<p>National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.</p>

<p>Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]</p>

<p>The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.</p>

<p>Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.</p>

<p>"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.</p>

<p>"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.</p>

<p>"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]</p>

<p>Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.</p>

<p>The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]</p>

<p>Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.</p>

<p>Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]</p>

<p>Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.</p>

<p>Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]</p>


Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

<p>The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.</p>

<p>It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.</p>

<p>Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.</p>

<p>While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]</p>

<p>Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.</p>

<p>The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.</p>

<p>"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.</p>

<p>"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.</p>

<p>"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]</p>

<p>One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.</p>

<p>"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.</p>

<p>While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.</p>

<p>"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.</p>

<p>"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]</p>

<p>There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.</p>

<p>As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.</p>

<p>"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.</p>

<p>A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.</p>

<p>The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]</p>


A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

<p>A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.</p>

<p>It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.</p>

<p>Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.</p>

<p>The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]</p>

<p>"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.</p>

<p>"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.</p>

<p>"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]</p>

<p>The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.</p>

<p>Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]</p>

<p>The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.</p>

<p>The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]</p>

<p>Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.</p>

<p>Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]</p>

<p>While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.</p>

<p>It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.</p>

<p>Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]</p>

<p>That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.</p>

<p>Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]</p>


Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

<p>As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.</p>

<p>At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]</p>

<p>The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.</p>

<p>Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.</p>

<p>In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]</p>

<p>The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.</p>

<p>Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.</p>

<p>This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]</p>

<p>What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.</p>

<p>The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.</p>

<p>Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]</p>


Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

<p>Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.</p>

<p>At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.</p>

<p>Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.</p>

<p><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/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.</p>

<p>Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.</p>

<p>“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.</p>

<p>He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]</p>

<p>After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.</p>

<p>"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."</p>

<p>Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.</p>

<p>"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]</p>

<p>Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.</p>

<p>"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."</p>

<p>For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.</p>

<p><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/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.</p>

<p>"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."</p>

<p>As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.</p>

<p>"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.</p>

<p>"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]</p>

<p>Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.</p>

<p>"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."</p>

<p>That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.</p>

<p>"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]</p>

<p>Aimee says one moment stood out.</p>

<p>"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."</p>

<p>The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.</p>

<p>Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]</p>

<p>ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]</p>

<p>For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.</p>

<p>"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."</p>

<p>For Aimee, the change is measured in time.</p>

<p>“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]</p>

<p>Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.</p>

<p>ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]</p>


From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

<p>Australia Post is one of the country’s most trusted institutions, powering one of the largest delivery networks in Australia. As online shopping continues to scale, Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online.</p>

<p>That scale of eCommerce activity has fundamentally changed expectations around how and when parcels arrive, and what happens when someone isn't home.</p>

<h3>Problem solved with Parcel Lockers</h3>

<p>The traditional alternatives to home delivery are far from ideal. Buildings can rely on reception teams to manage deliveries, which introduces ongoing staffing costs and liability concerns. Parcels can be left in common areas, which creates security and aesthetic issues. Or residents are redirected to nearby Post Offices for collection, which shifts the inconvenience rather than solving it.</p>

<p><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/dVG5ChLHf7E?si=D9hQRGCBuzlSQBqK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The data behind that frustration is significant. Nationally, around 9 per cent of deliveries are carded, meaning the recipient was not home and must collect the parcel from a Post Office. That figure reflects the national average reported between November 2025 and January 2026. In Melbourne, that figure rises to 20 per cent. In high-density living, it climbs again to 28 per cent. In other words, more than one in four deliveries in Melbourne apartment buildings results in a failed first attempt.</p>

<h3>How Parcel Lockers work</h3>

<p>The mechanics are simple. When a parcel arrives, the resident receives a notification either through the Australia Post app or via SMS. They scan a QR code, use their one-time PIN and the compartment opens. The parcel is secure, accessible and removed from the lobby floor.</p>

