Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

Joel Robinson

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

&nbsp;

Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more international and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party

Roberts Co has entered a new phase of growth following its acquisition by Arada, one of the world’s fastest-growing property developers in Australia.

The acquisition is supported by a $50 million capital injection into Roberts Co’s Australian balance sheet, consisting of the previously announced $25 million recapitalisation and an additional $25 million in new funding from Arada.

This investment strengthens Roberts Co’s financial position, stabilises operations, and provides the foundation for strategic expansion beyond its New South Wales base, with a focus on new opportunities in Queensland, including the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions.

With Arada’s international resources and financial backing, Roberts Co will broaden its portfolio across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors, reinforcing its strong market position in New South Wales and setting itself to capture growth in one of Australia’s most dynamic construction markets.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said Roberts Co has a proud Australian heritage, an outstanding delivery record, and a strong reputation for collaboration with clients and partners.

"By combining this expertise with Arada’s global scale and financial capacity, we are creating a platform for sustained growth in the Australian market,"&nbsp;Alkhoshaibi said.

“Our $50 million capital injection, including new funds from Arada, underlines our commitment to both stabilise and expand Roberts Co’s operations, particularly into the fast-growing Queensland market. We see significant potential in South-East Queensland’s pipeline and are confident Roberts Co is well placed to deliver lasting value for clients and communities.”

George Kostas, CEO of Roberts Co, said Queensland, and particularly South-East Queensland, is one of the most active and opportunity-rich regions in Australia right now.

"The lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games will bring unprecedented investment across housing, transport, and infrastructure. Roberts Co is eager to play a major role in that transformation and secure a meaningful share of this fast-growing market.”

Arada pours more funds into Roberts Co, flags expansion into South East Queensland construction market

