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Real estate peak body, The Real Estate Institute of Queensland, together with REA Group, the owners of listing portals realestate.com.au and Flatmates.com.au, have worked to establish a short-term solution for Townsville’s potential housing shortfall.
As the flooded homes are slowly cleaned up, displaced Townsville residents, along with workers flying into the city to help with repairs and clean-up efforts, may struggle to find suitable accommodation.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said she had seen this situation in other areas facing disasters, including the Whitsundays after Cyclone Debbie in 2017. 
"The displaced locals whose homes have flooded and the hundreds of workers who have come to the area to start on repairs place a strain on available accommodation.
“Flatmates.com.au will waive listing fees for those in Townsville who are opening their homes, rent free to anyone in need of short-term accommodation during the massive clean-up operation,” Ms Mercorella said.
“It’s difficult to forecast how severe the housing shortfall might be, but this kind of creative and proactive solution should help ease some of the strain on the housing supply,” she said. 
Single rooms are well suited to tradespeople who are only in town for short periods and this will hopefully free up larger housing accommodation for families who have lost their home and property.
<a id="LPlnk632194" href="http://reiq.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0yMDE1MTM0JnA9MSZ1PTUxMzY3MDk2OSZsaT0xNzc1NDQ3Mg/index" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">Flatmates.com.au</a> general manager, Simon Hope, said housing solutions was at the heart of what REA Group is all about.
“We wanted to help by offering a solution that brings together those who have spare accommodation and those who are in need of accommodation in a simple and effective way,” he said.
 “This solution is about helping the people of Townsville get back on their feet, so Flatmates.com.au will be waiving all fees for those people offering rent free accommodation.” he said.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

REIQ and REA partner to ease Townsville housing shortfall

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H &amp; M, Hennes &amp; Mauritz AB (H&amp;M), one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, known for offering high fashion and quality basics at affordable prices in a sustainable way, has announced that its Sunshine Plaza store will open March 28
Sunshine Plaza will be the site of H&amp;M’s first store to open on the Sunshine Coast and the twelfth in Queensland.
Spanning approximately 2,700 square metres and set over two levels; the much-anticipated store will offer an exciting shopping experience by showcasing apparel, underwear and accessories for Men, Women, Kids and Baby and the Home concept.
“We are excited to announce that our new store at Sunshine Plaza will be opening on the 28th of March” said Thomas Coellner, Australian Country Manager for H&amp;M. “Our customers are number one and we are looking forward to finally introducing the H&amp;M brand to the Sunshine Coast and meeting our new customers on opening day”.
 H&amp;M entered the Australian market in 2014. There are 36 stores nationwide.
<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/2019/2/14/David%20Jones%20and%20BIG%20W%20will%20open%20on%2028%20March%20as%20part%20of%20Sunshine%20Plazas%20grand%20opening.jpg" alt="">
Sunshine Plaza today announced the grand opening of its $440 million redevelopment will take place March 28.
Since construction works commenced in September 2016, the centre has secured the region’s first David Jones and H&amp;M stores, as well as a new Big W which will all open as part of the redevelopment.
The total expansion adds 35,000 square metres of retail space to the existing centre, and includes over 100 additional specialty stores such as <a id="LPlnk346239" name="x__Hlk780282" href=""></a>MECCA, Sheike, lululemon, Seed Heritage, Endota Spa, JB Hi-Fi, Kathmandu and Baku, with many more to come. 
The significant redevelopment will see Sunshine Plaza become the first super-regional* shopping centre north of Brisbane and is expected to generate 2,300 additional retail jobs for the region on completion.  
Lendlease managing director of retail, Gary Horwitz said they'd achieved is a new benchmark for retail centres across Australia. 
“Sunshine Plaza now has some of the biggest national brands and most sought-after specialty stores, so locals no longer need to travel to Brisbane."
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H&M to open Sunshine Plaza store in March 2019

