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

Joel Robinson

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

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

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

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

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A striking three-level multi-purpose building featuring a rectangular prism rising above spectator seating has been unveiled as the new headquarters for Football NSW (FNSW) in Glenwood, western Sydney.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/football2.jpg">
The building, which is subject to development approval from Blacktown Council, will be built at NSW Football’s current home base, the 11-hectare Valentine Sports Park (VSP), ahead of Australia hosting the Asian Cup in 2015.
It has been designed by architectural firm HBO+EMTB, whose other projects include the refurbishment of the Westend precinct of Crown Casino Melbourne and the design of the new multi-storey headquarters for the National Rugby League (NRL) at Moore Park in Sydney.
The proposed building includes integrated spectator and playing facilities that could be used as by national teams as a training base or base camp for teams for the Asian Cup in 2015.
The tournament will be hosted by Australia from January 8 to 31 in 2015.
In addition to the new building, the project includes the upgrade of five playing surfaces, with two fields converted to international standard synthetic surfaces.
The new building is the centrepiece of the project, with the ground level comprising player and officials change rooms, the concourse level made up of spectator facilities and a learning centre and the upper level offering 1,100 square metres of administrative and related space.
Around half of this upper level space will be devoted to accommodation for FNSW’s staff, and the balance for training and tribunal uses associated with the running of the sport from junior to elite level, according to FNSW chief executive Eddie Moore
HBO+EMTB managing director Kevin Fitzgerald says the firm worked closely with FNSW to create a highly functional yet memorable structure.
“A striking rectangular prism supported by broad angular columns floats above the raked stands.
“The structure is anchored by a bold off-form triple height concrete cube which also forms the entrance to the facility
“It’s an attractive, highly efficient building that will serve FNSW for many decades to come,” he says.
An existing gymnasium building will be extended to create an additional 365 square metres and will include an international standard Futsal stadium (indoor football) with tiered seating for 400 spectators.
Both the NSW state government and the federal government have contributed funds for the project.
Valentine Sports Park has been operational since the late 1960s.
Earlier this year London based industry publication Building Design rated HBO+EMTB the world’s 38th largest architectural practice in the annual BD World Architecture Top 100 Survey.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Design unveiled for Football NSW headquarters in western Sydney ahead of Asian Cup in 2015

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It was at Art Basel 2005 when architect Luis Pons unveiled his "<a href="https://www.luisponsd-lab.com/project_detail.php?id=33" target="_blank">Fabulous Floating Inflatable Villa</a>" (pictured below) floating proudly offshore in Miami, a gargantuan inflated art installation taking aim at the ego-driven McMansion culture of the era.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/floating.jpg">
Now in the wake of mindless excess and uninspired grandeur, Luis Pons has re-introduced the work as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.luisponsd-lab.com/project_detail.php?id=36">The Deflated Vi</a><a href="https://www.luisponsd-lab.com/project_detail.php?id=36" target="_blank">lla</a> to Basel 2012, but this time it's on vacant abandoned land within its intended metal columns for the building foundations.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/deflated4.jpg">
The art installation reflects his observation of society’s reaction to the aftermath of the United States real estate bubble.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/deflated2.jpg">
The work, which symbolises <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vimeo.com/55053219" target="_blank">the deflation </a>of American egos and plummeting home values, was installed on a lot originally intended for development, but a casualty of the downturn.
The villa was on display at 79 NE 41st St. in the Design District during Art Basel, December 6 to 8.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/deflated3.jpg">
"It's contained to represent how we have been trapped by the current situation and our past excesses," Pons says. "A new, more conscious society has emerged over the past several years, one with new values that is much more introspective," Pons told the <a href="https://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/cultist/2012/11/luis_pons_reflects_on_then_and.php" target="_blank">Miami culture blogger Grace Stainback  </a>on the Miami New Times.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/deflated.jpg">
"It's an analogy to represent the disparity between where we were in 2005 and where we are today.
"The fact that we are all coping with and surviving the crisis, and adapting to so many changes is significant. We will not go back to the way we once were."
Pons suggests reusing an already existing piece of art to create something new also carries meaning.
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Villa deflation captures post-GFC net worth sentiment at Miami's Basel art installation