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Escaping to a rural retreat is the dream of many city slickers yearning for a blissfully buccolic existence on a lifestyle weekend property with a pony paddock, veggie garden and chook house. 
This week our property contrarians Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok discuss two luxury properties coincidently both near Mount Macedon (64 kilometres north-west of Melbourne) where the piece de résistance is a designer chicken coop suited to the fussiest of fowls. 
<ol>
<li>
Cluckingham Palace is a grandly named state-of-the-art chook house at Hammet, the Macedon luxury weekender of Transfield Services CEO Graeme Hunt and his wife Karen, which is <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/property/MACEDON-19-Hammet-Place/6770457/#.UzT5zaiSx8E" target="_blank">listed for April 5 auction through Jellis Craig agents</a>, Tom May and Paul Keane, in conjunction with Nicolette van Wijngaarden of Unique Estates. <img src="/images/2014/03/28/macedon%20march%2028%20one.jpg" alt=""> The Hunts purchased the four-acre property in 2008, and since it has been extensively developed, with Karen co-ordinating the landscaping designed by garden guru, Paul Bangay, and other design concepts conceived by the late interior designer, Stuart Rattle. While the equine pursuits of Karen and her daughter, Madison, were a motivating factor for the Hunts’ purchase of Hammet, they also wanted somewhere for the children to experience open space, farm fresh produce and self-sufficient living – a place with free-range egg producing hens and gardens abundant with vegetables and fruit. <img src="/images/2014/03/28/macedon%20march%2028%20four.jpg" alt=""> These aims led to the development of Hammet’s vegie gardens, orchard, 125 tree olive grove and Cluckingham Palace, the Stuart Rattle designed luxury hen house with its traditional four-sided cupola and cock-a-doodle-doo weathervane on the roof. Set privately behind bespoke entry gates and approached by a tree-lined driveway, Hammet’s beautifully appointed four-bedroom residence has uninterrupted views of Mount Macedon and the surrounding countryside. In the grounds are magnificent formal garden rooms, rolling lawns, a floodlit tennis court, children’s playground and lake. <img src="/images/2014/03/28/macedon%20march%2028%20three.jpg" alt=""> Macedon’s four seasons appeal to the Hunts whose home has glorious winter views of oft-Not quite snow-capped Mount Macedon. Originally the family owned one pony, but given their stable size increased, they’re now looking for a larger property to accommodate the horses. With their love of the local community and Macedon’s easy access to the city (45 minutes drive), they intend staying in the region, which for Graeme provides a quiet and relaxing retreat from his high stress, fast paced, executive life. 
</li>
<li>
Not quite as grand, but a cupola and weathervane also adorn the roof of the chook house at Glenbroch, a magnificent 16-hectare lifestyle property at Woodend in the foothills of Mount Macedon. This property also <a href="https://www.glenbroch.com.au/home" target="_blank">is for sale through </a><a href="https://www.glenbroch.com.au/home" target="_blank">Jellis Craig agents</a>, Tom May and Paul Keane. At the end of an oak lined driveway, the two-storey sandstone gabled residence stands in magnificent gardens with numerous garden rooms, an ornamental parterre, extensive hedges, topiaries, lawns, English trees, maple groves, a crabapple walk, orchard and a kitchen garden. Also in the grounds are an entertaining deck, swimming pond and a leafy 'secret garden' leading to a playground and cottage cubby. <img src="/images/2014/03/28/Woodend%20march%2028%20one.jpg" alt=""> Located at 73 Reid Road, and with direct access to Mount Macedon Regional Park, the property has superior equestrian facilities including a stables, tack and feed rooms, a hot internal horse wash and a manège (a rectangular arena for horse training and dressage). Other features include secure post and rail paddocks with electric fencing, quality stockyards, a cattle crush, four dams, seven water tanks and drinking quality bore water for the garden and livestock. From a distance it is as if it was an original stone homestead from the early days of settlement, but the two-storey house was built a little more than 20 years ago by its original owners, the Reids, for whom the road is named. Liz and Milton Collins bought the property five years ago - country people with Milton Collins from country Victoria and Liz Collins from Tasmania, and for many years had run Woodend's grand old Campaspe House. They lived in the former barn before they built their dream home - and its now has been turned into a tack room, washroom and feed room for the horses. The garden has been re-created as a sculptured formal garden, in the style of Sissinghurst Castle in England.
</li>
</ol>
<h5>HE SAID:<img src="/images/2014/03/28/jc-silhouette-7.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;"> </h5>
I’m all for chooks being housed in the lap of luxury, but I draw the line at them perching on chandeliers.
I have a soft spot for chooks and where they live having gleefully collected the hen's eggs in my childhood holidays at Merrijig.
Hens are social, intelligent, funny and inquisitive animals, and I say “Bravo” to the Animals Australia recent video campaign commercial featuring five famous comedians (Peter Rowsthorn, Mick Molloy, Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann, Arj Barker and Carl Barron) who profess their love for the “ladies” and bring to attention the ugly conditions of battery caged chooks, by declaring, “That ain’t no way to treat a lady”.
<h5>SHE SAID:<img src="/images/2014/03/28/mb-silhouette-6.jpg" width="100" height="150" style="float: left;"></h5>
I adore palatial poultry palaces that keep hens safe and warm come rain or shine, especially at Mount Macedon which often has all four seasons in a day.
As well as keeping “the girls” comfortable and happy, a designer hen house adds a striking feature to the garden.
My favourite is a white-washed coop <a href="https://www.thefancyfarmgirl.com/heres-the-coop/" target="_blank">featured on the Fancy Farm Girl blog</a>. As well as requisite feed bins, this astonishingly neat and tidy chookery has a crystal chandelier and comfortable armchair – just the spot to perch and chat with your feathered friends.
Any decent Australian version of course must have a Leslie Wilkinson/Hardy Wilson style cupola atop any coop.
I maintain that especially during the Australian winter, chickens often need extra light to lay eggs, so putting in a chandelier into the coop is not only pretty, but functional.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Designer chicken coops for the fussiest of fowls: He Said/She Said 

