<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>The NSW Government has announced building industry reform, introducing protection for consumers during the building certification process.</p>
<p>Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said the <em>Building and Development Certifiers Act 2018</em>, effective on 1 July, will tighten the NSW Government’s regulation of building certifiers, restoring consumer confidence in the industry.</p>
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<p>“We have now strengthened the regulation of building certifiers, improving their accountability and independence and providing greater protections for consumers,” Mr Anderson said.<br><br>Certifiers will be required to attain a higher level of ongoing education in order to achieve registration, ensuring that only those with the requisite competence, skills and knowledge are authorised to carry out certification work.</p>
<p>The Act also outlines minimum limits for insurance that certifiers are required to hold.<br><br>“Many building owners might not have known that they have the right to choose a building certifier, so we’ve embedded this protection in building and certification contracts to make it crystal clear.”<br><br>Strengthened contract requirements for certification work will ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the certifier and the builder.<br><br>The Government has also moved to strengthen compliance and oversight of certifiers in four key areas. This includes:</p>
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<li>increased auditing;</li>
<li>increased penalties for corruption and negligence;</li>
<li>a certifier code of conduct with restrictions on a certifier’s ability to practice in the event of a breach in the previous 12 months; and</li>
<li>the provision of more information to homeowners, ensuring they have the transparency they need on a certifier’s compliance history.</li>
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<p>These reforms are accompanied by the Government’s historic building reform package, the <em>Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020</em> and <em>Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020</em>, which passed in early June.</p>
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<p>Amendments to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 are being drafted in Western Australia to include new plumbing standards for subdivision plumbing work in relation to survey strata schemes.</p>
<p>The changes are outlined in Industry Bulletin 125 – New requirements for plumbing services to survey strata lot developments.</p>
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<p>The new standards for plumbing services in relation to survey strata schemes commenced operation on 15 August 2020.</p>
<p><span>Plumbing services to individual survey strata lots consist of sanitary drainage service lines and connection points, and water supply service lines and connection points. </span></p>
<p><span>The requirements apply to survey strata developments consisting of two or more survey strata lots.</span></p>
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<p><span>Prior to 2015 the Water Corporation provided guidance and direction to land developers in the form of ‘Plumbers advice kits’ for the provision of sanitary drainage service lines and connection points and </span><span>to;</span><span>water supply services to individual survey strata lots.</span></p>
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<p><span>The developer would then engage an LPC to install the services where necessary as part of the process towards obtaining titles for the lots. This generally ensured that survey strata lots were provided with suitable plumbing services prior to the lots being sold and building commencing.</span></p>
<p><span>In 2015 the Water Corporation came to a decision that it was not in their remit to enforce requirements for plumbing services to individual survey strata lots beyond providing a connection point at the main lot boundary. Since then there have been consistent issues regarding the provision of plumbing services to individual survey strata lots including:</span></p>
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<p><span>• new strata lots not being provided with services at all;</span></p>
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<p>• services to lots being inappropriately located, e.g. installed diagonally across other lots where they are susceptible to damage during site-works;</p>
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<p><span>• lots that are not serviced being ‘built out’ when a house is built on another lot that is between them and the main sewer connection point; and</span></p>
<p><span>• difficulty locating connection points due to no drainage plumbing diagram being available.</span></p>
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<p><span>Where sanitary drainage services are required a developer must engage an LPC to install a suitable sanitary drainage service line(s) and connection point(s) to each lot. </span></p>
<p><span>Where water services are required the developer must enter into an agreement with a water services provider (in most instances the Water Corporation) to either install infrastructure, or provide direct services </span><span>or </span><span>multi-metering to each lot on the survey strata scheme, or alternatively engage an LPC to install water supply services to each lot on the scheme.</span></p>
