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An oversupply of properties is making it cheaper to rent in inner Melbourne and Sydney where advertised stock increased nearly 60 per cent between March and June, the latest ANZ CoreLogic Housing Affordability report shows.
Loss of income and travel restrictions contributed to excess stock levels which saw inner Melbourne record a 57 per cent increase in advertised rental properties while Sydney’s city and inner south both recorded a 53 per cent jump. All other capital cities saw a drop in total rental listings.
ANZ Economist Felicity Emmett said the fall in demand for rental properties in inner Melbourne and Sydney was due to their ‘service economies’, as people working in industries hardest hit by COVID-19 were also most likely to rent.
“Nearly 40 per cent of people who work in the accommodation and food services sectors rent,” Ms Emmett said. “Between the weeks ending 14 March and 27 June, 21% of hospitality workers lost their jobs, compared to an average of 6% across all industries.”
“The lack of overseas migration has also contributed to falling demand as about 80% of newly arrived migrants rent. This drop-off in demand will impact regions popular with migrants, including inner city and south-eastern Melbourne, and inner south west Sydney.”
The oversupply of inner city stock has pushed rental values down as much as 7 per cent in suburbs such as Haymarket and Barangaroo in Sydney and Southbank in Melbourne.
CoreLogic’s Head of Research, Eliza Owen, says while reduced competition for rental properties is good news for tenants looking to negotiate rent reductions, landlords shouldn’t panic.
“The oversupply of rental stock since March has been largely confined to inner city areas in Melbourne and Sydney, while all other capital cities have experienced a decline,” Ms Owen said.
“There are still opportunities for investors where rental markets have continued to tighten and rental values have increased, including select suburbs across Perth and Hobart where Airbnb stock may be reverted back to the short term rental market as inter-state travel resumes.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Rents dip in inner Melbourne and Sydney amid record oversupply: ANZ

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Melbourne's preliminary weekend clearance rate was 44.1 per cent after 197 reported price results from the 483 scheduled auctions.
The tally included some 193 withdrawn from auction, Domain reported.
It was the second July weekend with the rate in the 40s after the return to lockdown across the capital city. 
There were 85 reported online Melbourne auctions, with 60 selling, which was the highest recorded success rate for online to date, Domain research analyst Nicola Powell advised.
Melbourne's top sale was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-kew-133806986" target="_blank">45 Walpole Street, Kew</a> (pictured) which fetched $4.21 million prior to its scheduled online auction.
Melbourne also saw a $3.67 million St Kilda West home.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 8 York Street was announced on the market at $3.5 million, by the Marshall White Stonnington agent John Bongiorno.
Sydney's preliminary clearance rate on Saturday was 64.6 per cent, after 471 scheduled auctions and 270 reported results. The rate included 77 withdrawn auctions.
The nation's cheapest was the $300,088 pre-auction sale at 15/38 Barrett St, Robertson. It had last sold from $80,000 in 1983.
Brisbane's top sale was just over $1 million when 43 Saint Helens Rd, Mitchelton was sold at $1.09 million.
Sydney’s highest sale was a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Vaucluse, on the market for the first time in 65-years.
It sold for $5,695,000 through Sydney Sotheby’s agent Michael Pallier.
There were five registered bidders for 61 Village High Road.
‘The buyer was a local but what drove the price was an expat in Singapore who had never seen the house and had a family member bidding for them. The third bidder, who bid up to $5.5 million, wanted to buy it for his 18-year-old daughter as a long-term hold. He looked at it an hour before the auction.," Pallier told Nine Entertainment.
Canberra had the country’s highest preliminary clearance rate of 90.6 per cent – reflecting the sale of 29 out of 32 reported auctions by CoreLogic.
 