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Vision by Halcyon, developed by over-50s lifestyle community developer Halcyon, is a $60 million approach to take advantage of the market that saw the Halcyon Waters development sell out.
Located at Hope Island this new project will include a 52-berth marina and a number of waterfront dwellings with eight-star energy ratings.
<a href="https://www.lifebeginsathalcyon.com.au/halcyon-vision/" target="_blank">Vision by Halcyon</a> will include a lifestyle and aquatic precinct that will feature health and well-being facilities including a leisure club, fitness centre, pool, spa, yoga room, media and massage room, kitchen, dining facilities, lounge area, a floating boat house with boat storage and multiple other spaces.
Bevan Geissmann, the joint managing director for Halcyon, and business partner Paul Melville, launched the site following the completion of Halcyon Waters – a 227 site development.
“The success of Halcyon Waters has proved that we have a sought after product in a wonderful location that meets the increasingly sophisticated needs of the over 50s buyer,” said Geissmann.
“Halcyon Waters final home was the flagship Paragon residence which sold off the plan for more than $1.1 million.”
The local council have expressed their approval, with Hope Island Councilor and city planning chair Cameron Caldwell referring to the developers as “great visionaries”. “It’s certainly a market that needs to be addressed as our population ages, and we wish them well,” Caldwell said.
This month will see the first of four stages begin construction. Interest is expected initially from locals and downsizers, however he does believe that 40% of the buyers will be from other areas in Queensland and from interstate locations.
The first release will be 21 properties, including waterfront and non-waterfront, and single, double and split-level layout offerings.
Properties start at $555,000 and climb to $1.25 million. Upon purchase, a fixed weekly fee indexed to CPI is charged covering all running and management costs as well as water/rate charges. They are advertised with no rentals, no stamp duty and no exit fees.
For the latest development listings, brought to you by Property Observer and partners, see our <a href="https://showcase.propertyobserver.com.au/" rel="nofollow">INVESTOR SHOWCASE</a>. 
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Gold Coast's $60 million Vision by Halcyon targeting over-50 downsizers

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A new project, from YourLand Developments, is set to be Melbourne’s largest residential infill project within nine kilometres of the CBD, spanning 129 hectares and dubbed River Valley.
The <a href="https://www.yourland.com/Estates/Current_Estates/River_Valley.aspx" target="_blank">Sunshine North development River Valley</a> was officially launched on Saturday and saw more than 1,000 buyer enquiries in the lead up to the event, which offers blocks priced from $255,000, and block sizes up to 828 square metres. Titled blocks start from 402 square metres.
Director of YourLand Developments, Mark Erskine, said that more than 30 people attended the launch.
Interest has also been seen on nine titled blocks that were released late last year as well as 13 remaining allotments at River Valley Boulevard.
“All up, River Valley comprises about 1,200 lots, and is close to existing amenities,
including quality schools, restaurants, boutiques, Highpoint shopping centre, Sunshine
Plaza and Sunshine Market Place,” said Erskine.
The site includes a 3.6 kilometre river frontage, current city skyline views and a range of titled allotments.
YourLand took over the operations of the development in October 2013, looking to preserve the historical significance of the site as well as the eco-friendly nature of the development.
The first of the River Valley house and land packages is available for just over $700,000.
For the latest development listings, brought to you by Property Observer and partners, see our <a href="https://showcase.propertyobserver.com.au/" rel="nofollow">INVESTOR SHOWCASE</a>. 
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One of Melbourne’s largest infill projects, River Valley, set for Sunshine

