<html><body>
A Sydney-based air conditioning installation and servicing company has collapsed, with millions of dollars of debt accumulated following the failure of the now collapsed builder Reed Construction.
Advanced AirCon offers premium air conditioning system solutions to the residential and commercial market and it represents brands such as Actron, Mitsubishi and Panasonic.
The business, which provides services including design, sales, installation, commissioning and servicing, ran into trouble when Reed Construction collapsed in mid-2012 with debts on $182.1 million.
When <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/construction-and-engineering/050237-reed-constructions-goes-under-leaving-500-small-businesses-looking-down-the-gun-barrel-of-liquidation-2">Reed Construction collapsed</a>, Brian Parker from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said up to 500 Australian small businesses working as subcontractors were "looking down the gun barrel of falling into liquidation".
"We have a substantial amount of workers with these subcontractors who will be put on the dole queues," Parker said.
In July 2012, it was revealed trade creditors and subcontractors were owed $78.7 million.
David Iannuzzi and Murray Godfrey from RMG Partners Business Solutions were appointed as administrators to Advanced AirCon last week, with Godfrey saying the business encountered cashflow problems, partly as a result of Reed Construction's collapse.
"It's also had difficulties with securing funding from banks and other construction companies. The business has been caught between a rock and a hard place.
"It's been battling paying taxes for some time and the Australian Taxation Office became quite insistent about being paid," Godfrey says.
RMG Partners Business Solutions insolvency manager Adam Lysle said the total amount of debt is yet to be determined; however, early investigations have revealed creditors are owed a couple of million dollars, "depending on how the tax office qualify the final debt".
"There are some unlodged returns out there the Tax Office still needs to consider.
"There are other creditors, although the Tax Office has been the most aggressive," Lysle says.
In March, a winding up application for Advanced AirCon was filed in the New South Wales Federal Court by the NSW Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer (trading as NSW WorkCover Scheme).
Advanced AirCon later met the requirements of NSW WorkCover and it dropped the order, but it was quickly picked up by the ATO.
In April, the deputy commissioner of taxation became the "substituted plaintiff", taking over the winding up order.
Lysle says Advanced AirCon has been "belted over the head" by the ATO.
At this stage there are 30 employees with Advanced AirCon and these employees will be retained for the "foreseeable future", but the directors will be seeking new work.
Godfrey says the administrators are looking to establish licence agreements which will allow most of the contracts to be completed and retention money recovered with the completion of the projects.
"We've spoken with the head contractors and they have been positive to date. The main issue is with getting subcontractors and employees paid.
"The interesting situation is there are no secured creditors and no major banks involved. There are some smaller suppliers and they have provided support for the process moving forward," Godfrey says.
The first meeting of creditors is set to be held on June 27 and Godfrey says creditors will be updated further at this meeting.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

yredrup-o4Anfe78KF

Air-conditioning company collapses in latest fallout from Reed Construction folding

<html><body>
The Australian construction market is the most adversarial in the world, with high costs placing Sydney as one of the five most expensive cities in the world to build commercial, multi-unit high rises and hotels.
In global firm AECOM's annual collection of data from more than 10,000 construction projects around the world, Sydney ranked in the top five most expensive cities for each category of development because of market conditions, including high labour costs.
The results found innovation and collaborative delivery on construction projects is needed to reduce costs and make construction more affordable.
The report also suggested the residential property market, which has recently been improving across Australia, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney, could "take up the slack" felt in the economy with the end of the resources boom.
The recovery of the housing market has been particularly evident in the apartment sector, with the report finding the rate of approvals for apartments is "well above its 20-year average".
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Sydney among world's most expensive cities for construction costs

