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The Middle Club, a commercial hotel in Mullumbimby, New South Wales has been listed for sale.
Located at the main street, The Middle Club at<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-hotel+leisure-nsw-mullumbimby-503100474" target="_blank"> 46 Burringbar Street </a>comes with bar, bistro, beer garden, 20 first floor accommodation rooms and 15 poke machine entitlements with no smoking solution in the gaming room. 
<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/2019/2/19/mullumbimby%202.jpg" alt="">
It also features Byron Shire Commercial Hotel Licence, the prominent main street position with high foot traffic, and limited competing venues in immediate area.
Byron Shire has over 4.5 million domestic and international tourists each year.
It has been offered by Glenn Price and Blake Edwards from HTL Property Sydney. 
The expression of interest campaign will close on March 14. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Mullumbimby's The Middle Club hotel on the market 

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Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for public assistance to help locate two men they would like to speak to in relation to a shooting at Point Cook on 21 February.
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of 30-year-old Mark Dixon (who also sometimes goes by the surname Murphy) and 26-year-old Jack Harvey who are believed to be in the Byron Bay area in New South Wales.
The Daily Telegraph reported police raided a Suffolk Park motel room, on the outskirts of the town, yesterday but it had been vacated.
Investigators would like to speak to the two Point Cook men following the shooting of a 53-year-old man at a Spraypoint Drive home about 11pm.
<a href="/news/hills-shire-sydney-estate-agent-sid-morgan-shot-at-point-cook">Sid Morgan, the Hills Shire, Sydney estate agent</a>, suffered serious head injuries after a shot to his forehead in an incident on a Point Cook cul de sac last Thursday evening.
Two men have been questioned by Victoria Police over the shooting that left Morgan fighting for life in the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Sid Morgan, 53, was shot in the head in Spraypoint Drive at Point Cook about 11pm.
Neighbours said they heard an argument before a gunshot went off.
The Sydney man remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Two Point Cook men, aged 29 and 30, were arrested on Saturday however have since been released without charge.
Dixon is described as 180 cm tall, with a medium build, short brown hair, a fair complexion and speaks with an Irish accent.
Harvey is described as having a slim build, short brown hair, a goatee beard and also speaks with an Irish accent.
Anyone who sees Dixon or Harvey is urged not to approach them and to call Triple Zero (000).
In 1995, Morgan, who previously went by the name of Said, was a detective in NSW police force in the 1990s.
He became aware of allegations that his brother-in-law, Mansour Suha, had been molesting three young girls, two of them his young relatives. He then shot Suha, shooting the man six times.
In 1996 a jury rejected the Crown argument that it was a revenge shooting, finding Mr Morgan instead acted out of fear for the girls' safety.
A jury took 33 minutes to decide his actions were justified. 
He was however refused reinstatement into the NSW police force.
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Irish accented pair sought by Victoria Police after Sid Morgan's Point Cook shooting

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Brix Property Group has commenced construction of a Dan Murphy’s store on Bay Road, Cheltenham.
Becon Construction is completing the purpose built facility with construction well underway. 
Set to open by June 2019, the Dan Murphy’s store is the first stage in a multi stage retail and commercial development by Brix Property Group. 
After purchasing the site back in 2017, Brix Property Group negotiated a lease deal with Dan Murphy’s to go on the site.
Brix Property Group Managing Director Adam Brick said that interest in the project has been overwhelming. 
“When we purchased the site we recognised it as being a prime spot for regeneration. The A-grade bayside location on a major arterial road which feeds the top Melbourne bayside suburbs was what really attracted us to the site.” 
“Securing Dan Murphy’s to anchor the site was an impressive outcome. The response from both the community and Council to the new store is very positive, with many recognising it as another step in transforming this somewhat redundant industrial precinct.” 
<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/2019/2/21/Chandos%20Ave%20-%20Office%20Elevation%20MR%20PEOPLE%20Update1.jpg" alt="">
Stage 2 of the project, designed Cera-Stribley, includes opportunities for specialty supermarkets, retailers and showrooms of up to 1600 sqm, in addition to commercial office opportunities ranging from 100 sqm through to 3200 sqm. 
“Interest in Stage 2 of the project has been substantial despite only just having locked down our preferred development outcome and commencing the town planning process.
"Tenant interest in the supermarket and retail opportunities have been high with many recognising the strategic positioning being opposite to Dan Murphy’s and the benefits this brings,” Mr Brick said. 
“The office accommodation will set a new standard for bayside with the dedicated end of trip facilities and landscaped roof top terrace. Being a stone’s throw from the new Southland Railway Station and capitalising on the exposure to busy Bay Road, has seen interest from both large and small tenants,” Mr Brick said. 
Brix Property Group has appointed Colliers International’s Dan Noonan to lease the retail component and Damien Adkins to manage the office leasing campaign. 
Colliers International is currently taking registrations of interest for Stage 2 of the development with commencement of construction slated for the Q3 2019.
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Dan Murphy’s coming to Cheltenham

