Private equity real estate firm Conquest has entered into a $220 million partnership with Woolworths’ development arm, Fabcot, to deliver its long-awaited Waterloo project on Bourke Street.

The Bourke Street development was first flagged by Fabcot back in 2021 as part of its push into Sydney’s residential market. However, progress has since stalled, with no activity on site amid a number of design revisions in consultation with the City of Sydney.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a>, which is actively planning more than $6 billion worth of new developments, predominantly mixed-use precincts, is now set to move the project forward.

The current plans include between 110 and 120 apartments across two buildings designed by Bates Smart at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/923-935-bourke-street-waterloo-nsw-2017">923 Bourke Street</a>. The scheme will incorporate a portion of apartments reserved for key workers, alongside premium commercial space at ground level, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket.

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2026.

Michael&nbsp;Akaawi, CEO of Conquest, said the partnership reflects the firm’s commitment to "convenience-led" urban renewal."

"We are preparing to commence construction in the second half of this year," Akaawi says.

"Along with Woolworths, we look forward to delivering the first major supermarket to the growing Waterloo community, integrated with premium new apartments and specialty retail shops. Our focus is on creating a seamless lifestyle hub where essential services are at the doorstep, saving residents time and enhancing their quality of life."&nbsp;

<img alt="Conquest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8beee83-ef9b-446b-a3b3-1e2fe596512b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-01%20at%2011.08.46%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=raYhGepiLUJfx4InLPRRJduA3ftDJ_kS" />

The news comes just a week after Conquest went to the NSW Government to upsize its plans for Castlecrag's Quadrangle Shopping Centre.

Conquest purchased the site for just shy of $70 million last year, with existing plans in place for a mixed-use residential and retail precinct comprising 38 luxury apartments.

Those plans have now been significantly expanded, with the developer lodging a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority for 150 apartments across two 11-storey buildings. The apartments will sit above a four-storey podium, incorporating specialty retail tenancies and five levels of basement car parking, on the 5,166 sqm site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/100-edinburgh-road-castlecrag-nsw-2068">100 Edinburgh Road</a>.

Conquest has been increasingly active in the development space in recent years. The group acquired the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/eastlakes-nsw-2018">Eastlakes</a>&nbsp;Shopping Centre redevelopment, where it plans to deliver more than 1,000 apartments above a new retail precinct, and has also lodged a $900 million State Significant Development Application for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/conquest-unveils-900m-stanmore-village-vision-for-landmark-inner-west-site">mixed-use precinct in Stanmore</a>.

Joel Robinson

Conquest partners with Woolworths to deliver mixed-use Waterloo project

A shift away from Sydney’s industrial past has left parts of the inner south defined by contrast, brick warehouses repurposed into dining precincts, former factory streets softened by landscaping and pedestrian activity.

Rosebery is one of those suburbs. Over the past decade, it has undergone significant gentrification, anchored by The Cannery, which has helped reposition the area as one of the inner city’s most sought-after lifestyle pockets.

What hasn’t kept pace with that transformation is new residential supply, which has remained relatively limited. Builder-developer Deicorp identified that gap early, securing a site in 2019 and delivering what is now one of the suburb’s most architecturally distinctive developments.

To realise the vision, Deicorp engaged Candalepas Associates to design The Rothschild, a project that is immediately recognisable from the street.

Completed in 2025, The Rothschild comprises two buildings across Rothschild and Mentmore Avenues, delivering 176 apartments. The development replaces a former industrial site, retaining a material and structural dialogue with its past while introducing a more resolved residential framework. The scale is deliberate but not monolithic, broken into forms that engage both street frontages, with retail at ground level and two levels of basement parking below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221665]

From the street, the architectural intent is clear. Off-form concrete columns run through the façade, establishing a repeated structural rhythm that gives the building its visual weight. These are paired with deep-set arches and sections of exposed brickwork, creating a layered elevation that reads less like a typical apartment block and more like a reinterpretation of industrial architecture.

The material palette is intentionally restrained, with concrete left exposed and brick used to define mass rather than decoration. The result is a building that stands out through proportion and repetition, rather than height or glazing.

This approach continues internally. A central landscaped courtyard sits between the two buildings, anchored by an olive grove that acts as both a visual and spatial focal point. Rather than functioning as residual space, the courtyard is designed as a shared ground plane, where circulation paths, seating areas and planting come together to create a usable communal environment. Its positioning allows natural light to penetrate deep into the site while maintaining separation between residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221666]

Within the apartments, the planning follows a clear and functional logic. Entry points lead directly into open-plan living areas, with kitchens positioned as central elements alongside dining and lounge spaces. These zones extend to balconies or external openings, maintaining a visual connection to either the courtyard or the street.