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Plumbing standards regulations being drafted for strata subdivision plumbing work

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<p>Summer Hill, a 3,237 hectare country property in the Upper Hunter Valley shire has hit the market with $12 million hopes. </p>
<p>The Summer Hill Road property in Cassilis include balanced basalt farming and grazing country for beef cattle, sheep or cropping.</p>
<p>The weatherboard homestead comes with eight bedrooms, bathroom, fireplace and established gardens. </p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2012.35.57%20pm.png" alt=""></p>
<p>There is another cottage on the property comprising 3 bedrooms, bathroom and air conditioning.</p>
<p>It also features long frontage to the Munmurra River, stand woolshed, hay shed and cattle yards. </p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2012.35.04%20pm.png" alt=""></p>
<p>The owner will look subdivide the property into 5,500 acre Summer Hill and 2,500 acre Rosedale.</p>
<p>The property is situated about 70km from Merriwa and Mudgee. </p>
<p>Bowyer &amp; Livermore's Greg Ryan and James Walton hold the listing.</p>
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Cassilis' Summer Hill property remains on the market with $12 million hopes

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<p><em>Property Observer </em>has over the years compiled a list of the top renovating tips from many experts, which could shape your plans during the COVID-19 renovation spree.</p>
<p><strong>Top Renovating Tips</strong></p>
<p>1. <strong>Chris Gray (Property Empire) </strong><span>Start by choosing the right property, making sure it is an unemotional investment, as opposed to an emotional home purchase.</span></p>
<p>Are you looking to buy, renovate and sell, or buy, renovate and hold? If you’re selling it’s imperative that there is an immediate and almost guaranteed profit in the deal. If you’re looking to hold, you need to buy the right property that will continue to grow strongly forever. The renovation profit in a hold strategy is more about icing on the cake, maximising your rental return and ensuring you have minimal maintenance to do in the future.</p>
<p><strong>2. Shaynna Blaze (Selling Houses Australia) </strong>Assess your lifestyle.</p>
<p>Before working out the design and layout of your home, the first thing for any renovators to ask themselves: how do I like to live? Is your lifestyle casual? Do you like to entertain? Do you hate cleaning or noise? These different lifestyles will not only effect how the layout is but also the surfaces and colours you end up choosing.</p>
<p><strong>3. Andrew Winter (Selling Houses Australia) </strong>Put your hard earned cash where it shows.</p>
<p>Make sure you put your hard earned cash where it shows. Quality kitchens and bathrooms will always add value to your home and a smart façade will make your house the envy of your neighbours.</p>
<p><strong>4. Amanda Talbot (Stylist and author) </strong>5% of the value of your house should be in your kitchen</p>
<p>Your kitchen needs a wow factor, including good storage; quality hardware, drawer runners and soft closing draw mechanisms. 5% of the value of your house should be in the kitchen.</p>
<p><strong>5. Cherie Barber (Renovating For Profit) </strong>1% of the value of your house should be spent on your bathroom</p>
<p>Aim to spend between 1% to 1.5% of your current property value on your bathroom renovation. If your property is worth $400,000 you would spend around $4,000 renovating it.</p>
<p>Once you know your budget, allocate your money according to how immediately obvious each component is. If the vanity is the first thing you see when you come through the door, spend more money on a nice vanity, splashback and mirror. Your bathroom is the second most important room in your house, besides your kitchen, in terms of adding real fiscal value.</p>
<p><strong>6. Angus Kell (Archicentre) </strong>Go Green</p>
<p>Go green and cash in on the latest change in buying behaviour. Buyers can’t get enough of solar hot water, rainwater tanks and drip-feed irrigation systems</p>
<p><strong>7. Patrick Bright (EPS Property Search) </strong>Avoid doing the work yourself to “save money”</p>
<p>A small budget means there is always a temptation to do some or all of the work yourself to save money but DIY renovations can easily backfire. If the quality of workmanship is substandard this will diminish your sale price, possibly eliminating any profit you might have made in much the same way as under-capitalising on a renovation.</p>
<p><strong>8. Lisa Montgomery (Vogue Financial) </strong>Landscaping is important</p>
<p>The indoor/outdoor room is now a popular part of the Australian lifestyle, so allow for a percentage of your overall budget to be spent on landscaping so you can complement the work you’ve carried out inside the house. Even if your budget is modest, basic greenery and clean, functional outside areas will only improve a property’s appeal.</p>
<p><strong>9. Nick Tobias (Tobias Partners Architecture) </strong>Research your architect.</p>
<p>Establish a shortlist of architects you feel are best equipped in terms of aesthetic and technical prowess. Spend time reviewing the work of different practices, including speaking to past clients. Remember to keep things simple, trends come and go.</p>
<p><strong>10. Carolyn Burns-McCrave (House Rules, Burns-McCrave Design) </strong>Work from the inside out</p>
