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GUEST OBSERVATION
Just 20 countries are home to 94% of the world’s remaining wilderness, excluding the high seas and Antarctica, according to our new global wilderness map, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07183-6" target="_blank">published today in Nature</a>.
A century ago, wilderness extended over most of the planet. Today, only 23% of land – excluding Antarctica – and 13% of the ocean remains free from the harmful impacts of human activities.
More than 70% of remaining wilderness is in just five countries: Australia, Russia, Canada, the United States (Alaska), and Brazil.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/243402/original/file-20181101-173902-1xqqmg.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/243402/original/file-20181101-173902-1xqqmg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The last of the wild. Remaining marine wilderness is shown in blue; terrestrial wilderness in green. Watson et al. 2018
We argue that wilderness can still be saved. But success will depend on the steps these “mega-wilderness nations” take, or fail to take, to secure the future of Earth’s last remaining wild places.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/243401/original/file-20181101-173884-1ai76gk.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/243401/original/file-20181101-173884-1ai76gk.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Mega-wilderness countries. James Allan, Author provided
Wilderness areas are vast tracts of untamed and unmodified land and sea. Regardless of where they are – from the lowland rainforests of Papua New Guinea, to the high taiga forests of Russia’s Arctic, to the vast deserts of inland Australia, to the great mixing zones of the Pacific, Antarctic and Indian Oceans – these areas are the last strongholds for endangered species, and perform vital functions such as storing carbon, and buffering us against the effects of climate change. In many wilderness areas, indigenous peoples, who are often the most politically and economically marginalised of all peoples, depend on them for their livelihoods and cultures.
Yet despite being important and highly threatened, wilderness areas and their values are completely overlooked in international environmental policy. In most countries, wilderness is not formally defined, mapped or protected. This means there is nothing to hold nations, industry, society and community to account for wilderness conservation.
Beyond boundaries
Almost two-thirds of marine wilderness is in the high seas, beyond nations’ immediate control. This effectively makes it a marine wild west, where fishing fleets have a free-for-all. There are some laws to manage high-seas fishing, but there is no legally binding agreement governing high-seas conservation, although the United Nations is currently negotiating such a treaty. Ensuring marine wilderness is off-limits to exploitation will be crucial.
And we cannot forget Antarctica, arguably Earth’s greatest remaining wilderness and one of the last places on the planet where vast regions have never experienced a human footfall.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/243408/original/file-20181101-173887-31cpf9.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/243408/original/file-20181101-173887-31cpf9.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Antarctica, the (almost) untouched continent. Author provided
While Antarctica’s isolation and extreme climate have helped protect it from the degradation experienced elsewhere, climate change, human activity, pollution, and invasive species increasingly threaten the continent’s wildlife and wilderness.
Parties to the <a href="https://ats.aq/e/ats_keydocs.htm" target="_blank">Antarctic Treaty</a> must act on their commitments to help reduce human impacts, and we need to urgently curb global carbon emissions before it is too late to save Antarctica.
Our maps show how little wilderness is left, and how much has been lost in the past few decades. It is hard to believe, but between 1993 and 2009 a staggering 3.3 million square kilometres of terrestrial wilderness – an area larger than India – was lost to human settlement, farming, mining and other pressures. In the ocean, the only regions free of industrial fishing, pollution and shipping are confined to the poles or remote Pacific island nations.
Saving wilderness
Almost every nation has signed international environmental agreements that aim to end the biodiversity crisis, halt dangerous climate change, and achieve global sustainable development goals. We believe Earth’s remaining wilderness can only be secured if its importance is immediately recognised within these agreements.
At a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2018" target="_blank">summit in Egypt</a> later this month, the 196 signatory nations to the <a href="https://www.cbd.int/" target="_blank">Convention on Biological Diversity</a> will work alongside scientists on developing a strategic plan for conservation beyond 2020. This is a unique opportunity for all nations to recognise that Earth’s wilderness are dwindling, and to mandate a global target for wilderness conservation.
A global target of retaining 100% of all remaining wilderness is achievable, although it would require stopping industrial activities like mining, logging, and fishing from expanding to new places. But committing explicitly to such a target would make it easier for governments and non-governmental organisations to leverage funding and mobilise action on the ground in nations that are still developing economically.
Similarly, the role of wilderness in guarding against climate change – such as by storing huge amounts of carbon – could also be formally documented in the <a href="https://unfccc.int/" target="_blank">UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</a>, which holds its <a href="https://unfccc.int/katowice" target="_blank">annual conference</a> in Poland next month. This would incentivise nations to make wilderness protection central to their climate strategies.
Mechanisms such as <a href="https://redd.unfccc.int/" target="_blank">REDD+</a>, which allows developing nations to claim compensation for conserving tropical forests they had planned to clear, could be extended to other carbon-rich wilderness areas such as intact seagrasses, and even to wildernesses in rich countries that do not receive climate aid, such as the Canadian tundra.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/243394/original/file-20181101-173890-ksm1n1.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/243394/original/file-20181101-173890-ksm1n1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The Boreal/Taiga Forest holds one third of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Keith Williams, Author provided
Nations have ample opportunities, through legislation and rewarding good behaviour, to prevent road and shipping lane expansion, and enforcing limits on large-scale developments and industrial fishing in their wilderness areas. They can also establish protected areas to slow the spread of industrial activity into wilderness.
A diverse set of approaches must be embraced, and the private sector must work with governments so that industry protects, rather than harms, wilderness areas. Key to this will be lenders’ investment and performance standards, particularly for organisations such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the regional development banks.
Our planet faces not just a species extinction crisis, but also a wilderness extinction crisis. Once lost, our wild places are gone forever. This may be our last opportunity to save the last of the wild, we cannot afford to miss it.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/106072/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;">
James Allan, Postdoctoral research fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland
James Watson, Professor, The University of Queensland; Jasmine Lee, PhD candidate, biodiversity conservation and climate change, The University of Queensland,\
Kendall Jones, PhD candidate, Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/earths-wilderness-is-vanishing-and-just-a-handful-of-nations-can-save-it-106072" target="_blank">original article</a>.
Main photo: Brazil, home to the Amazon, is one of just five ‘mega-wilderness’ countries. CIFOR, Author provided
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Earth’s wilderness is vanishing, and just a handful of nations can save it

