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Investment in public infrastructure in Queensland is being held back by onerous government processes, costs and time, according to a new report.
The Infrastructure Association of Queensland’s report found that investors and developers are attracted to the state’s strong fundamentals, legal frameworks and regulatory environment.
The state’s successful track record of infrastructure projects was another drawcard.
But while 88% of investors said they were ‘highly likely’ or ‘likely’ to invest in Queensland, 93% cited political instability as a barrier to private sector investment.
The report looked at small, medium and large companies involved in Australian infrastructure, including infrastructure owners, fund managers, sovereign wealth funds, banks and consultancies. 
Each respondent said they were already investing in Queensland infrastructure and one third had at least 50% of their investment net worth in Queensland.
Almost a third of participants held global investment portfolios valued at $10 billion or more.
<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/2018/10/22/infrastructure%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: IAQ
“Infrastructure is a strategic sector for Queensland and its political leaders. As astute investors continue to scan the world for value, we require a regulatory and investment regime that is able to outlive short term government cycles or a political majority,” said IAQ Chief Executive Officer Steve Abson.
“If Queensland wants to be Australia’s most innovative and dynamic trading economy – a magnet for global investment – it’s clear from this research that more efficient government processes should be introduced and a ‘go get em’ attitude must prevail.
“Overwhelmingly, the research found that the private sector wants to play a greater role in providing Queenslanders with critical infrastructure.
“A frequent misconception is that the private sector must receive financial support from the tax-payer in the form of grants, tax relief and guarantees. If people are better informed of how mixed funding sources can deliver infrastructure quicker and without the public debt burden, Queenslanders will embrace it.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Political instability the main barrier to investment in Queensland public infrastructure

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A shortage in critical trade skills in NSW is attracting migrants from across the state borders, says a new report.
According to the latest Q 3 2018 Property Market Insight report from Turner &amp; Townsend, major construction activity in commercial, hotel and infrastructure sectors is reating opportunities for Queensland tradies.
The report says that skills at capacity or critical levels in Sydney include fit-out (carpet, painting, partitioning and joinery), services (mechanical, electrical and fire), façade (glazing and balustrades and structures (form work, concrete, and pre-cast concrete).
The report also outlines that while wages are rising in Sydney, they are drifting in Queensland.
In Sydney, form worker salaries have increased by 4%, precast concreters 3%, site foreman 16% and reinforcement 14%.
Meanwhile, in Queensland site foreman recorded a minus 4%, precast concrete and curtain wall glazing façade workers was down 3%, while reinforcement was up by 14% and form work 4%.
 <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/2018/10/22/nsw.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
<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/2018/10/22/qld%201.jpg" alt="">
Source: Q3 2018 Property Market Insight report  
Simon Kearney, Director at Turner &amp; Townsend said the report told a tale of two cities.
“The two cities are working at different paces which has opened up opportunities for Queensland tradies in the New South Wales market. Sydney remains the largest construction sector with $62 billion spent in the last financial year across building and engineering, reaching record levels,” he said.
“Construction work in all major sectors including commercial, infrastructure and hotels is at elevated or record levels which is providing strong job prospects for contractors and increased tender return prices in Sydney.”
“Prime office vacancy rates in Sydney are hovering around four percent indicating a tight market and creating ideal conditions for construction. White collar job growth is rising significantly on the back of a boom in financial services, real estate, engineering and tourism. Short term tourist arrivals of 3.4 million during 2017 – 2018 comprised 38% of the nation’s total, is driving growth in the construction of Sydney’s inner-city hotels.
“In addition, engineering construction in Sydney recorded over $23 billion in activity during the 2018 financial year. Most of the activity was road and rail which is expected to grow by another $1 billon to peak at approximately $12 billion during 2019/2020.”
“Despite all this growth, residential construction is now starting to slow. Housing prices have fallen by as much as eight% in 2018. The slowdown in residential construction is likely to take the heat out of trade labour costs, even if material prices are increasing strongly as a direct result of road and rail projects,” he continued.
“In comparison, Brisbane’s CBD commercial vacancy rates have blown out to 14% primary and 22% in secondary markets since the mining boom ended, negatively affecting commercial construction. Nevertheless, new commercial towers at 300 George Street, 360 Queen Street and a major refurbishment at 80 Ann Street are imminent,” he continued.
“Queens Wharf is emblematic of the changing face of Queensland construction with new projects catering for the tourism market rather than business. When construction starts in this area, demand for trades will increase significantly and will push construction costs up.”
“In the near future several infrastructure projects including Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro Rail, the Queensland section of the Inland Rail project and the completion of the Kingsford Smith upgrade will spur activity in the state. These projects have the potential to draw Queensland tradies back home which will put more pressure on an already heated New South Wales labour market.”
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Sydney construction skill shortage attracting Queensland tradies