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Renovation and the great home improvement effort are close to the heart for investors. Everyone loves the concept of making money while using a flair for design and their own before and after project to share.
We regularly hear that there are many properties you can renovate across the country and that huge profits can be made. There are certainly opportunities, but don't go into any purchase thinking that you can throw money around and make a profit. Planning wisely is crucial, as is knowing what to avoid.
With this in mind, there are definitely some properties that you might want to consider steering clear of if it's a renovation project that you're considering. Here are five that you want to think twice about renovating.
<ol>
<li>
New, or new-ish, stock This one should be obvious. If you want to renovate to make money, then straight away ignore anything that has been around the traps for too short a period of time. If the property is new, or close to it, then you don't want to be wasting time trying to make improvements on what has already been improved. While you may not want to jump completely to the other end of the spectrum and find something that is completely falling apart, you certainly don't want to buy something where there isn't the option to update as much as possible. It's also important to note that properties in areas where new comparable properties are selling for the same as the amount you will need to sell for to make money may also not see a profit - when offered an equivalent price prospect, who wouldn't choose a new home? 
</li>
<li>
The money pit There's likely one of these in every area. It has something dramatically wrong with it, usually structural, and it tends to be something you can't see at a glance. It's the common mantra for renovators that you have to do things with visibility in mind - if it's not a visible update then it's money being sunk into the wrong area. Unless you can get the property for the discount it costs to fix this issue, perhaps extensive termite damage, then it's often worth skipping the challenge. For some properties, it might actually be a case that it's really a re-build that's required. 
</li>
<li>
Where the issue isn't the reno For some properties it's not the style of the property, or the state it is in that is dragging it down. Often, it's the specific location that will always put a cap on the price - think a busy road that no careful fencing can reduce the sound of. Other things you may not be able to improve are the neighbours (you can pick your friends...), pylons, positioning in a flood area, the worst street, an unsightly aspect and often the position of the house on the block. If you can't fix it through your renovation then you're already on the back foot and inheriting someone else's problem. 
</li>
<li>
SMSF properties Let's be clear with this, if you're buying in your self-managed super fund then there are some things you can, and many things you can't, do. If industry expertise is anything to go by, there are certainly repairs and alterations that can be made. However, if you want to be adding bedrooms or extensions, or doing anything significant, it's time to get the ATO involved from the beginning to ensure you remain compliant. You are also going to find yourself up against borrowing rules and limits on what you can contribute to the fund yourself. While <a href="/expert-insights/building/ato-ruling-specifies-allowable-repairs-and-renovations-for-smsf-property-investors">there may be opportunities here, be prepared to jump through some extra hoops</a>. 
</li>
<li>
Properties out of your budget Remember, just because you can score big on a property in terms of purchase price, it doesn't mean you'll be able to renovate it to the standard you were dreaming of. Properties in upmarket areas demand an upmarket renovation that, while you can definitely keep less expensive than an owner occupied renovation, will cost you more than when renovating smaller properties elsewhere. If you have a $40,000 renovation budget and are looking at buying a good deal but decrepit mansion, prepare to not be able to afford to renovate the home acceptably.</li>
</ol>
Renovate wisely!
Do you have any renovation nightmares or successes?
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Five types of properties you should think twice about before renovating