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Hayman Island by InterContinental has opened reservations ahead of the Whitsundays resorts reopening later this year.
The resort was badly damaged in the midst of Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March 2017, but is set to welcome new guests from 1 July.
The 166-room resort on a 400-hectare private island has undergone a multi-million-dollar refurbishment, including new restaurants, bars and a new spa.
Mark Eletr, Resort Manager at Hayman Island by InterContinental, said the resort offers a unique experience.
“Opening our unique paradise in the Whitsundays to the world under InterContinental’s trusted brand is a true privilege,” Eletr said.  
“Hayman Island continues to capture the hearts of domestic and international travellers and we are thrilled to announce that on 1 July our doors will open and a new chapter of immersive luxury awaits.”
The resort also offers corporate meetings and events options, as well as wedding ceremony and reception locations.
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Reservations open at Hayman Island ahead of resort's return

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Set in a beautiful country garden behind a picturesque white picket fence, Tamborine Mountain’s Fig Tree Cottage is up for sale for the first time in a decade. 
Fig Tree Cottage, located at 4 Wongawallan Road, is listed through Hutton &amp; Hutton Inner East. 
Ivana Reich, Hutton &amp; Hutton Inner East Sales Executive, said it was a beautiful, quaint little cottage.
"It’s the kind of place that’s easy to picture yourself living in,” Reich said. 
“It reminds me of Kate Winslet’s cottage in The Holiday; it’s just so easy to picture yourself baking biscuits in the traditional kitchen, hosting morning tea in the adorable shed or on the back porch, or tending to the beautiful little garden.
“It’d be just perfect for someone looking to settle into a simple life or someone looking to invest and rent it out as an Airbnb experience.”
<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/2019/2/19/Fig%20Tree%20Cottage%203.jpg" alt="">
Fig Tree Cottage is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode with exposed timber beams and a exposed brick fireplace. 
Owner, Alison, said she would live in the home forever if she could, but is moving on for a sea change and a fresh start. 
“The house reminds me of the close-knit English village I grew up in,” Alison said.
“Everyone always stops to say hi, ask how you are, have a chat, and they’re always looking out for one another to show they really care."
<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/2019/2/19/Fig%20Tree%20Cottage%204.jpg" alt=""> 
“I have lived the authentic fairytale dream in this cottage and I hope somebody else gets to live their fairytale too,” Alison said. 
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Fig Tree Cottage at Tamborine Mountain on the market

