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Rent.com.au has compiled a report based on property leasing data from the month of January.
It illustrates the shift in median rental property prices (both metro and regional), rental affordability (the median room price metric) and the luxury property measure, evaluating change in days on market for properties above $1,000/pw.
Metro Rents
The average metropolitan rent across Australia spiked up 2.38 per cent at $430/pw in January.
Canberra and Hobart metro areas were the only two states to record a decrease in median rent, while all but two of the remaining capitals saw an increase in the month.
An 8.24 per cent increase in asking median rents in Darwin was the sharpest rise across the country, contrasted by a similar decline in prices (7.89 per cent) in Hobart metro.
Darwin’s price rise to $460/pw makes the Northern Territory capital the second most expensive for house hunters.
Darwin sits just under Sydney in New South Wales, continuing its rank as the most expensive city for Australian renters; median rents stayed consistent at $550/pw in January.
Sydney’s asking rents are comparable to the country’s most affordable city in January, Adelaide ($350/pw).
Considering the rental affordability measure, price per room (PPR); Sydney also topped the ranking at $267/pw (up 2.56 per cent on December 2016).
Meanwhile Perth metro was the most affordable capital city for renters – a median price per room of $127/pw (up 1.33 per cent), putting Adelaide at a close second ($133/pw, up 1.92 per cent).
By looking at dwelling type, Sydney’s property makeup continued to skew towards apartments, comprising 69 per cent, while Perth’s property makeup in January was 75 per cent houses.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" valign="top" width="291">
Change in median rent and price per room as at 31 January 2017
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
LOCATIONS
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Median rent
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Monthly change
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
Price per room
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
Monthly change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Sydney metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$550/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
0%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$267
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.56%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Brisbane metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$420/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.44%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$167
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑4.67%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Melbourne metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$400/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.56%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$170
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑6.25%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Perth metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$360/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.86%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$127
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑1.33%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Adelaide metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$350/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.94%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$133
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑1.92%
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="102">
Canberra metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$450/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓2.17%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$197
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑3.51%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Darwin metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$460/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑8.24%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$167
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓1.96%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Hobart metro
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$350/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↓7.89%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
$163
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑8.33%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
Regionals (combined)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$340/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
0%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="99">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="102">
National
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
$430/pw
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
↑2.38%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="54">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="45">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Regional Rents
At a regional level, Tasmania and Western Australia were the only Australian states to record a decrease in median rent from December 2016 to January, down 1.89 per cent and 3.03 per cent respectively.
Median rents increased across the regions in the Northern Territory (up 9.76 per cent), South Australia (up 2 per cent) and Queensland (up 1.52 per cent).
Rents remained healthy in Australian Capital Territory ($450/pw), New South Wales ($380/pw) and Victoria ($280/pw), with no price changes recorded, consistent with records in December last year.
SA was once again the state with the cheapest regional rentals, with a median rent for the state of $255/pw (up 2 per cent).
Looking at dwelling type, regional houses in NT experienced the highest increase in median rent overall (up 8.89 per cent to $490/pw) and TAS houses up 9.09 per cent to $210/pw.
Conversely, the cost of regional houses in ACT dropped 6.09 per cent to $463/pw. WA, however, was the only state to record a decrease in the price of apartments, down 3.57 per cent to $270/pw.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Average metropolitan rental income sits at $430 a week for landlords

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Whitsundays has a balanced housing market, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property valuation firm says that Whitsundays has a tightening rental vacancy trend with a fair demand for new houses.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-13%20at%2010.59.37%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/02/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-13%20at%2010.59.37%20am.jpg" alt="">
This is supported by a steady trend of new houses being constructed as well as demand for new housing.
Whitsundays' housing market is starting to recover although new properties are almost never sold at prices that exceed their potential resale value.
A two bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-whitsundays-124269270" target="_blank">3264 Shute Harbour Road</a>, Whitsundays (above) is currently listed for $2,000,000.
A seven bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-whitsundays-121901782" target="_blank">383 Mandalay Road</a>, Whitsundays (below) is currently listed for sale.
<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/2017/02/14/383%20Mandalay%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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Whitsundays' housing market balanced: HTW