Kitchens prioritise practicality, with generous bench space, ample storage and European appliances configured for everyday use. Bedrooms are typically set back from the main living areas, creating quieter zones within each residence, with separation achieved through layout rather than material change. Bathrooms are compact but efficient, incorporating mirrored cabinetry and integrated storage to maximise space. Across all residences, the emphasis is on clarity of movement and functional planning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221669]

At ground level, retail and hospitality uses extend the building’s presence beyond its residential function. A café or restaurant space, alongside communal amenities such as a music room and rooftop areas, positions the development as part of a broader urban network rather than a standalone project. These shared spaces reinforce a lifestyle where the building operates as an extension of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Rosebery’s proximity to Green Square, The Cannery and nearby parklands supports this model of living, where much of daily life is within walking distance. The Rothschild sits comfortably within that network, contributing to the streetscape through its distinctive architecture, while internally organising space around light, structure and communal use.

The Rothschild is now complete and ready to move in, with limited residences remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106843]

The Rothschild reinterprets Rosebery’s industrial DNA into residential form

KTQ has unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/casilia-16-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Casilia</a>, the final residential release within the Kirra Point precinct which really kicked off the boom in the area back in 2019.

The final stage comprises&nbsp;87 residences and marks the culmination of a long-term, family-led vision for Kirra Point, as the precinct moves toward completion in tandem with the development.

Around $100 million in sales have been achieved already, close to 35 per cent of the residences secured ahead of launch. There have been a significant number of buyers returning from the first stage of the development, Miles Residences, securing another property within Kirra Point.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368410]

Selling agent Tim Keenan from Keenan Byrne said the response reflects both the scarcity of the offering and Kirra’s growing reputation as a premium coastal market.

“This is effectively Kirra’s final act, the last release within what has become one of the Southern Gold Coast’s most tightly held beachfront precincts,” Keenan said.

“We’ve seen exceptionally strong pre-sale interest, from VIP waitlists through to off-market enquiry, which speaks to both the quality of the product and the confidence buyers have in the precinct. What’s particularly compelling is the number of buyers returning from Miles, either upgrading or investing again, which is a strong signal of how the precinct has been received."

Keenan adds that at the same time, north-facing beachfront remains exceptionally rare in Australia, limited to places like Noosa, Byron and Kirra, which is underpinning long-term value.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368415]

Positioned along one of Australia’s few true north-facing beaches, Casilia offers a mix of two and three-bedroom residences with pricing ranging from $1.87 million to $7.15 million and two exclusive penthouses. Residences are oriented to capture varying outlooks, from uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views across Kirra Beach to hinterland vistas, with upper levels and shared amenity taking in sweeping perspectives along the Gold Coast coastline.

At rooftop level, a north-facing pool deck captures expansive, uninterrupted views over Kirra Beach and north towards Surface Paradise. The space incorporates a heated resort-style pool, mineral spa, sun lounges and a covered BBQ cantina.

Buyer profiles are broad, typically aged between 40 and 70, with a strong skew toward second-home ownership, drawn by a combination of lifestyle, relative value, proximity to Gold Coast Airport and lower congestion compared to more established markets such as Byron Bay and Noosa.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368414]

The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ktq-group">KTQ Group</a>, a family-owned Australian property group with a diverse portfolio spanning residential, hospitality and commercial developments. The group has delivered a number of notable projects across sectors, including the award-winning Elements of Byron resort, demonstrating its depth of experience across both hospitality and residential development.

Known for its long-term approach to place-making, KTQ Group retains a vested interest in its projects, often holding assets within its portfolio, which has also helped build trust among buyers and reinforced confidence in both the vision and delivery certainty of the precinct.

“Casilia represents the final opportunity to secure a residence within Kirra Point and brings to market the last release within our long-term vision for the precinct," KTQ Group's Jeremy Holmes said.

"Kirra Point has been more than a decade in the making, and that timeframe reflects the care behind each decision, it takes listening, balance and vision to arrive at something that feels right for the location.

“Our approach has always been to deliver Kirra Point as a destination in its own right, a connected coastal neighbourhood integrating residential, hospitality and wellness, rather than a standalone project. It’s a vision that respects place, pace and permanence, and contributes to a sense of community that feels authentic to Kirra.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368411]

Once complete, the Kirra Point masterplan will incorporate a mix of dining establishments, bars and cafés, alongside the Kirra Point Health Club and a future 91-room independent resort hotel, creating a walkable, integrated lifestyle precinct.

