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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

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.

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.

"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.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

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.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

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

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

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.

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.

"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.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

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.

"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.

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.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

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.

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.

"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.

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.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

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

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

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.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

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.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

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

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

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.

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.

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

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.

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.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“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.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

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.

"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."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"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."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

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.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"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."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"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."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

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;

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;

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

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.

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

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

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.

That scale of eCommerce activity has fundamentally changed expectations around how and when parcels arrive, and what happens when someone isn't home.

<h3>Problem solved with Parcel Lockers</h3>

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.

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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.

<h3>How Parcel Lockers work</h3>

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.

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.

<h3>The scale of the network</h3>

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.

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.

<h3>What it means for developers and building operators</h3>

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.

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.

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.

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.

<h3>Who's using them</h3>

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.

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.

<h3>The bigger picture</h3>

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.

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.

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

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Perth’s home owners have been reminded by the Building Commissioner to check the registration of painters, in particular, before paying them to carry out work priced over $1,000. If property owners do not undertake this due diligence, they may face being ripped off.
According to Building Commissioner Peter Gow, they are continuing to receive details of unregistered painters obtaining business by distributing flyers and going door-to-door offering services. Just recently, home owners in Willetton and Sorrento have provided reports of this activity.
Sub-standard and overpriced work could be the result of getting involved with an unregistered painter.
“In most parts of Western Australia, carrying out painting work valued over $1,000 requires a registration and any advertisements offering major painting work should contain the painter’s registration number,” Gow said.
“The Building Commission and our colleagues at Consumer Protection receive frequent complaints from consumers who have handed over money to an unregistered painter only to be left with overpriced and substandard work – or in some cases, no work at all,” he said.
“The best way for consumers to protect themselves from dodgy painters is to ask to see their accreditation and independently verify it before agreeing to any major work on their property.”
For those concerned, a quick check on the Building Commissions registration portal will <a href="https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-commission/find-registered-building-service-provider" target="_blank">be able to find registered painters</a>.
Other signs to watch for are headings such as “full roof painted” for a value in excess of $1,000, and sometimes a 1800 phone number and no trading name could be warnings home owners could check out for to determine whether they are operating illegally.
Always check for credentials before agreeing to any work.
“These unregistered traders are difficult to track down for a refund or to make a warranty claim if you’re not satisfied with the work and are breaking consumer law by not observing a 10-day cooling off period for unsolicited sales,” Gow said.
“Most building work valued over $20,000 also requires the builder to be registered in WA and all plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed plumbing contractor,” he said.
You can report anyone you know to be offering unauthorised work via the Building Commission:1300 48 90 99 or <a href="https://mail.privatemedia.com.au/owa/redir.aspx?C=Ultkv_vW706GgICQ1Lr4DMvqpdX_AtIIb4VbQ_7izJOeO3QJXpzOHTVog-kX_Y62w6VPR2gnEM8.&amp;URL=mailto%3abcinfo%40commerce.wa.gov.au">bcinfo@commerce.wa.gov.au</a>.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Home owners warned to check registrations before paying for home improvement

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A $4.2 million refurbishment is planned for the forthcoming The Block Octagonal series.
The development application proposes seven whole-floor apartments, each with three bedrooms.
It is not known how many contestant couples there will be, with rumours of a competition between the alumni of rival Block and House Rules television shows going head to head.
 