<p>A good floor plan is at the heart of a successful design and that each space should be tailored to the people who live there. Burns-McCrave says to work from the inside out; creating spaces that function and flow before thinking about colours and accessories.</p>
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10 DIY renovation tips for home owners

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<p style="text-align: left;" align="center">A large land holding in Dural with pricing expectations of over $30 million is being sold through Colliers International. </p>
<p>Wirrabara Village, the 6.3 hectare parcel of land at 3-5 Pellitt Street and 9 Wiarrabara, Dural recently received DA approval for a seniors living development, which will encompass 97 houses, villas and apartments and a 36-room residential aged care facility. </p>
<p>Situated within The Hills district, the site is located in an exclusive pocket of Dural adjoining the Hills Grammar school and within 400 metres to Dural Round Corner Shops. </p>
<p>Wirrabarra Village is  a thirty minute drive from Sydney’s CBD in an area which continues to flourish with huge amounts of government infrastructure invested recently, including the $8.3 Billion Sydney Metro North West Line and the $3 billion Northconnex tunnel connecting the M2 motorway with the M1 motorway which services the continued growth of north west Sydney. </p>
<p>“Dural’s average age is currently 43 years with projections for population growth in the 65-84 age group to increase by 95 per cent by 2036 which further highlights the requirements for quality seniors living and aged care housing in the local district,” said Henry Burke, National Director, Development Sites at Colliers International. </p>
<p>“It’s incredibly rare to find a large parcel of land with DA approval close to shops but away from main roads and thoroughfares in such a serene setting. We expect interest from a range of potential buyers including residential developers, aged care and seniors living operators and developers,” said Eugene White, Director, Development Sites at Colliers International</p>
<p>“The DA approval provides the purchaser with multiple staging opportunities and the mix of houses, villas, apartments and aged care rooms will appeal to a wide buying audience for the end product,” said Guillaume Volz, National Director, Development Sites at Colliers International.</p>
<p>Colliers International agents Henry Burke, Eugene White and Guillaume Volz are handling the sale with Expressions of Interest closing Thursday September 3, 2020. </p>
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Dural land holding with DA approval hits the market

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<p><span>Tasmania has not seen wide scale larger renovations or extensions, according to the June Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </span></p>
<p><span>The valuation firm suggests that in locations across the nation, the downtime delivered by isolation has spurned on owners looking to improve their assets through maintenance and upgrade. </span></p>
<p><span>This month's HTW residential report highlights where renovations are on the rise and the price points and outcomes those markets can expect.</span></p>
<p><span>"At the time of writing there are only 11 active Covid-19 infections in the state, four of those being hospitalised.</span></p>
<p><span>"Restrictions are slowly easing. Real estate agents can hold socially-distanced open homes and auctions," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>However it is going to be a while before the island state is open to tourists from the mainland again with the premier saying he will announce in July when we may expect the border restrictions to ease.</span></p>
<p><span>"Onto renovations and our ‘big green’ hardware stores have been the go-to during the last few months," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>"Like elsewhere in the country many Taswegians have been working from home (or being out of work at home) and thus have the opportunity to tend to those odd jobs. </span>However we have not seen wide scale larger renovations/extensions." </p>
<p>Builders have reported an increase in the smaller jobs but a decrease in quoting opportunities for those larger capital expenditure projects, the report noted. </p>
<p><span>"Interestingly some Airbnb operators are taking this opportunity to undertake maintenance and upgrading works while their properties are having down time. </span></p>
<p><span>"Initially we did see a rush of these types of properties into the traditional rental market. This transition has now slowed with owners now choosing to undertake maintenance and wait it out," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
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<p><span>"The obvious withdrawal of mainland buyers from our market would be expected to open up opportunities for the local buyer and even local first home buyer." </span></p>
<p><span>Headline reports had sales activity down a third in April in some markets. </span>However we have not yet seen any discernible movement in pricing. Nor have there been a rush of first home buyers into the market, the valuation firm said.</p>
<p>"Perhaps the talk that the State Government is going to raise the FHG from the current $20,000 to $40,000 is the incentive this buying segment needs to keep their powder dry for the moment!" </p>
<p><span>There is a general feeling with the easing of restrictions that the island with its natural ‘ocean barrier protection’ is well positioned to work its way out of the last few months. Hopefully the state will soon be virus clear, the report noted. </span></p>
