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Colliers International has released its Asia Pacific Market Snapshot Q2 2020 report, highlighting that activity and investor interest in Asia Pacific property markets remained robust in the second quarter.
Large-scale commercial and industrial transactions in multiple markets helped offset weakness in some other sectors, according to the multi-sector report, which examines the previous quarter’s property market performance in 19 Asia Pacific markets and provides forecasts for the current and upcoming quarters.
“We have observed emerging and encouraging signs of recovery in the region, which has been reflected in investor appetite and investment activity remaining fairly firm in the past quarter. These are highly encouraging upward trends that transactions are picking up against a backdrop of economic volatility and uncertainty,” Terence Tang, Managing Director of Capital Markets &amp; Investment Services Asia at Colliers International, said. 
The industrials sector, both logistics and technology centres, will continue to appeal to investors given the strong uptake of e-commerce and accelerated digital transformation across the region, while interest in quality office assets in major cities remain high. We are anticipating investment activity to gain pace in the coming months as investors move to take advantage of the opportunities that will emerge as economies further stabilise and markets bounce back.” 
“We are expecting an increase in investment activity in the second half of the year,” John Marasco, Managing Director of Capital Markets &amp; Investment Services Australia &amp; New Zealand, said. “Demand for office assets in Australia’s key cities should remain high as companies activate ‘return to office’ policies, while investors are also looking to buy into New Zealand.”
Singapore logistics, office properties shine 
Confidence and stability are expected to return to the market in the coming quarters, helped by government support measures and improving stock market conditions.   Big-ticket transactions returned to Singapore’s commercial and industrial property sectors despite the implementation of tough ‘circuit breaker’ measures that dented overall transaction volumes for the quarter. 
Australia still an investor favourite 
The second quarter saw the completion of several significant transactions in Australia’s major cities, including an AU$145 million (US$100.6 million) office deal in Melbourne that demonstrated sustained investor appetite for commercial property. Deal flows are expected to increase in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in the second half of the year as conditions normalise, given Australia’s enduring appeal as a regional and global investment destination. 
Hong Kong residential property market expected to gain traction
Demand for residential property is likely to remain strong given continued limited supply, helping to balance a less positive outlook in the retail and hospitality sectors due to limited visitor numbers. However, while sentiment remains cautious, there were signs in the second quarter of mainland Chinese investors returning to Hong Kong’s property market as China emerged from lockdown. 
China policymakers move to support market
The second quarter saw a raft of policy measures from local and national governments in China that are likely to bolster the country’s property markets in the months ahead. These included the resumption of infrastructure real estate investment trust (REIT) pilot projects, and new high-profile industrial and business developments in major hubs like Shanghai and Guangzhou. 
Japan office markets hold firm 
Office properties in Tokyo and Osaka remained in relatively high demand in the second quarter, even amid lower participation by overseas investors. Logistics has a broadly positive outlook given a scarcity of quality stock near major urban centres and the rapid growth of e-commerce. The retail and hospitality sectors also continued to attract investor interest despite the lack of international tourism. 
Domestic investors active in Korea 
Strong interest from domestic institutional investors, particularly in Seoul’s Gangnam business district, helped push total office transactions in Korea for the quarter to KRW2.5 trillion (US$2.1 billion). The positive trend is expected to continue in the months ahead with several major office transactions in the pipeline and a generally supportive policy backdrop. 
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Asia Pacific property markets demonstrate resilience in Q2

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The median Adelaide rental yield has fallen slightly, according to the CoreLogic June 2020 quarterly rental review.
House yields in the South Australia capital sit at 4.2% (down from 4.3% 12 months ago), and unit yields sit at 5.3% (down from 5.4% 12 months ago).
The current combined median yield (for all property types) is 4.4%, down from 4.5% 12 months ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/29/cap%20cities%20yield.png" alt="">
This reflects a downturn of 0.2% month-on-month and 0.1% over the quarter.
For renters, this translates to a median rental price of $397 ($410 for houses and $343 for units).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/29/cap%202.png" alt="">
In the 12 months to June, rental yields fell across seven of the eight capital city markets. Perth was the only exception.
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Adelaide rental yields drop off in June: CoreLogic Quarterly Rental Review 

