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GUEST OBSERVATION
After years of strong housing market growth, Sydney’s property market is slowing. Despite this, housing stress remains a reality for many Sydneysiders, with rents remaining largely untouched.
Public housing is a lifeline for those who can’t afford to rent in the private market, but the numbers of households in this position means many must wait years for a place.
Median rents for apartments in Sydney fell only 0.9% in the September quarter, to $545 a week. This means a household needs to earn about $94,000 a year to avoid housing stress. About half of the households in Sydney earn less than this.
Adding to these cost pressures, tenancy laws are strongly weighted in favour of landlords. This gives tenants little security of tenure and exposes them to frequent upheaval, inadequate conditions and rental hikes.
But public housing tenants are also facing upheaval and uncertainty in inner-city areas such as Waterloo and Redfern, as a result of redevelopments that they feel are aimed at pushing their communities out of the city.
What is happening to public housing?
The lack of public housing investment in New South Wales and the costs of private rental mean over 50,000 people are on the state waiting list. In inner-city areas, they face a wait of five to ten years for public housing.
Through the Communities Plus program and the Social and Affordable Housing Fund, the NSW government plans to build 27,000 more social and affordable homes. But this figure is somewhat misleading. In the last three years, the government has sold off half as much public housing as it has built. And the figure of 27,000 looks more like 9,900 when you consider that this includes around 17,000 dwellings that will be demolished and rebuilt.
Several of the housing estates that remain will undergo massive redevelopment. One of these projects involves Sydney’s largest inner-city public housing estates, in Waterloo. The redevelopment will transform it into a mixed estate of 70% private housing and 30% social housing, going from just over 2,000 dwellings to potentially more than 7,000.
Residents fear being pushed out
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/246155/original/file-20181119-27770-5vm6vj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The Waterloo redevelopment will produce a mixed estate of 30% social housing and 70% private. Carol Tang, Author provided
Since the redevelopment was announced in 2015, we have been working with the residents of Waterloo to understand their experience of the redevelopment. Many residents feel the project is a ploy to “move the poor people out of the city”, as one of them put it.
While the government has promised everyone the right to return, there is still a huge amount of uncertainty. And this is justified given that, like many large infrastructure projects conceived during Sydney’s boom time, the Waterloo project will be subject to many changes and delays.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/246164/original/file-20181119-76131-1afyq2u.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Residents of the Matavai and Turanga towers installed coloured lights in their windows to make a statement: ‘We live here’. Nic Waler, Author provided
The residents of Waterloo, however, will not go quietly. “People are trying to speak up,” says Maryanne Laumua, a Waterloo tenant and key team member of the WeLiveHere2017 project.
One of the ways that residents are speaking up is by making their presence known on Sydney’s skyline. In September 2017, residents in the tallest of Waterloo’s towers, Matavai and Turanga, installed coloured lights in their apartment windows to make a statement: “We live here”. The residents’ efforts are chronicled in a new ABC documentary, There Goes Our Neighbourhood.
A long history of displacement
A history of displacement through colonialism, redevelopment and evictions has shaped Waterloo and neighbouring Redfern. The Gadigal people were violently dispossessed of their country after European invasion. Throughout the last century, “slum clearance” displaced many working-class households.
The demolition of The Block in Redfern removed many Aboriginal families from their homes. The redevelopment in neighbouring Waterloo comes at a time when approval has been given to redevelop The Block. The Redfern development includes construction of student housing that seems to have priority over affordable Indigenous housing.
These areas also have a long history of organising against displacement. Waterloo residents joined with the unions as part of the 1970s Green Bans campaigns to limit the destruction of working-class housing in the suburb. Jenny Munro and other Aboriginal leaders have campaigned tirelessly for the rights of their community, which includes a years-long tent embassy protest on the site of The Block.
The redevelopment of Waterloo’s public housing estate will hardly make a dent in easing housing pressure in Sydney. And as Waterloo resident Karyn Brown puts it: 
"To solve the city’s housing crisis, they are picking on public housing tenants, those on the second rung of the housing ladder."
Waterloo tenants resisting the redevelopment are concerned that it’s a form of state-led gentrification. They see the notion of “social mix” — the idea that introducing private owners and tenants can “fix” disadvantaged communities — as a smokescreen for the class upgrading of their neighbourhood. Indeed, there is little empirical evidence to support the notion that social mix can solve a community’s problems.
Rather than a project intended to alleviate their disadvantage, many tenants feel that “social mix” is both classist and racist. As Lorna Munro and Joel Sherwood-Spring put it, the dilution of the existing community including the Aboriginal population is simply a continuation of the colonial project.
The residents of Waterloo’s public housing might be far from the city’s wealthiest residents, but they’ve got fighting spirit and community pride in spades. As There Goes Our Neighbourhood shows, this community is diverse, creative and determined to fight for their right to remain in the city.
Pratichi Chatterjee, PhD Student, Urban Geography, University of Sydney
Alistair Sisson, PhD Candidate, Urban Geography, University of Sydney
Jenna Condie, Lecturer in Digital Research and Online Social Analysis, Western Sydney University
Laura Wynne, PhD Candidate, School of Social Sciences, UTas and Senior Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS, University of Tasmania
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/we-still-live-here-public-housing-tenants-fight-for-their-place-in-the-city-107188" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Public housing tenants fighting for their place in the city