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Burwood Brickworks, on track to open in late 2019, has announced that it will host a six-screen cinema complex.
Reading International has agreed to terms to anchor the new entertainment hub at the mixed-use community, which is 19 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD.
The announcement comes after Whitehorse City Council endorsed an amendment to the development plan, paving the way for the new community to include a cinema.
Designed by Melbourne-based NH Architecture, the 12,900 square metre Burwood Brickworks shopping centre will be the heart of the mixed-use community.
The complex will be positioned on the ground level of Burwood Brickworks shopping centre, on the corner of Middleborough and Boulevard Roads, adjacent to the 4,200 square metre Woolworths supermarket.
Frasers Property is aiming for the shopping centre at Burwood Brickworks to be the first retail development in the world to achieve Living Building Challenge certification, meaning it will generate more energy than it consumes on an annual basis.
North Melbourne-based Russell &amp; George has been appointed to ensure the base building interior design and fitout comply with the sustainability standards. 
A mix of on-site rooftop solar PV and off-site renewable energy, utilising battery storage, will generate 105% of the energy required for the building.
For their electricity needs, tenants may choose to participate in the embedded energy network Frasers Property is integrating, which will offer use of the renewable electricity generated on-site.
Also proposed as part of the centre’s tenant mix is a child care centre and medical centre, as well as health and fitness opportunities.
Peri Macdonald, from Frasers Property Australia says Reading Cinemas will attract visitors.
“We’re creating a destination at Burwood Brickworks, a place drawing people from the immediate catchment and beyond who want to enjoy a memorable entertainment, shopping and dining experience in the most comfortable environment imaginable,” Macdonald says.
“A cinema offering was always a key feature of the super-neighbourhood centre we envisaged at Burwood Brickworks.”
The new complex will be the company’s first cinema in Australia to feature reclining seats in all auditoriums.
Mark Douglas, Reading Cinemas Australia’s managing director, said he looks forward to opening in late 2019.
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Reading Cinemas coming soon to Burwood Brickworks community 

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Soon after becoming prime minister last year, Scott Morrison appointed a minister for “congestion busting”, signalling the importance he attaches to this issue. The large number of Google search results on “traffic congestion in Australian cities 2019” (9.5 million) and “traffic congestion in Australian cities costing the economy 2019” (8.3 million) seems to support his opinion.
But what if this concern for traffic congestion is based more on “groupthink” than a careful look at the relevant data? What if congestion is not such a big social or economic problem? What if congestion costs are overemphasised?
In thinking about these questions, it should be recognised that there is always an underlying demand for driving, which exceeds the road space available, so building more roads induces more traffic. Congestion soon returns but with more vehicles affected than before. In addition, congestion is likely to increase with rising population and living standards.
Is traffic congestion a problem for the economy?
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) estimated the “avoidable social costs” of traffic congestion for Australia’s eight capital cities at A$16.5 billion in 2015. While the estimate is carefully calculated, there is scope to consider other relevant factors such as:
<ol>
<li>traffic congestion is usually a problem only for commuters in or near metropolitan CBD areas – for other road users, their average time delay is a relatively minor problem</li>
<li>the BITRE estimate is a small proportion (about 1%) of Australia’s 2015 GDP</li>
<li>more than one-third of the A$16.5 billion estimate is for private time costs that aren’t factored into GDP calculations</li>
<li>except perhaps for congestion charging, avoiding the BITRE cost estimate would require capital expenditure, reducing the net benefit that action to reduce congestion costs could capture</li>
<li>the BITRE estimate gives insufficient attention to changes in travel behaviour and location decisions in response to congestion.</li>
</ol>
There is evidence that road users, both private and business, adapt to congestion by changing travel route and time of travel, as well as changing location. In addition, the effects of the so-called Marchetti travel time budget (time saved on one route tends to be used for more travel elsewhere rather than for non-travel purposes) does not seem to have been considered in the BITRE calculations.
Using congestion to guide development
While the avoidable social costs of road congestion are arguably not a big deal, it’s pretty clear congestion plays a significant role in structuring urban areas.
Urban planners in Vancouver recognised this some 40 years ago. Rather than trying to reduce traffic congestion, they consciously used that congestion to limit commuter car access to the city centre. They went so far as to say “congestion is our friend”.
A “carrot and stick” approach was adopted in Vancouver. Traffic congestion was used to discourage commuting by car from the suburbs to the CBD. At the same time, complementary urban planning and design policies were enacted to make the inner city a more attractive place to live for all family types including those with young children. High-quality public transport (particularly the SkyTrain metro system) to the CBD was expanded to cover more of the metropolitan area, providing an attractive alternative to commuting by car.
Of course, congestion management can be used to support other land use planning strategies, such as metropolitan decentralisation. Again this would require a “carrot and stick” approach.
Congestion narrative fuels ‘the infrastructure turn’
Urban researchers have identified what has been called “the infrastructure turn”. This is an excessive focus on building infrastructure, particularly large transport infrastructure, rather than on integrated strategic land use and transport planning.
The infrastructure focus is a simplistic response to growing city populations. Importantly, it fails to manage travel demand towards a more sustainable long-term result, such as metropolitan decentralisation like Sydney’s “three cities” approach.
Emphasising congestion and its estimated costs reinforces a sense that urgent action is needed, and supports the “infrastructure turn”.
Planning for the city we desire
A best practice approach to metropolitan planning requires that transport planning and land use planning work together to achieve a desired future for the city. And community deliberation determines this desired future. The performance of the transport system should be measured mainly by how well this desired future is being achieved, rather than by the level of traffic congestion.
While traffic congestion is real and annoying to many (and also a worry for politicians like the prime minister), it’s not a big social or economic problem. Instead, the congestion could be managed – rather than just catering to projected demand – so our cities become more like the places we want them to be.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/111614/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;">
Brian Feeney, Adjunct Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland
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/rethinking-traffic-congestion-to-make-our-cities-more-like-the-places-we-want-them-to-be-111614" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Rethinking traffic congestion to make our cities more like the places we want them to be