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
Urban Taskforce has welcomed the announcement by the NSW Minister for Planning, Hon Rob Stokes, of plans to progress the renewal and redevelopment of the Pyrmont Peninsula.
This is a welcome move forward after a poison combination of politics and bureaucratic in-fighting stymied development of this critical location last year with the IPC determining that the Star Casio / Ritz Carlton Hotel development was not supported by Strategic plans for the precinct late last year.
It is fantastic to see that the NSW Government has acknowledged the critical role that Pyrmont plays in the future of Sydney as a global city.
The release of ‘Directions for the Pyrmont Peninsula Place Strategy’ by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is a good start as it promotes the renewal and redevelopment of Pyrmont and its surrounds. 
The new “strategy” establishes the strategic framework for high rise development in Pyrmont and the logical extension of the CBD along the Pyrmont peninsular.
This change has come about following a comprehensive review of the Independent Planning Commission, the public intervention by the Treasurer and a review of the precinct by the GSC. 
The Department of Planning’s submission on the Star proposal as sent to the Independent Planning Commission last year was anti-jobs and anti-growth. This is exactly the opposite to what is needed given the recession we now face.
Urban Taskforce is pleased to see that the Minister for Planning has taken hold of this matter and established a plan for the development of this important precinct.
A change of mind-set is needed across the planning system.
All those involved in the planning system need to stop and re-set. We must continue to deliver improved amenity for residents, improved environmental outcomes and improved architectural built form. But the interests of local NIMBY groups must now to be considered against the greater need for economic growth, increased housing supply, jobs and employment. 
Now is the time to shift the focus away from Strategic Planning and for Minister Stokes to use the powers he has a the Minister for Planning to drive through a COVID Recovery State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) which suspends the need to conform with Local Strategic Plans and facilitates approvals as a matter of priority. Jobs and investment are what is needed. This is in the hands of the NSW Government.
The GSC, having completed its Strategic Planning mandate, should now focus all its efforts on supporting the Department in calling in projects and fast-tracking them for approvals.
With all the legislative powers at his hands, Minister can make a new SEPP any time (based on a location, a precinct, power to suspend the need for concurrences or the need for lengthy exhibition processes. Minister, this is the time to use those powers. 
While most Councils are flat-out setting up working from home arrangements and managing public health, rubbish collection and general order, this is the time for the NSW Government to step in and drive our economy forward so we are ready to go as soon as the current health crisis abates.
Tom Forrest is the CEO of Urban Taskforce. 
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Urban Taskforce welcomes release of Pyrmont plan: Tom Forrest 

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Households recorded almost record high financial comfort levels in June, but residential property owners expect to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 downturn until at least 2021, according to the latest report from ME Bank.
"Australian household financial comfort increased 3% to 5.76 (out of 10) in the past six months to June 2020 − just shy of its historical high of 5.78 recorded in December 2014," the July 2020 ME Bank household financial comfort report found.
"Contrary to expectations, financial comfort has jumped the most among typically struggling cohorts such as casual workers, the unemployed, low income households and single parent households (though their comfort levels remain a great deal lower than the average household and higher-income Australians)."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/29/ME%20bank%20graph%201.png" alt="">
Despite this, the report found that more owner occupiers (25%) expect the value of their property to fall during 2020/21 than rise (22%).
This represents a significant change from just six months ago, when only 6% expected property prices to fall and 47% expected them to rise.
Furthermore, the report found that expectations vary significantly across major capital cities, with occupiers in Sydney less pessimistic than Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Perth owner-occupiers are highly pessimistic, with 40% expecting lower prices in comparison to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane expecting a fall of 22%, 29% and 27%.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/29/ME%20bank%20graph%202.png" alt="">
Investors are more optimist about dwelling prices than six months ago, 26% now expect the value of their investment property to rise in the next twelve months.
Across households, those most worried about debt include 51% of those paying off a mortgage compared to 21% of households that own their home.
"Financial comfort levels are up for now, but many households are on the cliff's edge," the report said. 
"Many eyes will be on what governments do in the final months of 2020 and into next year."
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Financial comfort rises but property owners remain pessimistic: ME Bank July household financial comfort report