<html><body>
A 116-year-old Queensland golf course which, at its financial height turned over $20 million a year, has collapsed, with the business and premises now up for sale.
The Ipswich Golf Club was founded in 1897 by a group of local residents and was the first golf club in the area.
The 18-hole golf course was recently redesigned by Australian golfing champion Wayne Grady.
On April 19, 2013 the club went into administration, with Peter Lucas from PA Lucas and Co appointed as the administrator.
The firm is now calling for expressions of interest for the club, with an advertisement placed in today’s Australian Financial Review.
Assets of the business include club freehold ownership of golf course land and buildings, 58 electronic gaming machines, large clubhouse facilities including bistro, catering and function rooms, 400 golf members and full onsite green keeping staff and equipment.
The long-established golf club has gone through a number of changes in its history and in 2007 was considered a “community centre, open every day and evening”.
In the 1980s the club made the majority of its turnover through its drink sales at the bar but throughout the mid-1980s and early 1990s it struggled to make a profit.
In 1992 the club made an operating loss of $19,295 due to “costs associated with the drought” and “a significant capital debt”, according to the club’s website. Later that year the club introduced gaming machines and 1993, the club made an operating profit for the first time in seven years.
By 2007 the golf club generated a turnover of $20 million.
In a description of the club’s history on its website, Ipswich Golf Club says most of the $20 million in turnover was returned to the customers through the poker machines, but it was also making a cash turnover of $5 million per year.
Australian Golf Industry Association figures released in May indicate the amount of golf being played by Australians this financial year is rising, up by 5.8% in the first ten months of the financial year.
Despite these figures, the latest IBISWorld report into sports and recreation facilities operation in Australia found golf’s popularity has declined substantially since 2002.
The report found interest in the sport was at its lowest in a decade and the lack of interest was attributed to no significant international tournaments being played in Australia.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Ipswich golf club with Wayne Grady-designed course put into administration and up for sale

<html><body>
American bulk-goods chain Costco has received the green light to go ahead with the opening of its first Queensland store, as the company prepares for further <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/054635-costco-confirms-australian-expansion-as-big-box-retail-continues-to-thrive-2">expansion around Australia</a>.

The Queensland government yesterday approved the multi-million dollar Costco development at North Lakes, despite resistance from shopping centre rival Westfield.
The decision follows a report commissioned by the state government into the retailer.
The Australian reported this morning the report by consultancy Foresight Partners found only 40% of Costco’s range was carried by major supermarkets and even less by smaller convenience stores, indicating it would not threaten the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/an-independent-report-has-supported-the-expansion-of-retail-giant-costco-into-queensland/story-e6frg6n6-1226631879906" rel="nofollow">existence of small grocers</a>.
Foresight Partners was contacted for comment this morning, but no reply was received prior to publication.
Costco Australia managing director Patrick Noone said the construction of the centre would create about 350 local retail jobs and 160 construction jobs.
“Costco will bring a new element of competition and retail to the market. We’re also a trade player, so we’ll bring a new level of competition for small business and restaurants too,” Noone says.
Queensland deputy premier and minister for state development Jeff Seeney signed off on the development and said in a statement he’d considered the proposal carefully.
“I did not rush this decision, and I took the time necessary to make sure I was making the right decision for the community and the state.”
“The development will provide new business opportunities in the north Brisbane-Moreton Bay regions and contribute to growing and stimulating the construction industry,” he says.
Seeney said he believes Costco will be good for Queensland.
“I formed the view that this development contributes to the future economic well-being of Queensland, in particular the fast growing south-east region,” he says.
“We need to ensure that applications such as this do not get bogged down in protracted legal proceedings.”
Noone says while development is a bonus for Queensland shoppers, he understands Westfield’s opposition to the store opening.
“Everyone has a right to question the planning laws, it’s just something we work through with the local authorities, and it’s part of the democratic process which we’re happy to be a part of,” he says.
Chief executive of the Retail Doctor Group Brian Walker said Australian consumers have been very supportive of Costco’s arrival.
“Costco perform extremely well in our country. The Melbourne store was one of the best openings in its history worldwide. They’re really the next generation of supermarket. We can expect 15-20 stores in the next five years,” he says.
Walker says current economic conditions have influenced Australians appetite for Costco, especially as it operates on a membership-fee basis.
“A cautious consumer is focused on value. Consumers are currently migrating to Costco and what they do well is there is including an element of the surprise, a super bargain.”
Costco first opened in Australia in 2009 with its Melbourne store. Later this year stores are also opening in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood and another in Sydney.
Noone says the discount grocer is also looking to open a store in Adelaide.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