Architecutue and interiors at Casilia have been designed by the experienced design houses of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/little-boat-projects">Little Boat Projects</a> and O’Neil Architecture &amp; Interior Design, The design moves beyond the conventional coastal apartments, instead taking cues &nbsp;from the surrounding landscape - layering natural materials, soft curves and warm textures to create spaces that respond to light, airflow and the rhythms of coastal living.

Residences are designed with an array of floorplates, generous proportions and intuitive flow, while at ground level Casilia connects into the broader precinct, where future laneways, retail and hospitality offerings will contribute to a neighbourhood defined as much by how people live day-to-day as its beachfront position.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152295]

The final residential release within the Kirra Point masterplan is set to launch, as strong pre-sales signal sustained demand for the Southern Gold Coast

A decade in the making: KTQ launches Casilia at Kirra Point

South East Queensland developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>’s entry into the Gold Coast apartment market has progressed from pipeline to market, with its Chevron Island project Bronze on Chevron now formally available to purchase ahead of a planned 2029 completion.

The 119-apartment development on Mawarra Street marks the Brisbane-headquartered builder-developer’s first residential play in the Gold Coast, following its expansion south from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, with pricing starting from just over $1.5 million. The project is being delivered under Gardner Vaughan’s fully integrated model, with the group acting as both developer and builder, a structure it has consistently applied across its South East Queensland portfolio.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367182]

Architecture has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jeremy-ferrier-landscape-design">Jeremy Ferrier</a>. The building presents as a single-tower scheme, with a focus on maximising outlook across both the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Nerang River.

Apartments have been planned with open-plan living zones extending to generous balconies, a response to the site’s dual-aspect positioning between river and ocean. Interiors follow a restrained coastal palette, with two colour schemes offered, and an emphasis on natural light and cross-ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367181]

Resident amenity is concentrated across more than 1,250 sqm and includes a resort-style pool, gym, yoga lawn and rooftop entertaining areas. A function space with catering facilities forms part of the upper-level offering, alongside north- and south-facing outdoor areas.

Ground level will incorporate two retail tenancies, intended to extend the existing village character of the surrounding streets.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367200]

The project sits within walking distance of Thomas Drive’s established dining strip, while maintaining proximity to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> beach and broader Gold Coast amenity. The location, positioned on Chevron Island between the river and coastline, has increasingly attracted mid- to high-density development in recent years as the precinct evolves beyond its low-rise origins.

Gardner Vaughan’s move into the Gold Coast was first signalled in 2025, with the group identifying the region as a natural extension of its operations. Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge described the expansion as both “strategic and natural”, citing demand for well-designed apartments in lifestyle-driven markets.

Construction is expected to complete in early 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

Gardner Vaughan brings Bronze on Chevron to market as Gold Coast debut

One of the penthouses at Lily Lane, the latest stage of Carrington Place by Ellipse Property, has set a new local apartment price record.

The four-bedroom residence, purchased by a local downsizer, sold for $5.75 million—around 75 per cent higher than the previous record of $3.3 million.

Over 40 per cent of the first release of apartments at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> have already been snapped up just six weeks since it launched to the market.

&nbsp;

Located at 32 Carrington Road, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> and designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane is directly opposite the Hills Showground Metro station. It offers a total 213 units over two 12-storey towers - a mix of 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments - with a ground-floor retail offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368352]

Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says around 44 per cent of buyers are&nbsp;owner occupiers, with 35 per cent being investors and 21 per cent first homebuyers.

“Developments of this calibre are very rare in the Hills District, and Lily Lane’s sales success demonstrates the depth of demand for over-sized apartments that genuinely compete with freestanding homes," Schulze says.

"We are seeing particular demand from downsizers who want to remain in the area but transition into spacious, high-quality apartment living."

On the penthouse sale, it says it shows buyers&nbsp;are prepared to pay a premium for scale, quality, and direct access to the Metro.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368351]

One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $745,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $990,000 with sizes from 75 to 132 square metres. Three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm,, with prices starting at $1,395,000.&nbsp;

The three remaining penthouses, spanning up to 262 sqm, are priced from $2.9 million.

Over 75 per cent of apartments include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries. Apartments are appointed with premium Miele appliances including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers, while larger residences also incorporate integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages, with completion expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 sq, of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Ellipse sets Castle Hill apartment record with $5.75 million Lily Lane penthouse sale

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

Nearly a year after purchasing the former Leo's Fine Food &amp; Wine supermarket in Kew for a reported $52 million, Melbourne developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/orchard-piper">Orchard Piper</a>, in a consortium with billionaire James Packer, has filed development plans for the site.

