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Advanced Choice Finance Pty Ltd (ACF), a former Melbourne based mortgage brokerage company, has been charged with one count of knowingly making a false statement in a credit licence annual compliance certificate lodged with ASIC.  Mr Ding Yang, director of ACF, has also been charged with aiding and abetting ACF in making the false statement.

ACF held an Australian credit licence and Mr Yang was the sole fit and proper person and responsible manager on the licence.

ASIC alleges that in or about July 2012 Mr Yang had his lender accreditation with the Bank of Melbourne terminated, and in April 2016 Mr Yang and ACF had their membership with aggregator Connective OSN Pty Ltd terminated. It is alleged that in January 2017 Mr Yang, on behalf of ACF, completed and lodged a credit licence annual compliance certificate with ASIC in which he falsely certified that none of ACF’s fit and proper people had their accreditation cancelled by a lender or their membership with an aggregator terminated.

The alleged offense pertains to section 225(3) of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009.

The cancellation of ACF’s credit licence was effective from 14 August 2019. Mr Yang’s banning is recorded on <a href="https://asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asics-registers/banned-and-disqualified/">ASIC’s Banned and Disqualified Persons Register</a>.

The matter has been adjourned to 3 February 2021 for pleas to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

 
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ASIC has charged Ding (Tim) Yang with one count of knowingly making a false statement in a credit licence annual compliance certificate lodged with ASIC.

urban.com.au

ASIC charges Ding (Tim) Yang, Victorian mortgage broker of the banned Advanced Choice Finance

Apartments.com.au, Australia's largest dedicated off-the-plan property marketplace, has announced the acquisition of the Property Observer website, and the subsequent merger of the two platforms, effective from Friday 11 December.

Property Observer was founded in 2011 by Jonathan Chancellor while at Eric Beecher’s Private Media (publisher of Crikey and Smart Company among others) and quickly established itself as Australia's #1 property investment news website. Chancellor acquired full ownership of the site in 2015.

Apartments.com.au (formerly Urban Melbourne) was founded by Mark Baljak and Alastair Taylor in 2013 as a property blog and online news portal.

After its acquisition in 2018 by tech entrepreneurs Mike Bird and George Glover, Apartments.com.au evolved to become a one-stop-shop for home-hunters seeking informed, independent content and information for off-the-plan apartment and townhouse projects and developers across Australia.

<figure>
<figcaption>George Glover and Mike Bird</figcaption>
</figure>

Today, Apartments.com.au houses information on over 10,000 developments including 2,500 active development listings across Australia, and is used by some of the country’s largest developers including OSK Property, Dahua Group &amp; Bensons Property Group.

<img alt="George Glover &amp; Michael Bird" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fdbb9ff4-2fae-4d58-ae46-ba1e51fdf3d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Michael%20Bird.png?VersionId=TSCsLQ.ftFYKA0Hl8hzYO7beWGxR55n4" />

The acquisition will add an estimated 200,000 unique monthly users to the Apartments.com.au platform and is expected to more than double the annual audience reach to approximately 4million, further cementing a formidable market-leading position for Apartments.com.au.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="867c154e-9c64-4b68-9400-c868d2abde60" href="/news/carsales-co-founder-invests-and-joins-urban-com-au-board?utm_source=portal"><img alt="Carsales co-founder invests and joins Apartments.com.au board" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-10-03%20at%204.17.56%20pm.png?VersionId=fKUNhSUfDgN6Yo7U1Ul90oedkYmUy6Fd" /></a>

“Our acquisition of Property Observer brings together a leading property news site with Australia’s largest dedicated off-the-plan property portal to further empower our audience with unique insights on the new development landscape, while delivering national editorial coverage of the off-the-plan market."

"Apartments.com.au is a place where home buyers can access centralised information about a project or developer not just while it’s on market but through the development life-cycle from planning and design through to construction and delivery, so they can be as informed as possible about their purchasing decision."