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The three busiest suburbs for auction locations this week are in New South Wales where Port Macquarie tops the list with 20 homes scheduled for auction, according to CoreLogic data.
Their data shows, Lane Cove and Randwick follow with 15 and 12 scheduled auctions respectively.
Auction volumes are set to rise this week, with over 1,000 homes scheduled for auction across the combined capital cities.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/14/14-02%20CL.JPG" alt="">
CoreLogic is currently tracking 1,359 auctions across the capital’s, with volumes up by 46.4 per cent on last week (928), however the lower year on year trend continues with volumes down 31.8 per cent when compared to the same week last year (1,992).
Melbourne is expected to see the most significant increase in volumes over the week, with 607 properties scheduled for auction, up from 350.
Across Sydney, 501 homes are set to go under the hammer this week, increasing from 32.
Canberra and Perth will see an increase in activity over the week, while the remaining cities will see fewer homes taken to auction.
This Sunday, Damien Cooley will be Auctioneering for Elders Real Estate Port Macquarie at Rydges Hotel at 11 am, with a prestige canalfront listing at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/27-ballina-cres-port-macquarie-nsw-2444" target="_blank">27 Ballina Crescent.</a>
Amid the busy auction weekend in Port Macquarie is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-port+macquarie-129983054" target="_blank">88 O'Briens Road</a> (pictured in title).
The four bedroom three bathroom house comes with a price guide of $670,000 to $710,000
Set on 806 sqm, the listing notes the home was recently refurbished.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/14/Port%20Macq%202.JPG" alt="">
Another in Port Macquarie is <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-port+macquarie-130240306" target="_blank">6 Mahogany Hill</a>.
The three bedroom two bathroom house has an price guide of $599,000 to $658,000
Set on 1,018 sqm it is a 5 minute drive from the CBD.
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Auction volumes up 46% with Port Macquarie the busiest

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Cooling in the housing market led by Sydney and Melbourne has now been ongoing for 18 months, but the decline in prices have accelerated towards the back end of 2018, according to the NAB Forward View Report.
The report noted, fall in prices has also been reflected in the activity side of the housing market with turnover falling and clearance rates remaining low.
Investment in dwellings was primarily held at a consistent level by alterations and additions.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/14/NAB%20DW%201.JPG" alt="">
NAB forecast the downturn in the construction cycle to continue over the next two years.
Sydney prices are now 12% below their July 2017 peak and Melbourne has declined by 9% since November 2017.
The report writers stated, "prices in Perth have weakened again recently after showing some signs of stabilisation in mid-2018."
"The other capitals have held up better (likely less effected by developments in the investor segment of the market)."
"We see peak-to-trough declines of around 15% in both Sydney and Melbourne but acknowledge that based on current momentum the declines may be larger, particularly in Sydney."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/14/NAB%20DW%202.JPG" alt="">
Housing credit growth has also continued slowing, more so for investors than owner-occupiers.
Approvals for new building have declined and are now levels last seen in 2012, with the sharpest declines in apartment approvals.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/14/NAB%20DW%203.JPG" alt="">
The report stated, "We expect house prices to decline further, in an orderly fashion, and housing activity indicators to show further weakness as the market continues to adjust."
"Our forecasts embody a relatively sharp slowdown in dwelling investment with a fall approaching 20% over the next two years."
"This is consistent with further weakness in building approvals and a relatively sharp downturn in the construction cycle."
NAB forecasts house prices to decline further over 2019 before levelling out in 2020.
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Sydney home prices down 12% from peak: NAB

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GUEST OBSERVER
The December 2018 housing finance figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the number of loans for housing continues to decline.
Overall the figures for December 2018 show, in trend terms the number of owner-occupied finance commitments decreased by 0.1 per cent – the fifteenth consecutive month of decreases.
If refinancing is excluded, in trend terms, the number of owner-occupied finance commitments decreased by 1.2 per cent –also the fifteenth consecutive month of decreases and the lowest since April 2013.
In trend terms decreases were recorded in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
The largest decrease of 1.3 per cent was in Queensland. South Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory were unchanged. Western Australia and Tasmania had increases with the largest of 0.5 per cent in Tasmania.
The value of investment housing commitments decreased by 2.5 per cent in December, in trend terms, and is the lowest since 2012 and less than half of the April 2015 peak.
In trend terms, the number of established dwellings purchase commitments decreased by 1.2 per cent while the purchase of new dwellings decreased by 0.1 per cent and new dwelling construction fell by 1.2 per cent.
The proportion of first home buyers, as part of the total owner-occupied housing finance commitments decreased in December to 17.7 per cent from 18.3 per cent in November and the number of loans to first home buyers decreased by 18.8 per cent.
The continued decline in housing finance reflects the slowing market as well as the APRA restrictions on investors, which went too far for too long, the fallout from the Royal Commission into Banking and concerns about changes to property taxation and its impact should there be a change in Government.
There is a clear risk that the decline in activity in the residential property market will become a major drag on the economy. With the Government formulating its 2019 Budget and its response to the Hayne Royal Commission the contribution the property sector makes to the economy should be at the forefront of its considerations.
ADRIAN KELLY is the President of Real Estate Institute of Australia (pictured)
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No bright spots in housing finance numbers: REIA's Adrian Kelly