The proposal includes just under 200 apartments on the 6,835 sqm block, which spans <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/26-36-princess-street-kew-vic-3101">26-36 Princess Street and 11-15 Brougham Street</a>. Approval is being sought through the Department of Transport and Planning’s (DTP) Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

The buildings, designed by Wardle, will vary in scale and rise up to 18 storeys. One-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments will be offered, along with townhouses. Ten per cent of the total dwellings will be allocated to key worker housing.

The development will also include 19 new retail premises, comprising a mix of shops, restaurants and cafés, including a dedicated space for a high-quality produce offering similar to Leo’s.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67cc85a5-a9d8-4eaa-95ae-fd93762d3297" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.07%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_p57VJNE2w16xNXB4ISvu3mnVHDDk86R" />

Orchard Piper noted the development is "designed to revitalise the Junction with high-quality housing and retail, while also improving the public realm."

"Assembling an expert team, we've been working with leading architects Wardle and landscape architects Oculus on a site-sensitive design. Wardle is one of Australia's pre-eminent architectural practices, and its founder, John Wardle, is a former long-term Kew resident with an intimate knowledge of the area.

"After close to a year refining the plans, our current opposition embodies Kew's unique character and meets the community's needs, including detailed consideration of the surrounding building design, streetscape conditions and broader planning context."

On top of the extensive retail component, the opportunity to deliver offsite public realm works, involving the council owned land to the south, would include a comprehensive new landscaped laneway strategy that connects Athenaeum Place into the site, a new public park, and the relocation of the public parking currently on the site to the adjoining council land.

<img alt="Kew" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02da73ff-e9d9-4e6a-8b6c-75c6f4cb3b01" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%208.15.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NXlzip8H0suSqc.X2H6nLKZr6LB1joJ." />

Orchard Piper, led by Luke Mckie and Rick Gronow, is currently delivering The Carter building on St Kilda Road and One Toorak Place in Toorak village.

Kew has been a popular suburb for new development in recent years. The likes of Piccolo, ANGLE, and Carpe are delivering projects in the area.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

<html><body>
Longerenong Homestead near Horsham, a heritage-listed, refurbished, two-storey, 60-square (558-square-metre) Gothic mansion, has been relisted for sale.
The 16-hectare <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/office/horsham/residential/buy/property-acreage-semi-rural-vic-horsham-406041">897 Burnt Clay Road property</a>, classified by the National Trust, has a $1 million-plus hopes through Geoff Coustley at Elders Real Estate Horsham in conjunction with Peter Hawkins of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prh.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=938963&amp;xsl=2146&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ct=1,3&amp;f_ps=2">Pat Rice Hawkins</a>.
Longerenong Homestead had been in the same family between 1862 and 2002. The Wilson brothers acquired the lease in 1856 and in June 1862, Samuel Wilson laid the foundation stone of his new villa residence.
Melbourne architects Crouch and Wilson designed this axially planned, two-storey brick residence which cost 30,000 pounds to construct.
Taken from an American pattern book, it was built for Sir Samuel Wilson on the banks of the Yarriambiack Creek, identical to the "Villa In The Pointed Style", a Gothic revival design that appeared in The Architecture of Country Houses by A.J. Downing, published in 1850 by Andrew Jackson Downing.
While the facade of Longerenong is very similar to the American model, the interior planning was altered significantly, as the architects reverted to closed British corridor planning.
The entrance is grand with emblems of the British Isles and the monogram of Samuel Wilson in Belgian stained glass surround the imposing doorway.
There's a marble hallway with a staircase of ornate carved cedar.
The formal sitting and dining rooms, flanking the hall on both sides, have patterned pressed metal ceilings, painted white.
The marble mantelpieces feature Sir Samuel's crest.
Longerenong Homestead interior photos on page 2
<div>
<hr class="system-pagebreak"></div>
The homestead is surrounded by rare Schotia and Moreton Bay fig trees, Osage oranges, Bunya Bunya pines and Norfolk Island pines.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/10/oct12burnt2]}
The National Trust considers Longerenong Homestead to be the finest picturesque gothic style villa in Western Victoria and perhaps the exemplar of this style in Victoria.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/planburnt.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/planburnt2.jpg">
Sir Samuel Wilson, the sixth son of a Northern Ireland farmer, was a distinguished Victorian pioneer whose career as a successful politician, pastoralist and philanthropist culminated in his election to the British House of Commons in 1886.
Wilson imported marble for the floors and fireplaces from Italy and the stained glass from Belgium.
It last traded at $555,000 in 2004. It was briefly listed in 2008 with $1.5 million expectations, which were reduced to $1,195,000 more recently. 
The Wilson family secured $375,000 in 2002.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Longerenong Homestead near Horsham with bush Gothic grandeur