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This week I felt like I’d given birth – not to a real baby (Heaven forbid at my age!).....but to our bungalow baby. The gestation period has only been a couple of months but our vision started long before.
When renovating, you start with a vision and then bring it to life. Sounds easy enough but there are millions of tasks along the way that need attention and usually, immediate attention (just like a new born), so you need to drop everything to sort out the issue.  For me creating the vision or big picture is the best part of a renovation and seeing how close you’ve come to it on completion gives you a feeling of great satisfaction.
We found our ‘baby’, an original Californian bungalow in Cessnock in the Hunter Region of NSW and she was crying out to be restored. She had great ‘bones’ and wonderful features that we knew we could accentuate. These included a wrap around veranda, brilliant lead light windows, ornate cornices and ceilings, Spotted Gum floor boards hidden under the old floral carpet and an old claw foot bath that had been enclosed and locked away in ugly framework and finally a breathtaking mature Magnolia tree that adorned the back of the house.
Californian Bungalow in original condition:
<img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20one.JPG" alt=""> 
wrap around veranda:
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20two.jpg" alt="">
Lead light windows hidden by broken blinds
<img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20three.jpg" alt="">
Ornate ceilings and cornices:
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20four.JPG" alt="">
Renovating is a revolving door of constant checking and problem solving; rechecking of trades work, discussing issues, booking in the material orders, checking they’ve arrived, discussing replacements if not available, checking budget, adjusting budget, updating budget, checking comparable sales references, adjusting expectations, checking services, upgrading as required....the list goes on. I’m lucky I have a wonderful project manager; Joanne whose attention to detail and negotiating skills are amazing.
This week as Property Bloom finished the job on our bungalow baby in Cessnock, we watched as our stylist dressed her up and we’re just like proud parents watching our child grow – we think the transformation is wonderful.  We had been lucky to have the help Kylie of <a href="https://propertyrevamped.com.au/" target="_blank">Property Revamped</a>.  Kylie managed the colour and fit out choices; kitchen, vanities, paint, light fittings etc leaving us to focus on managing the trades and budgets.  
Our client is very pleased and the agent extremely impressed. Now comes more nail bitting times as the property is listed and inspections begin.
The Californian Bungalow is circa 1920s with traditional oversized rooms and the high ornate ceilings and cornices are spectacular.  The hardwood floor boards were identified by our floor sander as Spotted Gum and have polished up a treat. There’s two new bathrooms, main with restored claw foot bath and separate shower has a feature wall of marble tiles which finishes off the luxurious look.  Of course a spacious new kitchen but the loveliest features may well be the original leadlight windows that have to be seen to be appreciated. The home is situated in one of Cessnock’s most sought after streets and within walking distance to schools and shops. It’s just 7 kilometers to the famous vineyards of the Hunter Valley.  All set on a child friendly, fully enclosed massive 809 square metre block. 
Guess what the asking price is?
$385,000.  A great downsizer for city folk perhaps, especially now the <a href="https://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/grants/rrg" target="_blank">NSW government are offering up to $10,000 to relocate and work in regional areas</a>.<a href="https://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/grants/rrg"> </a>
If you are looking for an investment that will enjoy future capital growth (they don’t make this type of home anymore plus the suburb has enjoyed solid historical growth) the expected rental return would be around $380 per week with some decent depreciation benefits.
Take a look at <a href="https://www.sternbecks.com.au/properties/re13085/" target="_blank">the finished product</a> and let us know your thoughts....
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20five.JPG" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20six.JPG" alt="">
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20seven.JPG" alt="">
Main bathroom:
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20eight.JPG" alt="">
Powder Room:
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20nine.JPG" alt="">
Master bedroom
<img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20ten.JPG" alt=""> 
Lounge room:
 <img src="/images/2014/03/21/chivers%20march%2021%20eleven.JPG" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/" target="_blank">www.propertybloom.com.au</a>
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Our bungalow baby is born

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As we come to the end of one of the driest summers on record, it’s another reminder that those of us who live in this hot, Mediterranean climate need to be smarter and more efficient in our use of water.
Perth's metropolitan dams are at just 30% capacity and sprinkler restrictions look like they’re here to stay.
Irrespective of possible water restrictions, people need to be water-wise for the long-term and we can see how this now impacts on the housing market and through consumer choices.
Smaller residential blocks of land are more common and properties with reticulated gardens more popular.
<blockquote>
As water restrictions become more common and as water costs increase, properties with water-wise gardens and shade features will become more desirable.
</blockquote>
Busy lifestyles, smaller families and the increased cost of land are the primary reasons for shrinking block sizes with automated watering systems, but there is also a growing appreciation of the value of a water-wise home and of our greater environmental responsibilities
Each time the state government brings in water restrictions, REIWA agents notice some increased interest in households converting to native gardens, reducing lawn areas, fitting rain water tanks or switching to reduced-flow shower heads.
This is understandable, but before you attempt a similar project aimed at being water conscious, keep in mind what such a change in your garden, in particular, might mean for your home’s resale value.
Most home buyers are fairly conservative in their housing preferences. So, if you’re thinking of planning a more water-wise garden whilst being anxious to maintain the resale value of your property, keep in mind these few suggestions.
Think about keeping some lawn area in both your front and backyard. Australians love lawns and various types thrive in our warm conditions. Some are drought tolerant. A small lawn no bigger than a blanket will add some appeal and soften the harshness of brick walls and concrete driveways.
Large areas of uninterrupted paving can be counter-productive if you are trying to minimize on lawns and garden for the sake of water. During our hot summers, paving will heat significantly unless you have shade.
Designing a garden to make the best use of its position with the path of the sun is important if you have the opportunity. A well designed home and garden can ensure that there is at least one part of the outdoor living area shaded from our harsh afternoon summer sun. This will reduce evaporation in a section of your property and help keep the house cool.
As water restrictions become more common and as water costs increase, properties with water-wise gardens and shade features will become more desirable.
More homes are also making good use of rainwater tanks for garden use or to plumb into the laundry and toilets to bypass scheme water altogether.
DAVID AIREY is president of the <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/home/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.</a> 
This article was originally published on <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/Faq/Pages/Feature.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">reiwa.com</a>.
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Buyers want water-wise gardens for hot and dry summers