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Stockland’s 2013 full-year earnings are likely to fall 15% unless there is an “unlikely” improvement in the “challenging” Victorian residential market, the residential developer has told investors.
In its latest market update, Stockland said there had been no improvement in the Victorian residential market since the company’s AGM in October.
“Unless the Victorian market improves soon, which seem unlikely, underlying earnings per security (EPS) for the 2013 financial year will be at the lower end of our previously guided range of 10% to 15% below the 2012 financial year. EPS decline will be even greater in the first half, primarily due to a large skew to the second half in the Residential business,” said Stockland.
In his October AGM address, outgoing managing director Matthew Quinn said Stockland’s residential business faced a “high degree of uncertainty given current buyer caution” though with some signs of improvement in Perth and a bolstering in NSW and Queensland through first-home buyer stimulus targeted at the new housing market
“The reality, though, is that conditions are very tough in Victoria where the company’s most profitable projects are located,” Quinn said.
The lower earnings expectations follows the release of a Melbourne update from The National Land Survey Program, which found that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/one-in-three-melbourne-residential-lots-being-returned-to-developers-by-building-firms-report/2012112958179?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=newsplus">nearly a third of residential lots</a> released by big land estate developers on Melbourne's fringes are being returned by mid-sized home building companies, which can't find smaller home builders and or end-use home buyers.
The poor outlook will be one of the challenges faced by incoming Stockland boss Mark Steinert, who will replace Matthew Quinn as chief executive from January 14.
At today's market update briefing, Stockland residential boss Mark Hunter acknowledged recent interest rate cuts and the reintroduction of first-home buyers’ grants in NSW and Queensland, but said market uncertainty and a lack of consumer confidence were continuing to present challenging market conditions, which were particularly apparent in the Victorian residential market.
“Although the challenging market is impacting our performance in the 2013 financial year, we have made good progress in diversifying our residential portfolio and we are meeting the market with more affordable products. We have demonstrated our continued focus on larger, master-planned communities, which present better economies of scale and greater potential to deliver stronger returns over time.
“In the second half of 2014 and 2015 financial years we will bring more projects to market that meet these core criteria and this will drive stronger returns. We will also finish a number of projects in 2013 and 2014 financial years that don’t meet these criteria and are currently impacting our performance.”
Stockland will provide its next update to investors at its half-year results in February.
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Victorian residential market likely to impact on 2013 earnings as Stockland confirms continued tough conditions

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Semi-rural suburbs like Baldivis and Ellenbrook on the Perth metropolitan periphery are providing first-home buyers with an opportunity to get a foot in the door, as the city's rental crisis deepens.
October rental vacancy figures released by SQM Research show a vacancy rate of just 0.6% in Perth, suggesting a chronic shortage of rental accommodation and fierce competition among tenants.
According to the November market report from valuers Herron Todd White, as a result of the ongoing pressure in the rental market and with rents in the Perth metro area up 14% over the past year, “many renters are weighing up the extra cost for owning their own home as against renting, as the differential between rental and mortgage repayments narrows”.
The November report has as its theme “Far-flung suburbs and their performance” and says properties in peripheral Perth suburbs “can provide good value for an owner-occupier seeking rural living”.
“Based on the current rental situation across the Perth metropolitan region, it is anticipated that many renters will make the move to home purchase and trade off the travel times and costs associated with living near the Perth periphery.
“As rental properties are in high demand at present, there is limited supply coming on to the market and the recent interest rate drop means Perth is beginning to look like a buyers’ market for the beginning of 2013," says the valuation firm.
However, Herron Todd White says periphery suburb buyers – primarily first home buyers – must trade off accessibility and mobility by for affordable homes in new developments.
“Peripheral suburbs are traditionally characterised by larger master planned communities conducive to these markets with schools and community centres within close proximity and appeal largely to young families.
“However, buyers need to weigh up this lifestyle with the prospect of low capital growth attributed to strong continual supply of land and lighter infrastructure and amenity surrounding the area,”
According to Herron Todd White, Baldivis, a semi-rural suburb 42 kilometres south of the Perth CBD is catered towards families, first-home buyers and commuters.
Based on Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) statistics, the current median house  price for Baldivis is $429,000 with the suburb consisting predominately of free standing, single storey residential dwellings.
New house and land estates in <a href="/news">Baldivis </a>include Avalon managed by Terranovis, which is offering house-and-land packages on 600-square-metre blocks for under $400,000.
Herron Todd White also picks the “quiet, isolated” suburb of  <a href="/news">Ellenbrook </a>situated around 24 kilometres north east of Perth.
There are no major train lines connecting the suburb, but Herron Todd White points out that it has been designed and developed as a self-sustainable community, with each phase of development replicating a different “village” characteristic.
“Primarily, the suburb comprises detached, single-storey residential dwellings with pathways and cycle paths linking the suburb together.
“REIWA statistics indicate the current median house price in Ellenbrook is $387,000 with a strong number of first home buyers purchasing in the area.”
Ellenbrook is being developed by the LWP Property Group, with stage 8 in its Lexia development (pictured) recently released following strong sales.
Traditional home sites ranging in size from 392 square metres to 761 square metres are priced from $199,000, and cottage home sites ranging in size from 300 square metres to 320 square metres and priced from $170,000.
House prices start from $167,000 for a four-bedroom single-storey house.
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Perth first-home buyers look outwards to semi-rural Baldivis and Ellenbrook for affordable house-and-land options: HTW

