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MH Premium Farms has sold the Glaisnock mixed-farming enterprise.
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The billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Michael Hintze sold Glaisnock to a local family farming group at auction.
Glaisnock currently grows wheat and canola in rotation and also supports sheep, cattle and fodder enterprises.
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Selling agents said the land rate of $8933 per hectare achieved for Glaisnock was a district record, beating the district record by close to $350 per hectare.</div>
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Glaisnock had previously been owned by David and Lynette Whitechurch.
Sir Michael, the director of his own hedge fund, CQS Management, paid about $3.5 million for Glaisnock in 2008.
Three parties competed for Glaisnock at its auction earlier this month.
It includes an extensive reticulated water system for livestock, spraying and domestic purposes as well as a homestead and cottage.
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Located 26 kilometres from Young, it is in an area described as "blue-ribbon mixed-farming land".
Of the total landholding, 947 hectare (96%) is arable, while the remaining area is comprised of 20 hectares of grazing land and 16 hectares of support land.
<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/2018/10/24/Farma.jpg" alt="">
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Billionaire Sir Michael Hintze sells blue-ribbon Glaisnock farm for $8.8 million

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A former Wiseberry Penrith real estate agent, Christopher Black, has been convicted of trust account fraud.
He misused more than $124,000 after the sale of two homes.
Black also pleaded guilty to failing to keep deposits for the two properties, worth more than $158,000, in a trust account.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Black misused the money for personal use. 
“Black had no authority to withdraw money out of the company trust account.” 
Black was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, to be served by intensive correction order, with a condition that he completes 400 hours of community service and undertakes mental health treatment.
He has the right to lodge an appeal.
Wiseberry Penrith has been under new management since March 2017.
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Former Wiseberry Penrith estate agent convicted of trust fund misappropriation

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Art Series Hotels is set to open its first new property since it joined the AccorHotels family.
The $60 million project at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane will open in March 2019 and will be the brand's eighth in total.
The 166 room, six storey hotel will be situated close to the Story Bridge.
The brand draws its design inspiration from contemporary Australian artists and includes custom contemporary furnishings and original artworks.
Launched in 2009, it was privately owned by the Deague family until it was acquired by Mantra last year.
AccorHotels Pacific Chief Operating Officer Simon McGrath said the area’s transformation into an entertainment and lifestyle precinct will be important for the project.
“Art Series Hotels is celebrated for offering guests a unique art-inspired hotel experience like no other,” he said.
“The stunning new flagship hotel at Howard Smith Wharves is a strong sign of Accor’s belief in the much-loved brand and will kick start our plans for future growth across Australia and New Zealand.”
Deague Group CEO Will Deague said guests will be able to make reservations from November 30.
“As one of Australia’s fastest-growing capital cities with a burgeoning art culture, Brisbane continues to remain a major focus for the Group,” he said.
“With an increasing demand for accommodation, we are excited to introduce a second dedicated art led offering as part of the city’s expansion and are confident this luxury boutique development at Howard Street Wharves will only entice even more visitors to Brisbane.”
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Art Series Hotels to open at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane next March