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A brand new Pimpama Service Centre, located in Queensland’s second fastest growing suburb, has hit the market.
The property, 45km south of the Brisbane CBD and 30km north of the Gold Coast, is anchored by high profile international and national food brands and established retailers including United Petroleum, Pizza Hut, Carls Jr, Red Rooster and Zambrero.
The service centre is situated on an 8,750 sqm site, opened in July this year. It offers an annual income of around $980,000.
<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/2018/11/26/BRIS_RET_Pimpama2.jpg" alt="">
The centre benefits from a strategic position in Pimpama - Queensland’s fastest – and Australia’s second fastest - growing suburb with 25% population growth per annum.
 
Choice Homes are <a href="/expert-insights/building/pimpama-village-on-the-gold-coast-soon-to-sell-out-stage-three">currently building Pimpama Village</a>, which are selling out fast in the local area.
CBRE’s Darren Collins, Joseph Du Rieu and Kevin Tong have been appointed to manage the sale of the service centre on behalf of ADCO Constructions. 
Collins said the sale represented an outstanding opportunity to acquire a thriving asset with long lease and strong income potential. 
“Pimpama has had an extremely strong growth story over the past five years, which is attributed to its ideal location that offers affordable coastal living very close to the M1- the main road linking Brisbane and the Gold Coast," he said.
"This premier location will underpin the success of the centre and its retailers,” Mr Collins said. 
“Earlier this year, Carls Jr opened its 20th Australian store at Pimpama, marking one of the retailer’s most successful store openings to date and highlighting the tremendous appeal and strength of this outstanding location.”
The Pimpama Service Centre is being offered for sale with a 12-year WALE – with its newest retailers, Pizza Hut and a Chinese eatery, opening this week. 
 
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Service Centre in Qld’s booming Pimpama hits the market

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Knight Frank's Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rental Index for Q3 2018 has showed slower growth, however is still on the rise.
The Q3 Index increased saw an increase of 2.3% quarter-on-quarter and 6.4% year-on-year.
The index showed slower growth, as office occupiers delayed significant real estate decisions amidst rising US-China trade tensions
<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/2018/11/26/asian%20pacific%202.jpg" alt="">
Despite slower growth, 18 out of the 20 cities tracked report stable or increased rental growth.
Rental growth in Sydney and Melbourne continues to be among the strongest in the region, recording further increases during the quarter to be up 14% and 7% over the past year respectively  
Knight Frank's head of research and consulting Australia Ben Burston puts the increases down to employment growth and subdued development activity.
“Buoyant employment growth and subdued development activity continues to drive rental uplift in Sydney and Melbourne, which have recorded some of the strongest growth in the region over the past year," Burston said.
"The level of supply scheduled to deliver in 2019 simply will not redress the imbalance, and this will continue to drive rents and motivate tenants to pursue densification strategies or consider emerging fringe markets where expansion can be more easily achieved.”
Asia-Pacific Prime Office Rents
<table style="width: 430px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
City
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Submarket(s)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="117">
3-month % change (Q2 2018 - Q3 2018)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Forecast next 12 months
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Brisbane
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Melbourne
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
2.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Perth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Sydney
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
2.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Tokyo*
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Central 5 Wards
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
5.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Beijing
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Various
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Guangzhou
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Shanghai
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Puxi, Pudong
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Decrease
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Hong Kong
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Central
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
2.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Taipei
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Downtown
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Seoul
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD, GBD, YBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
-0.7%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Bengaluru
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.4%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Mumbai
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
BKC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
3.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
NCR
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Connaught Place
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Phnom Penh
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
City Centre
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Jakarta
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Same
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Kuala Lumpur
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
City Centre
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
-0.2%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Decrease
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Singapore
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Raffles Place, Marina Bay
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
1.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Bangkok
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
CBD
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.0%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Increase
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Manila
</td>
<td valign="top" width="126">
Various
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="117">
0.8%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
Decrease
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/26/asian%20pacific%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
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Slower office rental growth, but still increasing: Knight Frank's Prime Office Rental Index