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Villa World said while sales for the period HY19 were down, however property settlements for the period were generally consistent with the previous period.
Managing Director and CEO Craig Treasure (pictured) said, “The current challenging market conditions are part of the cyclical nature of the property industry."
"However, Villa World has a long history of successfully navigating through market cycles and has a forward strategy focused on helping people reach home and long-term value creation."
"We believe Villa World is well placed to capitalise on opportunities that will arise for astute acquisitions and partnering arrangements."
"In the current market conditions, we have invigorated our sales strategy to highlight our value product offering in our sector," he stated
The Company made a $17.6 million after tax HY19 profit, compared with $17.3 million for the same period last year.
Queensland flagship projects including The Meadows (Strathpine), Killara (Logan) and Arundel Springs (Gold Coast) "sold well"
Although Victoria's property market has moderated, some of Villa World’s Victorian projects have remained consistent, notably the Wollert joint venture project.
Villa World said as previously stated, delivery times on Victorian projects are taking longer than anticipated.
Several stages in the Company’s Victorian projects are scheduled for completion in late FY19, with some likely to extend into HY20.
They belive Market conditions and the availability of customer credit are likely to remain challenging for the remainder of FY19. Plus the upcoming federal and NSW elections may also lead to increased customer uncertainty.
GNet tangible assets at 31 December 2018 represented $2.31 per share.
Mr Treasure said, “the Company has conviction that its projects are located where people want to live, its homes are priced within reach of its customers, and its turnkey homes offer a unique customer experience."
"With sound financial fundamentals, prudent capital management and a committed team, the company has the foundations and resources to provide sustained success and shareholder value beyond the current sector dynamics," he concluded.
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Residential house and land developer Villa World sales down in HY19

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AMP's profit has been hit by its appearance at the royal commission, after which customers pulled $4 billion from its wealth management arm in 2018.
The beleaguered wealth manager's profit plummeted 97 per cent to $28 million after taking a beating at the banking royal commission.
Revenue from ordinary operations dropped 55 per cent to $820 million.
AMP made a profit of $848 million a year earlier.
The company said its underlying earnings, which strip out a lot of one-off costs and gains, were down a more moderate 35 per cent to $680 million.
It also recorded $656 million in customer remediation largely related to misconduct aired at the financial services royal commission.
AMP cut its final dividend from 14.5 cents to 4.0 cents.
Net cash outflows from its Australian wealth management division totalled nearly $4 billion dollars, compared to $931 million in the prior financial year.
AMP said the exodus was due to "the reputational impact of the royal commission" and financial advisors focusing on keeping existing customers rather than bringing in new business.
Superannuation member contributions were down but the company said it retained the majority of its employer super plans.
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AMP sees $4 billion withdrawn from its wealth management