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Do you feel lonely? If you do, you are not alone. While you may think it’s a personal mental health issue, the collective social impact is an <a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/loneliness-epidemic-australia" target="_blank">epidemic</a>.
You may also underestimate the <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30142-9/fulltext" target="_blank">effects of loneliness</a>. The health impact of chronic social isolation is as bad as <a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2016/03/15/heartjnl-2015-308790" target="_blank">smoking 15 cigarettes a day</a>.
Loneliness is <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/tania-de-jong/loneliness-is-the-global-epidemic-of-our-times_a_21544979/" target="_blank">a global issue</a>. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hikikomori-worrying-mental-health-problem-traps-japanese-at-home-2018-1/?r=AU&amp;IR=T" target="_blank">Half-a-million Japanese</a> are suffering from social isolation. The UK recently appointed a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-politics-health/britain-appoints-minister-for-loneliness-amid-growing-isolation-idUSKBN1F61I6" target="_blank">minister for loneliness</a>, the first in the world. In Australia, Victorian state MP Fiona Patten is <a href="https://fionapatten.com.au/news/loneliness-needs-portfolio/" target="_blank">calling for the same</a> here. Federal MP Andrew Giles, in a recent <a href="https://www.andrewgiles.com.au/media-centre/opinion-pieces-speeches-transcripts/address-to-the-chifley-research-centre-forum-on-loneliness-and-public-policy-responses/" target="_blank">speech</a>, said:
"I’m convinced we need to consider responding to loneliness as a responsibility of government."
What do cities have to do with loneliness?
“The way we build and organise our cities can help or hinder social connection,” reads <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/137_report_social_cities_web.pdf" target="_blank">a Grattan Institute report</a>.
Think of the awkward silence in a lift full of passengers who never communicate. Now think of a playground where parents often begin chatting. It’s not that the built environment “causes” interaction, but it can certainly either enable or constrain potential interaction.
Winston Churchill once <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/palace/architecture/palacestructure/churchill/" target="_blank">observed</a> that we shape the buildings and then <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780061957802/welcome-to-your-world/" target="_blank">the buildings shape us</a>. I have written <a href="https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/journal2-lonelitopia" target="_blank">elsewhere</a> about how architects and planners, albeit unwittingly, are complicit in producing an urban landscape that contributes to an unhealthy mental landscape.
Can we think of different ways to be in the city, of a different architecture that can <a href="https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/letters-from-the-editor/editorial-could-architecture-play-a-role-in-curing-loneliness/10000071.article" target="_blank">“cure”</a> loneliness?
Taking this question as a point of departure, I recently conducted a graduate design studio at the Melbourne School of Design. The students, using design as a research methodology, came up with potential architectural and urban responses to loneliness.
Have you ever waited at a rail station, killing time without engaging with the person next to you? Diana Ong retrofitted the Ascot Vale rail station with multiple “social engagement paraphernalia” to promote conversations and activity. Michelle Curnow proposed to convert railway carriages into “sensory experience cabins” that attract people to explore the in-built gallery spaces and listen to other people’s stories while commuting. Who said commuting had to be boring?
Having a pet is one of the most effective ways to tackle loneliness, but often people don’t have enough time to care for one. Zi Ye came up with “Puppy Society”, an app that connects a pet with multiple owners. The dogs are housed in a shared facility where the owners come to pet the dog.
Denise Chan studied the Melbourne CBD laneways and found many of them are quite dead, despite being an icon of Melburnian liveliness. She reimagined the laneways revitalised with community plant gardens, book nooks and furniture to entice people to enter them and connect, say, during office lunch hours.
Are you one of those people who have a hard time eating alone? Fanhui Ding is, and she came up with a student-run restaurant for the University of Melbourne. Students get credit working on the aquaponic farms that supply the restaurant, which can be used to pay for a meal. People also get discounts for dining at the same table, encouraging students to interact over food. Given the many international students who suffer from loneliness, her concept used cooking, food and farming as therapeutic activity.
Beverley Wang looked at loneliness in the ageing population. She came up with a project called “Nurture”, for which she designed a kindergarten co-housed with a nursing home. Designing spaces for storytelling, she brought the elderly into the kindergarten as informal learning aides, giving them a sense of purpose.
There is an utterly different kind of loneliness that accompanies the loss of a loved one. Malak Moussaoui, taking note of this, designed an installation that grows flowers on itself to be inserted into cemeteries. Instead of just buying some flowers on the way, Malak’s design is meant to bring people together, introduce flower gardening as a therapeutic measure and give people spaces to mourn together. They might then meet other people who share similar stories of loss and connect.
Other students tackled more familiar cases, such as designing more social interaction spaces in high-rise apartment buildings and redesigning supermarkets to make them places for people to visit on a Sunday morning. The student work can be viewed <a href="https://www.thisstudioisopen.org/work/2018/10/25/the-anti-lonely-city-march-student-work-from-melbourne-school-of-design" target="_blank">here</a>.
Moving beyond merely analysing the problems, the research output shows that an alternative, less lonely future is indeed possible. Without claiming to solve loneliness, design can be a important tool in response to it.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/104853/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;">
Tanzil Shafique, PhD Researcher in Urban Design, University of Melbourne
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/designing-cities-to-counter-loneliness-lets-explore-the-possibilities-104853" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Designing cities to counter loneliness? Let’s explore the possibilities