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I had a call from Dave today.  He said, "Hi Jo, can you help me with a dual-occupancy project?’  To that I replied: "Sure, Dave, we’d love to.  Tell me a bit about your strategy and what you are hoping to achieve from a property development."
He said, ‘"well, my wife and I want to turn over a few developments, you know, complete one, sell and then use the profits to go again. Our aim is to use the proceeds to pay down the mortgage on our principal place of residence and keep investing." 
Dave certainly has a very good plan. As property development project managers, we are not qualified to give accounting or financial advice, but I do like to check with anyone making this kind of enquiry that they understand what selling costs are involved.
Dave said he understood there’ll be agent’s selling commission and marketing costs to sell the new villas and said "We might have to pay some capital gains tax, and that’s it, I think."
My reply: "Are you sure, Dave?"
If you take a look at the selling costs, then you may think twice about selling on completion, especially if it’s a small development like a dual occupancy.
In the Hunter region of NSW where we manage our developments, we can typically create around $100,000 in equity on a dual-occupancy project. This sounds like a lot of equity to create, and it is – if you are holding the properties you’ve built.
By holding on completion you not only get the benefits of depreciation and higher than average rental returns (everyone loves to rent a brand-new property), but some clients choose to refinance sometimes up to 95% LVR (loan to value ratio), and by doing this they can access a lot of the equity that’s been created through the development process.
But if you are looking to sell on completion, then there are a whole list of costs you need to consider.
The big one is GST, and as I explained to Dave, I highly recommend he checks this out closely with his accountant.  GST is payable when you buy new property, so Dave would need to ensure he pays 10% of his selling cost in GST.  However, if he holds the properties for five years, the property is no longer deemed new and no GST is applicable.  If Dave is not registered for GST then he can’t claim the input tax credits throughout the life of a development, so already he’s lost a big chunk of his profit.
Mortgage costs can be another cost to consider. Dave needs to check with his lender what fees and charges may be applicable when he subdivides the two dwellings – the lender needs to approve this before the subdivision can be registered - and then on the discharge of the mortgage.
In some instances, land tax may also be payable on a property that is being sold.
Dave said he would have a meeting with his accountant and then come back to me on his plans for his dual-occupancy project, and that’s exactly what he did.  A few weeks later, we had found him a great site and now he’s planning to hold the villas for the short term due to the potential yield of 7.5%. This also helped him realise that if you are going to all the trouble to develop property in the right location, you may as well hold to reap the immediate and future rewards.
Jo Chivers is director of <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
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You don't need to sell to reap the benefits of property investment

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Nearly a third of residential lots released by big land estate developers on Melbourne's fringes are being returned by mid-sized home building companies, who can't find smaller home builders and or end-use homebuyers.
The statistic has been uncovered as part of The National Land Survey Program carried out by jointly by Research Four and property consultants Charter Keck Cramer.
According to the Melbourne chapter research of the National Land Survey Program, 30% of new land activities for the September quarter were cancellations.
The September quarter figures indicate that cancellations are rising with the 12 month cancellation rate averaging 23% of monthly activity.
This compares with a cancellation rate of averaged only 4% of monthly activity during the property boom from June 2009 to December 2010.
Cancellation rates are highest in the west (Melton) and north of Melbourne (Mitchell, Hume, Whittlesea) with the south east (Cardinia, Casey) having notably lower level of cancellations relative to lot sales.
Property Observer understands that Stockland projects represents a sizeable proportion of residential land that has been returned recently.
Stockland and other residential developers sell blocks of residential land in new master-planned communities to home building companies, which then market house and land packages at buyers.
The latest report provides further evidence of the challenges facing Melbourne greenfield land developers and comes as the HIA recorded a 12.1% fall in detached new home sales in Victoria over October.
Colin Keane, director of Research Four and the National Land Survey, says the current “slump in form for the Melbourne Greenfield market has not been helped by a rise in the number of blocks of land being handed back to developers".
"Builders are unable to carry or sell on vacant land at the level which they experienced during the property boom. This situation has not been helped by a shift of first home buyer demand back to established property over new house and land."
In addition, first-home buyers don’t have the added incentive of the $13,000 state government handout, available for new home purchases, which ended in June.
Rory Costelloe, of Villawood Properties told Fairfax that developers that required buyers to put down only a small holding deposit of just $500 or $1000 on a residential block were the “really experiencing the problem”.
“This situation could market the beginning of a more conservative relationship between builder and developer as both struggle with lifting activity,” Keane says.
According to the September quarter Melbourne land report prepared by Oliver Hume, in terms of the 139 residential projects in Melbourne, Wyndham contains 24% of all projects, followed by Whittlesea and Casey with 22% and 17% respectively.
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One in three Melbourne residential lots being returned to developers by building firms: report