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With a budget of $700,000, the best opportunities in the southern Gold Coast region are in areas such as Miami or Burleigh Waters, according to the July Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 
The valuation firm took a look at how a budget of $700,000 could be invested in property markets across the nation.
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"For your money, you could get a two- or three-bedroom duplex or townhouse in either of these suburbs," the valuation firm said.
Both these areas and properties offer a good opportunity to purchase a relatively good sized property at the entry level price for the suburb.
The report notes either an original three-bedroom or a renovated two-bedroom duplex or townhouse unit is achievable within the price bracket and can provide good investment returns.
The buyer profile for this area is generally couples purchasing their first investment or first property for renovation. 
The rental returns in the current market have significantly dropped from talking to local property managers but they are all confident there will be a rebound in the next six months.
"If you were looking to purchase multiple properties or achieve a good return, any purchase close to Bond University will ensure strong rental returns and if you have $700,000 to spend, there are opportunities to purchase two one-bedroom units around Varsity for about $300,000 each with rental returns of between $375 and 450 per week," the valuation firm said. 
A two bedroom, two bathroom townhouse at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-townhouse-qld-burleigh+waters-133875574" target="_blank">2/2 Barbet Place, Burleigh Waters</a> has recently been sold for $450,000.
The home comes with open plan living, upgraded kitchen, separate laundry and single lock up garage. 
It is situated within walking distance of beaches, local shops, schools and public 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/2020/8/14/burleigh%20waters%20.jpg" alt="">
 A two bedroom, two bathroom unit at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-miami-134148946" target="_blank"> 63/7 Redondo Avenue, Miami </a>(pictured below) has hit the market with a price of $449,000.
The unit comes with renovated bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, and underground car park.
It is located within 100m to the beach. 
<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/2020/8/14/miami.jpg" alt="">
Covid 19 update:
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To date, the impact of the pandemic on the southern regions of the Gold Coast hasn’t translated into a downturn either in property sales or prices, the report noted. 
House prices remain firm, however some properties are staying on the market a little longer, although still transacting within a three-month period, with some properties as short as a few days.
"The rental market has been negatively impacted with heavy discounts being provided for new leases or pauses on current leases.
"This may see a downturn in future sale prices but this hasn’t been realised yet in sale prices currently being achieved," the valuation firm said. 
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What a lazy $700,000 can buy in Southern Gold Coast: HTW residential 