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20three.jpg" alt="">
The rooftop of the former Hotel Saville.
At ground level, the Brenchley Architect plans propose a café for 80 patrons.
Stonnington Council has yet to approve the conversion of the recently closed hotel.
The eight level, 34-room octagonal-shaped Hotel Saville in South Yarra was purchased last year by Watercress Pty Ltd, the production company of Channel 9’s The Block for $6.25 million.
The property has close access to popular attractions and amenities such as the Prahran Market, Chapel Street, Fawkner Park, the Botanical Gardens and Albert Park Lake. St Kilda Road and public transport are all nearby, with The Alfred Hospital is just down the road. 
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20two.jpg" alt="">
The Hotel Saville, the site of a forthcoming series of The Block.
Property Observer is aware that in the 1990s, some of its rooms were briefly rented to the Alfred Hospital.
In 2002 the hotel was in the news after it was alleged Reservoir man Shane Chartres-Abbott violently raped a client in a hotel suite, with part of her tongue missing.
The gigolo Chartres-Abbott was arrested shortly after the attack with the victim's blood on his pants and her phone in his bag. With the forensic evidence, medical reports, the victim's testimony and witness statements, Chartres-Abbott presented a bizarre, headline-grabbing defence that he was a 200-year-old vampire.
Chartres-Abbott was subsequently executed outside his Reservoir home in 2003 as he left for the County Court during the rape trial. 
The 3.5 star Hotel Saville of South Yarra, with restaurant, had been trading under various names since its opened in the early 1970s.
With 360 degree views, the property is located at<a href="https://rca.colliers.com.au/property-land+development-vic-south+yarra-501125927" target="_blank"> 1-5 Commercial Road</a>, near busy Punt Road.
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20one.jpg" alt="">
A notice at the entry of the Hotel Saville.
Watercress's next series of The Block which is currently being advertised to start next month is on Darling Street, South Yarra.
Their Brenchley Architects plans were lodged for a $2.4 million development application for the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unitblock-vic-south+yarra-116269171" target="_blank">South Yarra</a> property. Titled The Block Triple Threat, the show's 10th series follows the 2014 The Block Glasshouse series in Prahran.
The current 12-unit block at 27 Darling Street, South Yarra, (pictured below) will be four luxury triple-storey townhouses.
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20five.jpg" alt="">
Watercress paid $5.7 million for the Darling Street site.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The Block Octagonal will have seven luxury South Yarra apartments

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Are you energetic, with a sense of humor?
In a long-term couple, family duo or have an "enduring friendship" with someone who knows their way around a construction site?
Most importantly: are you willing to take home nothing but a "nominal weekly fee" if it all goes pear shaped?
If so, you might qualify for the next series of The Block. 
Potential Blockheads have until 6 February to apply for the series, and successful applicants will begin manically shopping for pendant lights and colour-matched art in April. The first episode will see some contestants eliminated before the competition proper begins.
In your application, you'll need to provide details of your citizenship status, your criminal record, your height (in centimetres, please) and your home. You'll also have to describe your would-be team mate in one word (and in many).
Who's the first to make up when you fight? What would be your 'theme song'?
Lest you think it's all about the human drama, the producers are not just interested in your relationship.
What's your design style? What influences and inspires your design? (websites, magazines, designers, periods)? It's unclear whether hopefuls should name drop Neale Whitaker's former employer, Belle Magazine, or his latest, Vogue Living. However, if past seasons are anything to go by, contestants should answer the former question with something vague but boring like "classic with an edge", "minimalist with a twist" or "clean with a splash of colour".
Applicants are asked to provide photos of themselves and their home or homes, and a five minute video.
Meanwhile, filming is well and truly underway for The Block Triple Threat, and marketing is ramping up. This week, the imaginative and current Channel 9 released ads comparing bearded contestant Ayden to "that guy from The Hangover".  Just think – after an online application, this could be you.
<a href="https://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/theblock/glasshouse/latest/week-11/are-you-australias-next-ultimate-blockheads/" target="_blank">Click here to apply.</a>
{qtube vid:=jBCAgaxda5A}
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Calling would-be Blockheads: The Block now taking applications

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When decorating an apartment for Christmas, it’s worth remembering your responsibilities and to seek clarification from your body corporate, according to Archers Body Corporate Management.
Apparently, certain decorations and lights can break the building’s by-laws and require approval.
Archer’s strata manager Wayne Hewitt said that the majority of unit owners and tenants are unaware of the repercussions.
“Most bodies corporate have by-laws prohibiting additions to the exterior of the building, including hanging Christmas decorations and lights from balconies and windows,” Hewitt said.
He notes that the body corporate can advise on the extent of the decorations allowed, how long they can be displayed for and where is appropriate to have them.
Here are their five Christmas decoration tips:
<ul>
<li>Check with your body corporate before putting up your Christmas decorations to ensure you’re not in breach of any by-laws. 
</li>
<li>Before you install Christmas lights, check over the cables to ensure they are not faulty. Faulty lights can be the cause of fires which can not only affect your property but the entire building. 
</li>
<li>If you have approval to decorate your balcony ensure that decorations are secured well so they won’t be a hazard in strong wind or summer storms. 
</li>
<li>Ensure that your decorations do not block any walkways or emergency exit points of the building and are not on common property. 
</li>
<li>Make sure you adhere to your body corporate’s prescribed time lines and guidelines for how long decorations can be displayed.</li>
</ul>
Source: Archers Body Corporate Management
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Five tips for decorating an apartment safely