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A steep 12.1% drop in new detached house sales in Victoria in October has highlighted the challenges facing residential developers in the state.
In contrast NSW new detached home sales increased by 4.7% over October to lead a modest 3.4% national rise over the month, according to the Housing Industry Association monthly survey of Australia’s largest home builders.
Detached new home sales increased by 3.2% in South Australia, and 3.7% in Western Australia, but were down by 4.3% in Queensland.
Excluding the fall in Victoria, detached sales would have posted a rise over the month of 2.4%
HIA chief economist Harley Dale called the October result “modest” but “a move in the right direction”.
The pick-up in home sales follows a 0.9% rise in residential construction activity over the September quarter as recorded by the ABS, which Westpac and CommSec said pointed to an upswing in the sector.
Most of the monthly increase was the result of an increase in the sales of apartments.
The HIA New Home Sales report showed a substantial 31.4% increase in the sale of multi-units in October while detached house sales fell by 2% in October, the fifth decline in six months.
“Scratching below the surface, new home sales in October were a mixed bag. Within the weak headline result for detached houses there were modest increases for New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia, albeit from very low bases,” says Dale.
“Detached house sales in Victoria were a big drag on the aggregate result in October, slumping by 12.1%. If you take that result out of the mix then detached house sales actually posted a rise of 2.4%.”
“We need to see evidence emerge in coming months of a stronger, broader based recovery for new home building.
“The fact we don’t have that evidence now is precisely why the Reserve Bank of Australia should cut interest rates next Tuesday.”
“Further action on rates next week would bolster the chances that we see a sustained recovery in new home building in 2013. Right now the jury is still out on that,” he says.
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Steep fall in Victoria new home sales prevents stronger October recovery: HIA

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Investors wanting bang for their buck when remodeling their investment property ought to paint the place to get the cheapest of makeovers.

Interior painting of the walls and ceilings of a two-bedroom apartment come in at $1,500, according to the Australian Services Buyers Guide 2012.

The guide by ServiceSeeking.com.au gives customers an idea of how much money home renovation costs to possibly avoid overpriced quotes from tradespeople.

The guide offers pricing for the measured completion of tasks ranging from interior painting to plumbing, the most expensive of tasks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27406]

Exterior painting comes in first place for the cheapest trade service, with an average quote of $40 per hour including paint.

Interior painting is slightly more expensive than exterior painting, with an average quote of painting the walls and ceilings of a two-bedroom apartment being $1,500.

The walls of a small two-bedroom unit could cost as little as $430.

An average job for exterior painting includes the painting of a 24-square-metre deck and awning and has quote price of $1,200.

Interior painting could cost $4,700 for the painting of a four-bedroom townhouse with its exterior painting possibly costing $3,300.

According to the guide, NSW offers the best bang for a buck, with the cheapest quotes from painters. 

Victorians on average pay $400 more per task than their NSW counterparts, with prices starting at $1,700 for a one-bedroom apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783]

The Sunshine Coast is the most expensive, with painting a one-bedroom apartment costing $1,870, however a job with three bedrooms will get you a better deal.

Quotes are generally consistent among states, however for a more precise quote, you simply need to write a job description and sit back and wait for the quotes to roll in.

Tiling ties with painting for the cheapest service, with customers paying an average of $40 per square metre excluding materials.

The minimum job quoted for tiling a small outdoor area of six square metres was $250.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3565]

The tiling of a 20-square-metre outdoor balcony area is listed as an average job with a likely quote of $500.

The tiling rates in New South Wales are 5% more than the national average of $40 per square metre, and Victorians can expect to pay $45, an increase of 12.5%.

However, the guide says that New South Wales and Victoria property owners pay less than Queenslanders when charged by task.

 

<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 

The third cheapest service is plastering, with an average cost of $45 per hour.