"The addition of the Property Observer news service, and the searchable back-catalogue of articles that will be available for our users, just adds another dimension to the portal and provides even more value for home buyers."&nbsp;

"What Jonathan and his team have created with their independent approach to Property Observer aligns with our values and we share Jonathan’s belief that transparency and education are the key ingredients to a successful property buying journey."

&nbsp;"Our vision for Apartments.com.au is to bring together not just property information, research and community discussion, but independent journalism and editorial coverage to deliver a place where home-buyers can be informed, educated and ultimately empowered to go further through the home-buying journey on their own terms,” said Apartments.com.au Chief Executive Officer Mike Bird.

The merger of the two websites will take effect later this week when Property Observer’s platform will be integrated with Apartments.com.au and Property Observer will become the news and editorial portal within Apartments.com.au, with Chancellor assuming the role of editor-in-chief.

Over 36,000 back catalogue articles from Property Observer will be transferred onto the site alongside 3,500 archival articles from Apartments.com.au as part of the sites’ amalgamation, providing a comprehensive and searchable editorial database for users.

Urban.com.au, Australia's largest dedicated off-the-plan property marketplace, has announced the acquisition of the Property Observer website, and the subsequent merger of the two platforms, effective from Friday 11 December.

Australia's largest dedicated off-the-plan property portal Urban.com.au announces the acquisition of online news website, Property Observer

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The combined capital cities are expected to see auction activity ramp up over the week, with a total of 2,593 properties set to go under the hammer, according to CoreLogic data. This week’s scheduled volumes are 24% higher than last week’s final figures which saw 2,085 auctions held. Plus this time last year, a higher 2,804 homes were taken to auction across the combined capitals.

There are over 1,000 homes set to be taken to auction across each of Australia’s two largest auction markets this week. Melbourne is expected to be the busier of the two with 1,153 properties scheduled for auction, an increase of 28% on last week. Sydney isn’t far behind with a total of 1,037 auctions scheduled to take place, an expected rise of almost 20%.

While activity across Melbourne has certainly bounced back from the lows seen throughout most of the second half of the year, volumes are still below 2019 levels with 1,405 homes taken to auction over the same week last year. Meanwhile one year ago in Sydney, volumes were lower at 875.

The remaining smaller markets are all expected to see a rise in activity over the week, with Brisbane set to be the busiest of the smaller cities with 147 auctions scheduled to take place. This is followed by Canberra (115), Adelaide (101), Perth (36) and Tasmania (4).

One example of a property headed to auction in Melbourne this weekend is an apartment at 705/547-551 Flinders Lane. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Docklands sits on the top floor of Morgan Place. It goes to auction with a guide of between $291,000 and $320,000.

The apartment sits near the Docklands project Melbourne Quarter at 628 Flinders Street, developed by Lendlease. The Fender Katsalidis-designed East Tower has 719 apartments, a mix of one and two bedrooms which are for sale starting from $458,000. 
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There are over 1,000 homes set to be taken to auction across each of Australia’s two largest auction markets this week.

Auction volumes up 20% or more across Melbourne and Sydney 

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Residences in the new Australia 108 apartment complex, the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere, have hit the market.

Located in Melbourne’s Southbank, the Australia 108 tower was designed by Fender Katsalidis and pays homage to the Australian flag with a rotated golden structure protruding from the building.

The 161 Cloud Residences are located between 210 metres and 319 metres above ground across the tower’s 72 through 100 floors, atop the building’s iconic Starburst feature. A collection of four limited edition Nova sub-penthouses are also on offer. Located on level 97 the three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartments span up to 200 sqm. They have price tags between $4,746,000 and $5,558,000.

The Cloud Residences also represent some of the most expensive residential apartments real estate in the nation, with prices between $1.9 million for a three bedroom and $25 million for the statement trophy 797 sqm penthouse, the most expensive apartment sold in Australia at the time of its sale in 2015.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cloud_living_room.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cloud_living_room.jpg?itok=ARb2IetD" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Cloud Residence Living Room</figcaption></figure>Prices for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment start from $470,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom starting from $630,000. The apartment's amenities include infinity pools, sauna and steam rooms, a private cinema and sophisticated dining and lounge rooms. Carr Design has curated the interiors of the units.