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The nascent Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh has listed her luxury Dover Heights home with $8 million hopes through McGrath Estate Agents.
The former Queensland model paid $1,975,000 in 2003 has apparantly been dubbed the "Property Princess" on the show which launches later this month.
<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/2017/02/16/Dover%20Height-1.jpg" alt="">
Architects Mackenzie Pronk designed <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/35-military-road-dover-heights-nsw-2030-2013375652" target="_blank">the six bedroom entertainer </a>with interiors from Make Creative's Antonia Pesenti.
The four level home now comes with a gym, cinema, heated plunge pool and a rooftop terrace. 
<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/2017/02/16/Dover%20Height-2.jpg" alt="">
Marsh has suggested she and husband John only want to live in the east. 
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Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh lists in Dover Heights

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A Chinese investor has bought a fully leased dental clinic at Moorabbin for $4.8 million on a 6 per cent yield, in a deal brokered by Savills' Clinton Baxter and Julian Heatherich.
The single level, <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-moorabbin-502166194" target="_blank">402 South Road</a> property comprises a fully refurbished building with a brand new state-of-the-art fit-out on a 647 sqm corner, Activity Centre zoned site.
It has two street frontages. 
Baxter said the property was sold with a 10-year lease with options to global healthcare group Bupa at a current net annual rental of $287,596.
He said the clinic had been operating for nearly 70 years over which time it had established a huge client base.
"The fact that the property was fully let to an international tenant on a long term lease and that the premises’ fit-out was state-of-the-art, made this a must consider for private investors and the result reflected that,’’ Baxter said.
Heatherich said demand for such investments was at an all-time high with the huge volume of investment sales over the last few years resulting in a diminishing number of opportunities.
The vendor was a local private investor.
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Chinese investor pays $4.8 million for Moorabbin clinic through Savills

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Melbourne’s CBD retail core has continued its overall downward trend recording a vacancy rate of just 3.3 percent in 2016 according to research from Savills.
Research from Savills found a moderate rise of 0.7 percent on the previous year’s figure but well below the 5.2 percent, five year average.
The survey of CBD Core &amp; Swanston Street Precinct found there were just 39 vacancies among the 1181 shops which are dominated by Clothing, Footwear &amp; Personal Accessories stores (492) and Cafes, Restaurants &amp; Takeaway Food Services (281).
The number of shops grew from 1132 to 1181 over the 12 months, largely due to the opening of St Collins Lane.
Notable debutants to CBD trading included Debenhams which will open its first Australian flagship store (4000 sqm) at St Collins Lane in September, joining  L'Agent, Kooples and Zadig &amp; Voltaire.
Meanwhile Sandro and Maje, Folli Follie and REISS, Coach, TAG Heuer and Furla have also opened up to trade at the refurbished city centre.
Elsewhere US based footwear retailer, Foot Locker, leased a prime 600 square metre Bourke Street Mall premises, Michael Hill Jewellers leased 69sqm on the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets.
Viva Hair leased 142sqm at 147-149 Russell Street, Connect Hearing leased 124sqm at Centrepoint, and  Sushi Hub continued its CBD expansion with a 26 Elizabeth Street lease (all Savills leases).
The data which paints a relatively positive picture of CBD retailing reflects growing CBD and worker populations,
This has driven a significant rise in service and hospitality based retail in recent years, as well as recent ABS data indicating growth in Victorian retail trade and a household move away from saving to spending.
ABS retail trade (seasonally adjusted) data revealed Victorian retail trade grew by 4.12 per cent in 2016, above the national average growth of 3.45 per cent.
Meanwhile the household savings ratio has been in +6 percent territory over the past year - its lowest level since the GFC - indicating households budgets have begun a shift away from saving to spending.
Monica Mondkar, Savills’ associate director research and consultancy, said Melbourne’s CBD core retail had weathered an apparent downturn in retailing surprisingly well given static wages growth and moderate levels of consumer confidence.
"Melbourne’s CBD has undoubtedly been a good performer in recent times with vacancy characteristic of periods of stronger economic growth and certainty," she said.
"But what may seem outwardly as anomalous growth has some key underpinnings that more than adequately explain its status.
"There has been an apartment boom in Melbourne over several years which has significantly increased CBD and environs residential populations,
"Meanwhile latterly a stronger office leasing market has also increased white collar employment and hence worker population, and of course a resurgence in student numbers has also been important.
"When you consider that the dominant CBD retail sectors are hospitality, food, and service sector related, it’s clear that population growth factors have been the key driver of CBD retail."
Ms Mondkar said the continued influx of high profile global fashion brands and the attraction of modern retail hubs was also attractive to both tourists and Melbourne’s suburban population.
"The number of new and refurbished retail precincts and the continuation of the influx of high profile global brands has no doubt accounted for a significant part of the increase in spending, attracting thousands of new shoppers to the CBD," she said.
"With the resident population alone expected to grow by 14 per cent by 2020 we are going to see the vacancy rate remain low over the medium term."
 