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In our technological age, when so many of our social experiences are virtual, the role architecture can play in the experience of real-time situations is increasingly curious. How does architecture affect our emotions and what kind of design interventions can be made to help us survive the chaos of daily life?
In a recent conversation with a client, as director of the <a href="https://nordarchitecture.com/home/" target="_blank">Northern Office for Research and Design</a> (NORD) in Glasgow, Scotland, I suggested that architecture often forgets that one of its primary goals is to trigger an emotion.
We were discussing a new hospice and a <a href="https://www.maggiescentres.org/" target="_blank">Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre</a>, part of a network of drop-in centres in the UK I’m working with that aim to help anyone who has been affected by cancer. While these buildings carry a weight of seriousness due to the circumstances of the people who arrive to inhabit them, we are mindful of the need to balance these serious issues and vital care provision alongside the social, spiritual and emotional needs of the patients as part of our design thinking.
In both projects a small library space becomes a familiar anchor to root the experience of the building around a quiet place to think.
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43280/area14mp/w8t5db3t-1394084147.jpg" style="font-size: 0.8em;"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43280/width668/w8t5db3t-1394084147.jpg" width="460"></a>
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43280/area14mp/w8t5db3t-1394084147.jpg" style="font-size: 0.8em;"></a>NORD’s planning designs for new Maggie’s Centre in Forth Valley, Scotland. NORD
Quiet space architecture
"The noblest architecture can sometimes do less for us than a siesta or an aspirin … Even if we could spend the rest of our lives in the Villa Rotunda or the Glass House, we would still often be in a bad mood." - <a href="https://alaindebotton.com/" target="_blank">Alain de Botton</a>, <a href="https://alaindebotton.com/architecture/" target="_blank">The Architecture of Happiness</a>
We cluster round Wi-Fi zones, power sockets and screens and have so many of our social exchanges online. “<a href="https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travel-info/on-board/quiet-zones/index" target="_blank">Quiet zones</a>”, such as that on the train ride from Glasgow to London, where electronic and human noise is kept low, are a telling sign that the technological assault on our senses and on our public sphere is coming under scrutiny.
On a recent train ride in Melbourne, everyone in the train carriage looked up in synchronised frustration when their phone or tablet signal was lost as the train went into a tunnel. Their gaze had been fixed on miniature screens for the journey and only a mass concrete structure could bring them back to the reality of the social surroundings of the carriage.
Wi-Fi and online networking are here to stay but the future may herald the rise of the architecture of quiet spaces or the library – which, <a href="https://theconversation.com/state-libraries-need-our-support-and-participation-to-survive-23420" target="_blank">as many have argued</a>, are under threat from online archiving and information searching.
Libraries are serious spaces; usually the older ones have an aura of dignity and restraint. Historically, the idea was very clear: the library would form part of the civic infrastructure of a place and the community it served.
In Berlin recently I experienced Swiss architect <a href="https://www.maxdudler.com/">Max Dudler</a>’s new <a href="https://www.grimm-zentrum.hu-berlin.de/">Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm Zentrum</a>, the new central library of Humboldt University. The atmosphere of the hall breathes a similar spirit as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Salle_de_lecture_Bibliotheque_Sainte-Genevieve_n03.jpg">big reading hall</a> by French architect <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Labrouste">Henri Labrouste</a> in Sainte-Geneviève Library, Paris. It’s also similar to entering the <a href="https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/">State Library of Victoria</a>’s main hall.
These are spaces that make you feel like a child who has discovered something for the very first time.