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Amazon's Australian headquarters will be on Market Street in the Sydney CBD.
As the technology giant steps up its expansion, Amazon already occupied office space at 2 Park Street.
The Australian Financial Review says it is now set to occupy 2 Market Street.
Allianz is leaving the building after it sold its half-stake in the tower to Charter Hall.
Allianz occupies more than 18,000 square metres in the building's total of nearly 40,000 square metres in office space.
The second largest tenant is Caltex with 9,000 sq m. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will be vacating in 2021.
Amazon's distribution centres started in Melbourne's Dandenong South, securing a 24,387 square metre former Bunnings distribution centre from Melbourne's Pellicano family.
The online retailer will open its second distribution centre in Sydney's south-west after leasing a 43,000 square metre facility at Moorebank from Goodman Group.
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Amazon's new Australian headquarters location revealed 

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The Bendigo Bank building in Albury has been sold to a Sydney investor for $2.9 million.
The three-level property was sought by 10 bidders.
It sold for $600,000 over the reserve, reflecting a yield of 4.8%.
Other recent bank sales saw the Commonwealth Bank building in Shepparton sell for $3.6 million and Gympie’s Bank of Queensland property fetch $825,000.
The Mona Vale ANZ premises (pictured above) sold after its recent auction for $5.7 million on a 4.57% yield. 
There had been significant interest on the property with 84 enquiries and 15 contracts issued by Burgess Rawson.
A local Sydney Northern Beaches private investor was its buyer. 
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Commercial property investors banking on bank tenancies

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A new property tech platform will allow prospective home buyers to connect with home owners who are willing to entertain offers.
It is being set up by ROKT co-founder Ben Voltz and former commodities banker William Evans (pictured below), who suggest the website allows prospective vendors to dip their toe in the market and see what buyer interest exists.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/31/Nokk%20Founders.JPG" alt="">
The platform, known as NOKK, facilitates a digital doorknock, or letterbox drop, that lets buyers target homes in a specified location, where the owners have indicated they would consider selling, but have not engaged a real estate agent.
The Australian Financial Review reports it will rival another local start-up, Soho, which was founded by Airtasker co-founder Jonathan Lui as a "LinkedIn for property".
NOKK will focus on facilitating connections between buyers and owners in the off-market market.
Voltz said the idea for NOKK came after he moved to Melbourne three years ago.
"I was looking for a house in Albert Park, but there were only 15 properties on the market," he said. 
"I ran 300 letterbox drops and had 18 responses, so that was more than the number of people on market that were willing to have a conversation with me.
"Will and I were boxing at the time and we kept stewing on this idea of how we could build this into a platform."
The pair began building NOKK 18 months ago, investing their own money and raising $1 million in capital from high-net-worth investors.
They include Cadmon Ventures managing director Cameron Low.
NOKK has quickly signed up 7000 users, predominantly from Melbourne, with almost 3000 property listings.
The home owner does not need to post their address, with a radius shown within the selected suburb.
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Off market property listing platform NOKK launched

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The two penthouse apartments reigned supreme with the highest price per square meterage in the competition, however it was netball duo Bianca and Carla who scored the best.
Their $15,207.45 price per square metre, which generally doesn't include outdoor space, was secured by The Agency's Michael Paproth and Peter Kakos.
Both of the penthouse apartments were <a href="/news/melbourne-construction-digital-entrepreneur-rob-phillpot-scores-both-block-gatwick-penthouses">bought by digital construction entrepreneur</a> Rob Phillpot.
There was an even bigger difference when including the terrace in the price per sqm calculations. <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/5-34-fitzroy-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2014552057" target="_blank">Bianca and Carla's apartment</a> cost nearly $1,000 per sqm more than second place and The Block winners Hayden and Sara.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/10/30/per-sqm.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<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/2018/10/30/per-sqm.jpg" alt="">
Hayden and Sara, to everyone's surprise, <a href="/news/mcgrath-secures-surprise-block-gatwick-top-price">won the competition when their unit sold for $3.02 million,</a> the only apartment to clear the $3 million mark despite the penthouses being priced much higher.
The New South Wales couple took home $645,000 including the season 14 prize money.
 