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The Gold Coast’s Palm Beach Heights Estate has been named the Best Small Residential Subdivision in Queensland in the Urban Development Institute of Australia's (UDIA) 2014 Awards.
The boutique estate, set to be home to 150 families, has seen 80% of purchases come from locals, according to market agent Shaun Darcy, Ray White Robina.
“We’ve sold 83 blocks and have about five to go. We saw enormous interest from local residents and 80% of sales have been taken up local families. They did not want to change their postcode they just wanted a new home in a new estate surrounded by like-minded residents,” he said.
In total, including the 80% of local buyers, a total of 85% will be owner occupiers. The development sold at five blocks per month, hitting the market in late 2013.
The Beacon Builders development is just two kilometres from the beaches. Single blocks are priced from $300,000 to $360,000. Duplex blocks cost from $400,000 to $450,000. Townhouse sites are sold for $600,000.
“Schools, shops and restaurants are all within easy reach. This is actually really unusual - it’s known as an infill subdivision - as most new residential subdivisions are short on key infrastructure as they are developed in the outer regions of the city,” Darcy said.
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Boutique Gold Coast estate takes out UDIA residential subdivision award

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It’s common investment talk that to do up a property with a new kitchen or bathroom should reap you thousands of dollars in added value.
However, this might not actually be so, according to Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers’ executive director Joe Sirianni.
“Minor renovations are more likely to have an impact with a unit,” Sirianni said.
“But with a house, superficial renovations may make a property more saleable, not necessarily produce a greater value – particularly given that in Australia a large proportion of a property’s value is in the land.”
In fact, in many cases superficial renovations have the potential to result in a slight increase in purchase price, and perhaps more buyers, but usually attracts the people who are already looking.
“It’s not the new floorboards, a new kitchen or a renovated bathroom that will have the banks’ valuers applying additional value to a property,” said Sirianni.
Structural improvements, however, do have the potential to have an impact on a valuation.
This could include adding bathrooms or bedrooms, and possibly adding a new garage.
For home buyers who are looking to undertake “non structural” renovations, then the bank often lends without a new valuation.
“People who improve the look of a home with non-structural renovations generally don’t understand that’s all they have done – that is, take away the run-down look of the property,” Sirianni said.
“They haven’t added bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage or anything that will put it into a new category for buyers.”
As a result, it’s usually looked at in the same way by valuers.
“It’s acknowledged that you spent, say, $50,000 on it, but they know that you’re very unlikely to get more than your $50,000 return on it,” he said.
“Quite often the banks won’t even match the valuation to what you’ve spent unless there’s a big structural improvement.”
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A kitchen or bathroom renovation won’t deliver a windfall: Smartline

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New South Wales’s fastest selling Masterplanned project, The Ponds, in Sydney’s north-west has now sold out with the last land plot purchased.
The UrbanGrowth NSW and Australand project is a $2 billion community with more than 4,200 home sites – all sold within seven years.
Development director for The Ponds, Jey Mahendra, said that in early 2003 they set a vision for the area that included 80 hectares of bushland and waterways and six kilometres of bicycle and walk ways.
“Eleven years later this vision has been achieved. It is estimated over 12,400 residents will call The Ponds home when the last remaining homes are built in 2015,” said Mahendra.
“A combination of strong leadership, clear project vision, a dedicated team with shared values, community input, combined with cooperative relationships with council, project partners and state government agencies were invaluable in the success of this project,” he said.
The homes will include detached and attached homes, terraces houses and courtyard homes.
Major infrastructure projects and housing saw an investment of over one billion dollars, with general manager, residential NSW for Australand, Nigel Edgar, noting that they had initially expected to finishing selling land and homes in the area in 2016.
“Twelve high profile industry accolades have been awarded including the coveted Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) President’s Award for 2012 for the best project of the year in residential, commercial and retail development,” he said.
They have also received sustainability awards from the UDIA, Housing Industry of Australia and PIA.
“A broad range of purchasers have appreciated the lifestyle that has been created at The Ponds. There is nothing else like it in the North West of Sydney. Buyers who purchased in the early stages of the project have been our best sales force. The consultants involved with this project should be very proud of this thriving and functional community.”
The Ponds falls under the Blacktown City Council area.
Next year will see the completion of Peel Reserve Park, which will add to the outside amenitiess that include BBQ areas, playgrounds and sports facilities. In 2015 two schools, John Palmer Public School and a special school, will be complete, as will the second of two community hubs.
Also yet to open next year will be a retail and shopping centre amenity.
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“Most successful masterplanned project in NSW history” sells out: The Ponds

