculture has many advantages, and a track record of good performance, underpinned by tough choices.
If we continue in this tradition Australian agriculture will prosper, enhancing the well-being of producers, consumers, regions, and the nation.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/112857/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;">
Steve Hatfield-Dodds, Executive Director, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
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/droughts-extreme-weather-and-empowered-consumers-mean-tough-choices-for-farmers-112857" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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 Droughts, extreme weather and empowered consumers mean tough choices for farmers

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Crown Resort’s plan to build a new $2 billion hotel and luxury apartment tower in Melbourne are in limbo after the Victorian government turned down its request to extend construction permission.
Crown, backed by billionaire James Packer, this morning said it had been denied an extension to the construction start time of the planned One Queensbridge hotel and apartment complex opposite the Crown Towers hotel on Southbank.
The state government approved the 90-storey tower two years ago under the condition construction started by this month.
Crown and joint-venture partner Schiavello Group applied for a planning extension two weeks ago while they continued to seek financing.
“Crown and Schiavello have been informally notified by the Victorian government that an extension to the construction commencement date for the proposed One Queensbridge project has been denied,” Crown said in a statement to the ASX.
“No formal notice has been received from the Victorian Government but it is expected shortly. As previously announced, the project was subject to obtaining financing arrangements that were satisfactory to Crown and Schiavello. Unfortunately these arrangements could not be achieved before the construction commencement date under the planning approval.
“Crown retains a 50% ownership interest in the land and will consider the next steps for the property in conjunction with Schiavello.”
Plans for One Queensbridge include a 388-room hotel and 708 residential apartments and a walking bridge linking it to the casino across the street.
The developers had previously said that the project was “subject to obtaining financing arrangements”.
“Unfortunately these arrangements could not be achieved before the construction commencement date under the planning approval,” Crown said.
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Crown Resort's $2 billion tower One Queensbridge in planning limbo

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A 791 acre dairy cow farm in Labertouche, Victoria recently sold for $6.65 million.
It was offered by John Rowe and Evan Broadbent from Harcourts Warragul. 
The farm situated at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-diary-vic-labertouche-7988614" target="_blank"> 385 Labertouche North Road</a> consists of six titles, with four houses, laneways, fencing, and a state of the art operating dairy cow unit.
<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/2019/3/5/LABERTOUCHE%202.jpg" alt="">
The dairy cow unit produces an average of 1,175 kilograms milk solids per hectare and on target for 1,250 kilograms of milk solids per hectare this season
Other features of the farm include potable ground water supply, farm dams, and high fertile soils.
<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/2019/3/5/LABERTOUCHE%203.jpg" alt="">
Located approximately one hour from Melbourne, the property is within close proximity to the Princes Highway and V-Line Railway.
It was sold at $2,165,000 in 1997. 
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Labertouche dairy cow farm sale at $6,650,000