Australia 108 is located a three minute walk from the Crown Casino and entertainment complex and a seven minute walk to Flinders Street Station.

World Class Land, who developed the project, are also working on 30 Albert Street in Brisbane which is set to rise to over 270 metres.

Other projects by the developers include Melbourne’s Avant, located on 54 A’Beckett Street.
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Offerings include four limited sub-penthouses located on level 97 which starts from $4,746,000.

Apartments in Melbourne's Australia 108, the Southern Hemisphere's tallest residential tower, listed for sale

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Melbourne property developer, Beulah, has achieved 100% settlement success on its $50 million South Melbourne development, Habitus Townhomes, with the majority of the townhomes settling at the peak of the Melbourne lockdown.

The five-storey townhouse project at 10 Boundary Street, which had the support of the CBA and the Lieberman family's Monark Property Partners, comprises 25 townhomes priced from $1.35 million.

Melbourne’s strict lockdown resulted in a suite of new sales tactics, ranging from virtual viewings throughout the lockdown period to settlement discussions over Zoom.

Beulah Managing Director, Jiaheng Chan, said the settlement success is a testament to the quality of the development and the design’s appeal.

“Reaching 100% settlement is an achievement in itself, let alone during a state-wide lockdown where in person consultations were off the table," she said.

Habitus is marketed as "a step up from apartment living and the future for Melbourne’s burgeoning apartment market." 

The townhomes are designed as a vertical living unit with each floor dedicated to a different function.

A majority of the five-storey homes feature a home-office and garage level on the ground floor, a living space on the next level, with the remaining two floors encompassing a bathroom, bedrooms and an additional living space. Each home is topped off with a private rooftop terrace with a functional entertaining space (including an integrated BBQ) boasting views of the CBD skyline.

South Melbourne is also set to be the home of R. Iconic, the high-rise tower at 253-273 Normanby Road which is set to be completed at the end of 2022.

Urban recently toured the display suite of the 456 apartment development which has prices starting from $507,000.
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Melbourne property developer, Beulah, has achieved 100% settlement success on its $50 million South Melbourne development, Habitus Townhomes.

100% settlement success achieved for Beulah's South Melbourne Habitus Townhomes

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Plans to slash travel times for drivers and public transport commuters in Sydney’s north have taken a major step forward with the Beaches Link Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released today. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the mega-project will include twin tunnels under Middle Harbour with three lanes in each direction, allowing commuters to avoid peak hour congestion on the Spit Bridge, Military Road and the Roseville Bridge. 

“Beaches Link will transform the way people move to and from the Northern Beaches, bypassing 19 sets of traffic lights through The Spit, Mosman and Neutral Bay and help save up to 56 minutes between Dee Why and Sydney airport,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Residents in Neutral Bay, Mosman and Cremorne are set to benefit from the new tunnels, with less congestion and noise and traffic volumes expected to reduce by around a third along Spit Road.

<img alt="" height="1495" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/beaches_link_render_2.jpg" width="2000">

Ms Berejiklian says the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program is expected to support around 15,000 full-time jobs.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the project will integrate with new and existing public transport connections.

“There will be the opportunity for new express bus services to key centres including St Leonards, Macquarie Park, North Sydney and Sydney CBD, and direct access to North Sydney to interchange with the new Sydney Metro,” Mr Constance said.

“We’re also planning more than five kilometres of new cycle and pedestrian pathways, including links to the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct.

“This is the next stage of the consultation process, giving the community another opportunity to have its say.

<img alt="" height="1323" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/beaches_link_render_3.jpg" width="2000">

“Transport for NSW has adapted its community engagement in line with current health advice regarding COVID-19, and will be providing enhanced online engagement with virtual information sessions throughout January and February.

“We’ll also work closely with locals in Balgowlah, where we’ll be returning an area equivalent to around 90 per cent of the current open space to the community. Further consultation will be held with the community on open space in Balgowlah later in 2021.”

The tunnel will be up to 108 metres in depth (approximately 33 storeys) and include new connections on the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon, Warringah Freeway at Cammeray and direct access onto Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah and Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth.