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Melbourne auction weakness remains while Brisbane comes up the cheapest

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A five-bedroom, two-bathroom Clontarf hillside house has been sold for $2,765,000.
It sold through Cunninghams agents Mark Connor and Kylie Mousey earlier this month. 
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-clontarf-133854002" target="_blank">11 Kanangra Crescent </a>residence is set on a 726 sqm block.
It features an family home over two levels.
It offers harbour views from its alfresco dining areas and a pool. 
Cunningham Real Estate marketed the property's potential knock down.
The DA approved plans are for a 388 sqm residence with a pool. 
<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/2020/7/17/16_Clontarf%202.jpg" alt="">
The property last sold for $2.48 million in 2017. 
According to Realestate.com.au, 45 other five-bedroom houses recently sold in Clontarf. 
Similar houses recently sold in the area include a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Alma Street which sold for $2.51 million in April and a five-bedroom, four-bathroom home on Moore Street which sold for $3.2 million in March. 
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DA approved trophy home plans in Clontarf

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HIA has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government of the $2 billion JobTrainer package, which includes an extension of the vital Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy until March 2021.
“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy was the first employment assistance package introduced by the Government as COVID-19 began to take hold. It was well targeted and critical to providing both employers and apprentices the certainty they needed in those early days of the crisis,” said HIA managing director Graham Wolfe.
“While the HomeBuilder incentive has underpinned activity in the second half of 2020, there are many hurdles for businesses into the months ahead.
“Moving early and confirming that apprentices will now be supported beyond the original September timeframe to March 2021 simply makes sense.
“Today’s announcement extends the subsidy to medium-sized businesses with less than 200 employees also giving them greater certainty.
“The partnership between the Federal Government and the States and Territories announced today, giving more Australians access to free, or low cost, training places in areas of identified skills needs through a $1 billion co-funded JobTrainer fund, is also a welcome move,” said Mr Wolfe.
“Undertaking training may be a practical option for many people. Whether that’s reskilling or upskilling, looking at the opportunity to take on a building apprenticeship now offers a chance for workers to enter new careers and be paid while they learn.
“HIA will monitor the new National Partnership Agreement that will facilitate this training opportunity and work with the National Skills Commission to ensure building and construction trades are recognised as critical areas for the future.” 
“While this subsidy will make a real difference to current apprentices and trainees, it is important to provide a clear signal to the school leavers’ class of 2020 that moving into an apprenticeship in 2021 is the right decision. HIA looks forward to working with the Government to identify ways to bring in new students in 2021 and showcase the wealth of opportunities that exist in our industry.”
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JobTrainer package provides certainty for apprentices: HIA

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A new 50-year vision for Greater Sydney’s network of parklands and green open spaces has been launched by the NSW Government, heralded by an initial $10 million investment to revitalise one of the city’s forgotten harbour-side parks.
Planning and Public Spaces minister Rob Stokes said <a href="https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/-/media/Files/DPE/Strategy-documents/50-Year-Open-Space-and-Parklands-Vision-2020-07.pdf?la=en" target="_blank">the draft</a> vision, which is now open for public comment, puts NSW on a path to the first-ever metropolitan-wide plan for the city’s open spaces and parklands.
“Our city’s parks are one of our greatest assets and belong to all of us; it’s time for a clear, single vision to protect, manage, enhance and expand them for generations to come,” Mr Stokes said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how we need to change the way we look at our public spaces – not as parks in a city but rather as Sydney as a city within a park.”
The Vision will be championed by a new Greater Sydney Parklands (GSP) government agency that brings together the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, Parramatta Park Trust, and Western Sydney Parklands Trusts, as well as the parklands of Callan Park and Fernhill Estate. 
Michael Rose, Chairman of the Committee for Sydney, has been appointed the chair of GSP board.
“In the past, the individual parkland trusts have had a sole focus on the land within their boundaries. Now we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to look beyond those boundaries to plan for our parklands and open spaces over the next 50 years as a connected and vital network that forms the backbone of our city,” Mr Stokes said.
“This new city-wide agency will work in partnership with communities and local councils across Greater Sydney to champion the new Vision and ensure we’re working holistically to expand and improve our open spaces and parklands.”
Combined, the agency will oversee more than 6,000 hectares of parklands across Sydney, which host almost 40 million visits each year.
Callan Park in Sydney’s inner west is the first park to be identified through the GSP
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for urgent restorative work, with $10 million in funding allocated to enhance the connection with the waterfront and Bay Run. A new Landscape Structure Plan has been released for public comment, which will inform how the funding is spent.
“This investment in Callan Park is just the start and demonstrates our committment to revitalising and growing our city’s great public open spaces, starting with one of its great forgotten jewels,” Mr Stokes said.
The draft 50-year vision for Greater Sydney’s Open Space and Parklands will be open for consultation until September 11, 2020.
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Callan Park first in 50-year vision for Sydney's open space and parklands renewal