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Construction of new dwellings in established areas in the ACT has been very active over the last one to three years, owing heavily to the Mr. Fluffy buyback scheme, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The report suggests that the scheme has forced many properties to be demolished, and as a result the land is resold on the market.
"The vacant blocks are incentivised by having increased development potential, where planning will allow multiple dwellings that can be unit titled and sold individually," the valuer said.
The fluffy vacant lands are being purchased by a mix of developers, investors and owner- occupiers who are looking to build.
Most developers are purchasing the land to utilise the increased development potential and constructing two dwellings on the blocks.
There are also multiple owner-occupiers who are purchasing the blocks to build single owner-occupied dwellings.
Most of these sales are in the older established areas of Canberra constructed between 1960 and 1980, such as Belconnen, Woden Valley, Tuggeranong, Inner North and Inner South.
"If a prospective purchaser were to buy one of these blocks, they could expect to pay between $350,000 and $1.5 million, depending on the location and specifications of the block," HTW said.
"If a prospective purchaser were to purchase an established, unrenovated dwelling in a similar area, they could expect to pay between $450,000 and $1.6 million."
Renovations are also common within these older established areas due to ageing improvements (kitchens and bathrooms) and larger blocks which provide the opportunity for property extensions.
A renovated three bedroom house in Nicholls has been sold for $615,000 (pictured above).
The home situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-nicholls-129467038" target="_blank">9/123 Kelleway Avenue</a> comes with three bedrooms, spacious lounge and dining area, and rear yard.
It situated close to the Gold Creek Country Club with easy access to the relaxing walking tracks and close to local schools, public transport and playing fields.
<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/2018/11/1/ainsilie%20.jpg" alt=""> 
Another three bedroom Ainslie house has been sold for $1.385 million (pictured above).
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-ainslie-129504650" target="_blank">5 Fisher Street</a>, the extensively renovated home comprises of three bedrooms, open plan living/dining, marble-finished kitchen and large timber deck.
It is close to schools, parkland, shopping and transport.
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Canberra sees active property renovating success: HTW

