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With 10 years in the real estate industry, August 2017 was the biggest month ever for Ray White Double Bay agent Gavin Rubinstein.
Rubinstein has just sold close to $50 million worth of real estate.
Back from holidays, in only 19 days at a rate of $2.5 million a day for that period.
Despite reports of the slowing market and low house sales, he suggests each of the nine sales was a bullish result individually.
"While some people are promoting a lot of doom and gloom, I feel that the Eastern Suburbs property market is still in good shape,” Rubinstein said.
One sale was an off-market sale for $8 million in Dover Heights which fetched a street record.
His highest sale for the month was 327A Edgecliff Road in Woollahra which sold under the hammer for $10.1 million.
The buyers of one of his listings in Bellevue Hill were the strongest party going into the auction, but they weren't in a position to move until they had secured a sale on their own house, also in Bellevue Hill.
“We utilised our off-market platform strategy and attracted 20 qualified buyers and generated three formal offers for the buyer’s home within a couple of days.
“After a week, I had negotiated a premium result of $4.2 million for their property and simultaneously exchanged on their purchase for $6.75 million the same day (after 11pm at night),” Rubinstein said.
“The result: two very happy buyers and two very happy vendors.”
Among his 2017 sales includes the purchase in The Rocks by entertainer Larry Emdur.
<div>More than 1200 real estate agents and guests last night celebrated the achievements of 2016-17 at the annual Ray White New South Wales awards.</div>
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<div>Ray White Double Bay had a very successful night, picking up awards as the number one city office in settled commission and the number two office internationally.</div>
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<div>Its elite agent Gavin Rubinstein also took home the number one salesperson awards to be the top residential sales operator in NSW. </div>
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<div>Gavin Rubinstein can also claim to be the number one residential salesperson in all of Australia, and in terms of international rankings across all Ray White businesses, while he is the number three salesperson internationally for Ray White.</div>
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<div>
<div>Ray White Double Bay director Craig Pontey, who received his 30 year tenure medal at the awards, paid credit to his whole team for its own success. </div>
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<div>"We have a lot of agents in the top 10 and a number of sales people just outside (the top 10) and we pride ourselves on our training and the leadership that Mike Finger, Elliott Placks and I have invested in our business is paying substantial dividends," Mr Pontey said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"Our salespeople love structure and leadership, and energy. Ray White Double Bay has a culture of harmony and family which is quite important and we work hard to maintain it. Our business has been going now for 30 years and we have come of age, not just in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, but in all of Australia.</div>
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<div>"To be recognised as the number one office in Australia is no mean feat as there 1100 offices in the Ray White network.</div>
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<div>"Ray White is the number one agency group in Australasia and it's a very valuable brand, not just to me as a principal, but also to all salespeople in the group.</div>
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<div>"Ray White offers people a very big advantage in every market, and I want to pay my respect to the White family for their support and leadership."</div>
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<div>Ron Kissell of Hurstville had reason to celebrate, not only being awarded number one salesperson in settled commission regionally but also taking the most prestigious award of the night; the Director’s Cup Award, given to the person identified as having made a significant contribution to the Ray White brand.</div>
</div>
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Ray White's Gavin Rubinstein sells $50 million worth of properties in 19 days

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People's Choice Credit Union’s conservative policy of not lending to buyers of apartments in high-density developments more than six storeys high will prove right if there is a property market downturn, according to its chief executive.
Steve Laidlaw, CEO of Australia's second-largest credit union, said the ban on lending for high-density apartments had cost the group business in the boom times, but would ultimately be a big plus.
"There is a bigger credit risk when it comes to high-density apartment living," he said on Monday, The Australian Financial Review reported.
Laidlaw’s statement came during the results announcement. 
People's Choice Credit Union increased its home loan book by about 8 per cent to $6.3 billion in the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, with owner-occupier loans making up 81 per cent and investors 19 per cent. It has 47 branches. Loans to customers in Victoria make up about 9 per cent of the residential lending book.
The group’s net profit after tax slipped 7.98 per cent to $33.1 million for 2016-17, with net interest margins falling as customers shifted to lower rate package products in a highly competitive market. Laidlaw said net interest margins were expected to stabilise in 2017-18.
The credit union has been expanding in Victoria from its traditional base of South Australia and the Northern Territory. 
On the risks of a downturn, Laidlaw said that he didn't think there would be a short-term slide in the apartment market in Australia, but if a downturn did happen, it would likely start with the high-density apartment market."
"Our risks to that space are pretty well mitigated," he said. "We've always been pretty conservative."
However, he expects residential property prices to remain strong and isn't predicting a price slide. 
Laidlaw expects the next movement in official interest rates from the Reserve Bank of Australia to be up, but borrowers have plenty of breathing space. 
"I think the next move is up. We probably think around mid next year at this point in time," he said.
According to him, the RBA will only raise rates in small increments and that most home loan customers across the financial services industry had built in sufficient buffers in the loans to still be able to service them in a higher rate environment.
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Ban on loans for high rise apartments right choice, says credit union CEO  