<html><body>
On first inspection it looks like a quaint property perfect for a country retreat at Bullarto after some renovations. It’s a decommissioned Uniting Church on a half-acre (2,023-square-metre) block 10 kilometres outside of Daylesford, Victoria, but it comes with some complications.
Any buyers who don’t undertake due diligence could be lured in by the $100,000 price tag only to find the church is potentially useless – as council regulations all but rule out installing a toilet on the site.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto.jpg">
A quick glance at the contract of sale shows while it’s hooked up to electricity, it’s not connected to gas, water, telephone, or most importantly sewerage. In normal circumstances, buyers would be entitled to install their own septic tank on the property.
Except that they’re not. Council regulations, if buyers can navigate them, reveal it’s next to impossible to install any sort of septic tank system on the property.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto1.jpg">
A council planner told Property Observer that as a rule of thumb, the guidelines from the EPA require a minimum of one acre (4047 square metres) to install a septic tank system. This holding is about half that size.
There are ways to install systems on smaller lots, but it requires extensive base water management program, which are expensive to implement and rare.
The planner Property Observer spoke to had seen just one or two lots of this size approved for a septic tank system in the last 10 years.
And even if a buyer did manage to meet council regulations with the help of a good town planner and solicitor, the system could take up much of the property, precluding anything that could disturb the system, such as a driveway.
All told, it’s not likely to happen in a hurry.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/bullarto3.jpg">
Agent Bart O'Sullivan from Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins says it is up to buyers to make their own inquiries.
“The church can’t give any guarantees for what it can or can’t be used for,” O’Sullivan says.
“What we’re selling is half an acre plus the building, and they’re very realistic in their price expectations and it’s a matter of people making their own inquiries of what they can and can’t do in the future.
“People have to make their own investigations.”
O’Sullivan did float the idea that regulations might change in the future.
“Who knows what could transpire in the future?” O’Sullivan advised.
“I can’t give any warranties or guarantees as to what authorities will do.
“You look at the situation here - there’s a church, with half an acre, next to a school, there’s other house nearby, they must have some services close to them.”
The church goes to Saturday October 13 auction – a testament to the importance of due diligence.
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Buyers may make the sign of the cross and cross their legs as toilet-less Bullarto church goes to auction

<html><body>
Houses in Albert Park recorded some of the biggest increase in rents over the quarter for Melbourne, bucking the trend for city, according to Australian Property Monitor figures.
Across Melbourne <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/landlords/sydney-and-perth-rents-hit-record-highs-apm/2012101057084">rents remained unchanged for the quarter</a> at $360 per week for houses and $350 for units, but some suburbs recorded strong rental growth.
Rents for houses in Albert Park rose 15.4% over the quarter to $785 per week.
The recently renovated house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-408740367">39 Dinsdale Street</a> is on the market for $995 per week. It was last listed at $895 per week in July 2011, a rise of 11% over the period.
The house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-403111456">5 Boyd Street</a> is offered for rent at $1500 per week. According to RP Data, it’s significantly higher than the 2008 rent of $995 per week but below the asking price earlier this year of $1,750 per week.
The house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-404011798">166 Danks Street</a> is being offered for $800 per week. According to RP Data the asking rents have steadily increased by about $20 per year since 2007.
And the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-albert+park-408834659">12 Faussett Street</a> recently sold for $1.26 million and is being offered for rent at $860 per week, a yield of 3.55%.
A number of popular suburbs rose sharply, according to the figures published by Fairfax.
Houses in Kew recorded a similar spike in rents, rising 12.6% over the quarter to $670.
Units in Springvale were third on the list of 10 top rental growth suburbs, with rents rising 11.8% over the quarter to $285.
 