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As this year’s calendar clicks into December, the jacaranda season draws to a close with purple trademark trees turning green across Australia’s east coast.
The onset of flowering Jacarandas signifies the peak of the spring property market, and their disappearance indicates Christmas is nigh. 
For the past two months, flashes of lilac from trees in full bloom have been a familiar sight across Sydney where the season was even more impressive than the glorious 2013 flowering period, note our Jacaranda enthusiasts, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok.
This week they seek out late season property listings at Grafton, the NSW north coast town known for its annual Jacaranda Festival celebrated in late October - this year was its 80th anniversary.
HE SAID:<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/stories/2013/09/06/jc-silhouette-5.jpg" alt="jc-silhouette-5" width="130" height="195" style="float: right;">
It’s no secret I’m an unabashed fan of these magnificent trees – but at a distance for I’m not fond of the fallen mess made especially after rain. 
Hence, my first selection of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-south+grafton-118510139" target="_blank">108 Through Street, South Grafton</a> – a gorgeous hardwood three bedroom, two bathroom cottage positioned across the road from the Clarence River. Lucky for me, the Jacaranda is conveniently growing next door.
Listed for sale through Ryan Creed of Elders Real Estate Grafton, the property has an asking price of $310,000, and its recent rental appraisal is $290 per week…river breezes included. 
<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/2014/12/01/grafton%20dec%201%20two.jpg" alt=""> 
My second choice is out at Copmanhurst (in the foothills of the Gibraltar Range and about 75 kilometres west of Grafton) where<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-copmanhurst-7682611" target="_blank"> The Gorge is listed</a> at $3.75 million through LJ Hooker Grafton. 
<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/2014/12/01/companhurst%20dec%201%20one.jpg" alt="">
Operating as a tourism enterprise, this property comprises 1,800 hectares freehold and 1,200 hectares leasehold. 
As the selling agent Matt Dougherty says the current owners have developed The Gorge into a highly acclaimed tourism enterprise which is home to the best wild bass fishing in Australia. Campers flock there to witness the unspoilt beauty of the valley and it is pure heaven for the keen fisherman…Margie will love it. But according to the booking schedule, she will have to book ahead a year ahead to hire “The Shack” which offers visitors a taste of luxury. 
Little known, but the prize for me is that growing on the property is Australia’s largest Jacaranda – <a href="https://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/listing_view.php?listing_id=990"> listed on the National Register of Big Trees</a>.  Some six metres circumference, 30 metres high and a crown of 36 metres.
<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/2014/12/01/big%20tgree%20dec%201%20one.jpg" alt="">
<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/stories/2013/09/06/mb-silhouette-4.jpg" alt="mb-silhouette-4" width="130" height="195" style="float: left;">SHE SAID:
My Grafton pick is a pretty weatherboard house described by selling agents Rod Ford and Robyn Hunt, of First National Real Estate Bailey &amp; Gough, as “Sonaisali on Alice” – a confusing misnomer for the renovated residence bears no hint of Fijian style. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-grafton-118382959" target="_blank">Situated at 39 Alice Street</a>, this property stands on a large block in one of Grafton’s most sought after heritage streets which is close to the river and a short walk from expansive parklands shaded by beautiful Jacaranda trees.
For sale at $399,000, the property has a wide driveway leading to the four-bedroom two-bathroom house, and a swimming pool in the grounds. 
I like the comfortable look of this house, and also its huge garage where I’d keep my fishing gear. I’d also have a kayak which I could paddle across the river, past Susan Island, to visit Jonathan in his modest cottage on the southern foreshore.
Of course, he’ll say the Jacarandas on his side of the river are superior to those on my northern shore.
<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/2014/12/01/grafton%20dec%201%20three.jpg" alt="">
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End of jacaranda season offerings at Grafton: He Said/She Said