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EXPERT OBSERVERS
Most of the economists polled think better regulation can make banks put customers first. The rest think it will need more. 
After three years and 35 polls, the Economic Society of Australia has received its first-ever <a href="http://esacentral.org.au/nep-polls-and-articles-item/33205/bank-royal-commission-ii/?type_fr=452" target="_blank">unanimous response</a> to a survey question.
It asked just over 50 of Australia’s leading economists to respond to this statement:
There is no way to significantly increase the degree to which Australian retail banks act in the interests of consumers.
Twenty did. All rejected the proposition that nothing could be done. But there was widespread disagreement about what should be done.
Most thought that regulations should be tightened and better enforced.
<a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/15794/matthew-butlin/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">Mathew Butlin</a>’s comments typify this “more regulation” approach:
The incentive structures for bank staff, from the top down, play a key role in shaping behaviour. A more complete set of performance measures linked to remuneration that strongly penalises behaviour not in the consumer interest would provide stronger incentives for better behaviour, especially when linked with reliable information on non-compliance going to management and ultimately the bank board and a requirement for both to take action.
A smaller group openly doubted that better regulations would help, because they were not confident that the current crop of regulators or politicians would be able to devise and properly enforce them.
<a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/15810/allan-fels-ao/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">Allan Fels</a> gave the most damning response (with the highest word count) saying what was needed - among other things - was a “radical improvement in the performance” of the two main regulators, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.
In particular they need a change of culture. This will prove to be harder to do than it sounds. People have been talking for over twenty years about the ASIC and APRA culture needing improvement.
<a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/16039/geoff-kingston/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">Geoffrey Kingston</a> called for mandatory minimum sentences for financial crimes, arguing that the courts were complicit in the maintenance of financial crimes by being reluctant to jail white-collar criminals.
Kingston and <a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/16049/joaquin-vespignani/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">Joaquin Vespignani</a> pointed to the monopoly power of the big four banks before then raising the hope that the “big data” revolution would democratise banking and re-empower consumers, an idea at the heart of the government’s <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/focus-areas/consumer-data-right" target="_blank">Consumer Data Right initiative</a>.
Also targeting market concentration, Allan Fels, <a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/16044/james-morley/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">James Morley</a>, and <a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/17340/john-quiggin/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">John Quiggin</a> called for the separation of bank functions (with marketing separate from advice) or the breakup of banks themselves as happened in the United States under the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/glass_steagall_act.asp" target="_blank">Glass-Steagall Act</a> of 1933 which separated investment banks from deposit-taking banks.
<a href="http://esacentral.org.au/national-economic-panel-item/15811/gigi-foster/?type_fr=369" target="_blank">Gigi Foster</a> called for foreign countries to send competent regulators to sort out Australian’s banking system, suggesting that Australian regulators were compromised.
John Quiggin called for a stand-alone “no frills” public bank modelled on New Zealand’s <a href="https://www.kiwibank.co.nz/about-us/" target="_blank">Kiwibank</a>, something he hoped would rein in the expansion of the financial sector that began in the 1970s. But he added:
These proposals may be beyond the realm of political feasibility, which is why I have expressed only modest confidence in my view.
Quiggin and a substantial minority of those polled acknowledged that - uncomfortably for economists - many of the barriers to getting banks to behave better lay outside the realm of economics. Like well-meaning doctors, economists have been dispensing prescriptions that “should work”, while the patient continues to die.
But standard prescriptions have their place – among them removing commissions, imposing salary caps, imposing fee caps, revoking licences and setting minimum jail terms, all of which would change the balance of risks and rewards and help put money back into the pcokets of ordinary Australians.
Of course, even applying traditional economic prescriptions require political will.
Perhaps surprisingly for a group of “dismal scientists”, 20 of Australia’s leading economists believe that change is possible. It isn’t the economics that is dismal, it’s the dearth of political courage to do what’s needed.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/111748/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gigi-foster-194" target="_blank">Gigi Foster</a>, Professor, School of Economics, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414" target="_blank">UNSW</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paul-frijters-3277" target="_blank">Paul Frijters</a>, Co-Director, Wellbeing Program, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-1219" target="_blank">London School of Economics and Political Science</a>
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/its-unanimous-economists-poll-says-we-can-fix-the-banks-but-that-doesnt-mean-we-will-111748" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Economists’ poll says we can fix the banks, but that doesn’t mean we will