<table width="430" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="127">
<col width="64" span="2">
<col width="175">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20">
<td width="127" height="20">Suburb</td>
<td width="64">Type</td>
<td width="64">Median weekly rent</td>
<td width="175">September quarter change</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Albert Park</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$785</td>
<td align="right">15.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Kew</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$670</td>
<td align="right">12.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Springvale</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$285</td>
<td align="right">11.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Footscray</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$310</td>
<td align="right">10.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Balwyn</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$550</td>
<td align="right">10.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Malvern East</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$345</td>
<td align="right">7.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Templestowe Lower</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$450</td>
<td align="right">7.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Williamstown</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$535</td>
<td align="right">7%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Altona</a></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td align="right">$310</td>
<td align="right">6.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20"><a href="/news">Sunshine North</a></td>
<td>House</td>
<td align="right">$320</td>
<td align="right">6.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body></html>

Albert Park heads top 10 rental growth suburbs in Melbourne

<html><body>
Melbourne residential developers are for the first time building more multi-unit projects featuring townhouses, apartments and flats than detached houses, according to the October report from property valuers Herron Todd White.
Affordability is the main driver of this shift in development focus as “people are pushed to build smaller more modest, cheaper homes".
“The transitioning mentality of the population in relation to buyer preferences is also another reason as people are developing an interest in terrace housing as it looks appealing and is essentially affordable," says HTW.
This trend was also noted by <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/hot-property-investment-opportunities-in-west-north-and-outer-east-melbourne-suburbs-apm/2012100757023">Austr</a><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/hot-property-investment-opportunities-in-west-north-and-outer-east-melbourne-suburbs-apm/2012100757023" target="_blank">alian Property Monitor’s (APM) senior research analyst Clinton McNabb </a>at the recent Melbourne Home Buyer and Property Investor show.
McNabb said comparison between the 2006 and 2011 census data shows rising numbers of single person and childless couple housing occupants, indicating an increasing  demand for higher-density living.
McNabb also said more families are now willing to live in apartments and willing to sacrifice space for location.
The HTW October report focuses on the northern suburbs of Melbourne, where many new residential communities are being developed, and where these macro forces have “put pressure on house prices and influenced demand for product".
“Areas such as the northern suburbs are experiencing a slide in demand since the expiry of the $13,000 new home bonus by the state government which was a huge stimulus for growth in the area,” says the report.
The bonus has been replaced by a with a 20% cut on stamp duty with another 10% discount to follow from January 1, building eventually to 50%.
“Developers have over compensated in suburbs such as Mernda and Craigieburn," says HTW.
“There is a large supply of estate houses for sale in these areas along with developments under construction which are experiencing less demand then what was originally planned for.
“In these areas there is little reason to celebrate as property prices have experienced a drop due to the lack of demand for these products ever since the incentives were taken away.
The report notes that developers have introduced their own incentives but “none are on the same scale of the first home owners’ bonus which led the way for demand for development in the area.”
Thinking about buying your dream land package? <a target="_blank" href="/news">Sign up for our free short courses.</a>
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Melbourne developers now building more multi-unit projects than houses: HTW

<html><body>
Milne House, the single-colour Robin Boyd-designed Toorak house passed in at its August auction, has been sold.
Its price has not been disclosed, but it had been passed in on a $2.3 million vendor bid.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/robin-boyd-designed-toorak-home-milne-house-listed-with-%2425-million-plus-hopes/2012071955671" target="_blank">Bennison Mackinnon agents Hugh Hardy and Andrew Macmillan </a>had initially listed it with $2.5 million-plus hopes. 
It’s a four-bedroom courtyard home last traded unrenovated in early 2006 for $1.63 million.
Marketed as a Boyd masterpiece, Milne House comes with steep skilling roof forms in opposing combinations, bagged brick walls, separate wings, simple features and a near windowless front facade on its 640-square-metre block set on the corner of Toorak and Glenbervie roads.
The Malvern Heritage Study puts its date at 1970. It is acknowledged as one of Boyd’s last homes by heritage authorities, as he died aged 52 in 1971.
</body></html>

Robin Boyd-designed Toorak house sells

<html><body>
House and unit prices have been on the rise for the past six months while property prices fell in regional Victoria, according to graphs released by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. 
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/10/reivoct9.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/reivoct9thumb.gif"></a>
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/10/reivoct91.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/10/reivoct91thumb.gif"></a>
The charts, part of a REIV presentation at the Melbourne Home Buyer and Property Investor Show, also show that over the past 10 years the median Melbourne house and unit prices have risen in fits and starts, while regional Victoria has shown more steady, even growth. 
For example, house and unit prices in Melbourne show a sharp spike in 2007, whereas growth is more measured across regional Victoria. 
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Regional Victorian property prices have shown long-term mild growth: REIV