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The Agency secure top Gatwick price per sqm

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Penthouses in the new Cirrus development in Canberra’s Belconnen have sold out.
There will be eight penthouses at the 167 Emu Bank project and they will range from 200 to 300 square metres.
The project is expected to be completed in mid-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/2018/10/22/Cirrus-Penthouse-Terrace.jpg" alt="">
Colliers International Project Marketing Executive, Grace Wang said that the penthouses benefited from north facing views, outdoor terraces, spa-like bathrooms and a town centre location.
 “It has been painstakingly designed so every apartment faces north, which in our city is the perfect orientation for sunlight and warmth, and looks out toward Lake Ginninderra,” Wang said.
“Each apartment has been designed with attention to detail, such as custom joinery, and share beautiful public spaces inspired by resort amenities including a pool and gym floor and grand entrance lobbies.
“The quality and thought that has gone into the Cirrus penthouses reflects that of the whole development.
“They have expansive outdoor spaces flowing from the living areas where views of the lake and lush surrounds can be enjoyed, at least three bathrooms and bedrooms, and floor to ceiling windows, all perched atop one of Belconnen’s tallest residential buildings.”
Colliers International Project Marketing Executive, Richard Moses said the project has attracted downsizers from nearby suburbs as well as couples and families.
“Proximity to Emu Bank, lake walking paths, and the popular Belconnen Shopping Centre as well as the fact residents won’t even have to leave the building to access fine restaurants and commercial spaces on the ground floor, all make Cirrus a development to be excited about,” Moses said.
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Penthouses at Cirrus in Canberra's Belconnen sell out

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Two property investor bodies have attacked the federal Labour party's proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, claiming it will "will decimate the property market".
Independent research commissioned by Masters Builders Australia found Labor’s policies could result in a multi-billion dollar hit to the Sydney and Melbourne markets.
The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) and the Property Investors Council of Australia (PICA) said the party has a fundamental misunderstanding of the sector.
“Property investors provide housing for 30% of Australians at a time when spending on social housing is at an all-time low,” PIPA Chairman Peter Koulizos said.
“Contrary to media headlines, only about 70% of investors own one property so the concept of ‘greedy investors’ is not supported by the facts.”
The 2018 PIPA Property Investment Sentiment Survey found about 60% of investors believe their portfolio will be positively geared within the next five years.
Koulizos said that this shows that negative gearing is primarily a result of high transactional costs associated with real estate investment, rather than a strategy. 
In the survey, 6% of investors said they were interested in buying a new property.
This means restricting negative gearing to brand-new dwellings would not increase supply, Koulizos claims.
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Labour's negative gearing and capital gains policies will "decimate the property market": PIPA/PICA