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When it comes to selling your home, there are three areas you need to consider: preparation, presentation and the marketing campaign.
The core principle when it comes to a sale or purchase of anything is, of course, that <a href="https://youtu.be/rmNpIJieUi4" target="_blank">first impressions count</a>. You achieve the best return based on a positive impression and we buy based on the perceptions that we have of the product or object.
So why do real estate agents believe selling a home, property and real estate is any different?
When thinking about selling your home and when you are contemplating how to obtain the most value in the sale, consider both the need to eliminate as many objections as possible and secondly, engage a real estate agent that understands how to prepare the home so that the first impression does count in your favour.
Not all real state agents are apt in preparing a home for sale. Unfortunately <a href="/expert-insights/agents-pull-your-heads-in-about-commissions-you-re-getting-more-not-less">their interest mostly lays in the commission alone and not in obtaining the best value for your property. </a>
The sales process is simple and it starts with the marketing campaign. However, most real estate agents are unsure how to begin. The better real estate professionals will engage stylists and other professionals to assist with the process. Preparing the home and making the first impression starts with the main aspect, the front appearance of the property. Typically what buyers see when they first approach the property.
Simple tips to take into account when preparing the front yard and front aspect of the home. These tips are straightforward; yet they render a huge difference to the home’s perceived value. I have broken the costs down based on the services I have used here in Sydney, Australia:
<ol start="1">
<li>Take care of the lawns and edges. The estimated cost may range from $50-$150 on average across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Weed garden beds, trim the hedges and add bark. The estimated cost ranges from $200-$400 across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Pressure clean the driveway and footpaths leading to the front door. The estimated costs may range from $200-$500 on average across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Pressure clean the roof area visible to the front. The estimated cost ranges from, $250-$600 across Sydney.</li>
</ol>
Therefore, at an average expenditure of under a couple thousand dollars, you have just added  tens of thousands of dollars value to the home. Not only do these simple tips add value, they add character and charm in a simple way.
Our aim as agents is to engage the buyer’s emotion from the moment they view the photos and video on online property portals. This is further enhanced when they walk up to the front of the home, see colour and presentable gardens.
Be mindful that a buyer’s objections are bargaining chips to drive the price down. <a href="https://youtu.be/3-uMKHTqxik">As agents and vendors, we have to eliminate as many objections as possible</a> to maintain the value and differentiate your home from others in the area that have been badly prepared for the sales and their marketing campaigns.
It’s the simple things that matter and first impressions count.
EDWIN ALMEIDA is licensee in charge of <a href="https://www.just-thin.com.au/" target="_blank">Just Think Real Estate</a>.<a href="https://www.just-thin.com.au/"> </a>
He is also the creator of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/JustThinkProperty" target="_blank">Oz Real Estate.TV</a> and a presenter for <a href="https://propertyinvestingvault.com/" target="_blank">propertyinvestingvault.com</a>.
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ealmedia-arK4DBYLjS

When first impressions count, it's the simple things that matter

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Past contestants Deanne and Darren Jolly, Matt Di Costa and Kim Owen and Bec and George Douros will compete for a place in The Block's upcoming South Yarra season.
It has been long rumoured that Deanne and Darren, pictured below, were participating in the show in 2015, after winning just $10,000 for their efforts on The Block Glasshouse. The three bedroom apartment they renovated this year sold for $1.38 million, with a reserve of $1.37 million.
<img src="/images/2014/11/24/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/melbourne-diy-favourites-deanne-and-darren-jolly-will-be-back-on-the-block/story-e6frfmq9-1227131758851" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">News Corp</a> reports the couple, along with Perth's Matt and Kim and Melbourne's Bec and George will be participating in an elimination round to decide which returning Blockheads will compete against new contestants.
There will be four teams in total, each renovating a three storey apartment in Darling Street, South Yarra (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20five.jpg">
The season, titled The Block Triple Threat, will air in early 2015, with Channel 9 beginning their marketing campaign on television and social media last night, releasing promotional materials featuring the returning contestants and a 10 second television spot.
<img src="/images/2014/11/11/mattkim.jpg" alt="">
Matt and Kim received a $250,000 profit when they renovated a whole level South Melbourne apartment in The Block Sky High, which they sold for $1,205,000. The couple, pictured above, have since gone on to appear in their own renovation show, Matt and Kim to the Rescue.
<img src="/images/2014/11/11/becgeorge.jpg" alt=""> Bec and George, pictured above, also renovated a full level apartment on the Sky High series, coming third behind Matt and Kim's second place effort, with a $242,000 profit. Their third storey apartment sold for $1.455 million. It appears the buyers of the apartments renovated by both Sky High alumni were both investors, with both apartments <a href="/expert-insights/investing/three-of-the-six-block-sky-high-south-melbourne-apartments-for-rental">listed for rent </a>earlier this year.
Since last appearing on The Block, Bec has created a design blog, Bec Marks the Spot, which reports George has been developing property.
Meanwhile, it appears even more former Blockheads will be coming out of the woodwork, with a new show titled <a href="/expert-insights/building/renovation-rumble-showdown-with-the-block-contestants-v-house-rules-contestants">Renovation Rumble</a> in the works. The show, said to be produced by The Block's Watercress Productions and confirmed by Channel 7, will pit former Block contestants against former House Rules contestants. It has a probable 2015 air date.
Pictures courtesy Channel 9.
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