<p><span>"This can only enhance </span>our clean/green image to the wider world and potentially encourage further migration from the mainland states and territories.</p>
<p><span>"Interesting times ahead!" </span></p>
<p><span>A</span> renovated Sandy Bay cottage has recently been sold for $860,000.</p>
<p>The five bedroom, one bathroom home is located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-sandy+bay-133362182" target="_blank">75 Princes Street </a>(pictured below).</p>
<p>It features well-designed kitchen/living/dining area, French doors, patio and garden. </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/2020/7/6/sandy%20bay%201.jpg" alt=""></p>
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A new listing is a fully renovated period weatherboard home <img src="blob:https://www.urban.com.au/7963b078-e2d5-4b52-a300-307aa98ce7e0" alt="page39image3795024" width="0.500000" height="0.500000">in Moonah priced at over $545,000.</div>
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<div class="section">The three bedroom, one bathroom home is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-moonah-133923330" target="_blank">28 Bayswater Road</a> (pictured below).</div>
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<div class="section">It comes with open plan kitchen, living and dining area, additional workshop and expansive paved area for outdoor entertaining. </div>
<div class="section"><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/2020/7/6/moonah.jpg" alt=""></div>
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Tasmania sees increasing Airbnb upgrading works: HTW residential 

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<p>Local agents confirm Whitsunday is not seeing any reductions in sale values, however volumes of sales are lower than what was previously occurring prior to the pandemic, according to the June Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </p>
<p>The valuation firm suggests that in locations across the nation, the downtime delivered by isolation has spurned on owners looking to improve their assets through maintenance and upgrade. This month's HTW residential report highlights where renovations are on the rise and the price points and outcomes those markets can expect.</p>
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<p><span>The report notes the Whitsundays are starting to reopen with cafes and some tours now operating within the government restrictions. </span>Cafes and restaurants are still providing take away services. People are out and about enjoying the lightening of the restrictions.</p>
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<p><span>"Renovations in the Whitsundays! While I have not seen any contracts for renovations and or additions over the last couple of months, it must be happening as Bunnings appears to be the best shop in the Whitsundays! </span></p>
<p><span>"The car park appears to be busy all week end. While we had to all stay at home it appears that the DIY home owners have been hard at work!</span></p>
<p><span>"We need to get our tourists back. Let’s hope that we can track on a positive note with limited to no cases new cases of Covid 19," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
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<img src="blob:https://www.urban.com.au/f7585dff-728e-4628-ae03-c0828bd0c00e" alt="page26image3754256" width="0.500000" height="0.500000">A current listing is a renovated Dingo Beach house with a price guide of $372, 600.</div>
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<div class="section">Set on an 839sqm block, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-dingo+beach-133788654" target="_blank">81 Pioneer Drive </a>home (pictured below) comprises two bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garage. </div>
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<div class="section">It also features modern kitchen, vinyl plank flooring and full A/C throughout. </div>
<div class="section"><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/2020/7/6/dingo%20beach%201.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="section">A recent sale was a renovated three bedroom house in Proserpine. </div>
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<div class="section">The family home at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-proserpine-132372750" target="_blank"> 5 Kanandah Street </a>(pictured below) was sold for $321,000.</div>
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<div class="section">Set on a 1,343sqm block, it comes with three bedrooms, stylish kitchen, multiple living areas and lock up garage. </div>
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Whitsunday sees increasing DIY home renovation activities: HTW residential 

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<p>Anecdotal evidence suggests that the supply of new stock being brought to Townsville market remains low as potential sellers hold off listing properties in the current environment, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </p>
<p>The valuation firm suggests that in locations across the nation, the downtime delivered by isolation has spurned on owners looking to improve their assets through maintenance and upgrade. This month's HTW residential report highlights where renovations are on the rise and the price points and outcomes those markets can expect.</p>