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Darwin’s northern suburbs have always been a hotspot for the mum-and-dad investors and first home buyers, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
But the HTW report suggests this market segment has felt the effects of the market contraction in terms of both sales volume and value over the past two years.
HTW noted towards the end of 2014, the market segment was difficult to penetrate with strong competition driving prices well above achievable and sustainable levels, particularly for first home buyers who were competing with investors looking to capitalise on strong yields.
"We consider at this point in time, this particular market segment has probably reached around five or six o’clock on the property cycle clock which says values have bottomed out and activity remains subdued – a holding pattern if you like,"  the valuation firm said. 
"With this, opportunities to enter this market begin to open up at much more affordable prices."
Currently the Northern Territory government is offering a first home owner discount, which is a full stamp duty concession on the initial $500,000 value of the home, resulting in savings of just under $24,000.
Also on offer is a home renovation grant of up to $10,000 on an established home. These are significant savings and provide a home owner the opportunity to add value by completing renovation and upgrade works to their property.
"In recent times, we have seen a significant number of ex Housing Commission dwellings hit the market, as the government looks to turn over stock," HTW said.
"There is no question that these are the most basic of structures with few quality fixtures and fittings, however, like most of the northern suburbs, they were well constructed on solid foundations."
It’s with this type of property that good opportunities exist for first home buyers – purchase an entry level dwelling in a subdued market and take full advantage of the grants on offer from the Northern Territory government to improve your property and add value.
Renovations can be expensive and it’s certainly a fine line between the cost versus value relationship of any works completed.
"The advantage in this space, and where you strengthen your margins, is completing as much of the work yourself – obviously utilising trades where compliance is required.
"If you’re smart about the type of works you complete and the standard to which they are completed, there are real possibilities to increase the overall appeal and value of your property.
"Given our climate and lifestyle in the top end, provision of outdoor living space is essential.
"Verandah and balcony extensions tend to be popular additions in both elevated and ground level dwellings and can in some instances double as covered car accommodation.
These types of improvements are typically lacking in the entry level product and can really improve the utility and functionality of a dwelling by incorporating indoor and outdoor living, it said.
Swimming pools also feature as common upgrades on town blocks, whilst granny flats and sheds tend to dominate the rural residential areas.
These types of construction can come at some significant costs, however in a rural residential market where owners will typically have motorbikes, boats and trailers, good shedding is considered important and does increase the overall marketability of a property.
"Quite often, sheds are fitted out to a habitable standard and may or may not be certified for living. In the instance where elderly parents or teenagers may require detached secondary accommodation, converted sheds can provide this to a reasonably good standard whilst minimising costs compared to rendered block constructions.
"Regardless of the type of renovation or addition to a dwelling either in the rural or town areas, what is apparent is that without such improvements being made to a property, there is limited scope for capital appreciation of the asset.
"To simply rely on upswings in the market to see an increase in value is not likely to yield you anything in the medium term and owners should consider very carefully what type of renovation or addition will provide the most bang for their buck."
An example was a two bedroom Marrara unit which has been sold for $300,000 (pictured above).
Located at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nt-marrara-129325230" target="_blank"> 5/5 Dornoch Court,</a> the recent renovated unit comes with two bedrooms, separate lounge and dining areas, rear courtyard and side access. 
It is close to Marrara shopping centre and airport.
<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/2018/11/1/jingili.jpg" alt="">
Another renovated house in Jingili has been recently sold for $425,000 (pictured above).
Set on a 821 square metre allotment, the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-jingili-129327082" target="_blank">15 Winton Street</a> features three spaicous bedrooms, open plan living, and extensive verandah.
It located only five minutes from the Darwin International Airport.
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Improvements lacking in entry level Darwin property: HTW