<html><body>A COVID-induced spike in real estate enquiry has experts predicting a strong Whitsundays in the ‘new normal’. Reports across the country state city-dwellers are making a COVID-19-change and are trading their CBD cubicle for a remote office with room to enjoy tranquility. This newfound flexibility is believed to be behind the near-record number of online searches for Whitsunday property in recent months.  The lure of acreage seems to be the strongest, with leading real estate website <a href="http://domain.com.au/" target="_blank">Domain.com.au</a> experiencing a 507 per cent increase in searches for rural residential property in Cannonvale, and surrounding areas.  <a href="https://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=V1I3c3ZNeXdEbDVDRmVndkZYMmJYT01wQzNoTU43Zk10SDRYRmRwZDB3QUdIb2k1M0RZNzZRK25pSWxLSXpSU0NJK0xDcnZJZlljMThnNFFMZEt1ckE9PQ==&amp;rh=ff006465a85cb54541341c264f419930d26ae172" target="_blank">Ray White Whitsunday</a> Sales Associate Brett Dwyer said he had been surprised by the increase in enquiry.  “It seems like anyone that has had the Whitsundays as their 'one-day' dream address has decided that now is the time to move, and the latest stimulus announcements have magnified this further,” Mr Dwyer said. <a href="https://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=V1I3c3ZNeXdEbDVDRmVndkZYMmJYT01wQzNoTU43Zk10SDRYRmRwZDB3RGsyVUtad1h5clQ5dktQcnFTbGtrSzU4SnR4UC82dmkzamRXZ3k3UXZtWHc9PQ==&amp;rh=ff006465a85cb54541341c264f419930d26ae172" target="_blank">Hidden Valley Whitsundays</a>, a new estate outside of Cannonvale may well be the epicentre of new interest, receiving over $1.3 million of land offers in May alone.  Hidden Valley Project Manager Brett Evans was less surprised that southern eyes were looking north for an escape.  “I lived in the Whitsundays for years but I live in the city right now and I can tell you where I’d rather be when things get crazy. We all felt the walls closing in down here,” Mr Evans said. “After a few weeks of empty grocery shelves and being outsmarted by grade one home-schooling, we were definitely ready to hook the boat up and head north.”  With ten lots in the first stage of Hidden Valley sold to local buyers, it seems it’s not just the southern city-dwellers feeling claustrophobic. Locals are also looking for the security that comes with a few extra acres.  “The prospect of a more self-sufficient lifestyle and the security that comes with a few extra acres seem to be really strong motivators, which is understandable,” Mr Dwyer said. “Who hasn’t found themselves in lockdown staring at the neighbours’ fences on either side and thinking that a little extra space, a veggie garden and a few chickens sounds pretty good?”  Senior Analyst for <a href="https://ecomms.raywhite.com/collect/click.aspx?u=V1I3c3ZNeXdEbDVDRmVndkZYMmJYT01wQzNoTU43Zk10SDRYRmRwZDB3QUdIb2k1M0RZNzZWNkdQbFYzNnBuVktEOWJQZHIzaGVjYjV4Q0UwUkRxV0h1V2RROEp6eDRSWUlxNlIzZzljZUFwR2FjbmR2TFdtUT09&amp;rh=ff006465a85cb54541341c264f419930d26ae172" target="_blank">Ray White Northern Corridor Group</a>, Ashley Rees, said supply of quality acreage land could soon become an unexpected issue in the region.  “When the pandemic began, stock levels were already 14 per cent lower than they were at the same time last year,” Mr Rees said. “Add the new pressure of buyers cashing out of a strong southern market, to this renewed local demand, and we may soon find buyers struggling to find quality options.  “The Whitsundays has always offered an unbeatable lifestyle, but has been hamstrung by the lack of diverse employment options.  “For many it seems, the newfound acceptance of remote working in a post-lockdown world may have removed the last great barrier to living in this tropical playground.”</body></html>