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SPONSORED POST
A beautiful masterplanned estate in the heart of the booming Logan growth corridor is the first to tap into Choice Homes' new partnership with SunYield Solar.
The picturesque <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/the-highlands" target="_blank">The Highlands estate</a> is inspired by nature and designed to bring the outdoors in.
Close to shopping, public transport and the central business districts of Beenleigh, Logan and Springwood, Highlands balances nature with convenience.
Logan's year-round sunshine makes it the perfect location to launch Choice Homes' partnership with SunYield, which provides every new house a solar energy package.
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With easy access to the M1, the estate is ideally positioned with the Gold Coast just 35 minutes south and Brisbane CBD 30 minutes to the north.
Residents can enjoy a tranquil lifestyle while remaining close to all the urban facilities they could need.
Just minutes from Eden’s Landing State School, Canterbury College and more than 21 public and private schools and numerous childcare centres in the Logan region, The Highlands provides families with every convenience.
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The picturesque Highlands estate is inspired by nature and designed to bring the outdoors in.
Close to shopping, public transport and the central business districts of Beenleigh, Logan and Springwood, Highlands balances nature with convenience.
<ul>
<li>Easy access to M1, with the Gold Coast just 35 minutes south and Brisbane CBD 30 minutes to the north</li>
<li>Residents can enjoy a tranquil lifestyle</li>
<li>Minutes from Edens Landing State School, Canterbury College and more than 21 public and private schools and numerous childcare centres </li>
</ul>
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</div>
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Landlords and tenants are set to both benefit financially with Sunyield, Stoddart Group's new solar technology.
A new batch of homes in Queensland will see the solar panels save as much as $275 a year on electricity.
The SunYield package includes a 6.5 KW solar power system, combined with a Stoddart Smart Board that replaces the standard meter box on a new home.  
SunYield is also battery ready, allowing landlords to add batteries as they become cheaper and increase the proportion of solar-generated power sold to the tenant.
Choices Homes director Troy Knight said the innovative technology is good for his customers, their tenants and the environment.
“We're always looking for ways to offer our customers a better investment, which made the decision to put SunYield on every home a simple one," he said.
“For our customers, it means an increased rental return and a home that's easier to rent.
"For our company, it means being one of the first to offer an innovative product that is good for our customers, their tenants and the environment.  
The Australian-first technology was designed locally and is being launched in Queensland with leading investment builders Choice Homes, Creation Homes, Brighton Homes and MetInvest, with each including SunYield as standard on their new homes. 
Stoddart Group's general manager for energy systems Adam Taylor says solar energy usage was once a difficult conversation with landlord and tenant before the new technology.
“It was too difficult to manage," he said.
“With SunYield, if the tenant chooses to use the solar panels, all solar and grid power is measured automatically via a smart switchboard and the tenant receives a single monthly power bill for all electricity consumed from both the solar and the grid.
“Renters have long missed out on the benefits of solar power simply because it was too hard or complicated for landlords to justify the cost.
“SunYield changes this by ensuring that solar on a new rental property is a good deal for the landlord, as well as the tenant.  
The process is completely automated, with the landlord then receiving a payment for all solar generated, whether it was used by the tenant or sent to the grid.
“With this technology, the landlord owns the solar system and can either sell the power to their tenant at a discount to the market rate or export it to the grid if the tenant chooses not to buy it.”
To download Choice Homes Urban Appeal 2019 magazine, <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/sovereign-estate" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Choice Homes partner with SunYield Solar for Logan's new Highlands Estate

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Sid Morgan, the Hills district estate agent shot in the face in Melbourne, remains on life support.
The update was advised by prosecutors during a court appearance yesterday by two Irishmen charged with his attempted murder.
Prosecutors said Mr Morgan is on life support but defence lawyers claim the description of his condition could be an “exaggeration’’.
Prosecutors in Melbourne Magistrates Court said Sid Morgan remains in an induced coma.
Mark Dixon, 30, and Jack Harvey, 26, were arrested in NSW near Byron Bay last Wednesday over the Point Cook shooting on February 21.
Dixon and Harvey were extradited to Victoria.
Both have been charged with attempting to murder Mr Morgan, 53, in the middle of a street after an argument in the western Melbourne suburb.
 
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Estate agent Sid Morgan still on life support after Point Cook shooting

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SPONSORED POST
We all seek that special lifestyle; a place that feels right at home, easy and comfortable.
Add a mix of family-orientated community and a diverse range of contemporary designer homes and you’ve found the perfect place that’s yours to enjoy – <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/pimpama-village" target="_blank">Pimpama Village</a>.
Positioned for growth in the heart of one of Australia’s fastest-growing corridors and supported by a number of current upcoming infrastructure upgrades, services and opportunities, Pimpama Village balances lifestyle with investment smarts.
The estate is a 53ha masterplanned development built on the old Coulters Farm and surrounded by parklands, just south of Hotham Creek.
Designed with an amiable neighbourhood in mind, Pimpama Village allows residents to flourish within a friendly lifestyle-focused community.
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Located on the eastern side of the highway, Pimpama Estate provides easy access to Ormeau train station and the M1 Motorway, putting the Gold Coast and Brisbane on your doorstep.
Pimpama City Shopping Centre, located just minutes from Pimpama Village, opened its doors in late 2018.
The development boasts a Coles, Aldi, Best and Less, Zarraffa’s drive thru, Subway, 24-hour service station and 26 specialty stores.
Pimpama Village is also close to the stunning Gainsborough Greens Golf Course, surrounded by 230ha of natural bushland beauty, and the P-12 private school Kings Christian College, which opened a new campus in 2015. 
To download Choice Homes Urban Appeal 2019 magazine, <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/sovereign-estate" target="_blank">click here</a>.
 