The Wakehurst Parkway will be widened from one lane to two in each direction between Seaforth and Frenchs Forest.

<h2>Sydney properties selling now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21618]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7619]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758]
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The mega-project will include twin tunnels under Middle Harbour with three lanes in each direction.


Northern Beaches set to boom with Beaches Link announcement

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The penthouse apartment in BluePoint Property’s Palm Beach luxury development, 77 Jefferson, has sold for $3.8 million.

It marks the sell-out of the luxury Gold Coast development.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment spans across levels nine and 10 of the building.

Set over 464sqm, the residence offered floor-to-ceiling windows, private rooftop pool, integrated barbeque and sheltered dining for entertaining.

Designed by Bureau Proberts, 77 Jefferson offered 360 degree views of the ocean, hinterlands and Surfers Paradise in their full-floor residences.

<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/jefferson.jpeg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jefferson.jpeg?itok=YGSLuYQw" width="580"></a>

All car spaces secure on ground level with no basements required, with other amenities including a communal recreation area with kitchenette, cinema and washroom.

The landscaping was by Bryns Lardner.

The penthouse was the last opportunity to buy in the building with all eight offerings now sold following its construction by Hutchinson Builders.

Olindah Property Group’s James Meredith and Nicole Riley marketed the property which was originally listed with an asking price of $3.995 million.

Prices within the development ranged between $1.29 million and $2.47 million, which saw all the full-floor residences sold within three months of launch.

BluePoint is directed by Marcus Dore, who prior to founding the company with Geordie Whitcombe, held positions with national companies including Walker Corporation, Mirvac and Colliers International.

Whitcombe was previously a development manager for Woolworths Limited, and ran his own development and advisory business.

The group's prior projects include East Palm Beach and Sea Palm Beach.

<h2>Developments nearby</h2>

<h2>Palm Beach Residences</h2>

The Palm Beach Residences, designed by the award-winning BDA Architecture, are selling two and three bedroom apartments starting from $554,000.

Slated for completion in 2022, Palm Beach Residences, located between Burleigh Heads and the captivating Currumbin Point, responds beautifully to its coastal setting, inspired by waves, with undulating, organic forms found throughout the development.

Each home features expansive glazing to make the most of the panoramic ocean views of Burleigh Heads, Pacific Ocean, Currumbin, and Hinterland.

<img alt="" height="1344" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/palm_beach_residences.jpg" width="2000">

The development also includes an exceptional selection of resort-style amenities on-site including:

 - 18m resort pool

 - Beach shower

 - Sauna

 - Private dining 

 - Boardroom

 - BBQs &amp; Pizza oven

 - Sun lounges

 - Zen garden

 - Work-from-home facilities

 - Bicycle &amp; surfboard racks

 - Lounge and fireplace
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The penthouse apartment in BluePoint Property’s Palm Beach luxury development, 77 Jefferson, has been sold

Palm Beach penthouse sale marks sell-out of 77 Jefferson

<html><body>Consumers across Australia are seeing faster download speeds, as retail service providers now deliver on average more than 94 per cent of plan speed in the busy evening with some monitored services regularly achieving higher speeds than expected by consumers, according to a new ACCC report.

The eleventh Measuring Broadband Australia (MBA) report, published today, shows that in October retail service providers (RSPs) achieved between 84.8 and 98.5 per cent of maximum plan speed across all plans across busy hours (7-11pm).

More than half of monitored NBN services achieved download speeds exceeding the maximum speeds specified in the retail plan description when averaged across all hours of the day.

“Speeds in the October test period were the highest we have seen for all monitored RSPs since the start of the MBA program,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said.

Fibre to the node (FTTN) connections, however, are still performing considerably lower than other connection technologies. The results show that consumers on FTTN connections who are paying for high speed 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans received around 10 and 20 per cent lower speeds than the maximum plan speed respectively, at any given time.

Towards the beginning of the pandemic there were grave concerns, given the growing working from home sector and binge-watching by the recently unemployed apartment dwellers, that many companies would not meet the mark on their plan projections.</body></html>

An ACCC report released today revealed broadband speeds have reached record highs during pandemic.