Libraries are all about atmosphere – which is difficult to sense in so much of what we experience in the contemporary city. They are spaces that seem in opposition to the world outside. Sound is always amplified in a library space and we can experience a heightened appreciation of the quality of light, the materials, the smell of the books, the temperature, the furniture, and the people around us.
The library has survived as a particular type of space when so many others have merged or morphed into each other. The hybrid space, where many different media converge, has emerged as a flexible and adaptable space - one where use is extended to the changing demands of the time-poor citizen of the 21st century.
Living in an homogenised environment
Train stations have become shopping malls, shopping malls have become town squares, churches have become pubs and crèches, schools have become community centres, homes have become offices and universities are moving online.
Aesthetics have been stretched to encapsulate so many uses that we now live in a homogenised environment and find it hard to distinguish one building’s use from its neighbour’s.
In fact, we barely see most of the architecture that surrounds us, as it becomes a kind of background hum, to be noticed only when it is exceptionally big, exceptionally ugly, or exceptionally beautiful.
Architecture, I think, should still strive to move us, to make us feel a particular way. Like a piece of music, architecture has the ability to influence mood, yet so much of the foreground to our streets lacks emotional sensibility.
The craft and the graft of architecture have succumbed to cost-effective, risk averse, quick and generic solutions. Experimentation – the freedom to explore and take risks – is a condition for which people will have to fight in modern society.
Architecture of the future
Architecture faces many challenges. Technological advancement brings with it endless opportunities but we still need to understand and continue the important conversation about how architecture affects us.
What types of spaces will we need in the future? What is the role of architecture as a physical object in the physical world? How do we deal with the crafting of interior space in a world of hybridisation and endless change?
Buildings change over time and so do our attitudes towards them.
Consider the hospital, which was such a familiar piece of urban infrastructure exuding both civic and spiritual meaning. It is now an industrial mega-structure, which will probably, because of its industrial size, resist an architecture of atmosphere and emotion.
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43279/area14mp/6jnxscx3-1394083164.jpg" style="font-size: 0.8em;"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43279/width668/6jnxscx3-1394083164.jpg" width="470"></a>
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43279/area14mp/6jnxscx3-1394083164.jpg" style="font-size: 0.8em;"></a>Maggie’s Centre, Ninewells, Dundee, designed by Frank Gehry. Alan Pert
Yet the emergence of the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres in Edinburgh in 1996 as a counterpoint to these large institutional machines shows a partial alternative. There is now evidence of room for hybrid buildings, existing as a kind of interface between the city, the mega-hospital and the human.
"Such a hybrid could bridge the divide between the purely functional and the symbolic and give back the institution a civic architecture of meaning." - Charles Jenks, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Architecture-Hope-Maggies-Centres/dp/0711225974" target="_blank">The Architecture of Hope</a>.
Maggie’s Centres have implications beyond their modest size and origins. Complementary to the large hospital and the huge National Health Service, they present a face that is welcoming, risk-taking, aesthetic and spiritual: and with their commitment to the other arts, including landscape, they bring in the full panoply of constructive means and emotions.
Maggie’s Centres are a model for what might soon become a standard building type – and already discussions are underway about opening one in Melbourne.
We know architecture can create emotions and change the way we experience spaces. Now we need to keep talking about the kinds of emotions we want to create.
Alan Pert is professor in architecture and director of the Melbourne School of Design at University of Melbourne.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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apert-UXMKNsCwuG