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Urgent and radical change in urban transport policies and practices will benefit the planet and future generations.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently warned that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/how-the-un-climate-panel-ipcc-got-to-15c-threshold-timeline" target="_blank">global warming could reach 1.5℃ as early as 2030</a>. The landmark <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/">report</a> by leading scientists urged nations to do more to avert an impending crisis.
<a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/10/8/17948832/climate-change-global-warming-un-ipcc-report" target="_blank">We have 12 years</a>, the report said, to contain greenhouse gas emissions. This includes serious efforts to reduce transport emissions. 
In Australia, transport is the <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/transport-fact-sheet/" target="_blank">third-largest source of greenhouse gases</a>, accounting for around <a href="/news">17% of emissions</a>. Passenger cars account for <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/transport-fact-sheet/" target="_blank">around half of our transport emissions</a>.
The transport sector is also one of the strongest factors in emissions growth in Australia. Emissions from transport have <a href="/news">increased nearly 60% since 1990</a> – <a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/transport-fact-sheet/" target="_blank">more than any other sector</a>. Australia is ranked <a href="https://aceee.org/research-report/i1801" target="_blank">20th out of 25 of the largest energy-using countries for transport energy efficiency</a>.
Cities around the world have many opportunities to reduce emissions. But this requires renewed thinking and real commitment to change.
Our planet can’t survive our old transport habits
Past (and still current) practices in <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-infrastructure-plan-has-some-way-to-go-to-give-our-cities-what-they-need-54954" target="_blank">urban and transport planning</a> are fundamental causes of the transport problems we face today.
Over the past half-century, cities worldwide have <a href="https://theconversation.com/density-sprawl-growth-how-australian-cities-have-changed-in-the-last-30-years-65870" target="_blank">grown rapidly, leading to urban sprawl</a>. The result was high demand for motorised transport and, in turn, increased emissions.
The traffic gridlock on roads and motorways was the catalyst for most transport policy responses during that period. The solution prescribed for most cities was to <a href="https://theconversation.com/stuck-in-traffic-we-need-a-smarter-approach-to-congestion-than-building-more-roads-84774" target="_blank">build out of congestion by providing more infrastructure for private vehicles</a>. Limited attention was given to <a href="https://theconversation.com/on-the-road-research-can-improve-transport-across-australia-43643" target="_blank">managing travel demand</a> or improving other modes of transport.
Equating mobility with building more roads nurtured a tendency towards increased motorisation, reinforcing an ever-increasing inclination to expand the road network. The result was a range of unintended adverse <a href="http://www.oecd.org/economy/rethinking-urban-sprawl-9789264189881-en.htm" target="_blank">environmental, social and economic consequences</a>. Most of these are rooted in the high priority given to private vehicles.
What are the opportunities to change?
The various strategies to move our cities in the right direction can be grouped into four broad categories: avoid, shift, share, and improve. Major policy, behaviour and technology changes are required to make these strategies work.
Avoid strategies aim to slow the growth of travel. They include initiatives to reduce trip lengths, such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/higher-density-and-diversity-apartments-are-australia-at-its-most-multicultural-97176" target="_blank">high-density</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-place-to-live-work-and-play-why-mixed-use-developments-are-making-a-comeback-73142" target="_blank">mixed land use developments</a>. Other options decrease private vehicle travel – for example, through car/ride sharing and <a href="https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/12/how-to-fix-traffic-congestion-in-australia/" target="_blank">congestion pricing</a>. And <a href="https://theconversation.com/go-forth-and-telework-but-will-it-work-for-you-10682" target="_blank">teleworking</a> and e-commerce help people avoid private car trips altogether.
Shanghai’s Hongqiao transport hub is a unique example of an <a href="https://uic.org/cdrom/2013/nextstation/doc/proceedings/3Ajianping.pdf" target="_blank">integrated air, rail and mixed land use development</a>. It combines Hongqiao’s airport, metro subway lines, and regional high-speed rail. A low-carbon residential and commercial <a href="https://www.usgbc.org/articles/building-shanghai-tomorrow-hongqiao-cbds-low-carbon-transportation-hub">precinct</a> surrounds the hub.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/246775/original/file-20181122-161609-x8oxhj.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/246775/original/file-20181122-161609-x8oxhj.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Layout of Shanghai Hongqiao integrated transport hub.<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Layout-of-Shanghai-hongqiao-integrated-transport-hub-SHITH_fig1_309453749"> </a>