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BIS Oxford Economics has reversed its forecast that Melbourne will suffer a surplus of apartments.
Faster-than-expected population growth now meant the city would be in balance or potentially face an undersupply as recent census figures showed the state had 109,000 more people than previously expected.
"If you translate that into households, it's close to 35,000 extra households in Melbourne," BIS managing director Robert Mellor told The Australian Financial Review.  
"We thought it would get to a 20,000 excess [of apartments] in Victoria by 2018. We're now saying in 2018 the market has still got an undersupply of about 2000 dwellings. We're talking a 20,000 turnaround."
The findings reflect other census figures showing the proportion of students rose to 27 per cent of demand for inner city apartments in 2016, up from 20 per cent five years earlier, Mr Mellor said.
BIS forecasts apartment commencements in Victoria have shrunk from its 2015 peak of nearly 19,800 to a likely 2021 trough of 7200. 
"It'll start picking up more significantly from 2021-22 and beyond," Mr Mellor said.
"At this stage, we're not predicting the next boom will be as big as the current boom."
BIS says Sydney and Brisbane will also suffer a decline in new housing starts, but that Sydney's reduction would be less severe in relative terms and Brisbane was already in a position of oversupply that would take some years to absorb. 
New high-rise housing starts in NSW were likely to near-halve from its estimated 2017 peak of nearly 32,000 to just over 16,000 in 2020.
Queensland would see commencements drop by more than two-thirds from more than 15,000 in 2016 to just over 4,000 by 2020, BIS forecasts.
The lack of new supply down the track would push rents higher and provide more of an incentive for institutional investors to back the built-to-rent sector, Mr Mellor said.
BIS Oxford Economics had warned of a 15,000-apartment glut in the Victorian capital two and a half years ago.
It repeated the warning last year.
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BIS now forecasts no Melbourne apartment oversupply

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Investor demand in south Sydney has dropped, according to Herron Todd White’s latest September report.
The property data firm says that however home owners remain active in the market.
Like other parts of Sydney, investor demand has declined in recent months while home owners are generally remaining active in the market.
First home buyers generally budget up to $1,000,000, which in this part of Sydney generally restricts property options to units, villas and townhouses.
The report said there are a number of new unit developments in the Sutherland Shire which are attractive for first home buyers including those at Woolooware Bay and the South Village development currently under construction at Kirrawee.
For the latter, 1-bedroom units are selling off the plan for between $600,000 and $700,000, and 2-bedroom units for between $680,000 and $900,000.
Upsizers and families require a budget of $1 million up to $3 million in more popular beachside and riverside suburbs.
Duplex properties are becoming increasingly attractive, allowing a more affordable option of a good sized modern home on a smaller low maintenance block of land.
A sale at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-duplex+semi-detached-nsw-caringbah-125922062" target="_blank">32B Carabella Road</a>, Caringbah, (above) which sold for $1.562 million in August 2017, comprised a new two storey semi- detached duplex with 4-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms and 1-car garage on a 280 square metre lot.
Empty nesters and downsizers are increasingly looking at large modern apartments in premium locations, which provide a low maintenance lifestyle close to cafes, restaurants and shopping facilities.
In many cases, these buyers are looking to spend as much as, or more than, the sale proceeds from their large family home.
Cronulla has become a popular location for empty nesters and retirees with a number of modern boutique complexes being constructed in recent years.
A large modern garden apartment, opposite the beach, sold in June 2017 for $2.76 million.
The apartment, at 4/29-31 Prince Street, (below) comprised 3-bedrooms, 2-bathrooms, double basement car space and a large wraparound yard area providing beach and ocean views.
<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/2017/09/08/429-31%20Prince%20Street.jpg" alt="">
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Property investor demand in south Sydney drops: HTW