<p>Located in thoughtfully chosen, easily accessible areas, including external building interfaces, mixed-use precincts or shared communal zones, Parcel Lockers enhance convenience without requiring internal building access or additional operational oversight.</p>

<h3>The scale of the network</h3>

<p>This expansion represents Australia Post's largest investment in parcel infrastructure to date, building on momentum that began in 2011 when the first 24 Parcel Locker sites were introduced.</p>

<p>Today the Australia Post Parcel Locker network spans over 1,400 locations and more than 105,000 individual compartments, with major investment already underway to significantly expand the network further.</p>

<h3>What it means for developers and building operators</h3>

<p>A Parcel Locker bank is free to install and free for residents to use. That removes one of the primary barriers to adoption and shifts the conversation from cost to integration.</p>

<p>Australia Post's preference is to engage with developers during the design phase. That allows Parcel Lockers to be located in a considered, publicly accessible space that works for residents and the broader community. Retrofit is possible, and existing buildings can be assessed, but the strongest results occur when Parcel Lockers are treated as part of the core services plan rather than a bolt-on solution.</p>

<p>While the iconic Australia Post red is widely recognised, Parcel Lockers can also be delivered in more muted palettes such as beige or green to align with architectural intent.</p>

<p>For developers, they offer a tech-forward amenity that meets modern expectations, a reduction in courier congestion and building-management load supporting lower emissions and better ESG outcomes, and a meaningful marketability advantage in high-density, eCommerce-active areas, all at no cost for installation and maintenance, with Australia Post funding the program aside from power access.</p>

<h3>Who's using them</h3>

<p>Generational shopping behaviours show strong, sustained growth across all cohorts. Millennials (27–43) led online spend in 2024, contributing nearly $25 billion. Baby Boomers (60–78) increased their online spend by 17.6 per cent, becoming the fastest-growing adopters. Gen Z (13–26) and Gen X (44–59) continue to lean on delivery services as part of their everyday shopping habits.</p>

<p>Internationally, uptake is even more pronounced. Overseas markets are seeing rapid adoption by both developers and consumers, positioning Parcel Lockers as standard infrastructure in many new residential projects. For Melbourne's development community, this signals a shift in baseline expectations. Just as secure bike storage and dedicated parcel rooms have become more common, integrated Parcel Locker networks may soon be viewed as part of the essential service mix.</p>

<h3>The bigger picture</h3>

<p>Parcel Lockers aren't just a logistics fix. Developers invest heavily in lobby design, materials, lighting and landscaping to shape first impressions. Yet a stack of unattended parcels can undo that effort in an instant. Embedding parcel infrastructure early allows projects to respond to how people actually live today, supporting resident satisfaction, reducing operational strain and aligning with broader community and ESG outcomes.</p>

<p>As Belinda Quinn, Senior Transaction Manager – Retail &amp; Out of Home at Australia Post, puts it, residents increasingly expect delivery solutions that align with real life, are flexible, secure and available whenever they need them.</p>


How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

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<p>A new masterplanned community, Winterfield, has been announced in the Ballarat region.</p>
<p>Located in the new suburb of Winter Valley, six kilometres from Ballarat’s town centre, Winterfield will include a primary and secondary school, a retail precinct, medical centre and cafes and is opposite a brand new shopping centre</p>
<p>The project by developer Goldfields will comprise just over 1,100 lots, 32 of which were released for sale on Saturday 11 March.</p>
<p>Winterfield’s existing creek and grasslands will be landscaped by Chelsea Flower Show winner Wes Fleming, of Fleming’s Nurseries, with six front gardens for purchasers to select for their own home.</p>
<p>Director of selling agents Hocking Stuart in Ballarat, Tim Valpied, said Winterfield provides first home buyers with a attainable and modern design that reflects the area they grew up in.</p>
<p>“Winterfield offers a great opportunity for people who have grown up in the area and are looking for their ‘forever home’ in a place they know and love, at an affordable price,” Valpied said.</p>
<p>“We’ve already received a high level of interest, proving the demand for great product, is there.”</p>
<p>Winterfield’s developer, Marco Gattino, said conservation of the indigenous flora and fauna that surrounds the area was carefully considered before being integrated into the masterplan.</p>
<p>“Winterfield is an exclusive community, like no other in the area. From the beautifully designed streetscapes through to amenity and connectivity, residents have everything right at their fingertips,” Gattino said.</p>
<p>“We’re thrilled to see the State Government supporting growth in the region with the recent announcement about the First Home Buyers Grant doubling to $20,000 and stamp duty being abolished.</p>
<p>“Winterfield couldn’t have come at a better time for first home owners and we’re excited to launch this weekend.”</p>
<p>Lot sizes in sales release one range from 544 square metres to 615 square metres and are priced from $125,000 to $145,000.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