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Marquee Development Partners has launched a new Gold Coast project, the $35 million Stanhill apartment development on Chevron Island.
The nine level building will be built on a 1,639 square metre site on the corner of Stanhill Drive and Weemala Street.
Its will offer views of the waterways and Surfers Paradise skyline.
Marquee Development Partners' CEO Mark Spedding says initial buyer demand has exceeded expectations.
"We built an eight level viewing platform on site so prospective buyers could witness the spectacular vistas on offer, and this has resulted in a number of reservations taken," he said.
The BDA Architects designed project has builder Rawcorp to construct from this December, with buyers expected to move in the first quarter of 2020.
<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/2018/11/1/CHEVRON_R3_LIVING_HI_RES_FINAL_2.jpg" alt="">
"Chevron Island is undergoing a renaissance through urban gentrification,  led by the ongoing development of the Home of the Arts (HOTA), which will soon boast a new $60 million art gallery as part of a planned $380 million cultural precinct” he said.
"With early works underway to establish a green pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Chevron Island to HOTA, residents will soon be less than a five-minute walk from the best music, art and entertainment the city has to offer."
Stanhill comprises a mix of spacious two and three bedroom apartments, priced from $499,000 to $799,000.
Stanhill Chevron Island is Marquee Development Partners' second Gold Coast project, following the success of its Peninsular Residences tower in Surfers Paradise, which is already sold-out and under construction
Marquee Development Partners have delivered the award-winning luxury Haven Newstead and Fleet Lane South Brisbane apartment towers.
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New $35 million Chevron Island luxury apartment building launched

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Sandstone Island, which is an island off the Mornington Peninsula, has been listed for sale.
Ray White Rural Victoria agent Jason Hellyer said <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://raywhiterurallivestock.com.au/properties/rural/vic/hastings-3915/other/1981414" target="_blank">the 22.25 hectare island</a> was a “blank canvas”.
Buyer feedback had ranged from $3 million through to $5 million, according to the Herald Sun.
The island is 600 metres off the coast, about 1 kilometre from Hastings.
It is accessible via boat or helicopter.
The property was been offered by a consortium of five Melbourne-based families.
It features a two-storey red cedar house that has fallen into disrepair.
There are two private beaches and a mooring site for watercraft.
Sandstone Island will be auctioned November 21.
In early times the island was used as a heifer station in the 1840s.
By the 1890s a young occupant was able to walk across at low tide to school at Hastings.
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Sandstone Island off Mornington Peninsula listed for November auction

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An outback Queensland pub, Balfes Creek Hotel, has been put up for sale about two years after last drinks were called.
<a href="https://powerjeffrey.com.au/balfes-creek-hotel-motel-for-sale/" target="_blank">The pub</a> on the Flinders Highway, about 30 kilometres west of Charters Towers, is in the hands of receivers.
It closed its doors in 2016 with its then publican citing government red tape, unpaid debts from a fallen zinc mining company and lean economic times. 
Power Jeffrey &amp; Co’s Andy Nason and Peter Power have been appointed marketing agents to sell the property via an expressions of interest campaign closing on November 15.
The property comprises a hotel, motel and caravan park on three blocks of 3506 square metres, 5446 square metres and 5747 square metres.
Balfes Creek promotes itself as “a very small town with a long history”. 
The pub dates back to the days of Cobb and Co, with its licence issued in 1863.
The last publicans had been there for 16 years.
They suffered a major financial setback when Kagara Zinc went under, owing a large sum of money. 
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Balfes Creek Hotel for sale in outback Queensland