Whitsundays proving to be a post-COVID-19 hotspot

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COVID-19 has affected everything from our work life, social life and our home life, leading to many of us making changes across one or more of these areas. Specifically, some empty nesters have found themselves back to running a full house with young adult children choosing to move home because of the pandemic.  
TAXIBOX, a mobile self-storage company has revealed the top suburbs across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane requiring storage, with locations popular amongst younger demographics such as Surry Hills, Paddington, Glebe, St Kilda and Woolloomooloo entering the list for 2020. With the pandemic leading to rising unemployment and many Australians, especially those in Melbourne who are re-entering lockdown and feeling the pinch – data indicates that the younger demographics (across all three states) are in the greatest need for storage.  
With the average cost of rent for a unit over 863 per cent higher than renting a TAXIBOX, Millennials that decide to pack up and store their possessions to move back in with mum and dad have the opportunity to save on average over $2,000/month (for Sydney dwellers) and over $1,500/month (for Melbourne and Brisbane residents).
 So what suburbs across the three states are in most need of storage solutions and how has this changed from 2019? Below are the top five locations across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane according to TAXIBOX data.  
Sydney 
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Bondi – 2026
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Bondi – 2026
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Surry Hills/Darlinghurst – 2010
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Newtown – 2042
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Paddington – 2021
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Maroubra – 2035
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Glebe – 2037
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Marrickville -2204
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Woolloomooloo - 2011
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Randwick - 2031
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Melbourne 
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Richmond - 3121
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Brunswick - 3056
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Clifton Hill - 3068
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Prahran - 3181
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St Kilda - 3182 
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Clifton Hill - 3068
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Brunswick - 3056
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Northcote - 3070
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Prahran - 3181
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Richmond - 3121
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Brisbane 
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West End – 4101
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West End – 4101
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Carina - 4152
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Carina – 4152
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Alderley - 4051 
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New Farm – 4005
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Corinda – 4075
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Morningside – 4170
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Nundah – 4012
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Kallangur - 4503
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Millennials move home and turn to storage lockers

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A new report by ING reveals almost half (46 per cent) of Aussie millennial home buyers say COVID-19 has made home ownership more achievable and a third (32 per cent) say they’ll buy a home within the next one to two years.
According to the report, millennials say they have used lockdown to get on top of their property goals by redirecting travel budgets to a home savings account (59 per cent), taking on a side hustle (37 per cent), and moving back in with their parents (36 per cent).
In order to save and buy a house sooner, half (50 per cent) of all millennial home buyers say they would consider living on the city fringes and the outer suburbs (45km or more from the city), the report found. More than one in five (22 per cent) say they plan to buy a smaller property in a cheaper area and rent it out until they can afford their forever home, while one in 10 (9 per cent) say they would consider buying a property with a friend or family member to get on the ladder quicker.
What’s more, millennials seem to be using different tactics and making significant lifestyle sacrifices to save for their future home. Almost half (48 per cent) say they will limit their personal shopping, reduce dining out experiences (42 per cent) and recreational drinking (28 per cent), give up their gym membership (21 per cent), and date less (24 per cent).
ING’s Head of Home Loans, Julie-Anne Bosich says: “What this research suggests millennials and Australians in general haven’t given up on the great Australian dream of owning their own home, they’re just re-thinking how they go about getting there and re-evaluating where they might want to live.”
“It suggests many people, especially millennials are being savvy by taking advantage of record low interest rates, government assistance and a weakened housing market to get on the property ladder.”
“The ING Future Focus: Homeownership report gives an overview of how the pandemic has changed how Aussies feel about their homes and home ownership and offers practical, money saving design tips for those wanting to make better use of space.”
Key findings from Future Focus: Homeownership Report include: 
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<li>The Australian Dream revived and re-defined: most millennial Aussies are setting their sights on owning one home (75 per cent), over flipping houses (8 per cent) and buying an investment property (10 per cent).<img src="blob:https://www.urban.com.au/069ff86b-b910-4d98-a3e4-46b67035260d" alt="page1image5863472" width="17.280000" height="0.480000">
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The new home ‘essentials’: Millennials looking to buy are prioritising fast internet (40 per cent), an outdoor space like a balcony, garden or patio (37 per cent) and space to exercise (27 per cent). They’re also buying for comfort (32 per cent), stability/security (21 per cent) and protecting their future (15 per cent).
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The home turned ‘Lifestyle Hub’: Since lockdown, a quarter of Aussies (30 per cent) say they now see their home as a ‘lifestyle hub’ and despite public spaces now open, many plan to continue exercising (39 per cent), dining (30 per cent), socialising (29 per cent) and working (25 per cent) more frequently at home.
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Buying property with a partner: Millennials (60 per cent) are notably more likely than Gen Z (41 per cent) or Gen X (35 per cent) to enter the property market with a partner, however one in five millennials (22 per cent) plan on doing it alone.
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Millennials set to take advantage of COVID weakened housing market: ING