<table class="GridTable7ColorfulAccent1" style="width: 468px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
CBD Core Tenancy Mix 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       2012
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       2016
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
2017
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
5 year change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Cafes, Restaurants &amp; Takeaway Food Services
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       251
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         281
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
282
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   +12.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Clothing, Footwear &amp; Personal Accessory
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       420
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         466
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
492
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
+17.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Department Stores
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
          7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
             7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
       -
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Food 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         34
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
           48
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
48
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   +41.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Household Goods
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         58
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
           51
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
51
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   -12.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Services
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       130
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         141
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
151
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   +16.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Other
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
       102
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         108
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
112
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   +9.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Vacant 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         75
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
           29
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
39
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   -48%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="155">
Vacancy Factor
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
         7%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="86">
          2.6%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
3.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="63">
   -3.7%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Savills Research 
Ms Mondkar said the demographic change - which reflected a cultural shift with Melburnians, once wedded firmly to the suburban quarter acre block.
"It is now showing a definite penchant for inner-city apartments, fashion, education sector growth and tourism would continue to bolster the coffers of CBD retailers," she said.
"Apartment living is a development which is here to stay and that will continue to be a key driver in the make-up of CBD retail.
"At the same time Melbourne remains the fashion capital and is also firmly on the radar with tourist shoppers and students and those factors will continue to drive the CBD market for the foreseeable future.".   
The survey found little movement in rents which now range between $1500 a square metre, for CBD shopping centre space, to circa $11,000 a square metre for prime space on Bourke Street Mall.  
<table class="GridTable7ColorfulAccent1" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="220">
CBD Retail Rents (Gross $sqm) 
Shop sizes: 50 -150 sqm
</td>
<td valign="top" width="92">
       Low 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="156">
      High
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="220">
Laneways/Arcades
</td>
<td valign="top" width="92">
       1800
</td>
<td valign="top" width="156">
       3500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="220">
CBD Shopping Centres
</td>
<td valign="top" width="92">
       1500
</td>
<td valign="top" width="156">
       3000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="220">
 CBD core retail shopfronts  
(excluding Bourke St Mall)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="92">
       3000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="156">
       6000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="220">
Bourke St Mall
</td>
<td valign="top" width="92">
       9000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="156">
       11,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Savills Research Two levels, numbers seven and nine, are currently up for lease through Savills on the south eastern corner of Queen and Collins Streets in <a href="https://commercialpropertysearch.savills.com.au/7cb45e7e-52c7-e611-80c4-005056816dfc/Lease/Melbourne/379-Collins-Street" target="_blank">379 Collins Street</a> (pictured above).
A combined total area of 2954.10sqm is available at a cost of $116.00 per sqm per annum.
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Retail vacancies down 37 percent on post GFC high