Shift strategies encourage travellers to switch from private vehicles to public transport, walking and cycling. This includes improving bus routes and service frequency.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/stuck-in-traffic-we-need-a-smarter-approach-to-congestion-than-building-more-roads-84774" target="_blank">Pricing strategies</a> that discourage private vehicles and encourage other modes of transport <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/jonas_eliasson_how_to_solve_traffic_jams" target="_blank">can also be effective</a>. Policies that include <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/jul/02/norway-electric-cars-subsidies-fossil-fuel" target="_blank">incentives</a> that make electric vehicles more affordable have been shown to encourage the shift.
Norway is an undisputed world leader in electric vehicle uptake. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/25/norway-leads-way-electric-cars-green-taxation-shift" target="_blank">Nearly a third of all new cars sold in 2017 were a plug-in model</a>. The electric vehicle market share was expected to be as much as 40% within a year.
An electric vehicle charging station in the Norwegian capital Oslo. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/electric-car-charging-station-oslo-eco-670494520?irgwc=1&amp;utm_medium=Affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=TinEye&amp;utm_source=77643&amp;utm_term="> </a>
Share strategies affect car ownership. New sharing economy businesses are already moving people, goods and services. Shared mobility, rather than car ownership, is providing city dwellers with a real alternative.
This trend is likely to continue and will pose significant challenges to car ownership models.
Uber claims that its <a href="https://www.uber.com/en-IN/blog/mumbai/onestepforward-with-uberpool/" target="_blank">carpooling service in Mumbai</a> saved 936,000 litres of fuel and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2,662 metric tonnes within one year. It also reports that <a href="http://www.cityam.com/242760/uber-reveals-london-ride-sharing-figures-for-uberpool" target="_blank">UberPool in London</a> achieved a reduction of more than 1.1 million driving kilometres in just six months.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/244778/original/file-20181109-35554-ym7dj5.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
UberPool is available in inner Melbourne suburbs. Trip must begin and end in this area.
Improve strategies promote the use of technologies to optimise performance of transport modes and <a href="https://theconversation.com/intelligent-infrastructure-when-roads-and-vehicles-talk-to-each-other-7865" target="_blank">intelligent infrastructure</a>. These include <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/03/why-our-cities-need-smart-transport/" target="_blank">intelligent transport systems</a>, urban information technologies and emerging solutions such as <a href="https://www.itf-oecd.org/files/urban-mobility-system-upgrade" target="_blank">autonomous mobility</a>.
Our <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23249935.2018.1528485?journalCode=ttra21" target="_blank">research</a> shows that sharing 80% of autonomous vehicles will reduce net emissions by up to 20%. The benefits increase with wider adoption of autonomous shared electric vehicles.
Autonomous vehicles can offer first- and last-kilometre solutions, especially in outer suburbs with limited public transport services. <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/iot-smart-automotive-driverless-car-artificial-794528215?irgwc=1&amp;utm_medium=Affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=TinEye&amp;utm_source=77643&amp;utm_term="> </a>
The urgency and benefits of steering our cities towards a path of low-carbon mobility are unmistakable. This was recognised in the past but progress has been slow. Today, the changing context for how we build future cities – smart, healthy and low-carbon – presents new opportunities.
If well planned and implemented, these four interventions will collectively achieve transport emission reduction targets. They will also improve access to the jobs and opportunities that are preconditions for sound economic development in cities around the world.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/106076/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hussein-dia-110689" target="_blank">Hussein Dia</a>, Chair, Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767" target="_blank">Swinburne University of Technology</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/four-ways-our-cities-can-cut-transport-emissions-in-a-hurry-avoid-shift-share-and-improve-106076" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Four ways our cities can cut transport emissions in a hurry