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<p>"We are continuing to see sales occur, albeit at lower volumes compared to pre-COVID-19 and to date value levels appear to be holding," the valuation firm said. </p>
<p><span>The report states over the past 12 months there has been a noticeable increase in the number of house flippers in the market, typically operating within the five to eight kilometre radius of the city centre in suburbs such as Railway Estate, Currajong and Gulliver.</span></p>
<p><span> The buy in price for homes with renovation potential in these areas is typically in the low $200,000s with end values created in the high $200,000s to mid </span>$300,000s depending on the extent and quality of the works undertaken.</p>
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<p><span>"The rise in popularity of lifestyle home renovation shows such as House Rules and The Block are also contributing to the increase in renovation projects being undertaken by home owners," the </span>valuation firm said.</p>
<p>The reason behind this increase could be contributed in part to the change-over cost from their current home to an upgraded property, the report suggested. </p>
<p>Furthermore, location seems to be a factor in the decision to renovate. Owners not wanting to take a gamble on location by moving are opting to stay where they are and renovate to accommodate their changing circumstances.</p>
<p>"Apart from upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms, we are seeing decks and outdoor living spaces added and house extensions to create more living space and utility," the valuation firm said. </p>
<p><span>"The renovator market is likely to continue tracking on its current course during 2020 with the cost of borrowing remaining low and a preference from buyers at this time for renovated properties requiring little work with the age old saying of 'I’d rather be opening a can of beer (or bottle of wine), than a can of paint' ringing true," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>A renovated Queenslander cottage in South Townsville has recently been sold for $330,000.</span></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-south+townsville-133215230" target="_blank">36 Nelson Street</a> home (pictured below) comprises three bedrooms, functional kitchen, study and expansive undercover patio area. </p>
<p><span>It features renovated bathroom, split air-conditioning and electric controlled gate. </span></p>
<p><span><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/2020/6/29/south%20townsville%20.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
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<p>A current listing is a three bedroom house in Railway Estate. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-railway+estate-133779006" target="_blank">71 Ninth Avenue</a> home (pictured below) comes with refurbished kitchen, renovated bathroom, open plan living and three generous bedrooms. </p>
<p>It also features fresher painted interior and exterior, rumpus room, and traditional features including high ceilings and light timber floorboards. </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/2020/6/29/railway%20estate.jpg" alt=""></p>
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<p>The supply of housing stock on the Hervey Bay residential market has dropped considerably, however demand remains steady with some contracts considered to be at the upper end of market parameters, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. </p>
<p>The valuation firm suggests that in locations across the nation, the downtime delivered by isolation has spurned on owners looking to improve their assets through maintenance and upgrade. This month's HTW residential report highlights where renovations are on the rise and the price points and outcomes those markets can expect.</p>
<p>The report notes the Fraser Coast has slowly started to come alive again since the lifting of the first stage of restrictions, with day trips now permitted to Fraser Island. </p>
<p>Small cafes have reopened at this stage, with some larger establishments only offering take away meals and bottle shop drive through service.</p>
<p>Some retail outlets which appear to be doing quite well in these tough times include the local fishing supply store, office supplies and printer refills due to so many working from home.</p>
<p>"Queensland Health reports that the Wide Bay had a total of 24 cases of COVID-19 with 24 now recovered and no active cases, which is very encouraging for the region. We look forward to stage two in June when caravan parks and camping will be permitted once more," the valuation firm said. </p>
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<p><span>The vacancy rate for rentals remains low with rents stable. Property values are also stable, with no noted change across any price point, the HTW report noted. </span></p>
<p><span>"Renovations have slowed over the past few months on the Fraser Coast as consumers appear to be conserving their dollars and energy.</span></p>
<p><span>Local builders have reported that the demand for new owner- occupier homes remains consistent with locals providing enough work for the rest of the year. Work in the construction industry has continued throughout the crisis which has been sobering for regional employment," the valuation firm said. </span></p>
<p><span>A fully renovated home in Eli Waters has recently been sold for $155,000.</span></p>
<p>The two bedroom, one bathroom house is situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-eli+waters-133118442" target="_blank">89 Cherry Street Hazelmere Village 14 Ibis Boulevard</a> (pictured below).</p>
