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Collinsville is the cheapest locality in Queensland to purchase a house, according to Investar’s latest report.
The property investment firm says that in the past year the median house price at Collinsville has fallen by 46% to $85,000.
This is followed by Dysart with $100,000 and Mount Morgan with $135,000.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Postcode
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Bedrooms
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Current median price
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Collinsville
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4804
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$85,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Dysart
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4745
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$100,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Mount Morgan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4714
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$135,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Charleville
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4470
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$150,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Manoora
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4870
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$159,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="106">
Moranbah
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
4744
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="106">
$165,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
A two bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-collinsville-113987479" target="_blank">19 Aberdeen Street</a> (above) is on sale for $75,000.
A two bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-collinsville-121458062" target="_blank">17 Gralton Street</a> (below) was sold for $55,000.
<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/2016/12/15/17%20Gralton%20Street.jpg" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Collinsville the cheapest locality in Queensland to purchase a house: Investar

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A riverfront home at Dalkeith has been sold, but for less than last time.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-dalkeith-123790410" target="_blank">131 Victoria Avenue</a>, the property has a commanding street presence.
It fetched $4.25 million. It traded in 2007 at $5.175 million.
The home has been renovated and extended by architect George Milankov featuring five hotel size bedrooms, 4 with ensuites, plus an extra 2 bathrooms and powder room along with a walk in robe for the master suite. All up almost 600 sqm of living space.
Other features includes a games room with a built in bar and billiard table, a gym with its own bathroom, an undercover alfresco with barbeque, fridge, pizza oven and heated salt water 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/2016/12/21/Dalkeith-2.jpg" alt="">
There is a garage spacious enough for two cars, two additional carports and onsite parking behind secure electronic gates and a fully monitored alarm system.
Prestigiously located in the riverside precinct with river glimpses it is directly opposite Bishops Reserve.
The property was offered by Space Real Estate agent Linda Sullivan.
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Riverfront Dalkeith home sold for $4.25 million

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Sydney houses had the highest property growth year-to-date for December 2016, according to CoreLogic's latest report.
The property data firm says that Sydney houses growth increased by 16.7%.
Melbourne houses came second with 15.1% while Hobart houses trailed behind with 11.7%
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Capital cities – Property type
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
2016 growth
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Sydney – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
16.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Melbourne – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
15.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Hobart – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
11.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Canberra - Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
9.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Sydney – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
9.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Hobart – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Darwin – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Canberra - Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Brisbane Gold Coast - Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
4.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Adelaide – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
4.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Brisbane – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
4.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Brisbane Gold Coast Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
2.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Melbourne – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
1.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Adelaide – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
1.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Darwin – Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
-0.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Brisbane – Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
-0.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Perth - Units
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
-3.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="161">
Perth- Houses
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
-4.4%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Perth sits at the bottom of the chart for both units and houses with a decline of growth by 3.2% and 4.4% respectively.
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Australia's best to worst property markets in 2016: CoreLogic

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The house from The Castle is set to be relocated to Corowa as a tourist attraction.
Federation Council has done a deal with the owner of the Strathmore, Melbourne home.
It is the one which appeared in the 1997 film about a family fighting an airport expansion town.
Corowa is located on the banks of the Murray River in New South Wales.
The shire’s administrator Mike Eden said the council’s economic development manager Greg Aplin had been liaising with the weatherboard house’s owner Vicki Cosentino.
“He’s been talking to the lady for a few months and they’ve come to a deal and we spoke to the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory and they’ve got a nice block of land to put it on,” Mr Eden told The Border Mail.
He expects the transaction will involve the council paying for the costs to shift the house to Corowa, suggesting it may involve $20,000.
Under the plan, the home would reportedly be used as a museum, accommodation and cafe.
Ms Cosentino has been keen for the house to be removed so she can build two townhouses on the block which adjoins Essendon airport.
Mr Eden said the idea of Corowa hosting The Castle home emerged from Melbourne comedy pioneer Peter Crofts.
Previously The Castle was unable to have heritage protection from the council.
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The Castle home set to be relocated to Corowa

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A beachfront bathing box at Mount Martha is listed for sale at $229,000.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+martha-123892518" target="_blank">125 South Beach</a> the offering is set on picturesque South Beach.
Originally established as boat sheds in the early 1900s on the shores of Port Phillip, it is in good condition for its age.
It is decked out with seagrass matting.
<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/2016/12/23/Mount%20Martha-2.jpg" alt="">
With changing area at the rear and large double doors for full frontal beach views from the shade, it is suitable for storage all year round for anything from chairs, tables to kayaks and other beach gear.
The Mount Martha village and Mount Martha lifesaving club is a short stroll away.
The property is offered by Abode Mount Martha agents Brad Boyd and Sandy McLay.
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Beachfront bathing box property at Mount Martha listed for sale