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Strong trading has prompted healthy food purveyors and café Cocomamas to expand into a nearby bigger space within its home suburb of Elsternwick.
It will move around the corner to an 80sqm space on busy Glen Huntly Road following a deal negotiated by Fitzroys agent Jordan Ceppi, following a high level of demand for the space from hospitality operators.
Ceppi negotiated the 4x4-year deal for <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-elsternwick-502917398" target="_blank">341 Glen Huntly Road</a> at $55,000 per annum on behalf of a private investor.
“Cocomamas will move from their smaller premises of 20sqm that has served them well in their formative period, and their strong performance has prompted the operators to take the next step in its journey,” Ceppi said.
Ceppi said the precinct’s offering of national and well regarded local tenants and operators had benefited from numerous mixed use developments recently completed and in various stages of planning, bolstering the immediate residential catchment.
“Glen Huntly Road has developed an attractive lifestyle and hospitality offering, bringing people to the precinct across all hours,” he said.
“A large proportion of Melbourne’s rapid population growth is being accommodated in the inner- and middle-suburban retail strips, generating sustained local demand for hospitality and retail services in particular.”
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Cocomamas cafe expands in Elsternwick

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NSW local councils are being encouraged to work with property owners who have unpaid rates to get on payment plans instead of taking ratepayers to court.
The State’s 128 councils collect more than $4 billion in rates each year which fund roads, footpaths, libraries, parks and swimming pools. 
Council actions to recover debts for unpaid rates make up 30 per cent of Local Court civil matters.
"More than 80 per cent of these claims involved amounts less than $2,000 and a high proportion were settled, paid or written off by councils before judgement,” Attorney General Mark Speakman said.
Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton and Attorney General Mark Speakman released new Debt Management and Hardship Guidelines and called on all councils in NSW to review their policies and procedures to treat ratepayers more fairly.
The guidelines promote a range of strategies and actions councils can use to help ratepayers pay on time including:
<ul>
<li>·         a ‘stop the clock’ approach to suspend debt recovery, legal action and interest accrual while a ratepayer’s hardship application is awaiting determination or while they are complying with a payment plan;</li>
<li>·         tailored plans and flexible payment options including weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments;</li>
<li>·         promoting Centrepay as a voluntary way for people to pay their rates directly from their Centrelink payments;</li>
<li>·         discounts to provide incentives for prompt payment in full;</li>
<li>·         greater discounts for pensioners facing hardship;</li>
<li>·         options for ratepayers to receive their rates and pay their rates electronically; and simplified rates notices including information in relevant languages.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/content/debt-management-and-hardship-guidelines-0" target="_blank">The guidelines</a> have been issued by the Office of Local Government under the Local Government Act.
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New debt collection measures as council rate debt recovery make up 30 per cent of NSW Local Court civil matters

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The now not so hip activist investor Nick Bolton has emerged as a backer of Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger.
The former Domain CEO has confirmed he will mount a court challenge to the merger between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment.
Catalano says he has a superior proposal to the Fairfax-Nine merger, which was given shareholder approval last week.
He will ask the Federal Court to reject or defer the deal as he has support from shareholders.
"I have heard from a number of shareholders that would like to consider an alternative proposal," Catalano says.
Catalano says his court submission would outline a "range of concerns" with the Fairfax-Nine merger.
Controversial greenmailer Nick Bolton's investment vehicle Aurora Funds Management was set to appear before Judge Jacqueline Gleeson.
On the evening before the shareholder vote last Monday week, Catalano launched a dramatic eleventh hour bid to stall the merger by revealing he had a plan to implement a range of asset sales to deliver value to shareholders.
Catalano sent a letter to the Fairfax board at 8pm Sunday, with the board meeting to reject the proposal ahead of the 10am Monday shareholders' meeting.
The Fairfax board rejected the approach and proceeded with the long-scheduled vote of the merger.
Nine and Fairfax sources expect Catalano's court action to be unsuccessful.
And Herald Sun columnist Terry McCrann wrote Catalano was "not the 2018 version of the 1980s corporate raider and master manipulator Robert Holmes a Court. Not even close.'
"If Holmes a Court had pulled a stunt like the one you tried on Fairfax Media on Sunday night, it would have been an elegant combination of real financial substance, loaded with menace, and actually committing him to nothing."
"To call it an inept and rather embarrassing joke would be to give it more credibility than it deserved," McCrann wrote.
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Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger hits Federal Court