<html><body>
With a disclosed $750,000 reserve price and 14 contract requests, the weekend auction of a striking modern home at Gisborne triggered an $807,500 sale.
The <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/115-outlook-lane-gisborne/Property-Details-buy-residential-4406745" target="_blank">115 Outlook Lane</a> house, with views of Mount Macdeon, sold through Julian Davies at Keatings Real Estate.
Set above Jacksons Creek, the 1.7-hectare vacant building holding was bought in late 2007 for $340,000 by Kate and Ollie Luciano.
There are views from every room through floor-to-ceiling glass along the entire length of the semicircular design of the valley where deer roam.
After their initial inspection of the site the Lucianos took a sketch made on butcher's paper to the architect Design Edge, who came up with a structure designed as a series of 12 wedge-shaped segments, each supported by a framework of high-strength steel columns and beams and spanned by extra-thick laminated glass panels.
</body></html>

Striking Gisborne semicircular home finds  $807,500 buyer looking for views

<html><body>
The Melbourne property market is set for a tentative recovery in the short term, but there are currently buying opportunities for investors, particularly in the west, north and some outer eastern suburbs, according to Clinton McNabb, senior research analyst for Australian Property Monitors (APM).
Delivering a presentation at this weekend’s Melbourne Home Buyer &amp; Property Investor Show, McNabb said investors needed to look for areas displaying the greatest population growth and where incomes are rising.
“There will be a tentative recovery for Melbourne, growth will be subdued for a while,” said McNabb.
But longer term, demand for housing will rise as the city’s population grows to beyond 6 million people over the next 20 years and overtakes Sydney, McNabb said.
“The biggest driver of house prices will be population growth,” said McNabb.
Investors should also look for suburbs, where incomes are growing.
McNabb presented a series of heat maps, with shades of blue, orange and red.
The heat map below shows which suburbs have displayed the greatest house price growth over the past two years.
Suburbs in shades of blue show where property prices have declined by 3% or more over the past two years, green suburbs have exhibited limited growth (up to 3%) orange indicates property prices rising around 10% and red zones show growth in excess of 15%.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/heatmelb.jpg">
The map shows much of the growth has been in suburbs around the city, but also good growth in some outlying areas such Narre Warren North and Beaconsfield Upper in the outer east.
In the west, McNabb says suburbs like Altona and Yarraville, where the median house price is around $500,000 – much cheaper than neighbouring suburbs – offer good potential.
Similarly, he picks unfashionable Footscray, West Footscray and Sunshine due to their affordability, closeness to the CBD and good transport connections.
In the north, McNabb says investors should look at well-located suburbs like Brunswick, Coburg and Preston.
They are affordable and also located close to the city with good transport connections.
Currently suburbs that have the highest average discount (the original listing price compared with the sale price) include Canterbury (15% discount), Toorak (12%), Footscray (11%), Brooklyn and St Kilda West.
Taking a wider view of the market, McNabb says the latest census data shows rising numbers of single person and childless couple housing occupants.
This he says indicates an increasing  demand for higher-density living.
“In addition, more families are now willing to live in apartments and they will sacrifice space for location.
“Being close to transportation to the CBD is key. There has been a 47% jump in people using public transport since 2005,” he says.
“Compare suburbs and look at comparable sales – that’s the best way to avoid things like underquoting,” he says.
</body></html>

Hot property investment opportunities in west, north and outer-east Melbourne suburbs: APM