Build me up: How architecture can affect emotions

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The latest release of residential land in the Heartlands development in Tarneit has been fast tracked by developers Asset1.
Stage 10 of Heartlands has been released early in an attempt to meet high demand for land in the Melbourne’s western rural-urban fringe, according to the developers.
Asset1 has also recently launched the estate’s ‘Club Heartlands’ recreation centre, which includes a gym, pool and tennis court. Stage 10 is located adjacent to the new facility, within walking distance of a seven hectare parkland precinct. New residents will be situated close to Tarneit Road, Werribee Plaza, and, eventually, the upcoming Tarneit Railway Station, which will be serviced by a train running between Melbourne and Geelong once the Regional Rail Link is completed.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-one.jpg" alt="">
According to Asset1 sales director Mark Adams, buyers were seeking competitive prices and a convenient location.
“Buyers want to purchase in a location that not only suits them now, but will suit them in the future when their family expands and matures,” said Adams.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-two.jpg" alt="">
“Stage 10 purchasers will be within metres of the recently opened Club Heartlands recreation facility and seven hectare parkland that’s scheduled for completion later this year.
“Offering blocks of up to 555 square metres, Stage 10 purchasers have the luxury of choosing a home that better suits their needs: a home with a spacious garden or entertainer’s alfresco area, or alternatively a larger home for a growing family.”
The Stage 10 release will offer 32 lots between 320 square metres and 555 square metres, with prices beginning at $161,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-three.jpg" alt=""> 
Photos are artistic impressions.
For the latest development listings, brought to you by Property Observer and partners, see our <a href="https://showcase.propertyobserver.com.au/" rel="nofollow">INVESTOR SHOWCASE</a>.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Newest stage released ahead of schedule at Heartlands

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Affordable housing, and a boost for employment, are the aims of new reforms from the Queensland government who are, once again, looking at planning law reforms.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney addressed the Queensland Planning Forum in Brisbane, promising that legislative changes would see the state's planning system rise to be the best in the country.
“Clearer, less complicated planning laws will help to kick-start the construction industry, boosting jobs and delivering more affordable housing for Queenslanders,” Seeney said.
“We have already introduced significant reforms in the planning space, such as the new State Planning Policy and one-stop-shop State Assessment and Referral Agency, but I think the best is still to come."
A "raft of sweeping reforms" to come to fruition this year was pointed to by Seeney, as he thanked the industry for their input.
“The changes will provide greater certainty for developers and greater confidence for councils, giving them the capability and discretion they need to make assessment applications," he said.
The Regional Planning Interests Bill is to be debated in Parliament, and the Planning for Queensland's Development Bill will be introduced in late-2014.
There is an aim for a simplification of the planning and development system, and a focus on economic growth.
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"Raft of sweeping reforms" to come for planning laws in Queensland this year

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With The Block: Fans v Faves heating up, it seems that renovation fever is sweeping the country. Last Sunday, the teams revealed their newly renovated kitchens – a room which many believe will make or break a renovation.
The winning team, twins Alisa and Lysandra, were praised by the show’s judges for their spacious kitchen (pictured below) that made use of the apartment’s open plan layout. According to the judges, their offering was contemporary but not trendy, and would have timeless appeal.
<img src="/images/lah3r5kitchen13.jpg" width="460" height="259">
Image courtesy of Channel 9
Meanwhile, Brad and Dale got the roughest treatment, with the judges deeming their kitchen “cold and dated”. It seemed they won no hearts among the judges with their curved bench, seen below, though the boys thought the bench would be a selling point come auction day.
<img src="/images/bdh4r5kitchen03.jpg" width="460" height="259">
Image courtesy of Channel 9
And while renovating one’s home can be a rewarding adventure, with <a href="/expert-insights/building/pleasure-not-profit-the-reason-for-most-home-renovations-mortgage-choice-survey">most homeowners renovating for pleasure</a>, not profit, plenty of investors know that renovations, when done right,<a href="/expert-insights/building/pleasure-not-profit-the-reason-for-most-home-renovations-mortgage-choice-survey"> can make a tidy sum</a> when it comes time to sell the property.
Though many homeowners dream of reinvigorating their living areas or expanding their master bedroom, as host Scott Cam noted on Sunday’s episode: “Kitchens sell houses.”
Andrew Winter of Selling Houses Australia <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-10-best-diy-renovation-tips-from-the-experts">says that</a> “quality bathrooms and kitchens will always add value to your home”, while stylist and author Amanda Talbot thinks that 5% of the value of your house should be in your kitchen.
Similarly, Cherie Barber of Renovating for Profit says that renovators should aim to spend between 1% to 1.5% their home’s value on the bathroom, which is “the second most important room in your house, besides your kitchen.”
Which room of the house do you think is the best to renovate to add value to a family home?
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