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This year has been full of surprises, both very large in terms of impact (Brexit) as well as very small in probability (Leicester City winning the EPL with 5000:1 odds) and a combination of both (Trump Presidency), according to Secret Agent’s latest bulletin.
Additionally, 2016 saw two interest rate cuts by the RBA, bringing official rates to 1.50%.
Given all the tumult, Melbourne property prices have remained fairly stable.
The following capital growth analysis of inner Melbourne houses, townhouses and apartments provides a breakdown of results by region.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%201Figure%206.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/2016/12/22/Table%201Figure%206.jpg" alt="">
“It uses Secret Agent’s resales index, which tracks the sales of identical property (i.e. no renovations, demolitions, or other activities that add or remove value from the market) over time,” the bulletin stated.
Secret Agent claims this makes the figures more accurate than simple median or average growth price changes, which can often be skewed by large property sales or a general change in the underlying quality.
Houses and townhouses have been on an upward trend since 2011.
They have surged from annualised growth of around 7% earlier this year to over 8% (when converting the quarterly growth to an annual value) in Q4 of 2016.
On average, all regions experienced similar capital growth over the year, between 7.33% in the inner south and up to 7.59% in the inner east.
Overall, inner Melbourne house and townhouse investments grew by 7.54%, beating the five-year average (2011-2015) of 6.32% by 101 basis points.
This is also well above the 2015 average annual growth across inner Melbourne of 6.98%.
The five-year average growth represents the average of all annual median capital growth between 2011 and 2015.
The inner north had a mixed 2016, with half the suburbs beating 2015 growth rates and two thirds improving on the average five-year growth rate.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%202.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/2016/12/22/Table%202.jpg" alt="">
The suburbs with the highest median growth in the inner north are Fitzroy and Fitzroy North, both at around 8% on an annual basis and well above the previous five-year trend of 6.47% and 7.16% respectively.
On the other hand, Collingwood (5.58%) and Carlton (5.43%) had the lowest capital growth over the year.
The inner south had an exceptional year in terms of capital growth, with suburbs growing at a faster pace than last year.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%203.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/2016/12/22/Table%203.jpg" alt="">
The exception was Albert Park, which remained at its 2015 annual growth rate of 6.17%.
Middle Park had the largest capital gains, growing at an annualised rate of 9.18%, over 2% higher than in 2015.
Port Melbourne and South Melbourne also had high capital growth rates of around 7% each.
The best performing region for houses and townhouses for 2016 was the inner east, where all suburbs except South Yarra had stronger annual growth than in 2015.
Only South Yarra and East Melbourne’s capital growth was slightly below the previous five-year average.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%204.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/2016/12/22/Table%204.jpg" alt="">
Cremorne topped the list with an impressive 10% capital growth.
There is often more variance in smaller suburbs so this may have pushed up capital growth slightly here.
Hawthorn, Prahran and Abbotsford follow at between 7-8% annualised growth each. Both Richmond and East Melbourne managed between 6-7% growth.
All four inner west suburbs increased on 2015 levels, although the results are less impressive when compared to the inner east and south.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%205.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/2016/12/22/Table%205.jpg" alt="">
While Travancore had the smallest annualised growth rate in 2016 (5.39%), it is above the 2015 rate by 170 basis points.
Overall, suburbs in the inner west managed to surpass 2015 growth rates by an average of 95.5 basis points.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Figure%207.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/2016/12/22/Figure%207.jpg" alt="">
On the other hand, capital growth for inner Melbourne apartments and units has been declining since Q2 2007, a trend that continued in 2016.
Apartments across inner Melbourne grew by 2.96% over the year, below the previous five-year average of 3.37% and the 2015 annual average of 3.03%.
For the first three quarters of 2016, capital growth remained at about the same level. All areas except the inner west experienced a downturn in the final quarter of the year.
Note that these final quarter results may change slightly as the year comes to an end.
Apartments in the inner city all experienced capital growth in 2016 that was below the previous five-year average.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%206.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/2016/12/22/Table%206.jpg" alt="">
However, Southbank and the CBD managed to improve on last year’s growth rates, showing a potential gain in momentum.
Docklands apartments were below their 2015 growth rate of 1.40% by 14 basis points.
In the inner north, only Clifton Hill (which also topped the list at 5.75% annualised growth), Fitzroy and Brunswick East managed to beat their 2015 capital growth, while Fitzroy North retained its previous annual growth of 4.53%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%207.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/2016/12/22/Table%207.jpg" alt="">
Brunswick apartments had the greatest drop in capital growth rates since last year, falling by 80 basis points, followed by Parkville, where growth slowed by 70 basis points.
Inner South apartments had a mixed 2016, with half of the suburbs growing at a faster pace than last year and the other half slowing down.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%208.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/2016/12/22/Table%208.jpg" alt="">
In Albert Park, apartments and units actually outperformed houses and townhouses by about 30 basis points.
South Melbourne apartments grew in value only slightly above inflation at 2.69%, down from 3.03% last year and 3.89% on average between 2011 and 2015.
Compared to other regions, apartments and units in the inner east performed relatively well.
Cremorne has topped both the house/townhouse and apartment growth lists, growing at an annual rate just below 6% in the latter.
All other suburbs except South Yarra (3.85%) and Prahran (2.50%) managed capital gains between 4-5%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%209.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/2016/12/22/Table%209.jpg" alt="">
The inner west had the smallest capital gains in 2016. Travancore, which in previous years had seen declining growth rates, was the only suburb which managed to surpass its five-year average growth.
No suburb had annual growth higher than 3%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/12/22/Table%2010.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/2016/12/22/Table%2010.jpg" alt="">
West Melbourne came closest at 2.86%.
Kensington was second on the list with 2.27%, a gain of 56 basis points over last year’s capital growth.
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The top Melbourne suburbs on the rise in 2016: Secret Agent