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Former Screaming Jets drummer, auctioneer and sales agent Craig Rosevear, aka ‘Rosie’, has taken the helm of The Agency’s Newcastle operation. 
Craig Rosevear, joined by his wife Belinda, have decades of property experience between them and are much-loved local identities. “I am so excited about Craig and Belinda Rosevear joining The Agency and representing us in Newcastle. Their varied creative talents, property market knowledge and community networks are quite extraordinary,” Matt Lahood, The Agency’s CEO, explains.
 “They are wonderful people with the community at heart and have been passionate about property for 20 years. Craig is an extremely talented auctioneer and licensed agent, Belinda has been successfully flipping houses for 15 years.” 
In the 90s Craig Rosevear travelled the world with the Screaming Jets, eventually landing in Los Angeles. 
Two things happened when Craig and Belinda Rosevear returned to Newcastle in 2005, they set up Rosie’s School of Rock to teach young people the art of music and give them confidence in life, and they purchased their first property in Hamilton North. This was the beginning of their love affair with property.  Rosie’s School of Rock grew to a team of 23 and became a local institution. Belinda Rosevear focussed on flipping Newcastle-based properties, while Craig Rosevear became a licensed agent and auctioneer in 2016, joining Damien Cooley’s highly-awarded Cooley Auctions’ team.
On top of all of this, Craig Rosevear also became a TV presenter on the 9NBN property lifestyle show, Location...Lifestyle...Living.
“Belinda and I have always been passionate about property, when Covid-19 took hold earlier in the year, we decided to close Rosie’s School of Rock and focus on real estate,” Craig Rosevear says. 
As Matt Lahood shares, the connection with Craig Rosevear was a fortuitous alignment, given Cooley Auctions became our key NSW auctioneering partner in July this year.
<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/2020/8/24/Craig%20Rosevear%20Rosie%20Screaming%20Jets%20and%20now%20The%20Agency%20Newcastle.jpg" alt=""> “Craig had already been calling The Agency’s Newcastle auctions for some time, he was our first choice. Then Damien Cooley and his team became our official auctioneering partners in July, strengthening our already close relationship with Craig.
"And now, he and Belinda will be leading The Agency sales charge and building an amazing local team!” Matt Lahood says. 
Craig and Belinda Rosevear will be focused on building The Agency brand and team in Newcastle. The duo are already in discussions with key individuals who fit the premium property market they will be targeting.
According to Craig Rosevear, it was The Agency’s positive energy, vibrancy and close-knit team that drew him and Belinda to the brand.  “The agents connected with the brand have always seemed so supportive of each other and there’s a general ‘abundance’ mentality within the brand,” Craig Rosevear shares. 
“We’re Newcastle born and bred, but having lived in Sydney and LA, we truly understand the unique appeal of where we live. In recent years Newcastle has transformed from a town to a city and I’ve never been a prouder Novocastrian.
"Covid-19 has shown that you can successfully work remotely, or perhaps a hybrid of work from home and a couple of days in the office. Newcastle’s role as a satellite town to Sydney has never been more appealing.”
 
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Rockstar, auctioneer and agent Craig Rosevear leads The Agency Newcastle

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A 27-level high state-of-the-art commercial office building on Little Collins Street has been approved by the City of Melbourne.
It is set to redefine the traditional office space by creating a vertical community with a strong emphasis on sustainability, technology, health and well-being.
Developed by Golden Age Group and featuring an all-star design team by Cox Architecture, Hecker Guthrie and Jack Merlo, 130 Little Collins Street will combine retail and office spaces, including state-of-the-art amenities, private end of trip facilities and sustainable garden terraces throughout.
Golden Age purchased the site in 2019 from the Uniting Church, where it served as the Uniting Church’s Victorian and Tasmanian headquarters for the last 52 years since the building was built in 1967.
Golden Age Group Founder and Managing Director Jeff Xu said 130 Little Collins Street reimagines the typical commercial office building and in a post-COVID world, is more relevant than ever before.
“The typical commercial building has been turned on its head as a result of COVID; businesses have realised they can work efficiently outside of the corporate environment and they no longer want to share with hundreds of other tenants.
“Instead, we’re foreseeing a preference towards more boutique floorplans as a result of businesses scaling down their requirements for an office, coupled with something that greater emphasises lifestyle, which we’ve achieved through sustainable design, state of the art amenities and new-age technology.
“!30 Little Collins Street is more akin to a lifestyle hotel design than a typical commercial office tower,” he said.
On offer will be food and beverage offerings; a business centre; office spaces throughout; garden terraces; an airline lounge and a communal garden rooftop terrace.
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With an emphasis on sustainability and wellbeing, 130 Little Collins Street will look to target 5-Star NABERS, 5-Star Green Star Design &amp; As-Built, in addition to WELL Certification.
The project is set to launch to market in the coming months.
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Golden Age Group receives green light for new state-of-the-art commercial office building