US bulk-goods chain Costco plans to open in Queensland next year

<html><body>
New Zealand merino wool adventure-wear brand Icebreaker opened its first Australian store last night in Melbourne’s Chadstone shopping centre.
While it’s the first Australian store for the brand, it entered the Australian market in 1999 through a distributor and in 2003 established its own brand here and has since been stocked in 210 retail stockists.
The opening of an Australian brand comes as brands such as North Face, Kathmandu and Rebel have continued to enjoy strong success even during tough times for retailers.
But founder James Moon says businesses should rethink the way they view physical stores – and start offering a “deeper range” of products, but with fewer brands.
“To compete, stores need to be offer a deeper range of products, but fewer brands so they can be seen as experts. They must also be competing on customer service. But, they can use their customer data-base established in-store to grow the online business,” he says.
“Consumer expectations have been reset. That’s a fact of life. But success depends upon the core principles of the business and the quality of the product you create. The more unique the product is you create, the less likely you are to have to discount.”
It took three years for Icebreaker to make its first profit of NZ$800, but now the store is turning over more than $NZ200 million.
Moon says Icebreaker intends to expand further in Australia by increasing its investment here.
“We will be growing the wholesale and the online business here and really trying to get all of the channels to integrate around making it more fun and easy for Australian customers to explore Icebreaker.
“It’s a really important long-term pathway for us,” he says.
Icebreaker first entered the Australian market through a distributor. Chief executive of the Retail Doctor Group, Brian Walker, says the business established a presence in the country first without the risk of a bricks-and-mortar investment.
“By going through a distributor, you get to understand the local market without having to go through the logistical challenges. Without opening in the market, you get to see what sells and what doesn’t; what consumers like and don’t like.”
However, while going through a distributor helps you to research a new market, Walker says there are disadvantages to doing so.
“Going through a distributor tends to adds costs and reduces margins typically,” he says.
“There has become a real question mark over time as to the role of distributors. Now, brands could just offer their products online into the Australian market and this would give the same benefits of consumer research and data,” he says.
Walker expects Icebreaker’s expansion in Australia will be successful, but it’ll face “pretty strong competition”.
“North Face, Kathmandu, Rebel and enthusiast stores like Paddy Palin have all done good business in that outdoor adventure-wear, so there is certainly customers who really enjoy this, there is a demand for these products,” he says.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

NZ adventure brand Icebreaker launches first Australian store in Melbourne's Chadstone

<html><body>
Bankruptcies are at their lowest level in 17 years, new quarterly figures reveal, but rather than signalling improving economic conditions, experts believe it's become harder for businesses to chase debtors.

The numbers released yesterday by the Insolvency and Trustee Service of Australia indicated the national number of new bankruptcies fell 13.9% to 4774 – the lowest number for the quarter since March 1996.
Total personal insolvencies also declined by 11.11% to 7214 compared with this time last year. The largest decline of personal insolvencies was in Tasmania, where 17.96% fewer people declared insolvency.
Insolvency experts offered varying opinions why the insolvency figures were reduced, with some believing the increase in court filing fees for creditors makes chasing debtors too expensive, and others believing the process of tracking down an individual person is too difficult.
Business recovery and insolvency lawyer with Lawler Draper and Dillon, Hugh Milne, said some lawyers are now recommending some creditors not pursue debtors because of the high court costs.
"I spoke to some other lawyers recently and there has been an increase in fees to wind up a company, which is proving to be an issue. People are now thinking twice about going to the next stage of the process," he says.
The <a href="https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/forms-and-fees/court-fees/fees" rel="nofollow">cost of Federal Court filing fees</a> increased from $1983 to $4375 for listed companies on January 1 this year.
McKean Park Lawyers insolvency lawyer David Brett said the process of chasing debtors has become more expensive, but said businesses also find it a challenge to locate individual debtors.
"The costs in the courts have increased, but not outrageously so. It's just getting harder and harder to track down individual debtors."
"You ring up an estate agent trying to find a forwarding address and you're unlikely to get it because people are afraid they're going to be sued," he says.
Brett says there is also a distinction between chasing a company and an individual over debts.
"You have to differentiate between a personal debtor and a company. In relation to an individual, there are a few more processes you need to go through and this makes the process quite costly.
"With a person, before you can start chasing them for debts you have to get a court order; whereas to wind up a company there just needs to be a debt of $2000."
"With a person, it needs to be a debt of $5000 and you need a court order," he says.
"I spoke to some other lawyers recently and there has been an increase in fees to wind up a company, which is proving to be an issue. People are now thinking twice about going to the next stage of the process," he says.
The <a href="https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/forms-and-fees/court-fees/fees" rel="nofollow">cost of Federal Court filing fees</a> increased from $1983 to $4375 for listed companies on January 1 this year.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Bankruptcies down to 1996 levels: Insolvency and Trustee Service of Australia 