New masterplanned community Winterfield comes to Ballarat

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<p>Newly unveiled plans for Bellbird Park’s first off-lead dog park in AVID Property Group’s Brentwood Forest will have tails unanimously wagging across the Greater Springfield and Ipswich regions.</p>
<p>The 1,600 square metre, fully-fenced puppy friendly space, to be completed late-2017, will form part of the new 1.3 hectare park being delivered by AVID Property Group and will be one of the largest off-lead dog parks in the Greater Springfield and Ipswich regions.</p>
<p>AVID general manager Bruce Harper said Ipswich City Council was supportive of AVID’s plans for the park.</p>
<p>“Council has been extremely supportive of our plans for the park as they understand the significant health, social and economic benefits dog parks like this one bring,” he said.</p>
<p>“The park will help cater for the needs of the more than 28,000 registered dogs in the region, and with only 14 other off-lead dog parks in the Ipswich local government area, we expect the park will be welcomed by pet loving locals.”</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/23/Dog%20Park%20Render%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>“The community will also be able to access a range of sports, fitness and kids play facilities that will form part of the new broader $1.2 million dollar park planned for Brentwood Forest.”</p>
<p>The park will be located on the doorstep of approximately 1,200 residents already living at Brentwood Forest.</p>
<p>Brentwood Forest’s latest Magpie land release includes blocks with sizes ranging from an easy care 250 square metre to 563 square metre family sized blocks.</p>
<p>The latest Tempo Living house and land release offers architecturally designed homes as turnkey packages at fixed prices.</p>
<p>Land prices at Brentwood start from just $169,000 while Tempo Living house and land packages start from just $302,215.</p>
<p>Brentwood Forest is also home to newly opened high school - Bellbird Park State Secondary College - and has also welcomed plans for a proposed new child care centre within the community, expected to open in late-2017.</p>
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Brentwood Forest to become home to Bellbird Park’s first off-lead dog park

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<p>One of the surprise performers over the past few months has been Brisbane’s fringe suburbs according to HTW’s February 2017 update.</p>
<p>The valuation firm says there is a continued shift towards house and land packages – particularly from investors scared off by the threat of a looming unit oversupply.</p>
<p>“While no-one is calling a boom for this once very sleepy sector, activity has been strong,” the firm says.</p>
<p>“Our team are also noting gains in the western corridor towards the Ipswich region as facilities and infrastructure continue to attract business and residents.</p>
<p>“Some of the bigger estates in this patch are seeing 30 to 40 land sales per month – and most developers would call this a roaring success.”</p>
<p>HTW says this is in contrast to the prestige property which operates outside the constraints impacting other price points due to many high-end buyers being cashed up and immune from interest rate variations.</p>
<p>“When the right buyer meets the perfect property, record prices can result.</p>
<p>“We will probably see a few more of these benchmark sales occur in 2017.” </p>
<p>A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-stafford+heights-124462038" target="_blank">Stafford Heights </a>(above) was recently sold for $553,000.</p>
<p>Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-mount+gravatt+east-124536170" target="_blank"><span data-reactid="44">5 Boambillee Street</span></a>, Mount Gravatt East (below) was sold for <span data-reactid="59">$775,000</span>.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/20/5%20Boambillee%20Street.jpg" alt=""></p>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Unit oversupply forces Brisbane investors shift focus to house and land: HTW