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Car sharing arrived on the Australian scene in the early 2000s. These are commercial services that give people access to vehicles they can rent by the hour.
Services in Australia currently include GoGet and Car Next Door. While GoGet has a fleet of vehicles available for rent, Car Next Door supports private vehicle owners renting out their cars to others in the community (kind of like Airbnb).
Car sharing is now an established transport option in most major Australian cities, but it’s faced its fair share of teething problems. Some of these are unique to Australia, with its powerful system of private car dependency. We’re now on track to overcome many of these issues, but more work is required to really make Australian car sharing a success.
Why is car sharing important?
Car sharing is key component of any transition away from a dependence on private cars. Most of us are now aware that using private cars is one of the most carbon intensive and least healthy ways to get around.
To challenge the place of the private car, we need to supply a network of options. The hope is that owning a car will one day become unnecessary in an integrated system of public and active transport options, where shared cars would play a role in more complex or load-carrying trips.
Car sharing is particularly important in a world on the cusp of the arrival of autonomous vehicles (AVs). AVs could herald either “carmageddons” of congestion, where private autonomous vehicles roam the city at the whim of their owners, or a more palatable system, where on-demand AV services seamlessly match trips to riders. Which version of the future we get depends on whether AVs are shared or privately owned.
Here are some key factors that will shape future success of car sharing in Australia.
1. Car sharing is an inner city thing
Heading the list of barriers to increased uptake of car sharing is that it’s currently a service that is generally contained within the inner urban core of our cities.
Commercial options – where companies maintain their own fleet of vehicles – rely on a critical mass of people, the allocation of prized on-street car parking, and a viable public transport system to satisfy the day-to-day mobility needs of their members. These things generally don’t exist outside of the inner city, so neither does commercial car sharing.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) options – where the carsharing company facilitates the sharing process between individuals – offer some hope of a breakthrough in this space. P2P car sharing is more likely to succeed in lower density areas because it does not need the critical mass of users, nor the gift of on-street car parking.
While the slow creep of P2P services into the suburbs is a process bound by the notorious sluggishness of cultural adjustment, we are witnessing some increased suburbanisation of car sharing as a result of P2P services.
2. Australians don’t share
The need for cultural adjustment raises a second key barrier to car sharing in Australia. Anyone living through the recent bike sharing fiasco in Sydney or Melbourne, where bikes were dumped in parks and rivers, will attest to the fact that (some) Australians are not great at respecting property that is shared. In fact, there are indices of national culture that could have easily predicted the vandalism associated with this catastrophe.
And when it comes to our cars, we are a nation particularly attached to the independence, autonomy and privacy of our own vehicle. Sharing – whether it be lending your own car to a stranger, or making use of a car regularly driven by others – challenges these notions.
But parts of our cities are slowly but surely adapting to living in closer proximity to one another – albeit by necessity, not by choice. And as a nation, we are becoming less attached to owning the spaces and objects we depend upon.
This shift away from personal space and private ownership can primarily be seen in changes to residential densities and tenure-types. But it’s also seen in the way we work, play and eat. Think of the rise of hot-desking, the shift from private backyards to public parks, and the move from the family table to the café.
3. It’s all too hard
At first, car sharing wasn’t easy. Car sharing parking spaces were few and far between, insurance arrangements were somewhat obtuse, and the platform for sharing enforced rigid time frames and payment structures.
The pioneers of car sharing in Australia – both the business entrepreneurs and the policy makers – have had to navigate some pretty tricky regulatory, legislative and technological territory.
Commercial operations have negotiated with local government for parking space, and P2P ventures have had to work through complex registration and insurance regulations that vary from state to state. Both approaches have had to design and implement technology that allows cars to be booked and accessed seamlessly.
Fortunately, for those doing the sharing, a lot of these barriers have now been broken down. Most metropolitan local councils now maintain a policy for the allocation of car sharing parking spaces. Insurance cover for P2P sharing is now a standard option.
The future of car sharing
There are changes on the horizon all designed to make the concept of sharing even easier. One of the most interesting is the imminent arrival of “share ready” cars on the Australian market.
Designed primarily for the P2P market, these are cars that come with an app, which connects owners’ vehicles to their phones, enabling them to list their car for rent on car sharing websites. The sharer will then be able to access and drive the vehicle using their smart phone, entirely negating the need for traditional keys.
Involvement of the auto-industry is always an interesting development in car sharing. It has been proven empirically that people who use car sharing services drive less and own less cars. This implies less business for car manufacturers. Does this mean the car industry is accepting fissures in the dominance of private cars and protecting whatever share of the transport market it can? Or is it another way of keeping cars king in our cities?
Only time will tell. For the time being, car sharing’s survival is one positive sign that a sustainable transport future is possible.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/104389/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;">
Jennifer Kent, Research Fellow, University of 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-car-sharing-had-a-slow-start-in-australia-and-how-thats-changing-104389" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Why car sharing had a slow start in Australia - and how that’s changing: Jennifer Kent

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An Arncliffe development site currently home to an original semi-detached house, has sold for $1,028,500.
The property located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/57-bonar-st-arncliffe-nsw-2205" target="_blank">57 Bonar Street</a> near public transport links sold through Michael Pyliotis and Enzo Puopolo of Raine &amp; Horne Kogarah.
An original brick semi, the home is noted in the listing as having future redevelopment potential STCA. It is zoned R4 - High Density Residential.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/29/Kogarah.JPG" alt="">
Set on 310 sqm the two bedroom one bathroom holding is located near schools, local shops and with easy access to airport and Sydney CBD.
The home last traded for 1990 when it sold for $130,000. It still features the original kitchen and bathroom.
 
 
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Arncliffe semi with development potential sold

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

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Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

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The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

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The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

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Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

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Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

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