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The fallout from a data breach at the listed valuation company LandMark White has seen National Australia Bank suspending its use of the firm, joining Commonwealth Bank and ANZ.
"We are not in a position to say how many individuals are likely at risk as a result of the incident at this point although this remains under close review," LMW advised yesterday.
Up to 100,000 customers, according to Nine Entertainment, had personal information including property valuations, phone numbers and dates of birth leaked as part of the <a href="/news/landmark-white-limited-reports-property-valuations-data-breach">data breach at LandMark White</a>.
ANZ’s chief data officer, Emma Gray, said it involved a very small percentage of its customers who had valuations undertaken between November 2015 and December 2018 who are potentially impacted.
“As a result of this incident ANZ has currently suspended use of the services of the valuation provider at the centre of the investigations."
<div>
LandMark White's share price is down slightly from 44 cents to 42 cents since the ASX listed company revealed the breach.
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088100368" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088100368" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">LandMark White is one of the biggest valuation firms used by banks and lenders for assessing mortgage applications. 
LMW chairman Keith Perrett said the group had been communicating constantly with its business partners in the face of a complex attack on the business.
</div>
<div>''We are very pleased to hear from our external advisors that the breach was isolated to a single system, that the source of the disclosure had been closed, and that there is no ongoing suspicious activity across our network,'' Mr Perrett.</div>
<div class="_1lC_G">
<div class="_1665V undefined">
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1"><a href="/news/what-are-landmark-white-doing-about-property-valuations-data-breach">LandMark White have been working</a> closely with the relevant government agencies, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">Before the breach, the group issued a 25 per cent downgrade in its profits for the first half to December 31, 2018, in late January, saying it had experienced a significant reduction in valuation instructions from the first-tier lenders.
<p data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-6236702_632="1550088123437" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-6236702_632="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-6236702_632="1">It was February 5 when LandMark White Limited became aware that a dataset containing property valuation and personal contact information had been disclosed.
"We take the privacy and security of our data very seriously, and we are working closely with cyber security consultants to investigate the circumstances of the disclosure of the dataset," LMW told the ASX.
LMW became aware through one if its corporate partners, CoreLogic.
"We have taken immediate steps to secure what we believe to be the source of the disclosure to prevent any further disclosure of data.
"Currently there is no evidence of misuse of any information although this remains under close review."
Property valuer LandMark White Limited has blamed an exposed API for the leak of a dataset that included property valuation details and contact information of a range of individuals held by the company.
The security vulnerability responsible for the breach — “an exposed programming interface on one of our valuation platforms” — was closed on 23 January, according to the company.
“At that point, we were not aware that there had been any data disclosure,” an update released today for people affected by the breach states.
<div>
<div id="gpt-ad-interscroller-5935221" class="gpt-ad" data-gpt-ad-unit-path="/8456/IDG.AU_B2B_ComputerWorld.com.au/security_section" data-gpt-size-mapping="[[[0, 0], [[3, 3]]]]" data-gpt-sizes="[[3, 3]]" data-gpt-targeting='{"node": ["657662"], "idgau_tax": ["news"], "country": ["AU"], "site": ["cw"], "kw": ["data", "cyber+security", "data+breach"], "sect": ["security"], "idgau_search_referrer": ["no"], "type": ["article"]}' data-google-query-id="CJjZirDFueACFYQPKwod2vcO-w">“Having since become aware of the disclosure on 4 February 2019, we have worked to confirm that the data disclosure relates to the vulnerability which had been previously secured.”</div>
</div>
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<div>
<div>
<div>
Founded in 1982 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2003, LMW has a long and proud heritage of providing independent professional property services to people and companies across Australia.
LMW has over 400 property professionals across 40 plus locations Australia wide.
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</div>
</div>
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Banks drop LandMark White valuations after data breach

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The Summerhouse, an original 1960s Currumbin Beach house, is under contract, selling for just the second time in 50 years.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-currumbin-129878806" target="_blank">32 Panorama Drive, Currumbin</a>, the home came with a price guide of $1.85 million.
Set on a 607 square metre block adjoining reserve (never to be build out) the north facing home enjoys views of the golden arc of Palm Beach, Burleigh Headland, Surfers Paradise skyline, and Stradbroke Island.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/29/Currumbin%202.JPG" alt="">
Built in 1950, the five bedroom four bathroom residence has been renovated and extended, drawing on "elements of the family holiday home in the South of France".
Featuring a covered deck, sandstone entertaining terrace, garden and an integrated sparkling blue pool the home has it's original brushbox hardwood flooring
The three car garage has bespoke double gates.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/29/Currumbin%203.JPG" alt="">
Located a 10 minute walk from Currumbin Beach, and within easy access of schools, shops, John Flynn Hospital  and the Gold Coast Airport the home is a 45 minute drive from Byron Bay.
It last sold at auction in 2010 for $664,000
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/currumbin-qld-4223">Currumbin</a> is $823,043, according to CoreLogic.
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1950s Currumbin Beach house under contract

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

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."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

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>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Staff reporter

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