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<div>With <span id="0.5846416397337644">cricket</span> season spicing up our summer, Property Observer took a look at the best backyard <span id="0.864627114398903">cricket </span>pitches across Australia. Some have been sold and some are for sale.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-millbank-120954850" target="_blank">31 Diamond Street, Millbank, QLD </a>(pictured above)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sitting on 4070 sqm is a beautiful <span id="0.7477409907410946">cricket</span> wicket which encourages the straight-drive with the pull shot not an option with the four man bay shed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The massive eight bedroom house sold for $440,000 through Hugh McKid of Location Property Agents.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>2. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-lavington-120939666" target="_blank">3 Abbott Drive, Lavington, NSW</a>
</div>
<div>
<br>Located on a 4,000 square metre block, the low maintenance grounds include a <span id="0.9365826007488334">cricket</span> pitch with rear access <span id="0.865291390582464">and </span>sprinkler system.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The property has been listed for sale at $879,000 by Mark Rosevear <span id="0.8035429697799732">and</span> Clinton Harvey of Wodonga Real Estate.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>3. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-sorrento-121403258" target="_blank">32 Ashmore Way, Sorrento, WA</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The property doesn't feature a wicket per se, but there is a long stretch of artificial grass for a bowlers run up <span id="0.23111241483064715">and</span> a small space for defensive shots.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The five bedroom property sold at auction on December 28, 2015 for $1.55 million.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>4. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bowral-120699489" target="_blank">52 Thompson Street, Bowral, NSW</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This property makes the list simply because Bowral was the birth place of Australian legend Sir Donald Bradman.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The southwest suburb of Sydney homed Bradman who would have relished the prospect of practicing on such a wicket in the 1900's when he was a child.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The property was sold in November 2015 for $495,000 by Lewis Harelle of Ray White.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>5. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-burbank-120726225" target="_blank">1190 Mt. Cotton Road, Burbank, QLD</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A full length concrete pitch on the 2.83 hectare land is met by nets so you don't have to continue to fetch the ball when you smash those sixes.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/03/1190%20Mount%20Cotton%20Road-2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Corrine Guterres sold the property for $1.85 million in October 2015. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>6. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mosman-121076214" target="_blank">46 Somerset Street, Mosman, NSW</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The house lights up the small synthetic grass wicket where you can practice your defensive game with the netting behind making a wicket keeper unnecessary.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The three bedroom home sold for $2.88 million in November 2015 through Bernard Ryan <span id="0.40113145342457823">and</span> Geoff Smith of LJ Hooker.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>7. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-ivanhoe+east-115259503" target="_blank">27 Beauview Parade, Ivanhoe East, VIC</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The <span id="0.24167802212927514">cricket</span> wicket, accompanied by a putting green sold at auction for $1.83 million at the end of November 2013.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/03/27%20Beauview%20Parade.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>One for the bowlers, there's not much room to bat but some greenery behind the batsman will ensure the ball doesn't end up next door.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>8. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-chandler-120339449" target="_blank">240 Charleton Street, Chandler, QLD</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Recently sold, the five bedroom family home has a wicket surrounded by an enclosed netting cage. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>James Curtain<span id="0.6298726376023127">and</span> David Taylor sold the property that traded for $2.185 in 2008 for $1.9 million in August 2016.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>9. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mittagong-119914765" target="_blank">129 Bong Bong Road, Mittagong, NSW</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Environmentalist <span id="0.722907608035047">and</span> musician Peter Garrett's home sold for $2.8 million in April 2016 through listing agent John Renouf of Drew Lindsay Real Estate.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The five bedroom home has a wicket perfect for a batsman to drive all day.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>10. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-dianella-124048542" target="_blank">24 Ballarat Way Dianella, WA</a>
</div>
<div>
<br>The two storey family house sits on a big 809 square metre block <span id="0.44336702918232085">and</span> has a purpose built <span id="0.5319774684925738">cricket</span> pitch.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The property has been listed for sale at $1.125 million by Mark <span id="0.26233092805553726">and</span> Debra Passmore of Passmore Real Estate. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>However the cricket pitch does not appeared to be photographed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>11. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-oxenford-124406430" target="_blank">27 California Drive, Oxenford, QLD</a>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Oxenford home features lawns of just synthetic turf. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Brambling Property Hendra selling agent Ann-Marie Warhurst told The Courier Mail the home was ticking a lot of boxes for families. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The 1151sq m property is on the market for offers over $650,000.</div>
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Cricket pitches at home - 11 of the best pitches on offer