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The latest research from Melbourne Cityscope shows that commercial property sales in the CBD have risen in both number and total sales value, according to CoreLogic’s Cityscope.
The property data firm says that for the three months to December 2016 there were 81 sales for a total of $1.170 billion.
For the quarter to September 2016, there were 75 sales at a total value of $1.05 billion, compared to 64 sales at a total value of $504.6 million for the previous quarter.
The yearly figures have fallen considerably, however, with 297 sales at a total value of $3.525 billion for the twelve months to December 2016, compared to 336 sales at a total value of $5.905 billion for the previous year.
The table below shows sales recorded for the past eight updates of Melbourne Cityscope:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/25/Melbourne-1.jpeg">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/25/Melbourne-1.jpeg" alt="">
Notable sales listed in the December 2016 update of Melbourne Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>376 -390 Collins Street, Melbourne, the 34-storey ANZ World Headquarters including three historic buildings with a building area of 30,000 sqm total was bought for $274.5 million through CBRE Melbourne and Knight Frank Melbourne;</li>
<li>St Collins Lane, at 260 Collins Street, Melbourne, a boutique retail precinct of four levels of retail space with over 60 stores, which was bought for $247 million through JLL Melbourne and</li>
<li>114 William Street, Melbourne, an office building of 23 storeys, two basements (with a 106-space car park) and a paved pedestrian plaza, which was bought for $161.5 million through Colliers International Melbourne.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/25/Melbourne-2.jpeg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/25/Melbourne-2.jpeg" alt="">
Properties listed as being for sale in the December 2016 update of Melbourne Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>Askew House, 364-372 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, a six-storey concrete office building with three ground-floor showrooms, built 1937 and available through Colliers International and Hocking Stuart Commercial;</li>
<li>Bourke House, 179 Bourke Street, Melbourne, a six-storey concrete building with five street-level shops available through Gross Waddell and CBRE Melbourne and</li>
<li>9-27 Downie Street, Melbourne, a two-storey brick building consisting of first-floor offices above five double garages, available through Colliers International.</li>
</ul>
Leasing opportunities listed in December 2016 update of Melbourne Cityscope include:
<ul>
<li>440 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, an 11-storey office building with five showrooms to Elizabeth Street, which has office space of 1,047 to 2,711 sqm for lease through Teska Carson;</li>
<li>333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, an 18-storey building with a 705-space car park, which has office space of up to 6,003 sqm for lease through Colliers International; and</li>
<li>15W, at 15 William Street, Melbourne, an A-grade 20-level office building with a two-storey retail and car park extension for 300 car spaces, which has office space of 490 to 12,000 sqm for lease through CBRE Melbourne and JLL Melbourne.</li>
</ul>
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Melbourne commercial sales rises in both listings and sales value: Cityscope

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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and wife Kirilly have paid $760,000 for a commercial investment property in Townsville.
He's bought three retails spaces in <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-qld-wulguru-501840974" target="_blank">Edison Plaza</a>, a retail shopping centre in Wulguru.
He's sought tenants for all three spaces.
The property came with $1.1 million price hopes and had been on the market for over 500 days.
<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/2017/02/14/Peter1.jpg" alt="" width="514" height="228">
Elders Real Estate Townsville agent Glenm Adair sold the property.
The investment property takes his total portfolio up to five rental properties.
The most notable is the four bedder at Queensland's Palm Beach that cost the couple $2.3 million early last year.
They have two properties in the Sunshine State and another in Canberra. They live at Camp Mountain, north-west of Brisbane.
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Immigration Minister Peter Dutton buys Townsville retail investment property