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/83455/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Specially designed fluid-filled roof panels can help make air conditioning significantly more efficient, according to new research.
These panels work like solar water heaters, except that they extract heat from the flowing fluid, rather than adding it. This has only been made possible through the development of new, highly reflective materials that allow more heat to be taken out of the fluid than finds its way back in, even in the heat of a sunny day.
As a result, the researchers, led by Eli Goldstein of Stanford University, calculate that these panels, when integrated into an existing air conditioning system, can use 20-50% less power to deliver the same amount of indoor cooling. This in turn could help smooth out demand peaks on the electricity grid in summer, cut energy bills, and reduce the risk of blackouts.
<h2>Cool research</h2>
For several years, the Stanford researchers and my own group at UTS in Sydney have been trying to design smart roof materials that will help dissipate heat from air conditioning systems more effectively.
Conventional air-conditioning systems get rid of their heat by simply venting hot air from the system’s outdoor fan unit. But the new design adds an extra step, using a heat exchanger to pass the normal refrigerant heat into the fluid, which can be either water or glycol. This fluid then flows into the rooftop cooling panels so the heat can be dissipated into the sky. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/13/file-20170912-3875-1ot1ggj.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/13/file-20170912-3875-1ot1ggj.png" alt="">
The old system and the new. Goldstein et al. Nature Energy
The previous problem with this approach was that on hot, sunny days – when you need air conditioning the most – the Sun makes the fluid-filled panels heat up, rather than cool down.
This problem has only been solved in the past three years, with the design of super-reflective surfaces that can repel 97% of the incoming solar energy. 
<h2>Feeling the heat</h2>
Nearly all synthetic and natural surfaces absorb at least 5% of incident solar heat. Even the best white roof paints typically absorb more than 10% of the Sun’s heat. The best-performing surface is a shiny, flawless layer of silver, but that doesn’t last very long in outdoor conditions. 
But what if we can protect the silver, and maybe even improve its reflective performance by placing it under a layer that also helps to reflect solar energy? Three research groups came up with possible solutions, two involving plastic coverings for the silver, and the third involving a complex layering of different oxide materials. 
At UTS, our approach involved using many layers of two different plastics, placed on top of the silver. The resulting material reflects 97% of the incident solar energy, repelling the sun’s heat so effectively that the fluid inside cools down, even on a hot day.
<h2>Look to the skies</h2>
As the new Stanford research confirms, these super-reflective surfaces can perform a neat trick: getting the rooftop to lose heat during the day in the same way it does on a clear night. On clear nights, upward-facing surfaces can drop to several degrees below the ambient temperature because their heat dissipates high into the sky. The new super-cool roof panels do the same in the daytime as well. For example, they can condense dew well after sunrise even though the outdoor air temperature is above the dew point.
The panels can easily be retrofitted onto existing air-conditioning systems, ultimately saving money in the long run because of the reduced energy use. By modelling their system’s performance, the Stanford researchers calculate that the panels could reduce air-conditioning costs by 21% for a typical two-storey building in the sunny climate of Las Vegas.
These kind of hybrid systems could become commonplace, combining existing indoor air-conditioning technology with the new panels shedding the heat directly upwards into the sky. If you’ll pardon the pun, things are really looking up for those aiming to bring their energy bills down.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/geoff-smith-405762" target="_blank">Geoff Smith</a> is Emeritus Professor in Applied Physics, University of Technology Sydney and author for <a href="https://theconversation.com/au" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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How the sky can help make air conditioners at least 20 percent more efficient