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Albion Central, a fully leased new service and retail and medical centre boasting a 10-year WALE has been announced for sale. 
The property is being sold by JLL together with Morrison Project Consulting. 
JLL Senior Director and Joint Head of Retail Investments Australia, said Albion Central was of the most outstanding convenience retail centres in Brisbane’s affluent inner north.  
“The freehold interest provides a secure, long term income stream, in addition to a strong capital growth outlook and long-term re-development potential.” 
“At home on 2,400sqm, the centre caters to a high-profile demographic and has a tenancy mix to suit - all are on brand-new 10-year leases with fixed annual rent reviews of 3.50% or higher.
“Offering a 10-year WALE, Albion Central will provide the successful purchaser with a secure, long term income stream. Given the rental position, after 10 years the property will be producing a gross income of over $1,321,000 per annum.” 
The property occupies a corner position fronting the Albion Fiveways on the doorstep to the blue-ribbon suburb of Ascot, Clayfield and Hamilton, with exposure to over 80,000 passing cars per day. 
Just opened in July 2020, the centre is fully leased to seven boutique retailers, anchored by Albion Marketplace and Next Practice Medical.  
Albion Central is being offered For Sale via Expressions of Interest closing September 17.
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Albion Central, Brisbane’s inner north retail centre listed for sale

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The $1 billion mixed-use M-City development in Clayton has been completed by contractor Multiplex, on behalf of Schiavello Group.
The site is prominently located at 2109-2125 Dandenong Road, on the corner of Princess Highway and Blackburn Road.
Designed by the Buchan Group, M-City is one of the largest master-planned community single stage developments undertaken in Victoria to date.
"We are delighted to complete one of the most significant new developments in Victoria. M-City is a vibrant miniature city in itself delivering premium office, residential, retail and hotel accommodation. It will quickly become a new lifestyle destination in Clayton," said Graham Cottam, Regional Managing Director of Multiplex Victoria.
Multiplex commenced work on M-City in July, 2018 and construction spanned a two- year period, with up to 1,100 workers on-site during peak periods.
<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/2020/7/29/M-city%202.jpg" alt="">
The 30,000 square metre site has a combined built area of over 18 hectares.
Four residential buildings have been built, ranging from three to 12 levels.
There are a total of 665 apartments.
The apartment towers feature rooftop gardens, tennis courts, a swimming pool and spa, a fitness centre, and BBQs.
M-City also features a 4.5-star international hotel that will be operated by Park Royal.
M-City has an eight-level commercial office tower providing 14,000 square metres of commercial space above a two-level retail podium.
The 30,450 square metre retail centre comprises 78 stores including Woolworths, K- Mart, Village cinema complex, a medical centre and a childcare centre with a two-level carpark providing 2,000 car spaces.
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Clayton's $1 billion M-City development completed