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A building company has been fined $90,000 for breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 after a worker suffered a fatal fall from scaffolding on a Lidcombe construction site.
Hadcon Constructions Pty Ltd was contracted to build a six-storey residential apartment at Lidcombe when the fatality occurred. Upon investigation, SafeWork NSW found the scaffolding had been altered since installation and was inadequately secured.
Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said his thoughts were with the worker’s family.
“This is a tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family. Incidents like this should not happen – everyone deserves to return home to their family at the end of the working day,” Mr Anderson said.
“When working from heights, safety measures and precautions must be strictly enforced, such as only allowing licensed scaffolders to erect, alter or dismantle scaffold.
“Far too often we see tradespeople who are not licensed scaffolders removing or altering parts of the scaffolding in the course of their work, compromising the integrity of the structure – this is how serious accidents can occur.”
The NSW Government recently launched the Speak Up, Save Lives app, which allows workers to anonymously submit dangerous activities on site directly to SafeWork NSW.
“The Speak Up, Save Lives App means workers can report issues before incidents occur. If you spot anything risky, play your part in protecting your own safety as well as that of your work mates by immediately reporting it to SafeWork.”
Following the NSW Government’s introduction of the strongest workplace legislation in the country earlier this month, anyone who puts workers’ lives at risk through unsafe work activities will receive heavy on-the-spot fines or potential jail time.
For more information on SafeWork’s operations and work health and safety advice, visitwww.safework.nsw.gov.au. Hadcon Constructions Pty Ltd has the right to appeal the decision.
Photo above: Scaffolding collapse at Macquarie Park last April/ <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-03/scaffolding-collapse-at-macquarie-park-1/10965318?nw=0" target="_blank">ABC</a>. 
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$90,000 fine for fatal scaffolding fall: NSW

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CBRE Hotels has reinforced its Capital Markets investment sales team with the appointment of former iPG Hotels director, Raymond Tran as director. 
Based in Sydney, Mr Tran brings over 23 years of experience in hotel operations, project management, asset management and investment sales working with a number of hotel brands including Minor Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Marriott International and Accor. 
CBRE Hotels Managing Director Michael Simpson said; “We are pleased to welcome Raymond to CBRE Hotels. He has an extensive track record and is well-known for his diverse experience and multi-faceted skill set.”
“Raymond is also regarded as the leading hotel market expert within the Asian real estate community in Australia.”
Mr Tran said; “I’ve been very fortunate throughout my experience to have a full view of the hotel industry working as a hotel operator, a broker and most recently on the ownership side.”
“I am very excited to be back working on the investment and brokerage side of the industry and thrilled to be part of the CBRE Hotels team,” he added. 
The CBRE Hotels team is the largest in the Pacific region, with representation in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.
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CBRE Hotels appoints Raymond Tran

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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