Australian broadband speeds reach record highs during pandemic

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Almost a third (31%) of Australians are planning renovations in the next five years, with one in five (18%) already in the process or planning to complete within the next 12 months, according to the latest research from Westpac

On average, Australians plan to spend about $82,000 on renovations, with one in five (22%) planning to spend over $100,000. Mostly, renovators will fund their projects using their savings (73%).

Westpac found that the top reasons cited for renovating are because it’s more affordable than moving or buying a new house (27%), to adjust to changing home needs brought about by the pandemic (25%), and a desire to stay in the same area (24%). More than a quarter (28%) are renovating for reasons relating to the pandemic; one in ten (11%) are doing so to accommodate working from home more, and nearly one in five because they’ve had more time during the pandemic to think about home upgrades.

Two thirds (65%) of renovators also agree that COVID-19 restrictions have made them consider alterations to enhance them and their family’s living arrangements.

Half (51%) of renovators say they’ve been inspired by TV programs like The Block. With nine in ten (89%) agreeing renovations are good for increasing the value of their property, almost a quarter (23%) are undergoing renovations in preparation to sell in the future. Four in ten (43%) are also planning to either sell or rent out their home once restrictions have eased.

The most common renovations Australians plan to undertake are landscaping their backyard of garden (23%) or modernising a bathroom (21%) or kitchen (19%). A quarter (25%) plan to renovate outdoor areas like decking (13%) or entertaining space (12%).

<h2>STATE TRENDS</h2>

Homeowners in NSW/ACT (33%), West Australia (32%) and Victoria (30%) are most likely to be thinking about renovating in the next five years. Renovators in NSW and ACT are planning to spend the most on renovations ($93,427), while West Australians plan to spend the least ($41,458). Queenslanders (32%) are more than twice as likely to consider renovations important in preparation to sell than Victorians (15%) and South Australians (11%).

Victorians (16%) are twice as likely to be renovating to accommodate working from home more than those in New South Wales and ACT (8%). After extended time in lockdown, Victorians are also the most likely to be considering alterations that would make life at home for them and their family more comfortable because of restrictions (70%). Victorians have been the most inspired by programs like The Block to renovate of any state, the report found.
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According to the latest research from Westpac just under a third of Australian's are planning to renovate their home in the next 5 years.

31% of Australian's are planning a home renovation 

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Researchers from UNSW Sydney’s City Futures Research Centre and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have, in partnership with the Strata Community Association (NSW) have developed the 'Strata Rectification Guide.

The <a href="https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/defect-rectification/">online tool provides helpful information</a> for property owners and strata managers to navigate the process of identifying, documenting, reporting and rectifying building defects in strata schemes.

While the NSW Government has introduced a suite of reforms to the multi-billion-dollar apartment building sector in the aftermath of Opal Tower, the guide complements these changes by focusing on consumers already in buildings impacted by defects.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/strata.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="283" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/strata.png?itok=1AETkuUy" width="580"></a>
</figure>Strata Community Association (NSW) President Chris Duggan believes this guide could be a ‘game changer’.

“With the state’s reforms and the Building Commissioner reshaping construction quality, this guide complements the retrospective effort of the strata industry in educating managers and assists consumers to deal with the practical realities of defects,” he said.

Martin Loosemore, Professor of Construction Management at UTS, noted defects in apartment buildings have been a concern in NSW for many years and more will be affected in the future.

“Parts of the industry have been worried about building defects for some time before Opal Tower put it on the political map,” Prof. Loosemore said.

Though the particular focus of the guide is defects in common property such as hallways and courtyards, it also covers all levels of defects and their severity.

While the guide is most useful for current and potential strata apartment owners, renters could also find the guide beneficial for clarifying rights and responsibilities.
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Researchers from UNSW and UTS have developed the ‘Strata Defects Rectification Guide’ in partnership with Strata Community Association (NSW).

 New apartment defect rectification guide released for NSW strata owners and managers

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

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