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A residential development worth $37 million is set for the Queensland Sunshine Coast suburb Birtinya.
Curve Birtinya features 55  one, two and three bedroom apartments with northerly water views.
<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/2017/09/11/Streetscape%20REVIEW%2001F_Small.jpg" alt="">
Scott Juniper from Cube Developments said construction was expected to start January 2018 and be completed by January 2019.
“Taking its cues from nature, Curve Birtinya is built with recreation and relaxation in mind,” he said.
“Offering a stunning architectural statement with sleek lines arcing to the sky, it is casual coastal sophistication at its finest with everything residents need at their doorstep.
“You can paddle in the lake, jog around the shorefront boardwalk, visit local restaurants and cafes, workout in the onsite gym or enjoy a Sunday morning coffee in the beautiful park next door."
<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/2017/09/11/Rooftop%20REVIEW%2001F_small.jpg" alt="">
Located in the Oceanside Health Hub – a 17-hectare development alongside the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct - it offers a prime position in the heart of one of Queensland’s most exciting economic growth areas.
Mr Juniper said early interest in Curve Birtinya had been strong.
<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/2017/09/11/Pool%202%20REVIEW%2001F_small.jpg" alt="">
“Buyers are realising this is a unique opportunity to purchase in one of the Sunshine Coast’s premium lifestyle precincts and major growth corridors,’’ he said.
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Cube Developments launches $37m residential project at Birtinya

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A one bedroom unit at Ashfield has sold for $510,000 making it Sydney’s cheapest weekend auction sale.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-ashfield-126140078" target="_blank">4/134-136 Frederick Street</a>, the property was offered for the first time in 40 years.
It features a lounge and dining area that leads to the balcony as well as a kitchen and bathroom.
A one bedroom unit at Ashfield have a median price of $575,000.
Other feature includes a car space.
The property was offered through Elders Real Estate agent Simon Smajo Hadzic.
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One bedroom Ashfield unit sold for $510,000

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A one bedroom West Footscray apartment has sold for $208,000 making it Melbourne’s cheapest weekend auction sale.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-west+footscray-126187274" target="_blank">20/697 Barkly Street</a>, the property is marketed for a first home buyer or investor.
It features a living area that leads a a kitchen/meals area.
The bedrooms has its own built-in robe.
Other feature includes a car space.
Public transport, Barkly Street Village and Central West Plaza are close to the property.
The property was offered through Century 21 agent Yogi Flis.
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One bedroom West Footscray apartment sold for $208,000

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An architect-designed Wollstonecraft house has sold for $5.68 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-wollstonecraft-126176798" target="_blank">24 Milray Avenue</a>, the 809 sqm property was designed by architect Robert Weir.
<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/2017/09/11/24%20Milray%20Avenue-2.jpg" alt="">
All the bedrooms have built-in robes while two open to a side deck while the master suite has its own fireplace and walk-in dressing room.
The property is within close proximity to Wollstonecraft Station, shops and cafes.
The property was offered through Simeon Manners Property agents Scott Thornton and Mark Manners.
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Architect-designed Wollstonecraft house sold for $5.68 million

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A Victorian-style Hawthorn house has sold for $4.005 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-hawthorn-126166610" target="_blank">14 Elgin Street</a>, the property was featured in Home Beautiful magazine in 2016.
Built in 1880 it last sold for $1.5 million in 2012.
It features a large study with in-built storage as well as two downstairs bedrooms.
The master bedroom has its own walk-in robe and ensuite.
An open plan living, dining and kitchen area is also included with the kitchen having Miele appliances, butler’s pantry and stone benchtops.
<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/2017/09/11/14%20Elgin%20Street-2.jpg" alt="">
Upper level features three bedrooms, all with built-in robes and ceiling fans, as well as a bathroom.
Outdoors is the north-west yard as well as in-built trampoline.
The property is within close proximity to public transport, cafes and parks.
The property was offered through Marshall White agents Chris Barret and Stuart Evans.
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Victorian-style Hawthorn house sold for $4.005 million

One of Brisbane's last major riverfront redevelopment opportunities has taken a significant step forward, with Lendlease selected as the Queensland Government's preferred development partner for the former Visy site in South Brisbane.

The seven-hectare industrial site, positioned between South Bank and West End and 1.3 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, will be transformed into a mixed-use precinct expected to deliver more than 4,000 new homes alongside extensive public open space and riverfront parkland.