<html><body>
The Westpac Index of Consumer Sentiment dropped by 5.1% in April, despite rises over the past two months and some recent positive economic news.
The move is a surprise, considering the <a href="/news">Reserve Bank decided to keep interest rates on hold at 3%</a> during last week’s meeting.
Over the previous two months consumer sentiment had risen by 9.9% and while economists believed sentiment the momentum would have slowed, a fall of this nature wasn’t expected.
Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan said there had previously been signs of a cyclical recovery in consumer sentiment.
“The drop of 5.1% was quite surprising. Economic factors such as retail sales and job numbers in the past month had been positive and there was also just a slightly better vibe,” he said.
“Clearly there were also negatives, but given how things were tracking in sectors like the property market, we didn’t think we’d see such a decline.”
Hassan said the result shows “consumers are fragile” and the ongoing recovery is “shaky”.
“There has been more speculation about the potential for interest rates to rise, if this is the case it indicates sentiment is influenced by interest rates, which is something the Reserve Bank should be aware of,” he says.
All five sub-indexes were also down. The outlook for family finances over the next year fell 0.2%, while the outlook for economic conditions over the next 12 months dropped 4.5%.
The outlook for conditions over the next five years dropped 8.3%.
The largest decreases in consumer sentiment were from households earning an income of between $40,000 and $60,000 and from those who are renting a property.
Consumer sentiment among people earning between $40,000 and $60,000 dropped by 17.3% this month. This income bracket is the only one to have recorded an overall decline in sentiment since this time last year.
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said in a statement consumers could be concerned over a potential rise in interest rates, with the index tracking views on ‘time to buy a dwelling’ down 11.4%.
“Rising house prices can have a mixed impact on assessments on 'time to buy' with the potential for capital gains acting as a positive, but reduced affordability for potential first home buyers acting as a negative.”
“However, the sharp decline in April may be further evidence around the fragility of the consumer and its nervousness around any suggestions of rising interest rates,” Evans says.
The RBA is due to meet on May 7 and Evans does not expect there will be a change in interest rates – but there may be a move later this year.
“The Board retains an easing bias but the tone of various communications from the Board suggests it is comfortable to remain on hold. Westpac is forecasting that growth in the Australian economy in both 2013 and 2014 will be around 2.5%, well below potential of around 3.25%.
“With inflation firmly under control that suggests that there is a need for the economy to get more stimulus. Accordingly, we expect that rates will come down further in 2013,” Evans says.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Westpac index records 5.1% drop in consumer sentiment

<html><body>
A regional family-owned construction company in New South Wales responsible for redeveloping regional hospitals across Australia has collapsed, placing 180 jobs at risk.
On Monday afternoon, National Buildplan temporarily ceased work on its projects as administrators Martin Green and Peter Krejci of insolvency firm BRI Ferrier were appointed.
Initial investigations by the administrators have revealed many of the company's 50 active projects have been unprofitable, with four major projects taken on by National Buildplan resulting in substantial financial losses for the company.
A statement on National Buildplan's website says the company was placed in administration after "recent strategies to restructure the company and secure additional funding" were unsuccessful.
In an interview with ABC Radio yesterday, Krejci said the losses from the unprofitable projects are in the millions.
Krejci also said the company, which originally started in the regional New South Wales town of <a href="/news">Armidale</a>, employs 180 people and so far 110 jobs will be lost.
He said 70 employees will stay on to "ensure we maximise the value we get for those contracts" already in existence.
He said the unprofitable projects caused the firm to seek extra funding from its bank, but the bank decided not to extend the funding.
In November last year, National Buildplan and Watpac Construction secured a $65 million contract to expand the <a href="/news">Port Macquarie</a> Base Hospital.
The company also won an $8 million contract for works on the <a href="/news">Dubbo</a> Base Hospital and has a variety of other projects across regional New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland.
There have also been reports of the company owing sub-contractors thousands of dollars. Krejci said sub-contractors in government projects will likely receive their money.
"The good news for a lot of the sub-contractors are those contracts would need to be continued with and whether the government decides to continue with the company under administration or find another builder, my understanding is it's the government's policy to ensure a lot of these sub-contractors are paid," he says.
The past year has seen a <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/construction-and-engineering/054290-construction-company-collapses-owing-18-million-as-insolvency-figures-show-industry-in-for-more-pain" target="_blank">high number of collapses</a> within the construction industry and, in late January, the NSW Government inquiry into the industry listed 44 recommendations in an attempt to curb insolvencies.
These recommendations included establishing a new regulatory body, requiring contractors to set up and administer project trust accounts and strengthening the security of payment legislation.
Fairfax Media has reported National Buildplan made $152.41 million in revenue last financial year, but only made a net profit of $1.09 million.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Jobs at risk following collapse of NSW construction company