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Immigration policy will be a critical issue in forthcoming state (Victoria, NSW) and federal elections. The disproportionate impact of immigration on population growth and public infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne is the key issue.
If we look to the example of another immigrant-friendly country, Canada, however, we can see how giving states and territories a greater role in immigration target setting and selection can help take the pressure off major cities without drastically reducing immigration rates.
Immigration certainly impacts on Australia’s population to a greater degree than most Western nations. Among OECD countries, only Switzerland and Luxembourg have a higher percentage of foreign-born people than Australia.
Today, 28% of the Australian population <a href="http://migrationcouncil.org.au/policy/#the-economic-impact-of-migration-2015" target="_blank">was born overseas</a>. The key issue for Australia is that immigrants are more likely to live in large cities than smaller cities or regional areas. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/lookup/4102.0main+features102014" target="_blank">85% of immigrants</a> live in major urban areas, compared to just 64% of Australian-born people.
Indeed, <a href="https://publications.iom.int/books/world-migration-report-2015-migrants-and-cities-new-partnerships-manage-mobility" target="_blank">according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)</a>, Sydney is now equal-fourth in the world (with Auckland and Los Angeles) with the highest percentage of foreign-born residents (39%), while Melbourne is not far behind (35%). Nearly two-thirds of residents in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/census-2016-migrants-make-a-cosmopolitan-country/news-story/da01bec138fc8600ea7bb84d1844ea80" target="_blank">have at least one parent who was born overseas</a>.
A new state-based approach?
The stress that rapid population growth has placed on Melbourne and Sydney has recently become a topic of much debate. This week, <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-prime-minister-foreshadows-cut-to-migration-settings-107262" target="_blank">Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged</a> to reduce the annual permanent immigration cap of 190,000. Australia <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/13/industry-brands-australias-10-migration-intake-drop-disappointing" target="_blank">accepted just 162,417 immigrants</a> last year, the lowest level in a decade.
Morrison has also called for a <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/states-in-best-position-to-determine-skilled-migrant-numbers-morrison" target="_blank">major rethink</a> of the “top-down” approach to immigration in Australia, allowing states and territories to request the number of skilled migrants they’d like to admit each year.
The states and territories currently have a limited ability to nominate applicants for <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190" target="_blank">certain skilled visas</a>. But state-nominated and regional visa approvals <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-13/regional-migration-approvals-stalling-five-year-bush-visa/10488204">have fallen in recent years</a> to just over 36,000 last fiscal year <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/punjabi/en/article/2018/07/02/state-nomination-changes-skilled-visas-leave-visa-seekers-lurch" target="_blank">following tighter restrictions</a>.
Morrison <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/population-plan-not-working-scott-morrison/news-story/f469e167d2e490b55c769b8a69d10c60" target="_blank">wants to see</a> a bigger role for states and territories:
"This is a blinding piece of common sense, which is: how about states who plan for population growth and the Commonwealth government who sets the migration levels, actually bring this together?"
What we can learn from Canada
The Canadian government gave provinces a say in setting targets and selecting economic immigrants – similar to Australia’s skilled migration intake – in the early 1990s. Quebec was first to <a href="https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/politique-du-quebec-immigration" target="_blank">receive a high degree of autonomy</a> in the process – it was given the right to set its own level and selection criteria for all economic immigrants. (The ability to speak French was a must.)
Quebec was also granted the right to set all of its integration programs, funded by Ottawa every year. The payments <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-quebec-to-get-50-million-boost-in-immigration-funding-even-if-it/" target="_blank">reached C$540 million this fiscal year</a>, or C$13,500 for each newcomer.