<p>It features modern kitchen, new carpet throughout the home, new TV aerial and new LEG lighting. </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/2020/6/29/eli%20waters.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>A current listing is a renovated four bedroom house in the seaside suburb of Urangan.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-urangan-133484134" target="_blank">73 Dayman Street </a>home (pictured below) has been listed for sale with a price guide of $675,000.</p>
<p>It comes with four bedrooms, open plan dining and living area, enclosed sunroom, study or office and outdoor entertaining area. </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/2020/6/29/urangan.jpg" alt=""></p>
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Hervey Bay renovation activities slow down: HTW residential 

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>The stated purpose of the Morrison government’s HomeBuilder program is to stimulate the economy and create construction jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>Our research shows home improvements could do much more than just add capital value and a spare room. They can also restore or maintain a person’s ability to live independently – whether they are older, have a disability, are unwell or have been injured.</p>
<p>In other words, these home improvements could transform life for any one of us at some point in our lives. They greatly improve people’s well-being and reduce dependence on carers. This affects a great many people – including <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/aged-care" target="_blank">nearly a million</a>who receive some form of aged care in their own home.</p>
<p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346496/original/file-20200709-26-1fsxe21.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346496/original/file-20200709-26-1fsxe21.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a></p>
<p><span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1CD2B1952AFC5E7ACA257298000F2E76?OpenDocument" target="_blank">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY</a></span></p>
<p>Our study of 157 people receiving community care found home modifications reduced the overall hours of care they required by 42%. Their quality of life (measured as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/concept.htm" target="_blank">health-related quality of life</a>) improved by 40%.</p>
<p>By reducing care needs and costs, and increasing independence and well-being, home modifications lead to a multitude of government, community and personal benefits. These include lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission that providing and receiving personal care entails.</p>
<h2>What do home modifications involve?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-equipment-and-supports/home-modifications-explained" target="_blank">Home modifications</a> specifically help residents to live safely and independently in their own homes.</p>
<p>The range of possible renovations is diverse, so costs vary widely. Minor modifications might be installing a grab rail in a bathroom to aid stability, or levelling a step at a front door. A major modification could install a ramp or a lift, widen door frames or provide a new bathroom.</p>
<p>Modifications must be tailored to individual needs, as no “one size fits all” – just like every home renovation.</p>
<h2>Enabling greater independence for longer</h2>
<p>My research measures how home modifications directly influence the amount of care needed to live, and continue living, at home.</p>
<p>The study included 157 Australians aged from 15 to 92 who received community care. Some had arthritis, cancer or a motorcycle injury. Others were born with a disability. All required care in their home.</p>
<p>Hours of care for participants (most of it unpaid care by family and friends) were compared before and after home modifications. The changes liberated them. Home modifications reduced or eliminated their need for help, restored their confidence in caring for themselves and reduced carer stress.</p>
<p>As people’s confidence grew, they were happier to venture out into the broader community. Importantly, relationships improved.</p>
<h2>Stories of lives transformed</h2>
<p>Simple home modifications meant David* no longer had to help his mother shower as she could safely do that herself. His mother was saved the embarrassment of her son being involved in what is normally a private activity. Instead, they could enjoy each other’s company with regular activities like shopping and having afternoon tea together.</p>
<p>Ravi* had a spinal injury as a result of an accident. He was glad to be back at home but was sleeping in a converted sunroom at street level because he couldn’t get to his bedroom upstairs. The only bathroom for showering was a small ensuite, up three stairs.</p>
<p><span class="caption">The house was not suitable for a wheelchair, so his wife had to help him get around their home. The effort required to take care of basic daily living activities left them too exhausted to even think about going out.</span></p>
<p>An accessible bathroom with a hand-held shower was installed, as well as a ramp at the home entrance. Not only was Ravi able to shower independently again, but he and his wife also regained their energy and interest in going out. He attributed home modifications to enabling them to go to the movies and a restaurant for the first time in the three years after the accident.</p>