<html><body>
The controversy surrounding Gold Coast-based funds management firm LM Investment Management has continued, with administrators revealing the business lent its founder, Peter Drake, a loan worth $17 million.
The company has already been accused of <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/financial-services-and-insurance/054792-queensland-fund-management-business-collapses-following-damning-four-corners-report" target="_blank">breaching Corporations Law</a> by ABC's Four Corners. The collapse has meant investors face <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/irregularities-suspected-in-lmim-s-maddison-estate-mortgage-fund-reports/2013040160117?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=latestnews">exposures worth more than $740 million in total</a>.
In its first report on the investment company, administrators from FTI Consulting said the firm had lent a total of $301 million to Drake and his companies, and had raised $740 million from retail investors. The loans were made from the LM Managed Performance Fund.
In total, LMIM loaned six parties millions of dollars, according to the report:
<ul>
<li>
Peter Drake – $17 million
</li>
<li>
LM Administration – $200,000
</li>
<li>
LM Capalaba – $18 million
</li>
<li>
Maddison Estate – $249 million
</li>
<li>
Australian International Investment Services – $15.7 million
</li>
<li>
Aalto Apartments – $1.7 million
</li>
</ul>
The administrators are currently reviewing all the loans, but say the most significant project under review is the Maddison Estate Development, which was lent $249 million. This was the main vehicle of the company's LM Managed Performance Fund.
An FTI Consulting spokesperson told SmartCompany investigations into the loans remain ongoing.
"There are various issues around the regulatory status of MPF [Managed Performance Fund] that have been raised by ASIC," the administrators say in the report.
"In particular, MPF has to date been operating as an unregulated fund outside of the Corporations Act."
The $740 million in LMIM assets is in the form of cash, foreign currency, direct real property, commercial loans secured by first or second mortgages and listed shares.
The company was founded by Drake in 1997 and on March 19 this year administrators John Park and Ginette Muller were appointed.
The first meeting of creditors was held yesterday afternoon in Broadbeach and the administrators announced they are seeking an extension of the standard 30-day period allowed before a second meeting.
Administrators told creditors they have petitioned for a 90-day extension due to complex company structures, as they need more time to complete their initial investigations.
The administrators also intend to apply to the Queensland Supreme Court on April 12 to take control of the LM Managed Performance Fund as its receivers, due to concerns over the legality of its operations.
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Administrator investigates $17 million loan to LM Investment Management founder