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A mortgagee offering at Leumeah is for sale at $500,000.
Set on 565 square metres, the home last sold for $275,000 in 2003.
The three bedroom, one bathroom residence features a brick veneer.
Manfred Harle of Richardson &amp; Wrench holds the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-leumeah-130205490" target="_blank">3 Arnold Street, Leumeah</a>, the home is described in the listing as ideal for "first home buyers, investors and tradies".
It features timber floors, a detached double garage and workshop and a large pergola.
The corner block home is located near shops, school and transport options.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a>
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/leumeah-nsw-2560">Leumeah</a> according $635,000 to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 5.4%.
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Mortgagee offering at Leumeah for sale at $500,000

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The inner Brisbane market has reported a sharp rise in rental vacancies, a lift from 2.1 per cent to 4.0 per cent in the December quarter.
But while this may seem a big jump, it’s actually not unusual for this market in the December quarter, the REIQ suggest.
"The 0-5km ring empties of renters in the Christmas/early January period and vacancies rise," said the REIQ chief Antonia Mercorella.
There has been an almost-decade long pattern of higher vacancies in December followed by a fall in the March quarter as the market returns to business as usual.
There was also a fall in the June and September quarters last year too in the inner city.
Brisbane’s middle ring (5-20km) held rock steady at 2.0 per cent from September to the December quarter. This closes out a very stable year for this region. In December 2017 the middle ring was 2.1 per cent, before it bumped up to 2.8 per cent in the March quarter. The June and September quarters were 2.1 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively. The market forces of supply and demand are well balanced in this section of the market.
Brisbane LGA eased by 0.5 per cent, moving from a tight 2.0 per cent closer to a healthy ranking of 2.5 per cent. For most of 2017 this market averaged around 3.0 per cent to 3.5 per cent. Throughout 2018 it tightened a little as the more affordable middle ring lured tenants away from the central suburbs. But as supply to the inner city apartment market slows, it’s possible we’ll start to see this market tighten again over the coming year.
The Greater Brisbane region tightened from 2.4 per cent to 2.3 per cent.
A combination of factors is triggering investor nervousness in the Queensland rental market as the REIQ is seeing a slowdown in investor activity.
"Local agents in pockets of the southeast corner are reporting falling sales volumes, attributable to the perfect storm of real estate headwinds of tightened lending criteria, the legislation review, and the pending federal election," said Antonia Mercorella.
"As federal election campaigning begins to ramp up uncertainty around potential negative gearing adjustments and capital gains tax changes have caused many investors to hit pause on possible buying activity.
"The REIQ is hearing from agents that financing is causing contracts to fall over.
"We’re seeing tightened lending restrictions slowing both investors and first home buyers from getting into the market.
"The State Government’s ongoing review of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act is adding to the unease, particularly given the types of changes introduced in Victoria following a similar review of its rental legislation.
"Investors are concerned about a loss of control over their asset and worry about unwieldy legislation that will reduce their rights while ramping up concessions to tenants," she said.
Outer Brisbane (Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redland) tightened from 2.8 per cent to 2.0 per cent, moving from healthy to tight. This market is being dragged into tight territory by the Redlands, which fell from 4.8 per cent to 1.6 per cent.