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<p>Unlike a kitchen or bathroom renovation that depreciates over time, a garden will grow in value as it becomes more established with each passing year, according to Secret Agent’s latest bulletin.</p>
<p>They suggested their top 5 reasons why you should renovate your garden before your kitchen or bathroom.</p>
<p>1. Add up to 18% to your home value</p>
<p>Gardens are highly valued amongst homebuyers.</p>
<p>Inner Melbourne properties with notable landscaped gardens can sell for 18% more than those without, especially if the property is located in a suburb where greenery and space is scarce.</p>
<p>2. Maintain physical health</p>
<p>Being healthy generally means eating well and exercising more. Gardens can help improve both of these aspects.</p>
<p>By dedicating an area of your garden to a veggie patch, you can grow your own organic vegetables.</p>
<p>Gardening is also a good form of exercise as it forces us to ditch the sedentary life on the couch.</p>
<p>The more we move and use our body now, the better quality of life we will maintain as we age. Gardening is especially good for keeping our hands agile and strong.</p>
<p>3. Keep a healthy brain</p>
<p>A longitudinal study on almost 3000 Australian men and woman found that daily gardening reduced the risk of dementia by 36%.</p>
<p>Another study found this risk reduction was as much as 47%.</p>
<p>4. Become happier</p>
<p>Not only does gardening make you relax, it will also brighten your mood. Soil contains a microbe which has been shown to have antidepressant properties in humans.</p>
<p>This bacteria is absorbed into our bloodstream via inhalation or ingestion on vegetables and results in increased levels of serotonin- the feel good hormone.</p>
<p>A lack of serotonin has been linked to increased anxiety, depression and a variety of other mental health issues.</p>
<p>5. The benefits of biophilia</p>
<p>The natural bond humans have with living systems is explained by the biophilia hypothesis, coined by E. O. Wilson.</p>
<p>Connecting with nature sets into motion processes deep within the body that make us mentally and physically stronger.</p>
<p>Numerous studies have shown that hospital patients who see greenery outside their window recover faster than those who face a brick wall.</p>
<p>Due to technology, we are spending more time away from nature than ever before.</p>
<p>Building up a beautiful garden to maintain will allow you to reconnect with nature and receive all of these benefits.</p>
<p>For more information go to: <a href="https://secretagent.com.au/" target="_blank">https://secretagent.com.au/</a></p>
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Five reasons to renovate your garden before the kitchen or bathroom

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<p>Savills will auction five land lots at Lindfield onsite on December 11.</p>
<p>The lots form part Eton Estate which comprises a total of 10 land lots.</p>
<p>The five remaining lots will be auctioned at a later date.</p>
<p>Located at 101 Eton Road, Lindfield, the lots range in size from 831 square metres to 880 square metres with a price guide starting around $1,890,000 plus.</p>
<p>Savills selling agent David Poppleton noted in the first week of launching there had been more than 150 enquiries.</p>
<p>With a median house price of $2,500,000, according to CoreLogic, Lindfield has witnessed significant growth in recent years.</p>
<p>Since 2011, Lindfield has seen a cumulative capital growth in median house prices of 52.6% compared to the wider Ku-Ring-Gai market at 47%.</p>
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Five land lots for sale in Lindfield through Savills