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A demand for affordable and housing is driving a continuing drop in median lot sizes across Melbourne’s greenfield market.
The median lot size has dropped from 514 square metres in 2009 to 405 square metres in 2017, according to data cited by AVID Property Group.
The developers are looking to capitalise on the demand with its recently released Orbit Homes Tempo Living collection at Bloomdale, a masterplanned community in Diggers Rest.
<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/2018/11/22/Tempo%20Living%20-%20Madrid%20Facade%20low%20res.jpg" alt="">
AVID Property Group Senior Development Manager Chris Monahan said the group was seeing the benefits of partnering with builders such as Orbit Homes to produce smaller, smarter and affordable homes.
“The Tempo Living homes are a well-designed and well-priced product, which offer a unique opportunity for buyers to snap up some of the best-located blocks in Bloomdale’s masterplanned community,” Monahan said.
“Following its success in Bloomdale in early 2017, the Tempo Living collection offers three- bedroom house and land packages, priced from $442,340, all within 45 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD.”
Orbit Homes Sales and Marketing Director Paul Millson said smart design and functionality can go a long way in making homes on smaller blocks feel spacious.
“We have a dedicated team working on the functionality and layout of our Tempo Living designsto ensure we maximise the use of space, open planning and low maintenance living to meetconsumer’s accommodation needs,” Millson said.
“As the dream of quarter-acre blocks fades into the past, people are seeing the value of living within an existing community.
“These homes may have a smaller yard, but we ensure the lots are integrated into well located communities like Bloomdale with surrounding parks, amenity, open space and infrastructure.”
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Smaller, smarter and affordable homes the focus of new release at Bloomdale

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In 2017/18, real economic output grew by 2.8% nationally, accelerating from 2.3% in 2016/17, according to the latest State by State Growth Report from Westpac.
The NSW economy performed over the past four years with output growth averaging an above trend 3.1% - the strongest four year performance for the state since the late 1990s.
The report found: "output growth was 2.8% in 2014/15, surging to 4.0% in 2015/16 and then moderating to 3.1% in 2016/17 and 2.6% in 2017/18 particularly as housing has become less supportive."
By industry, agriculture, real estate and professional services led the growth moderation in 2017/18.
Construction added a 0.4ppts to growth with broad strength as investment responded to the growing needs of a rising population.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/22/WESTPAC%20NSW.JPG" alt="">
The Victorian economy has been performing strongly, in particular, driven by a population boom.
Output growth was 3.5% in 2017/18, matching the average for the past four years but down from on last year.
Andrew Hanlan, the report author, noted: "State demand grew to 4.7% in 2017/18, up from 4.2%, the fastest pace in a decade.
"On a per capita basis, output grew by 1.2% in 2017/18, in line with the national average.
"Construction remained a key growth driver."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/22/WESTPAC%20NSW%202.JPG" alt="">
In Western Australia output bounced back from a 1.8% decline this year to grow by 1.9% this year.
The construction sector added 0.2ppts to activity in 2017/18, a turnaround from a 2.6ppts drag in 2016/17.
Mining output was a key growth driver, adding 0.8ppts, with new capacity coming on stream, according to the report.
"Consumer related sectors were subdued, significantly underperforming gains across the rest of the country as household incomes remained under pressure," Hanlan said.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/22/WESTPAC%20NSW%204.JPG" alt="">
The Queensland economy grew 3.4%, the strongest levels since 2011/12.
Construction added 0.4ppts to activity, a turnaround from a -0.1ppts impact in 2016/17 and from the sharp negatives in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
"srowth was broadly based across a range of business sectors, indicative of an improvement in underlying conditions," Hanlan said. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/22/WESTPAC%20NSW%203.JPG" alt="">
The South Australian economy expanded by 2.0%, slightly reduced on last year's 2.4% but in line with the long term average.
This is an improvement on the previous six years, when growth averaged just 0.9%.
Andrew Hanlan found: "the health sector added an exceptional 0.8ppts to activity, well above the national average (0.4ppts) boosted by the progressive roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
"Construction advanced, +0.3ppts, after three years of modest negatives, with home building and business investment expanding," he added.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/22/WESTPAC%20NSW%205.JPG" alt="">
The 2017/18 year was a standout for Tasmania, with output growth of 3.3%, a doubling of the 1.5% rise in 2016/17 and the strongest post GFC result in a decade.
"Per capita output growth of 2.3% in 2017/18 was the envy of all other states," stated Hanlan.
"State final demand grew by 4.1% in the year, with broad based strength across the consumer, housing, business investment and public demand."
The health sector was a key growth driver, +0.7ppts.
Of the 19 broad industries, none were a drag on activity in 2017/18 - a relatively rare outcome, Hanlan said.
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How each state economy is performing: Westpac