The project is one of the largest urban renewal opportunities currently planned in Brisbane and is expected to play a key role in accommodating the city's growing population ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Plans for the precinct include a network of riverfront promenades and boardwalks, new public plazas, parkland, amphitheatre-style gathering spaces and shared pedestrian and cycling links designed to reconnect the long-isolated site with the Brisbane River.

The Queensland Government is targeting delivery of the first homes and key public spaces before the 2032 Games, allowing the precinct to begin contributing new housing and public amenity well before the broader masterplan is complete.

The redevelopment is also expected to support more than 3,000 jobs across planning, construction and ongoing operations.

For Lendlease, the appointment adds another major urban regeneration project to its Queensland portfolio. The developer has operated in the state for more than 70 years and has delivered a number of large-scale mixed-use precincts in partnership with government.

Lendlease Development CEO Claire Johnston said the project represented one of Brisbane's most significant redevelopment opportunities.

"The transformation of the former Visy site represents a rare opportunity to reimagine one of Brisbane's most significant riverfront locations, deliver thousands of much-needed homes, and create long-term legacy," Johnston said.

"In partnership with the Queensland Government, we have the opportunity to create a new riverside destination that will help shape Brisbane's growth and how people experience the city for decades to come.

"This is exactly the type of large-scale, city-shaping development that will provide lasting benefits for Queensland, bringing together housing, jobs and world-class public spaces."

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the riverfront transformation would deliver a thriving new community precinct.

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering this golden opportunity to unlock a riverfront jewel for all Queenslanders,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape a significant slice of Brisbane and deliver lasting benefits – thousands of new homes, and public spaces for all Queenslanders to enjoy well beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – unlike Labor’s plan which would have delivered zero benefits and zero new homes.

“Queensland is well and truly open for business and through partnership with the private sector, we are accelerating delivery while ensuring strong housing, community and economic outcomes."

Early works on the precinct are expected to commence in April 2027.

Joel Robinson

Lendlease selected to deliver transformative South Brisbane riverfront precinct

Eddy Haddad's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> is levelling up its approved Wollongong development, as the coastal city south of Sydney continues to prove popular in the high-density development space.

Level 33, a longtime developer in the Wollongong area, has gone through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority to upsize its approved two-tower development on the corner of Crown Street and Gladstone Avenue, just 100 metres from Wollongong Station.

The developer currently has approval for 252 apartments across two buildings rising to 19 storeys. It is now seeking approval for 33 and 38-storey towers that would deliver 467 apartments, including 67 affordable homes.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bka-architecture">BKA Architecture</a>, the development would comprise apartments above a three-level podium with around 1,100 sqm of retail space, along with basement parking for 448 vehicles.

According to the Urban Design Report by BKA, the proposal has the capacity to "reinforce the precinct's identity by strengthening links between health, education, and transport services, while also contributing to Wollongong's ongoing evolution as a key regional centre."

Wollongong is somewhat in vogue. Between Level 33 and Urban Property Group, the two developers have several thousand apartments planned across the city.

Level 33 is currently delivering Easterly Wollongong, one of its most boutique projects to date with just 21 high-end apartments, as well as Atchison &amp; Kenny, a 329-apartment development due for completion later this year.

The developer plans to redevelop the 13,088 sqm WIN Grand megasite into <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crown-square-216-238-keira-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Crown Square</a>, a new $500 million precinct with nearly 600 apartments. It also has more than 900 apartments planned for the former Bunnings Warehouse site at the intersection of Gipps and Flinders streets.

Urban Property Group is also playing a major role in the city's transformation. Its five-tower Keira Place precinct will deliver more than 800 homes, and it has recently lodged plans for a further 300 apartments near Wollongong Station.

First look: Level 33 upsizes Wollongong apartment towers

Just a week after filing plans for the final stage of its major Keira Place masterplan, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has unveiled another significant housing proposal in Wollongong, this time targeting a prominent site opposite North Wollongong Station.

The developer has lodged a State Significant Development Application for a 38-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-4a-flinders-street-north-wollongong-nsw-2500">4-4A Flinders Street</a>, around one kilometre north of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place precinct</a> currently taking shape on the edge of the CBD.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b6428f1-6405-4038-8476-897de440e90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium.png?VersionId=QLqEvK0OuCEwRC47oHNftrw2B1YqaHF8" />

Designed by Studio.SC, the proposal comprises a 38-storey mixed-use development containing 303 apartments, including 45 affordable housing units, alongside 174 co-living residences. The scheme also includes ground-floor retail space, extensive landscaping and public domain improvements.