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Pimpama Village masterplanned development in Pimpama growth corridor

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Camelot in Coomera is the latest residential community in the heart of the booming Northern Gold Coast growth corridor suburb of Coomera.
Location-wise, <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/camelot" target="_blank">Camelot</a> offers everything for growing families. The area is home to numerous primary and secondary schools, the Coomera Marine Precinct and a modern TAFE campus.
Stage 1 of the billion dollar Coomera Town Centre – designed over 60ha with a focus on business, livability and community – has now opened.
The centre features 140 specialty shops, including Woolworths, Coles, Target, Kmart and a cinema; it will transform Coomera into a benchmark dining, lifestyle and entertainment destination.
The flagship of the town centre is a new Westfield shopping centre, anchored by a Myer department store.
The centre also includes government and commercial offices, medical facilities, alfresco dining precinct, and world-class retail, all close to the existing Coomera Railway Station.
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Coomera train station is the multimillion- dollar transport hub of the Northern Gold Coast, providing train station and rapid commuter services to Brisbane and Robina.
Stage 2 of the Gold Coast Light Rail is now complete, linking the Northern Gold Coast via light rail to the centres of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Griffith University.
Its progress is set to unlock around $1 billion of development along the route.
The hub and interchange is also serviced by Gold Coast buses and links with the Gold Coast’s three major theme parks.
Camelot in Coomera also puts on your doorstep the natural wonders of South Stradbroke Island, the Coomera River, and the Gold Coast’s Broadwater and its sundrenched beaches. Each is a must to experience first-hand, where you can share and enjoy a special piece of paradise.
To download Choice Homes Urban Appeal 2019 magazine, <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/sovereign-estate" target="_blank">click here</a>.
 
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Booming Coomera to be home to residential community Camelot 

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SPONSORED POST
Discover Choice Homes' latest display home by the beach in Mackay at Royal Sands.
Living in a beachside community comes complementary with the Australian dream.
Royal Sands is <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/royal-sands-1" target="_blank">Mackay’s favourite land estate</a>, offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the seachange you’ve always dreamed about.
The Royal Sands estate is a masterplanned seaside neighbourhood that integrates beautifully into the natural surrounds.
This well-planned estate will allow you to enjoy less time in your car and increase your time living life.
Royal Sands is only five minutes walk to the golden sandy beaches of Mackay’s Northshore, Bucasia Beach and Seaside Parklands, all well-known holiday destinations and well withing walking distance.
It’s easy to see why Royal Sands is a great lifestyle location, providing residents with the best of both worlds.
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Living in a tropical haven with natural parklands on one side and beaches on the other... you’ll feel like you’re a world away but with an abundance of amenities close by. Only minutes from the Mackay Precinct. You’ll never be left wanting.
Major shopping centres, doctors, primary and secondary schools, both private and public, are all just a few minutes drive, which is made all the more pleasant with new roads and infrastructure, implemented in Mackay’s Northern Beaches.
Resurgence in the resources sector is also propelling Mackay forward, adding to the long list of benefits that make Royal Sands the ideal place to buy.
Elegance surrounds the Royal Sands estate, with a vast array of residential allotments, abundant parklands with play equipment and tree-lined streets
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Mackay is a picturesque regional city set on the Pacific Ocean amidst lush sugar cane farms and straddling the turquoise blue Pioneer River.
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Australians are searching for a sea change to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and there are few better places than Mackay to make a new start.
It's these great qualities that made Mackay the inaugural Wotif Town of the year. Locals know that it's a hidden gem, but it won't be hidden for long.
To download Choice Homes Urban Appeal 2019 magazine, <a href="https://www.choicehomes.com.au/estate/sovereign-estate" target="_blank">click here</a>.
 
 
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Royal Sands is Mackay’s favourite seaside neighbourhood

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

Joel Robinson

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-150" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-74" dir="auto">
Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Above Zero launches Camberwell House in undersupplied Camberwell Junction precinct

<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, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, 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]

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;

Staff reporter

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