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GUEST OBSERVATION
When it comes to access to housing in Australia, the playing field is far from even.
<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1745-5871.12313" target="_blank">Our recent research</a> has found that “race” matters. Many Australians experience racism and discrimination based on their cultural background.
This is particularly the case for Asian Australians. They experience much <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/no-place-for-racism-mayor-fights-back-over-anti-asian-poster-blitz" target="_blank">higher rates of racism across a variety of everyday settings</a>, but particularly when renting or buying a house.
Asian Australians’ experiences of racism
<a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/challengingracism/challenging_racism_project/our_research/face_up_to_racism_2015-16_national_survey" target="_blank">An online national survey</a> of 6,001 Australians measured the extent and variation of racist attitudes and experiences. We examined the impacts of where Australians are born and what language they speak at home on their experiences of racism.
<a href="https://researchdirect.westernsydney.edu.au/islandora/object/uws:39004" target="_blank">Our research</a> revealed that if you were born overseas, or if your parents were born overseas and you speak a language other than English at home, you are likely to have many more experiences of racism than other Australians. Racism is experienced in a variety of settings –workplaces, educational institutions, shopping centres, public spaces and online.
Survey participants born in Asia were twice as likely as other Australians to experience everyday racism. In fact, 84% of these Asian Australians experienced racism.
For those born in Australia to parents who were both born in an Asian country, rates of racism were just as high (86%).
If you speak an Asian language at home, your experiences of racism are also likely to be high. Speakers of South Asian and East Asian languages experience racism at alarming rates – 85% and 88% respectively. Those who speak Southwest/Central Asian and Southeast Asian languages experience rates of discrimination (79% and 78% respectively) similar to those for all participants of a non-English-speaking background (77%).
Anti-Asian housing discrimination
<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240629570_Racism_in_Australia_Cultural_imperialism_disempowerment_violence" target="_blank">Published findings</a> for New South Wales and Queensland in the 1990s revealed that 6.4% of Australians reported having experienced ethnic-based discrimination when renting or buying a house. Our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1745-5871.12313" target="_blank">recent national study</a> has found this proportion has increased dramatically. In recent years, 24% of Australians have experienced housing discrimination.
As with the broader pattern of everyday racism, Asian Australians are feeling the brunt of housing discrimination. Almost six in ten (59%) Asia-born participants in our study experienced racism in accessing housing. This compares to only 19% of non-Asian-born participants.
Asia-born respondents were also more likely to report frequent experiences of housing discrimination. Some 13% reported these experiences occurred “often” or “very often”. This is more than three times the average exposure of non-Asian-born Australians.
In particular, participants born in Northeast and South/Central Asia are more frequently exposed to racism in housing. And 15% and 16% respectively reported housing discrimination occurred “often” or “very often”. This compares to only 9% of those born in Southeast Asia.
The survey also found that if you have two Asia-born parents you are highly likely to experience such racism (44%). Similarly, if you speak a language other than English at home (especially an Asian language), you are more likely to experience housing discrimination (45%).
South Asian language speakers (e.g. Hindi, Tamil, Sinhalese) experience housing discrimination at a much higher rate of 63%. The rate for East Asian language speakers (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Korean) is 55%. Only 19% of English-only speakers had the same experiences.
Why is this happening?
These findings suggest that the owning and occupying of space by Asian Australians is seen as a threat to Anglo-Australian hegemony. Alternatively, or perhaps relatedly, many real estate agents and owners assume Asians are somehow suspect, or will be a lesser quality tenant or owner. This would be an echo of colonial racist thinking in which Asians were seen as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1745-5871.2010.00647.x" target="_blank">biologically inferior and a potential source of racial impurity</a>.
The repression of Chinatowns and more recent <a href="http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=6&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjW5c2sk_ndAhXHEXAKHaeiBdYQFjAFegQIBBAC&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyassignment.help.com.1.s3.amazonaws.com%2F175156_318938547.pdf&amp;usg=AOvVaw30E4JYk4Q9glqwo1SDQmVE" target="_blank">moral panics about Indo-Chinese settlement areas in Sydney and Melbourne</a> – such as Cabramatta and Richmond – point to these stereotypes of vice, uncleanliness and chaos. Perhaps this 20th-century troubling of the white spatial order is continuing today.
Sinophobia in Australia is also emerging in debates about <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-australian-cities-are-adapting-to-the-asian-century-103917" target="_blank">housing investment</a>, donations to political parties, university campus politics, the purchase of agricultural land for mining, as well as general concerns about Chinese government influence, geopolitics and human rights issues in China. Public debate is appropriate, but emerging hysteria and sensationalism are shifting into <a href="https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/opinions/chinese-influence-debate-must-avoid-racism" target="_blank">animosity towards people with Chinese heritage in Australia</a>.
Authorities need to act
Exclusion from an important urban resource like housing can generate <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953699004967" target="_blank">profound levels of substantive inequality</a>. This in turn is associated with health issues and poorer access to other elements of life chances like employment, transport and education. It can also generate society-wide issues like segregation and intergenerational inequality.
Australia has laws against racist discrimination in access to goods and services like housing. Our findings, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08111146.2015.1118376?journalCode=cupr20" target="_blank">among others</a>, indicate that housing discrimination is more acute for some groups than others, particularly Asian Australians. So where is the coordinated response to this clear injustice?
Alanna Kamp, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Australian Cultural Geography, Western Sydney University
Ana-Maria Bliuc, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology, Western Sydney University
Kathleen Blair, PhD Candidate, School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University
Kevin Dunn, Dean of the School of Social Science and Psychology, Western Sydney University
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/asians-out-not-in-this-suburb-not-in-this-apartment-103919" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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We need a response to Anti-Asian housing discrimination