<html><body>
The property market is continuing to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/054444-hope-rises-for-property-market-on-yet-more-solid-auction-sales">grow in strength</a>, as Melbourne and Sydney recorded another weekend of positive results on the back of low interest rates and an improving economy.
Sydney recorded its fourth weekend of clearance rates above 70%, with 75% of the 450 houses up for grabs sold at auction on Saturday and Sunday, according to Australia Property Monitors figures.
Melbourne, the auction capital of Australia, also continued to perform well, with the Real Estate Institute of Victoria reporting a clearance rate of 69% for the 806 auctions listed.
APM senior economist Andrew Wilson told SmartCompany the prestige market in Sydney is just starting to respond after an extended slow period – and described the year so far as being "exceptional".
"Certainly the trend is consistent over the year so far, averaging about 70% for clearance rates, the highest since the beginning of 2010.
"Next weekend is one of the biggest weekends for auctions for the year and the scene is set for a very big day of sales if the current trend is upheld. There is no reason for the trend not to be, as the market appears to be strengthening," he says.
Over the weekend, APM reported seven properties selling in Sydney with values over $2 million.
The most expensive house sold at auction in Sydney, a four-bedroom home in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Vaucluse</a>, went for $3.35 million, but it was beaten for the title of top auction result by a Lavender Bay property which went for $5.6 million following negotiations after it was passed in.
Wilson says, overall, Sydney's bayside and inner city suburbs continued to do best, with these areas having clearance rates of about 80% and the eastern suburbs having a rate of 89%.
Next weekend, over 700 properties are expected to be auctioned in Sydney. Over 1,200 auctions are expected in Melbourne, which the REIV says is likely to be the fifth highest on record.
Wilson says Melbourne, like Sydney, is seeing a greater spread of activity.
"Similar to Sydney, we're seeing a bit more of a spread. The middle ring, north eastern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne had clearance rates of around 70%.
"We're reasonably confident these trends will continue, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/property/054665-low-interest-rates-strengthen-overall-property-market-but-resistance-remains-rba">low interest rates fuelling increased demand</a> and confidence in the market place," he says.
In Victoria, the REIV reports the total value of residential sales at auction is at $1.8 billion, compared to $1.5 billion this time last year. The value of private sales is also estimated to have risen from $3.9 billion to $4.5 billion.
Melbourne's top five sales were all above $2 million.
However, while the property market flourishes in Melbourne and Sydney, it continues to struggle in Canberra.
RP Data estimates sales of houses and units were down 20% on the five year average in 2012 and down 13% from 2011.
Wilson says the local economy has impacted the market in Canberra.
"I do believe the main driver in a smaller market like Canberra is what's happening in the local economy. A rise in unemployment and job losses in the public sector does trickle into the property market," he says.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>.
</body></html>

Auction boom continues in Sydney and Melbourne

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Joel Robinson

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman

The wave of apartment proposals sweeping through Mosman shows no signs of slowing, with another major residential development lodged through the NSW Government's State Significant Development pathway.

Developer First Quadrant Properties, which recently completed Willoughby Grounds and has several projects in planning across the North Shore, has unveiled plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cove-on-ourimbah-40-56-ourimbah-road-mosman-nsw-2088">Cove on Ourimbah</a>, a 63-apartment development on Ourimbah Road, adding to the growing pipeline of projects reshaping one of Sydney's most tightly held harbour suburbs.

The proposal would consolidate nine properties at 40-56 Ourimbah Road into a part eight, part nine-storey apartment building, continuing the momentum created by the NSW Government's accelerated planning pathways that have seen several significant developments emerge across Mosman over the past 12 months.

Designed by Doroch Architects, the project would deliver 63 apartments, resident wellness facilities including a gym, pool and sauna, landscaped communal spaces and basement parking, while using recessed upper levels, generous setbacks and extensive planting to reduce the perceived scale of the building.

<img alt="First look: First Quadrant Properties eyes nine-storey Mosman apartment project under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32ee68e4-141e-4a10-8f83-48e961a5e71e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ourimbah%20Road%2C%20Mosman%20a.png?VersionId=CUeILFc6APlwXPc.iplElbxHvREKwjig" />

Doroch Architects said the building had been designed to reinforce Mosman's established character.

"The building's aesthetic is grounded in the existing residential character of Ourimbah Road and the broader Mosman context," the architect noted in the planning documents submitted to the NSW Government.

The design adopts a contemporary material palette of natural stone, textured concrete and brown concave metal cladding, complemented by integrated planters and deep balconies. The podium incorporates softened curved concrete forms, while increased setbacks have been provided adjacent to the heritage-listed property at 60 Ourimbah Road to create a more sympathetic transition.

The site sits around 330 metres from Mosman Town Centre, placing it within the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy area, where increased residential density is being encouraged close to shops, transport and services.

The proposal follows a string of major apartment projects lodged or declared State Significant in Mosman in recent months, including Abadeen's 100-apartment Honeysuckle Garden redevelopment on Military Road and several other developments across Awaba Street, Redan Street and Muston Street from the likes of Time &amp; Place, HELM and Prosker Property.

&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/time-place-to-take-on-mosman-apartment-market">Time &amp; Place to take on Mosman apartment market</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-abadeen-plans-100-apartments-on-former-honeysuckle-garden-site-in-mosman">First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman</a>

&nbsp;

Yolanda Redrup

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News