After Quebec was given this authority, the other Canadian provinces demanded the same. But they received far more limited rights than Quebec. They can <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/provincial-nominees/works" target="_blank">nominate the number of economic migrants</a> they need as part of the national immigration target set by the federal government, but they can’t independently set their intake target and selection criteria like Quebec.
While provinces nominate – or in Quebec’s case, decide – annual intakes, all cases are still routed through Ottawa for application integrity testing and vetting for criminality, health and security. Ultimately, final approval rests with Ottawa.
Last year, the Canadian government set an <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/immigration-canada-2018-1.4371146" target="_blank">ambitious target</a> of admitting 1 million total immigrants from 2018-2020. The target for next year is 330,000 immigrants, of which about <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2019" target="_blank">190,000 will be economic migrants</a>. The remainder will enter under the family reunification category and the refugee, humanitarian and protected category.
About one-third of the economic migrants (61,000) will be admitted through the Provincial Nominee Program. This figure excludes Quebec, which will set its numbers separately.
How the Canadian system encourages rural immigration
Giving the provinces a greater immigration policy role has helped to dramatically shift the settlement of immigrants beyond Canada’s biggest cities.
According to immigration statistics, <a href="https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/annual-report-2018.pdf" target="_blank">34% of economic migrants in 2017</a> landed in destinations outside Canada’s three most populous provinces, Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia – compared to just 10% in 1997.
After immigrants arrive, the key issue for the provinces is retention, since immigrants can leave at any time. The provinces put a strong emphasis on ensuring that economic migrants receive a strong welcome on arrival and are provided with support programs, including education, access to local migrant community networks and assistance finding a job for those who are not sponsored by employers.
One of the biggest success stories of the Provincial Nominee Program is thinly populated Manitoba, which has <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/provincial-nominee-program-anniversary-immigration-manitoba-1.4907396" target="_blank">added 130,000 migrants since 1998</a>. Ninety percent have gotten a job within a year of arriving and nearly the same number has ended up staying in Manitoba permanently. New arrivals also <a href="https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/research/media/A_Manitoba_Success_Story.pdf" target="_blank">express some of the greatest feelings</a> of belonging of all immigrants in western Canada.
Why this could work in Australia
South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory – as well as other regional and rural areas across Australia – want more immigrants and refugees.
Attracting immigrants to less-populated states is the easy part: those willing to settle outside Sydney and Melbourne can receive more points if they are skilled migrants, possibly making the difference as to whether they come to Australia or not. The key issue is retention.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/refugees-are-integrating-just-fine-in-regional-australia-101188" target="_blank">My fieldwork with refugees in Australia</a> has shown that the majority of these migrants love living in regional communities and have received a warm welcome from locals. Our research also found they are willing to stay in regional areas if they can get jobs there. Another way of encouraging more immigrants to settle in regional areas could be to offer them priority in the family reunion process.
Importantly, Canada also doesn’t politicise immigration policy. Australia should follow Canada’s lead by giving the states a bigger seat at the immigration policy table and resisting the temptation to blame immigration for complex growth problems in our overcrowded cities.
Reducing the immigration intake cap will have no significant impact on reducing congestion or strain on public infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne, but it could <a href="http://migrationcouncil.org.au/policy/#the-economic-impact-of-migration-2015" target="_blank">severely constrain economic growth</a>.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/107283/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;">
Jock Collins, Professor of Social Economics, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney
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/why-canadas-immigration-system-has-been-a-success-and-what-australia-can-learn-from-it-107283" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Why Canada’s immigration system has been a success, and what Australia can learn from it