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GUEST OBSERVATION
But that revolution has long been thwarted by resistance – crucially from management concerned about productivity and performance.
It was <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/12/what-telecommuting-looked-like-in-1973/418473/?sf43013774=1">the case in 1974</a>, according to Jack Nilles, who led <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://dl.acm.org/doi/book/10.5555/540203">the first major study</a> to evaluate the benefits of “telecommuting” (by a team from the University of Southern California). It was still the case in 2019, according to researchers from San Jose State University, whose studies showed <a href="https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/1860-Prager-Flexible-Workplaces-South-Bay_0.pdf">managerial and executive resistance</a> were the major perceived obstacles to the expansion of flexible working practices.
Our own research with Australian public service managers in 2018 found extensive managerial resistance to employees working from home.
Wondering how the enforced experience of working from home might change such attitudes, we surveyed 6,000 Australian public servants (including 1,400 managers) in June and July, and found the seeds for a revolution.
Only 8.4% of managers rated their teams less productive when working from home, while 57% thought productivity the same, and 34.6% believed it higher.
These findings, along with others, suggest working from home, at least for part of the week, may become the norm.
Negative perceptions
It is difficult to estimate precisely how many people had the option of working from home prior to the pandemic. Australian Bureau of Statistics data <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6333.0">published in September 2019 </a> indicated about a third of all employed people regularly worked from home. But it is likely this number also includes workers catching up on work after hours.
In the public sector, about one-third of executives worked away from the office, but <a href="https://www.apsc.gov.au/sites/default/files/apsc_state_of_the_service_report_2018-19.pdf">less than 15%</a> of non-executive employees did.
Our 2018 research, involving focus groups with nearly 300 managers across four state public services, found extensive managerial resistance to allowing work from home despite supportive policies permitting it.
Public sector managers shared with private sector managers concerns about performance and productivity, and the difficulty of remotely managing workers. They often framed their resistance around concerns about technology or work health and safety.
But on top of this, public service managers were sensitive about agreeing to any working arrangements that might feed community stereotypes about public servants having it easy.
Key findings
The COVID-19 pandemic rendered those objections irrelevant. By the end of May, <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6764395/the-numbers-that-reveal-%20%20%20the-scale-of-the-public-services-response-to-covid-19/">57%</a> of Australian Public Service employees were reportedly working from home.
To compile our findings we worked with the Community and Public Sector Union, which distributed the survey on our behalf. The 6,000 respondents included about 20% non-union members and 22% managers, across a broad range of occupations and agencies.
As noted, three times as many managers thought team productivity and performance had increased as those who perceived a decrease, with the majority neutral.
<hr>
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/354017/original/file-20200821-14-awgoce.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/354017/original/file-20200821-14-awgoce.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Manager perceptions of team performance working from home, by gender."></a> Manager perceptions of team performance working from home, by gender. The authors, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>
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Female managers were slightly more likely to perceive greater productivity (36.7% compared to 31.1% of male managers), as were managers of teams larger than ten employees.
One manager noted “people are either productive or not, and it doesn’t matter where they work from”. Others said it had changed their management style for the better, forcing them to realise they did not need to micromanage to get results.
Nearly two-thirds said they intended to be more supportive of working from home in the future (though 2% said they planned to be less supportive). Male managers were the most swayed, with 68% saying they would be more supportive, compared with 63.6% of female managers.
One manager noted:
I had always accepted the department line that working from home is a privilege and not a real workplace. Also that working from home makes you unavailable and disconnects you from the workplace. Discovered that I couldn’t have been more wrong.“
Generally, our results show employees were mostly positive about working from home, with more than four out of five saying it gave them more time with their family, two-thirds saying they got more work done, and three in five enjoying having more autonomy over their work.
The downsides
There can be downsides to working from home, however. As one respondent put it: "I hate my house, it’s cold, and the kids are annoying, the dog stinks.”
The <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-the-isolation-working-from-home-has-surprising-downsides-107140">key issues identified by research</a> are social isolation, lack of feedback and loss of separation of work from home life.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/354027/original/file-20200821-18-16za4ti.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Tired women using laptoop at night.">A quarter of workers reported working longer hours. Shutterstock
On the isolation and feedback front, our results were generally positive. Managers indicated communication technology enabled teams to stay in touch in multiple ways, from instant messaging to video conferencing. While just over 10% stuck to their usual meeting routine, the majority (about 60%) had increased their use of virtual meetings. This included scheduling social activities such as virtual coffee and drinks.
On the question of work-life balance, our results were more mixed.
Three-quarters reported they continued to work their usual work hours. But one in four reported working longer hours. Mostly this was due to increased workload, though almost 15% said they had been working more voluntarily because they were absorbed by their work. Many managers noted this increased motivation and mood.
Given the focus of the public service, this result is not necessarily one we can presume would apply across the entire workforce. That said, longer working hours do seem a feature of working from home during this pandemic. Based on data from more than 3 million in 16 cities, researchers found the average workday for those under lockdown <a href="https://theconversation.com/vital-signs-shorter-meetings-but-longer-days-how-covid-19-has-changed-the-way-we-work-143894">is about 48 minutes longer</a>.
These findings on longer hours potentially offset some of the positive perceptions of productivity improvements. The emergency conditions in which both managers and workers have been prepared to go the extra mile cannot become the baseline for expectations permanently.
Despite these caveats, and the need to point out that organisations still have much to do to embed flexibility in their cultures, our results add to the evidence that the great working-from-home experiment of 2020 has broken the back of decades of inherited managerial resistance. The revolution may have started.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/144850/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/linda-colley-22201">Linda Colley</a>, Associate Professor HRM/IR, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sue-williamson-104295">Sue Williamson</a>, Senior Lecturer, Human Resource Management, UNSW Canberra, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-management-resistance-overcome-working-from-home-may-be-here-to-stay-144850">original article</a>.
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With management resistance overcome, working from home may be here to stay

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

Staff reporter

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