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A north facing deep-waterfront dream residence at Cottage Point has been sold for $4.5 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-cottage+point-119079235" target="_blank">46 Cowan Drive</a> it is one of only 52 private residences on the exclusive waterfront enclaves.
It last sold in 2006 at $3.6 million.
The CBD is only 45 minutes away.
Constructed around a natural feature rock, it has immense space, style and comfort.
There are five bedrooms, two with mezzanine lofts, a home office, large entertaining decks, formal dining and informal dining areas and a place to park a water vessel.
Entertainment has never been easier with a commercial size bar, spectacular chef’s Caesar stone benchtop kitchen with Meile appliances and a dining room with romantic views available.
<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/2016/12/21/Cottage%20Point-2.jpg" alt="">
A self-contained boathouse with two loft bed areas, gas kitchen and bathroom with shower are also included.
From street level there is a garage to fit five cars with internal access.
The property was offered by Charles and Stuart Real Estate agent Gavan Kohen.
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Deep-waterfront dream Cottage Point residence sold

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The trophy home marketed as the finest mansion in Minyama, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, was sold recently by the Juniper family at $6.25 million. 
It offers five spacious bedrooms all with en suites and private balconies.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-minyama-123908750" target="_blank">17 Minyama Island</a>, the 2000 square metre block comes with 50 metres of north facing deepwater frontage to the Main River.
Spanning two levels, it has vast galleries of glass, wrapped by private verandas.
There are lush, manicured gardens.
<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/2016/12/21/Minyama-2.jpg" alt="">
The kitchen and lounge open entirely onto the private, alfresco entertaining terrace overlooking the gardens and swimming pool and spa.
Other features include an executive office, home theatre, gymnasium, games room and parking for up to eight vehicles.
The property was offered by G1 Property agent Simon Guilfoyle.
There have been higher sales including two doors away that sold in 2007 at $6.6 million. There was a $6.9 million four doors away in 2005 too.
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Finest mansion in Minyama sold for $6.25 million

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They are back! A Macquarie Group executive is tipped to emerge as the $7.9 million buyer on Newport Beach sold by businesswoman and Yoga Aid International co-founder Eriko Kinoshita.
The home came with initial $11 million plus expectations through Glenn Lee and David Watson last year.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2016/12/23/Myola-1.jpg" alt="">
Designed by local architect Peter Stutchbury around 10 years ago, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-newport-120892005" target="_blank">home</a> is created by the fusing copper, bronze, timber, steel and concrete.
The international yoga expert replaced the family home on the 1,114 square metre property bought in 1992.
<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/2016/12/23/Myola-2.jpg" alt="">
Designed to maximise open plan living, the three bedroom home with lap pool is surrounded by award-winning Japanese gardens. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Telegraph.
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Macquarie Group executive tipped as Newport beach home buyer

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A Mount Pleasant luxury house has been sold for $5.5 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-mount+pleasant-121978106" target="_blank">6 Bateman Road</a>, the Perth property comes with more than 800 sqm of living space.
There are five bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms in the 2012-built offering.
There are multiple entertaining spaces with upstairs living designed to maximise the views.
The gym comes fully equipped and includes a sauna along with a gas-heated pool and spa.
<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/2016/12/21/Mount%20Pleasant-2.jpg" alt="">
There is a triple garage with additional carport and plenty of secure parking behind electronic gates that is monitored with a CCTV security system.
Other features include underfloor heating, touch control lighting, lifts for all floors and a spacious double level foyer.
The property was offered by Vitale Fine Properties agent Alastair Baird-Murray.
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Mount Pleasant, Perth luxury home sold

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."

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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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