Studio.SC noted in the proposal it "outlines a vision for a landmark transit-oriented mixed-use development centred around North Wollongong Station, designed to support the city’s future growth while responding to the NSW Government’s housing and planning reforms."

The architecture firm said the proposal responds to the opportunities and constraints shaping future growth within the 400-metre catchment of the station and represents "a coordinated and future-focused approach to urban intensification, contributing to the long-term evolution of North Wollongong as a connected, walkable and high-density station precinct."

The site occupies a strategic corner bounded by Flinders Street, Station Street, Stafford Street and the Princes Highway, directly opposite North Wollongong Station.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7863adad-1f71-4022-b850-f44b252738fd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium%20a.png?VersionId=WsU7av0g8_8R2tGHWxgHeFSlhu7yeY1V" />

The proposal follows Urban Property Group's recent submission for the second and final stage of Keira Place, which would deliver a further three buildings comprising 657 homes opposite Beaton Park. It builds on the first stage, which features 150 apartments across two towers and recently commenced construction.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said breaking ground on the first stage marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/urban-property-group-unveils-trio-of-towers-for-next-stage-of-new-wollongong-precinct-keira-place">Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place</a>

First look: Urban Property Group plans next major Wollongong tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/arada">Arada</a> has wasted little time expanding its ambitions in Campsie, lodging plans for a second major project in the rapidly transforming town centre just months after unveiling its three-tower One Campsie proposal on Beamish Street.

The UAE-backed developer has now taken aim at one of the suburb’s most strategically positioned sites, filing a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/10-north-parade-campsie-nsw-2194">33-storey mixed-use tower</a> at 10 London Street and 43 North Parade, directly opposite the future Campsie Metro Station. The proposal is currently on public exhibition and represents another significant vote of confidence in Campsie's emergence as one of Sydney’s key transit-oriented growth centres.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the development would deliver 156 apartments above a podium containing retail and commercial space, creating a new residential and commercial gateway to the town centre. The scheme also includes a four-level above-ground parking podium and a dedicated residential amenity floor featuring wellness and recreation facilities. At least 10 per cent of the apartments would be allocated as affordable housing for a period of 10 years.

The proposal occupies a 1,631 sqm site bounded by London Street, North Parade and Dispensary Lane, immediately adjoining the future Metro station precinct and just metres from Beamish Street’s retail and dining strip. According to the Urban Design Report, the project seeks to deliver "a great place that prioritises human-scaled experience and provides spatial improvements to the area."

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="175a8324-015b-4856-abe3-ce6f23199fa7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium%20campsie.png?VersionId=742UGwXFhFBX4GEl6wX4PYIWREAgn6il" />

Woods Bagot describes the tower as a key marker within Campsie's next phase of growth.

"Located directly opposite the new Campsie Metro Station on North Parade, 10 London Street is a thoughtfully composed 33-storey mixed-use tower that contributes to the ongoing transformation of the town centre," the Architectural Design Report states. The report says the project is intended to provide "high-quality homes within a vibrant, connected urban environment, while helping define Campsie's future skyline."

A strong emphasis has been placed on the public realm. The ground floor incorporates over 500 sqm of retail space and active frontages along both London Street and North Parade, while the podium is wrapped by extensive landscaped planting intended to soften the building's scale and strengthen the pedestrian experience. The development would also widen surrounding footpaths and improve connections between the Metro station and the broader town centre.

Above the podium, residents would have access to more than 1,400 sqm of communal amenities, including a pool, gym and landscaped recreation spaces. A distinctive green-wall treatment extending across four podium levels forms a major architectural feature, helping differentiate the project within the emerging high-density precinct.

The tower's design is closely tied to the broader Campsie Town Centre Master Plan and the arrival of Sydney Metro. The Urban Design Report notes the proposal "directly supports the Campsie Town Centre Master Plan by delivering new homes in a location explicitly identified for growth, improved accessibility, and high-quality urban renewal." It adds that the project contributes to the master plan's vision for a strengthened town centre supported by thousands of new homes around the future Metro station.