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Joel Robinson

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

For all its prestige, Roseville hasn't seen many new apartment developments that genuinely cater to the suburb's owner-occupier market.

Most new projects on Sydney's North Shore have focused on increasing supply, but Aqualand Prestige's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/boronia-by-aqualand-roseville-2-4-larkin-street-roseville-nsw-2069">Boronia</a> is taking a different approach.

The 111-apartment project on Larkin Street has been designed around a buyer who already knows the area, whether they're downsizing from a nearby family home, upgrading from an older apartment, or moving into the suburb to be closer to schools and transport.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=372391]

Boronia is the first project from Aqualand Prestige, the boutique residential division of Aqualand, the developer behind projects including AURA in North Sydney and Blue at Lavender Bay. The project is being delivered in partnership with Phoenix Property Investors.

Rather than trying to maximise density, the focus has been on creating apartments that feel much closer to a house. There's a strong weighting towards larger three-bedroom residences, alongside a limited collection of four-bedroom duplex-style sky homes, a product that's rarely delivered in apartment projects on the Upper North Shore.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373694]

Architecture firm Woods Bagot has designed the building to sit within Roseville's established tree canopy rather than dominate it. The building steps down the site with deep balconies, generous setbacks and a material palette of masonry and natural stone that reflects the suburb's established character.

"The forms float among the canopies along the Larkin Street ridge to maximise the outlook across the green sea of the treetops," Woods Bagot Principal Jason Fraser said.

"The architecture is deliberately simple and understated, so that the detail, the craftsmanship and, above all, the landscape can be the hero."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The same approach continues inside.

Interiors by COX take inspiration from the surrounding bushland of Lane Cove National Park, using natural stone, timber and handcrafted finishes throughout the residences. Kitchens feature Gaggenau and Bosch appliances, while the penthouse collection includes upgraded stone finishes and bespoke detailing.

"We wanted the homes to feel like an urban retreat, where the boundary between inside and out simply dissolves," COX Director Brooke Lloyd said.

Landscape architecture by Ground iNK extends that connection outdoors, with mature tree planting, deep soil landscaping and retained established street trees helping the development blend into one of Sydney's leafiest suburbs.

Residents will also have access to landscaped communal gardens, a wellness centre and outdoor spaces designed more as an extension of their own homes than traditional apartment amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373687]

The location is another reason Aqualand Prestige believes Boronia will resonate with buyers.

Roseville Station is around a five-minute walk away, placing Chatswood just one stop down the line, while the Sydney CBD remains within easy commuting distance. The suburb also sits within the NSW Government's Transport Oriented Development precinct, where planning changes are encouraging more housing around existing rail infrastructure.

Despite those planning reforms, opportunities to secure a new apartment in Roseville remain relatively limited, particularly developments aimed at owner-occupiers rather than investors.

Aqualand Prestige Executive Director Wayne Xiong said Boronia was designed for buyers intending to stay for the long term.

"These are homes built for decades of living rather than for the moment," Xiong said.

"Whether buyers are downsizing, raising a family or simply seeking more space, they're choosing the scale and craftsmanship of a fine house in a suburb they love, with the ease and connectivity modern life calls for."

Boronia's two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.79 million, three-bedrooms from $2.49 million, penthouses from $2.85 million, and four-bedroom duplex-style Sky Homes from $4.5 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152095]

Aqualand Prestige launches Boronia to undersupplied Roseville apartment market

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]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

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

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