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A Portsea boatshed has been sold for close to $1 million by the Boykett family.
Changing hands for the first time in almost 70 years, boatshed 17 Fisherman’s Bend Foreshore had been listed with an asking range of $910,000 and $1 million.
<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/2018/11/30/7e2345762ceb412b91495c3088e8aa1e.jpg" alt="">
Kay &amp; Burton secured <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-portsea-129683114" target="_blank">the sale of the boatshed</a>, which is not connected to power or water.
The buyers were local holidaymakers.
The last Fisherman’s Beach sale by Kay &amp; Burton was in 1991.
<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/2018/11/30/f25892b391804c35a67d9d1c67e95106.jpg" alt="">
The last confirmed record price was when Portsea boat shed 23 fetched a record $615,000 in late 2015.
Set at the foot of the track to Shelley Beach it had been tightly held for over four decades.
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Portsea boatshed sells for just shy of $1 million

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Scammers have succeeded in securing $90,000 in proceeds from the recent sale of a $1.2 million Gold Coast investment property by Ray White Mermaid Beach.
The sale included a $120,000 deposit put in a trust account managed by the agency.
With the sale proceeding, the agency took its $30,000 commission and then told the client to email them his bank account details.
The client, Andrew Buckley, the former chief executive officer of the engineering firm Cardno, did so, but soon after, another email was sent purportedly from him.
The false email had requested the money be sent to a different, fake bank account.
The agency sent the $90,000 to that fake Westpac account, with the proceeds having not been recovered.
Buckley told the Courier Mail he was "flabbergasted" that no one called him from Ray white to check the new bank account details were true.
“As far as I’m concerned … this (email with a fake account) is a well-known scam,” he said.
The Ray White agency, in a letter to Buckley, pinned the blame on him.
“The fact that it has now come to light that it was not Mr Buckley who sent those written directions is as a result of Mr Buckley’s own failure to ensure the security of his email account,” its letter said.
Buckley acknowledged his email might have been hacked, but also it could have been a hacking on Ray White’s side.
Ultimately, he said this issue was irrelevant as he argued the real estate agent had a responsibility to verify details, especially with cash held on trust.
“You’re looking after someone else’s money,” he said.
The agency declined to answer questions from the Courier Mail, saying it was “fully co-operating” with investigations under way.
Ray White’s head office last month told agents to “never accept a change in bank account details via email without confirming its legitimacy with your client”.
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Ray White blame client for missing $90,000 Mermaid Beach sale deposit scam

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Sotheby’s has appointed a new head to its operation in the Whitsundays.
<a href="https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/team/wayne-singleton" target="_blank">Hamilton Island Realty principal Wayne Singleton</a> has been recruited.
Singleton has represented buyers and sellers of property in Hamilton Island since 2002 having transacted over 350 property sales on Hamilton Island totalling $300 million in property sales on Hamilton Island alone.
He has personally bought and sold five properties on the island.
“I’m really excited to bring Sotheby’s International Realty to the Whitsundays,” he said.
“The global network will provide un-precedented international exposure for the region’s lifestyle and real estate – putting us on the world stage.
“Couple this with our local expertise and knowledge and we are now able to provide a service to our clients like no other.”
Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Paul Arthur said the Whitsunday region had always featured in the company’s growth plans.
“Our own Carol Carter has done an amazing job servicing the high end from our Gold Coast office, but in addition we always wanted a physical presence and that takes the right person,” Arthur said.
“We believe we have that with Wayne who brings his immense experience to the region, and specifically Hamilton Island.”
Arthur said the company had achieved numerous significant sales in the past 12 months, including including <a href="https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/1P0009/383-mandalay-road-whitsundays" target="_blank">Mandalay House</a>, <a href="https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/19498662/4-383-mandalay-road-whitsundays" target="_blank">Aqua</a> and <a href="https://queenslandsothebysrealty.com/1P1063/119b-botanica-drive-woodwark" target="_blank">Botanica</a>.
“Our ability to attract buyers to the region is unsurpassed, pulling from our private clients across our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, New Zealand, and our 970 offices across the globe,” Arthur said.
“We bring a different value proposition and capability to the region. Our expansion into the Whitsunday region complements our office in Port Douglas which has enjoyed great success since opening.”
It follows the recent opening of the company’s Port Douglas office. 
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Sotheby's appoint new Hamilton Island head of operations 