<html><body>
An 1870s St Kilda mansion that was the birthplace of former Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce has been listed for sale by the Presentation Sisters.
The 1,761-square-metre property has been the home to the Sisters of the Society of Australian Congregations of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, better known as the Presentation Sisters, since 1919.
The property named Stradbroke was built by Thomas Moore Esq in 1873.
In 1919 the Presentation Sisters purchased the property from the Sisters of Mercy.
The mansion includes arcaded verandas over its two levels and an 18-room interior, including a chapel and a wine cellar.
Bruce, the prime minster of Australia from 1923 to 1929, was born in the property on April 15, 1883, in the house.
From windows overlooking Port Phillip Bay, its occupants would have been able to see ships laden with goods from the mother country sailing from the Great Southern Ocean, writer David Lee said in his book Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Australian Internationalist.
Bruce’s family is better associated with Wombalano, a large colonial-style Toorak mansion.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/bruceplaque.jpg">
A plaque unveiled by politician Barry Jones stands outside the Grey Street, St Kilda mansion celebrating his birth.
Bruce was the second youngest prime minister to serve in Australia, taking office at age 39.
The property comes with 788 square metres of vacant land, which is being marketed as prime for development.
Agent Iain Carmichael from BennisonMackinnon is expecting $3 million to $3.5 million for the mansion and around $1.5 million for the land.
The property is being sold by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benmac.com.au/index.cfm?pageCall=property&amp;propertyID=2177197&amp;showBackToResults=true&amp;realestate=71_&amp;_71a_Grey_Street_ST_KILDA_VIC_3182">BennisonMackinnon agents</a> Iain Carmichael and Andrew Macmillan as well as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/71-and-71a-grey-street-st-kilda/Property-Details-buy-commercial-4515469">Greg Hocking agent</a> John Holdsworth.
The property is being offered by expressions of interest both as a whole and separately.
Any buyers will have to agree to keep a magnificent English oak tree, which is protected by Vegetation Protection Overlay recently applied by the Port Phillip Council.
Council documents show the protected tree was planted in 1919 by the sisters as a symbol of the congregation.
The 13-metre tree can be seen from the reserve and is thought to offer aesthetic and amenity value to the local area.
The English oak is also thought to hold horticultural value with the species in cultivation in Victoria between 1855 and 1889.The Grey Street
A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3917348">Grey Street purchase, St Fintans </a>, a primary school run by the nuns was reported in 1928. 
The full original Presentation Sisters' property included what the area now known as Newton Reserve adjoining the southwest of property. The nuns will retain other property on Grey Street.
</body></html>

Birthplace of former prime minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce listed by St Kilda nuns

<html><body>
Rino Grollo sold most of his 24 redundant Mount Buller holdings at auction today.
More than $4 million of property sold under the hammer and in the minutes after the mass auction.
Some 17 sold at auction, two sold prior and five properties were passed in but three of sold immediately after.
Castran agent John Castran conducted the auction and says he and Rino were happy with the auction, which had 43 registered bidders.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/snowauction1.jpg">
"Rino's happy. There's plenty of new people to ride his ski lifts now," Castran says.
Castran says most of the buyers were leisure seekers rather than investors. He says most of the buyers were buying without borrowing any money.
The stand-out performer was the Stables Chalet, which sold for $980,000 after being marketed with $900,000-plus hopes.
The four-bedroom chalet was designed by architects Bruce Henderson and Provan Burdett. The property won awards at the state and national Master Builder Australia awards.
It is built from local stone and timber, and the new owner will be able to ski in and ski out from the Chamois ski run.
The property includes three bathrooms, open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas, a garage, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, laundry/drying rooms, a heated driveway and fireplace.
There were three bidders after the property was announced on the market at $900,000, including one late bidder on the phone.
After bids hit $900,000 they came in $5,000 increments then jumping $10,000 per bid to $970,000 when two bids to $980,000.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Bidder interest wasn’t matched with the Skyline Penthouse in the Chalet Hotel. It had been expected to sell for $900,000 but it passed in on a vendor bid of $800,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/snowauction2.jpg">
It did sell after auction though with Castran securing just shy of $1 million.
The recently renovated three-bedroom suite includes access to all the luxuries expected with a hotel.
Before auction, Castran relayed a message from Grollo saying, “Today is the day to buy because today is the day I’m selling”.
True to his word he was willing to come down in price on some properties, including the Kirstie Marshall Homestead, which sold for $137,000 despite his insistence $140,000 was the lowest he could accept.
Interest in the freehold small building block land offerings out of the ski slopes at Sawmill Settlement wasn’t as strong, with Castran working hard for every bid.
He said the <a target="_blank" href="/news">Mt Buller</a> lots were selling for almost the same amount that they cost to develop.
He even got to down to $1 bid to get it over the reserve price of $45,000 in two instances for blocks at the Sawmill Settlement location at the foot of the mountain.
Prices for the 12 St Anton apartments ranged from $120,000 to $205,000, having been marketed as likely to secure between $130,000 and $225,000.
Interest in the auction had been strong, with Castran inundated with 600 pre-auction inquiries. There were more than 100 at the auction.
Castran said the results showed the market was price-sensitive with the discretionary acquistions trading at about 20% below last year’s prices.
But he said he hadn’t seen $900-plus prices in?Mt Buller for two years.
Auction attendees at the city auction premises weople were ushered into the 19th-level board room by ski instructors in full garb. It's especially impressive given the weather topped 31 degrees in Melbourne.
Buyers were required to pay a 10% deposit up front with a 60-day settlement period. There was no GST payable, and furniture was included.
</body></html>

Latest Victoria Property News

First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Victoria Property News

First look: Orchard Piper, James Packer's Kew development revealed

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News