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Property developer Villa World has noted profitable half-year financial results, pushing an upgrade to their full-year guidance.
Full year guidance has been amended to an after tax profit of $37.5 million, showing growth of 11 percent over FY16 ($33.7 million).
Half-year statutory net profit after tax was noted at $19.6 million (17.4 cps), compared to a net profit after tax of $20.4 million (18.5 cps) for the half year to 31 December 2015.
Villa World gave half-year guidance in the range of $19.5 - 21.4 million, released on 6 December 2016, with sales of Victorian land and housing projects carried forward into 2H17.
Craig Treasure, Villa World managing director and chief executive officer said Villa World was primed for a strong end-of-year result, off the back of a 35 percent increase in half-year sales (1H17: 673 sales; 1H16: 497) and around $192 million in carried forward sales contracts.
"Around 86 percent of those contracts (479 lots valued at $161 million) are expected to settle in 2H17, with the balance settling in FY18," he said.
"The Board anticipates paying total dividends of 18.5 cents per share fully franked in FY17, representing a yield of 7.7 percent.
"Villa World was well placed to outstrip its FY16 sales performance and achieve at least 1,185 sales.
“The strength of the Queensland housing market, particularly in the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor and similar growth corridors around Melbourne and Sydney, is continuing to reap excellent results for Villa World.
"Queensland dominated the Company’s revenue gains, contributing 84 percent this half-year (1H16: 86 percent)."
"House and land products represent 66 percent of revenue (1H16: 76%).
“We continue to focus heavily on our core, being the retail market comprising owner occupiers including first home buyers, as well as builders and predominantly local investors.
“These market segments are holding up very well leading us to anticipate steady growth in both sales volumes and price point as we look ahead to the remainder of FY17 and into FY18.
We are looking forward to releasing new flagship projects at Killara, in Logan, and Arundel Springs, on the Gold Coast, and expect strong market conditions will continue to drive sales.”
He said Villa World would continue to consolidate its growth base in Queensland as well as diversify its profile across Victoria and New South Wales.
“We are continuing to replenish land stock through strategic purchases in proven growth corridors and take advantage of opportunities to diversify our geographic footprint along the east coast,” he said.
In the half year to 31 December 2016, Villa World acquired 1,496 lots for a total portfolio of 6,386 lots.
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Villa World eyes Logan and Gold Coast to stoke further house and land sales revenue growth

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ASIC has cancelled the Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence of Sovereign MF Ltd (in liquidation) ACN 104 964 555 (Sovereign).
Sovereign is the responsible entity for The Sovereign Tarneit Land Fund and The Sovereign Aged Care Property Fund (the Schemes).
Sovereign was placed into liquidation on 24 May 2013 following a creditors' resolution on the basis that Sovereign was insolvent.
The liquidators are currently engaged in the final stages of winding up the Schemes.
The wind up has involved completing the residential development of the Westbourne Fields Estate in outer Melbourne and the realisation of all lots within the development.　
The cancellation is subject to a specification under section 915H of the Corporations Act that the AFS licence continues in effect as though the cancellation had not happened for a period of 24 months to allow the liquidators to provide financial services that are reasonably necessary or incidental to the winding up of the Schemes.
A period of 24 months is necessary to allow the liquidators to pay a number of bonds and retentions to statutory bodies which do not expire for another 18 months.
The AFS licence was cancelled on 8 February 2017.
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ASIC cancels the AFS licence of Sovereign Tarneit Land Fund

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A four bedroom home at Mount Dandenong has been listed for sale for $850,000.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+dandenong-123976786" target="_blank">217 Ridge Road,</a> the Oakridge has views of the gardens from all windows delivering the complete indoor-outdoor feeling.
The current floor plan includes a fireside sitting room, which is adjacent to the kitchen/meals on one side and the dining room on the other.
The country style kitchen features a Belling upright cooker alongside a gas log fire and cosy breakfast nook as well as marble benchtops and bespoke cabinetry.
The formal entry provides direct access to the feature timber staircase and large reception area/library, which leads to two large bedrooms, a bathroom and sitting room.
<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/2017/01/22/217%20Ridge%20Road-2.jpg" alt="">
A lounge/rumpus room is upstairs and features an elevated sunny chill out area along with two more bedrooms, another bathroom and study.
Other features include double carport, classic working hand pup, brick veneer and abundant tank water for 80,000 litres.
A range of services such as transport options, cafes, restaurants and walking trails are within easy walking distance.
The property is offered through Bell Real Estate agents Ryan Bell and Ryan Bell.
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Mount Dandenong trophy home, the Oakridge, listed for sale

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

Joel Robinson

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8K0Bozug7A?si=Puwc6vx_ZO0qQZF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357510]

While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=336455]

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370263]

The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367468]

Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367810]

The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367796]

AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370253]

As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Staff reporter

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