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Billionaire investor Gerry Harvey sold his disappointing Victorian dairy farming venture to the Sydney billionaire father and son combination Tony and Michael Perich.
They have bought <a href="https://regionalvic.eldersrealestate.com.au/rural/sale/coomboona-vic-3629-vic-3629-19224581/" target="_blank">his company’s rural holdings</a> for more than $40 million.
The pair, together with NSW-based dairy operation Moxey Farms, have purchased Harvey Norman’s Coomboona dairies.
It spans a 2000 hectare operation north-west of Shepparton in Victoria, with Goulburn River frontage.
Harvey Norman told the ASX the property had been sold.
The sale price didn't cover full outlay of Harvey Norman’s $75 million exposure.
Harvey Norman took an “impairment loss” of $28.78 million on the venture’s debts in June and said it had recognised a total of $54.01 million in losses in the last financial year.
Harvey Norman put the Coomboona dairies operation on the market in July after the company fell into the hands of administrators Ferrier Hodgson and receivers McGrathNicol, who were appointed by National Australia Bank in March.
Elders’ Nick Myer and Anthony Stevens sold the property which milks about 2500 Holstein cows and produces more than 30 million litres of milk. 
The Perich family has a 54% stake in the listed Freedom Foods which has a Shepparton dairy plant near Coomboona.
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Gerry Harvey sells Victorian dairy farm

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A Woolworths Metro has become the anchor tenant of Greenland Australia’s $320 million Omnia apartment building in Kings Cross.
It is in the final stages of completion.
Positioned on level one of Omnia’s podium level, the Woolworths Metro will be joined by seven other retail spaces on the ground floor, which are currently available for lease.
Greenland Australia’s managing director, Sherwood Luo, said the Woolworths Metro store underpinned Omnia’s key points of difference - convenience.
Luo said the group is now targeting premium bar and restaurant operators for the ground floor retail tenancies.
Located on the Victoria Street and Darlinghurst Road corner, adjacent to the iconic Coca-Cola sign, the Woolworths Metro will be open from 6am until midnight seven days a week.
<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/2018/11/1/woolworth%202.jpg" alt="">
Justin Nolan, the Metro, Woolworths general manager said the customers were "looking for food they can either eat now on the go, or later, along with a convenient grocery shop".
Woolworths will retain its Macleay Street, Potts Point store.
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Woolworths Metro opens at Omnia, Kings Cross

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The REIV is expecting about 270 auctions in 161 suburbs this weekend, lower the normal given the Spring racing carnival.
The top auction locations this week are Craigieburn (10) and Rosebud (7), followed by Belmont and Frankston with six and five auctions respectively.
<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Last weekend</td>
<td>
1473 auctions (exc. 46 postponed and 91 withdrawn)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
This weekend
</td>
<td>
270 auctions
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
This weekend last year
</td>
<td>
71% from 278 auctions
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Next weekend the auctions pick up when on there will be 1190 auctions.
The there will be a 17/18 November peak with 1430 auctions.
In three weeks’ time, 24/25 November, the auctions slip back to 1020 auctions.
A three bedroom Craigieburn house has been scheduled for auction on November 3 with $400,000 to $440,000 hopes (pictured above).
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-craigieburn-129519378" target="_blank">36 Cimberwood Drive</a>, the low maintenance home consists of lounge room, open plan kitchen, dining, three large bedrooms with BIRs, central bright bathroom and car space..
It is centrally located close to several schools, main Craigieburn shopping centres and other general living amenities including transport.
<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/2018/11/1/craigieburn%202.jpg" alt="">
Another example in Craigieburn is a four bedroom house priced at $550,000 to $605,000 (pictured above).
It also has been scheduled for going under the hammer on November 3.
The house situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-craigieburn-129206942" target="_blank">32 Montpellier Crescent</a> features two living areas, four generous-sized bedrooms, modern kitchen and alfresco with landscaped garden and great sized back yard.
It is located close to local schools, public transport, parkland and Craigieburn central shopping centre.
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Spring racing carnival triggers Melbourne auction dip

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A three bedroom Tyndale, NSW home on the Pacific Highway has been sold by mortgagees.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-tyndale-129471026">3220 Pacific Highway</a> the three bedroom one bathroom house is just a 10 minute drive to the Maclean CBD.
Located opposite the South Arm of the Clarence River the home sold for $170,000 at auction.
The late 1960’s low-set brick home is set on a 4,047 sqm block.
The home features a formal lounge room, combined kitchen and dining area plus a single lock-up garage and storage room. 
According to CoreLogic the home last sold in 2011 for $7,000.
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Three bedroom Tyndale home sold by mortgagees

<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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