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New research has identified a sharp decline in the number of home buyers intending to take out a home loan.
The data from Roy Morgan shows that in the three months to October 2018, 1.21 million people said that they intended to take out a home loan in the next 12 months. This represents a decline of 260,000 or 17.7% from the 1.47 million recorded over the same period last year and is a major challenge to banks in achieving new lending volumes over the coming 12 months.
These are the latest findings from Roy Morgan’s Single Source Survey (Australia) which is based on in-depth personal interviews conducted face-to-face with over 50,000 Australians per annum in their own homes, including details on over 2,500 people who intend to take out a home loan in the next 12 months.
2018 shows deteriorating level of intentions 
In the January quarter 2018, the level of home loan intentions was a very positive 7.3% of the population, representing 1.48 million people. This deteriorated significantly in the April quarter to 6.3% (1.29 million), a decline of 190,000 or 12.8%. The July and October quarters in 2018 fell further to 5.9% (1.21 million), representing an overall decline of 17.7% since the October 2017 quarter.
Intention to take out home loan in next 12 months
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/19/home%20loan%201.png" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/19/home%20loan%201.png" alt="">
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia). 15 months to October 2018, n = 62,413. Base: Australians 14+.
First home borrowers a drag on intention levels
The reason that home loan intention levels have fallen over the past year is due to the decline in first home intenders. In the October 2018 quarter only 411,000 first home borrowers intend to take out a loan in the next 12 months, this is down by 44.5% on the 740,000 recorded a year earlier.
The largest group currently of intenders are those existing borrowers who plan to switch their home loan to a different provider. This segment accounts for 549,000 people or 45.4% of all intenders and has held steady, having recorded 544,000 at the same time last year.
The biggest gain over the last 12 months was in the group that have had a loan in the past but wish to move and take out a loan. They number 249,000 currently, an increase of 64,000 or 34.6% over the year
Intention to take out home loan in next 12 months – By type of intender
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/11/19/home%20loan%202.png" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/11/19/home%20loan%202.png" alt="">
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source (Australia). 3 months to October 2017, n=12,054; 3 months to October 2018, n=12,327.
Base: Australians 14+.
Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan says: 
“The decline in home loan intenders over the last year is likely to have a major impact on banks in the coming year, particularly as the drop has come from first home buyers who are major generators of increasing volumes. The reduction in first home buyers is likely to come from a number of potential reasons, including uncertainty as a result of declining housing values, likely interest rate movements, mortgage stress and job risks. 
“The current high level of negative publicity given to borrowing by the Finance Royal Commission is also likely to be impacting on both the supply and demand for home loans. The potential for the tightening of lending criteria and issues relating to mortgage brokers are just some of the likely issues to have a negative impact in this market.
“Data used in this release covers only a small part of what is available from Roy Morgan regarding understanding home loan borrowers and those who intend to borrow in the near future. To find out more regarding long term trends, brands and in-depth profiling, simply ask Roy Morgan.”
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Big drop in home loan intentions: Roy Morgan