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bfd17654-253e-489a-bade-6278d63db412" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/base%20campsie.png?VersionId=3roJPMQGs36dazpkhvpvbDDP73Ld.Ica" />

The application follows Arada's recently lodged One Campsie project at 124–142 Beamish Street and 16–18 Ninth Avenue, where the developer is seeking approval for 346 apartments across three towers rising 24, 32 and 39 storeys. Together, the two proposals would cement Arada as one of the most influential developers shaping Campsie's future urban form.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-arada-files-for-trio-of-apartment-towers-in-campsie-town-centre">First Look: Arada files for trio of apartment towers in Campsie town centre</a>

Arada entered the Australian market in 2024 and has rapidly assembled a significant development pipeline across Sydney. Alongside its Campsie holdings, the developer is soon to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wattle-green-2-fishburn-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Wattle Green</a> in Castle Hill, and has expanded its local operations following its acquisition of construction firm Roberts &amp; Co.

Located around 14 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD, the site sits at the centre of one of Sydney's fastest-changing middle-ring precincts. The Metro conversion of Campsie Station, combined with Canterbury-Bankstown Council's master planning framework, is driving significant residential intensification around Beamish Street and North Parade, with thousands of new homes expected over coming decades.

First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans

For the first time in a long time, Australia's inflation story is starting to look more like a landing than a fight.

The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed annual inflation eased to four per cent in May, down from 4.2 per cent in April. On the surface, that might not seem like a major move. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank's target range and some categories continue to record stubborn price growth.

But the significance of this result lies less in where inflation sits today and more in what it means for where interest rates are likely heading next.

The biggest takeaway is that inflation continues to move in the right direction.

Markets had been bracing for another sticky result after a period where progress appeared to stall. Instead, headline inflation came in softer than expected, helped by falling fuel prices and easing transport costs. Annual transport inflation halved from 6.6 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in May, while automotive fuel prices fell 11.9 per cent during the month following lower oil prices and the impact of reduced fuel excise measures.

While petrol prices don't solve Australia's affordability challenges, they are one of the most visible and immediate costs for consumers. Falling fuel costs feed through the economy quickly, helping ease pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses.

The ABS data also showed headline inflation is now sitting at its lowest annual level in several months, reinforcing the broader trend that price growth is gradually moderating.

That trend is important because it aligns with what many economists and lenders have been saying for the last month.

Prior to this week's inflation data, ANZ, NAB and Commonwealth Bank had all shifted their forecasts, now believing the Reserve Bank had likely reached the peak of the interest rate cycle. Following the May inflation release, ANZ reaffirmed that view.

In its latest economic update, ANZ said it expects quarterly trimmed mean inflation to come in at 3.7 per cent for the June quarter, slightly below the Reserve Bank's forecast of 3.8 per cent. Importantly, the bank said that outcome, when combined with slowing economic activity, "supports our view that the cash rate has peaked".

The Reserve Bank has spent the better part of three years attempting to bring inflation under control through higher interest rates. If Australia's major banks are correct and rates have now peaked, the conversation shifts from how much higher rates could go to when they might begin coming down.

Westpac's caution comes from underlying inflation. The trimmed mean, the measure most closely watched by the Reserve Bank, increased from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent annually. Housing inflation remains elevated at 6.5 per cent, reflecting ongoing increases in rents, electricity costs and new dwelling construction.

Electricity prices remain particularly problematic, rising 21.1 per cent over the past year following the removal of government rebates.

Housing construction costs are also showing signs of renewed pressure. ANZ noted new dwelling costs rose 0.9 per cent in May and are now running at an annualised pace of 8.6 per cent over the past three months. Builders continue to face higher labour, fuel and material costs, a reminder that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared.

Housing affordability has deteriorated largely because of higher interest rates rather than higher property prices alone. Even modest reductions in mortgage rates would improve borrowing capacity, increase buyer confidence and reduce repayment pressure on existing homeowners.

While August is far from a certainty, the latest inflation result has strengthened the view that the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up. For borrowers, buyers and the development sector, that alone represents a significant shift from the conversation that dominated much of the past two years.

Staff reporter

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