<p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346809/original/file-20200710-30-1rh5a4k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346809/original/file-20200710-30-1rh5a4k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a></p>
<p><em><span class="caption">Simple modifications can enable a person to go to the toilet unaided.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Claire Cunningham</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></em></p>
<p>Genevieve* needed to go to the toilet often at night, but was unsteady on her feet. She had to wake her husband to escort her safely to the bathroom. Installing handrails from the bedroom to the bathroom, as well as reconfiguring the bathroom, meant she could safely take herself to the toilet at night.</p>
<p>Now that he was getting a good night’s sleep, her husband also expressed relief that he was able to continue his full-time job – he had thought he would have to give it up.</p>
<h2>People regain choice about where they live</h2>
<p>The design of a house can be the single reason that forces a person into an aged care home. A bathroom, kitchen, entrance and exit, as well as how rooms connect, can all dictate whether a person lives independently in later life.</p>
<p>Research shows how home modifications reduce fall risks. Think about an older bathroom where the shower has a hob or is over a bath. Such features commonly lead to falls, which can dramatically shorten lives or send us straight from hospital into residential aged care.</p>
<p>Of all the home modifications, my research showed those in the bathroom were most central to reducing dependence on others. They provided the freedom to shower and use the toilet without help.</p>
<p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346807/original/file-20200710-26-1qato57.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346807/original/file-20200710-26-1qato57.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a></p>
<p><em><span class="caption">Bathroom modifications that allow people to shower while seated greatly reduce the risk of slipping and falling.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Claire Cunningham</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span></em></p>
<p>For example, Heath* was 72 with a few overlapping health conditions. He had lost confidence using his shower and toilet on his own. His daughter, who lived five hours’ drive away, was convinced he would fall if he remained at home.</p>
<p>But Heath didn’t want someone coming in to help him shower. He absolutely did not want to go into a nursing home. Home modifications meant he could sit while showering independently and use grab rails to get in and out safely.</p>
<p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346497/original/file-20200709-38-42qd9y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/346497/original/file-20200709-38-42qd9y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a></p>
<p><em><span class="caption">A minor home modification like a hand rail might be all a person needs to continue living safely in their own home.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="license">Author provided</span></span></em></p>
<h2>Modifications protect lives in a pandemic</h2>
<p>The ability to take care of our own bathroom needs during a pandemic is particularly critical. The close proximity required to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-in-aged-care-facilities" target="_blank">receive</a> and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-27/disability-workers-caring-for-coronavirus-patients-want-pay-rise/12286278" target="_blank">provide</a> care has been well documented. Who knows how much home modifications have helped to curb the spread of COVID-19 to people most vulnerable to it?</p>
<p>Australia is managing a pandemic while <a href="https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/ndis-each-state" target="_blank">rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme</a> (NDIS) and <a href="https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/" target="_blank">reforming aged care</a> in the context of a <a href="https://theconversation.com/census-2016-reveals-australia-is-becoming-much-more-diverse-but-can-we-trust-the-data-79835" target="_blank">diverse</a> and <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1CD2B1952AFC5E7ACA257298000F2E76?OpenDocument" target="_blank">ageing</a> population.</p>
<p>This research into home modifications highlights why renovations could be so much more than a new pool, kitchen island or cinema room. The government has a golden opportunity to reform HomeBuilder and encourage take-up of grants for home modifications. It would be a win for both tradies and the many Australians who may need help to stay at home.</p>
<p><em>* Names have been changed to protect anonymity.</em><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/140639/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;"></p>
<p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/phillippa-carnemolla-385251" target="_blank">Phillippa Carnemolla</a>, Senior Research Fellow, School of the Built Environment, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936" target="_blank">University of Technology Sydney</a></em></span></p>
<p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/renovations-as-stimulus-home-modifications-can-do-so-much-more-to-transform-peoples-lives-140639" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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