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<p>Former Geelong Football Club champion Cameron Ling has been announced as an ambassador for Oakdene Estate, a development along the Bellarine Peninsula.</p>
<p>Oakdene Estate is an established community in the heart of Ocean Grove.</p>
<p>The three-time premiership hero is a resident in <span>nearby </span>Geelong and has further extended his interest in the property. He said that every aspect of Oakdene Estate has been thoughtfully considered and carefully planned.</p>
<p>"There’s no doubt Oakdene Estate is an ideal place to build a home and raise a family," Ling said.</p>
<p>"The community is rich with great lifestyle factors and a friendliness that you just don’t get anywhere else".</p>
<p>Oakdene Estate features single dwelling covenants and architecturally designed homes.</p>
<p>An expanding coastal town, Oakdene Estate’s stage eight land release is now selling, with Oakdene Estate representative, Nicholas O’Donohue saying that he believes the strong interest in the development will continue to grow.</p>
<p>"With six stages already sold out and strong buyer interest from baby boomer downsizers and young families, Oakdene Estate is set to redefine Ocean Grove living," <span>O’Donohue </span>said.</p>
<p>"Oakdene Estate has been very successful with 11 out of the 38 lots being sold on the first weekend.</p>
<p>"This sensational collection of these family size blocks range in size from 476 square metres to 1,467 square metres.</p>
<p>"A variety of lots are also still available in stage seven ranging in size from 326 square metres to 828 square metres."</p>
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Former Geelong champion Cameron Ling announced as Oakdene Estate ambassador

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<p>Clarence Property managing director Peter Fahey says around 70% of people who have purchased in the new Epiq Lennox Head development to date are from the Lennox-Ballina area.</p>
<p>The developer Clarence Property claims that it is the largest privately funded civil works project between the NSW mid-north coast and Queensland border.</p>
<p>The $200 million development will create up to 580 jobs over the next five years, Fahey said.</p>
<p>It will deliver up to 335 jobs during its construction phase, with a further 245 ongoing jobs to be created at and supporting the project's planned shopping precinct.</p>
<p>Construction is complete on the sold out first stage of the community, comprising 51 homesites and sporting fields.</p>
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Epiq Lennox Head buyers are 70% local 

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<p>A residential development site suited to a townhouse development at Riddells Creek has been sold.</p>
<p>Gray Johnson agent Rory White says that the campaign for 138 Main Road attracted over 40 enquiries for the property with a sale negotiated with a local builder-developer at $190 a square metre for the site of 2,206 sqm, or $420,000.</p>
<p>“The property with a frontage of 31 metres to Main Road holds a General Residential Zone 1 rating under the local planning scheme.</p>
<p>“It was offered along with a conceptual development plan for a potential townhouse development prepared by V-Arc Architects subject to planning approval.</p>
<p>“The purchaser is a local developer who has recently completed several townhouse developments in the local area” Mr White says.</p>
<p>Riddells Creek, 50 kms north-west of the City in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, is a regional growth area with semi-rural charm and a growing local population.</p>
<p> </p>
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Riddells Creek townhouse development site sold for $190 a sqm after strong interest

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<p>Vacant seaside land at Diamond Beach, with approved subdivision, is for sale.</p>
<p>The properties are located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-diamond+beach-502139634" target="_blank">Lot 6, 310-314 Anniversary Drive, Diamond Beach</a>.</p>
<p>The block covers a total 10.92 hectares and <span style="font-size: 12.16px;">is situated just meters from the pristine shores of Diamond Beach.</span></p>
<p>It is a 10 minute drive from the resort towns of Old Bar and Forster, some three and a half hours north of Sydney.</p>
<p>The land has rural residential subdivision approval for 89 lots.</p>
<p>The property is offered through Unique Estate agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden.</p>
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