Ipswich tightened from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent. Local agents report some jitters from investors who are nervous about the ongoing State Government review of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act. The population grew from 166,904 in 2011 to 193,733 – a gain of 26,829. This will add to the strain on rental accommodation.
Logan tightened from 3.5 per cent to 2. 4 per cent. This market has moved from healthy into tight and, similar to Ipswich, is partially feeling the impact of population growth. From 2011 to 2016, the population of Logan grew by more than 25,000, or the equivalent of more than 5,000 people a year. With many regions reporting muted investor activity this population growth will push vacancy rates lower.
Moreton Bay held steady at 2.0 per cent, the same as the September quarter. Home to North Lakes, one of the fastest growing SA2s in Queensland, according to ABS data, a stable vacancy rate of 2.0 per cent is noteworthy and indicates a region where supply and demand are well balanced. 
<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/2019/2/25/REIQ2.jpg" alt="">
The Gold Coast's December quarter vacancy rate saw a jump in the vacancy rate from 1.7 per cent to 4.8 per cent.
Several projects have been completed and added to the rental pool.
The largest of these is JLL’s Smith Collective build-to-rent dwellings.
The precinct has around 1251 dwellings, with first tenants moving in last month.   
Other developments have come online in Varsity, Broadbeach, Miami, Burleigh and Robina.
Agents are indicating that the market is price sensitive and tenants have choice, conditions that are relatively new to this market.
The REIQ signalled the third stand-out result for the December quarter was the Redlands, which tightened from 4.8 per cent to 1.6 per cent.
"This result represents a return to business as usual for this region which historically reports around 2 per cent vacancies," 
"The September result of 4.8 per cent was an outlier."
Local agents report that there has been noticeably less activity in the December/January period than usual.
Tenants are staying put, one property manager reported, summarising the general consensus on Redlands.
The Sunshine Coast SD (Sunshine Coast LGA and Noosa Shire combined) has tightened and is now firmly classified a tight rental market.
The vacancy rate has dropped from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent. These tightened conditions will continue to exert upward pressure on prices and it is likely we will see some movement in rents if these conditions continue.
 
 
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Inner Brisbane vacancy rate jumps to 4 percent: REIQ

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There was a $2.39 million sale in Adelaide, which had the strongest clearance sitting in the 60s. 
The $2.39 million sale was three bedroom house at <a id="LPlnk398154" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-glenelg+north-130005010" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">21 North Esplanade, Glenelg North</a>.
It was a mortgagee offering through Jamie Brown at Bernard Booth.
The new beachfront residence came with some 600sqm of living space with views of Gulf St Vincent across three levels.
It is a four year old beachfront.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/12/GLenelg%202.JPG" alt="">
The residence is spread across three floors, all accessed by a lift.
It features garaging for six cars, Carrara marble tiles, a plunge pool and a gas fireplace.
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Earlier this year the home had an asking price of $2.7 million to $2.9 million.
It last sold for $1.56 million in 2012 and in 2007 it went for $2 million.
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/glenelg-north-sa-5045">Glenelg North</a> is $682,250 according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as 2.5%.
 
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Mortgagee secures $2.39 million Glenelg North trophy home sale

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

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The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

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According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

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Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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