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A Campbelltown home belonging to South Australian cricket legend Andrew Sincock has been listed for the first time in 30 years.
The three bedroom property at <a href="http://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=jRYOrR8N39QzG/Nyy8oj1K1KeXrM4kTa7t6vEO6Dj4NQit3Rhkkn8Qh/5PCLh2dikg9bs6gLbI0p5vQmupxjwEcV5B2G01nDuCTY7fI8auFBObtSEHkW4eVk+a12hn98HZVQP7x3V8A=&amp;rh=ff00438cc1a8907bb9b3a763574db04f4ac5258c">3 Osborne Street</a> was designed by Carlo Dotorre.
It is being offered by Ray White Semaphore Sales Consultant Samantha Hirniak.
<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/2018/11/19/RWS-3%20Osborne%20St-105e.jpg" alt="">
Sincock was a key figure of the state cricket system as both a player and administrator.
He is the third highest wicket-taker in the Adelaide club system, a Sheffield Shield winner with South Australia in 1982 and a proud holder of the Order of Australia Medal.
Sincock won two Bradman Medals, is a former Vice President of the South Australian Cricket Association and the inaugural Chairman of the Adelaide Strikers.
“We have such wonderful memories in this house. It really has been the hub of so much fun and laughter for family and friends alike,” he said.
“I have three children as well as grandchildren and they’ve all loved taking advantage of the vast amount of space this home has. I’ve lost count of how many cricket and football matches we’ve had in the yard.
“Aside from family, the property has also hosted a number of famous sporting stars, with England cricketer Alex Hales and his father a real highlight.
“We’ve been blessed to have a home with such an exceptional open area that’s perfect for entertaining with lots of parking available for the numerous dinner parties we’ve hosted.
“There’s an external veranda and decking at the rear, and decking out the front, and we’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy the South Australian weather on those areas many times.
“There’s also a huge garage and work area so anyone wanting their own ‘man cave’ or work space will delight in how much room there is to do so.
“Unfortunately, memorable moments like taking a hat trick for South Australia against India in a tour game in Adelaide has taken its toll on the body, so it’s time for a new family to come in and begin creating similar incredible memories to the ones we’ve had.”
<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/2018/11/19/RWS-3%20Osborne%20St-12e.jpg" alt="">
Hirniak said the property would appeal to a wide array of potential buyers with its character, potential and location.
“This home really does offer the astute buyer a house with immense character and exciting future potential,” she said.
“It has a commanding facade and elevated street position and this impressive family home offers a wonderful amount of living space across multiple levels.
“The flexible floorplan boasts three bathrooms and three bedrooms, with the main bedroom offering a walk-in robe and a renovated ensuite.
“Entertainment is a real selling point with a formal lounge and a separate dining/family room with its own built-in bar that offers beautiful views.
“An abundance of fruit trees including fig, nectarine, apple, mandarins, olive trees and manicured gardens complete the package.
“Sited on approximately 869 square metres of land, it's located adjacent East Marden School within walking distance to the Paradise interchange, shopping centres and all the culinary delights this culturally diverse area has to offer.
“And if that wasn’t enough, the seller is one of South Australia’s true cricket legends. As a buyer, can you imagine telling family and friends you just bought the home of an Order of Australia Medal holder? This is such a rare opportunity.”
The property is scheduled to go under the hammer on site on Saturday 1 December at 10.30am.
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Former South Australian cricket legend's Campbelltown home hits the market 

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skymark-group">Skymark</a>'s boutique Cronulla development Solis has secured a 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy through Resilience Insurance, providing buyers of the 16-residence building on Ewos Parade with structural and waterproofing protection that extends a decade beyond the building's completion.

Currently under construction and due for completion in late 2027, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/solis-cronulla-8-ewos-parade-cronulla-nsw-2230">Solis</a> is one of a small number of new developments in the Sutherland Shire to carry Resilience LDI coverage, a distinction that carries increasing weight as buyer confidence in the off-the-plan sector continues to be shaped by how developers stand behind their product.

Latent Defects Insurance, which entered the Australian market in 2022 when Resilience Insurance was approved to offer the cover, protects buyers against major structural or waterproofing defects for ten years post-completion. Unlike traditional statutory warranties, it operates as a first-resort policy, if a covered defect arises, the insurer responds directly, without the buyer needing to pursue the builder or developer through a lengthy claims process.

Resilience Insurance CEO Corey Nugent has noted that the product addresses something fundamental to the new apartment market.

"The overarching feedback from prospective buyers in the new development space is that they want more confidence and assurances around the quality of the build," Nugent says.

"Resilience Insurance Latent Defects Insurance not only gives them complete peace of mind for 10 years, but it shows the developer they are buying from is standing by their product."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370898]

For Solis, the Resilience LDI policy adds a meaningful layer of accountability to an already considered project. The development comprises nine two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom residences, including one dual-level three-bedroom apartment, across a five-storey building on Ewos Parade, positioned between Shelly Beach and South Cronulla.

Garden apartments connect directly to private landscaped courtyards, while upper-level homes capture beach views to the east from level four and above.&nbsp;

All 16 residences include at least one balcony or courtyard, and select apartments on the upper floors feature bar areas and secondary flexible living spaces.

Hiba Sander, Managing Director of Skymark, says Solis offers a rare balance, nestled between the quiet beauty of secluded beaches and the lively charm of South Cronulla's esplanade.

"It's a place to choose your pace and live gracefully, seaside'," Sander says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370900]

The architecture, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ida-design-group">IDA Design Group</a>'s Michael Trinh, draws from the natural erosion patterns of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/cronulla-nsw-2230">Cronulla</a>'s sandstone headlands, translating the organic forms of the coastline into soft curves, pavilion-style massing, and a material palette chosen for longevity in a salt-tinged environment.&nbsp;

Textured natural stone, soft renders, and timber-look battens reference the tones of the surrounding cliffs, while the building has been oriented to maximise natural light and passive ventilation, with primary living spaces facing north and east to capture morning sun and sea breezes.

"At Solis, our aim was to create architecture that feels quietly confident, grounded in natural materials like stone and timber, and elevated by light and landscape," Trinh says.&nbsp;

"The buildings are designed to sit gently within their coastal surrounds, with expansive glazing and abundant greenery creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370897]

Interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hot-black">Hot Black</a> carry the same material language through to every room. Kitchens feature integrated Gaggenau appliances, sculpted stone benchtops, and Lo &amp; Co joinery, while bathrooms feature natural stone, timber, and brushed metal finishes.&nbsp;

Hot Black Founder and Design Director Sophie Safrin describes the intent as one of considered restraint: "At Solis, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to create a timeless coastal retreat, calm, refined, and effortlessly liveable. From natural finishes to seamless indoor-outdoor flow, Solis offers a quiet elegance that's deeply connected to its surroundings.

The landscape, designed by Julian Brady of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/sitedesignstudios">Site Design Studios</a>, treats green space as an integral part of the resident experience rather than an afterthought.&nbsp;

"Gentle curves and layered native plantings mirror the ebb and flow of the ocean," Julian Brady says, "creating a serene connection between architecture and place."&nbsp;

Coco Republic has provided bespoke furniture packages tailored to the project's coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150499 project_image_fid=370899]

Skymark has an established track record in the Sutherland Shire, with a portfolio spanning Cronulla, Woolooware and Burraneer that includes Isla, Sylva, Bask, Shells, Sula and Mist. Securing LDI on Solis reflects a broader shift in how the developer is positioning its buildings to buyers, at a time when Resilience Insurance expects the policy to become mandatory in New South Wales by 2028.

Sales at Solis are launching soon through Ray White Projects, with an official event scheduled for 11 June. Enquire for more information.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150499]

Joel Robinson

Skymark takes out 10-year Resilience Insurance LDI at Solis Cronulla

Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer Sherpa is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, Flourish Soleira.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired Corallo development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's Corner House development in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its recently launched Parkdrive development.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Investors to turn to new apartments after Federal Government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Staff reporter

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