The minimum plastering job quoted in the service guide was for the repair of a ceiling and cost $150.

A plastering job of two plasterboard walls and one ceiling could cost $500.

The plastering of walls and ceilings in two rooms comes with a $2,000 price tag.

Carpenters are the third most expensive, with an average price of $50 per hour, excluding materials.

A job of building and installing a linen cupboard could cost on average $700.

The second most expensive service is electrical, which has an average cost of $65 per hour.

The minimum quoted price was $65 for residential electrical wiring.

Four light fittings and the replacement of switches and power points could cost you on average $300.

The maximum quote recorded by ServiceSeeking.com.au was $1,200 and was for the installation of four fans, 12 lights and powerpoints.

Victorians pay 40% less when it comes to appliance installation.

The most expensive general trade service is plumbing, with an average of $70 per hour.

A minor bathroom shower tap job could start from $80.

The installation of a new stove with gas fitting could cost you $400.

A larger job of installing gas pipes for heating, hot water and an oven can cost up to $1,000, the average quoted price.

Victorians can expect to pay 10% more for a plumber, paying on average $77 an hour.

New South Wales and Queensland are 7.1% below the national average of $70 an hour.

According to the 2010 Australian Services Buyers Guide, the average hourly rate was $66 although the average job price has come back.

The inclusion of details and prices that were charged for some recent jobs give consumers an idea of how much they should be paying for similar work.

“Our Australian Services Buyer’s Guide 2012 saves Australian renovators from the risk of overpaying. It’s going to change the way people renovate their homes – they won’t want to commit to a quote without consulting the guide first,” says Jeremy Levitt, co-founder of ServiceSeeking.com.au.

ServiceSeeking.com.au has helped over 500,000 customers get quotes from 65,000 businesses.

The data in the guide is based on the analysis of over 700,000 quotes submitted by Australian local businesses through ServiceSeeking.com.au over the past year.

ServiceSeeking.com.au is Australia’s largest marketplace for local services, and allows people to post job descriptions that they need done on the website.

The Australian Services Buyer’s Guide 2012 is available for purchase on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Australian-Services-Buyers-Guide-ebook/dp/B008OOR1HO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> for $9.95.

Sections of the guide can also be viewed on <a href="https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/" target="_blank">ServiceSeeking.com.au’s</a> blog.
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For that lick of paint: Cost guide to give your investment property a makeover

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The rooftop of early apartment complexes were once home to a simple dreary washing line, but now what’s on the rooftop is almost as important as what is in the newly completed apartment.
All residents in many new high rises are entitled to access rooftops in a trend towards democratisation of the previously sealed off upper levels.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/11/centralsouth1.jpg">
Central South Yarra (pictured above) – a $220 million 30-storey development by Little Projects in South Yarra – is among four apartment complexes that incorporate resort-style resident rooftop access.
The large landscaped outdoor sky terrace is 30 storeys up, offering residents and their guests a 360-degree view across Melbourne.
The rooftop includes an inside dining room on a first-in, first served basis with a 10-seater dining table and kitchen. There's also a lounge, pool and a ‘wellbeing zone’ with fitness equipment.
Michael Fox, managing director of Little Property Group, says the rooftop trend stems from tenants, and their landlord investors, seeking low-maintenance recreational living options.
“They want to enjoy the outdoor scenario,” says Fox.
Fox says the additional recreation space adds to the value of all apartments, despite the loss of revenue from sale of the top floor or rooftop.
“Essentially, it’s an extension of their apartment. Residents are happy to live in smaller spaces but have other facilities at their fingertips so they can entertain their guests in an open and unique environment.”
“The philosophy behind it all is offering purchases lifestyle benefits,” says Fox.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/yarrahouse.jpg">
The nearby Yarra House (pictured above) in <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Yarra </a>is a boutique apartment development with a “members-only” 15-metre rooftop lap pool, gym and landscaped garden on level 26.
It offers views of the surrounds of the historic Melbourne High School, the city skyline and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/montrose.jpg">
Montrose (pictured above) in <a href="/news">North Sydney</a> comprises of 104 apartments over 10 levels with occupants having access to a rooftop cinema.
Curtis Field, director of project marketing at Colliers International, which is marking Montrose, tells Property Observer a rooftop cinema is fairly unusual for an apartment project in Sydney, with the trend starting in Melbourne's entertainment district retail terraces.
He says the cinema was included in the design to appeal to younger couples and singles who are expected to show interest in Montrose, and he says it will “add some vibrancy” to the project.
The cinema is made to feel like a home cinema and can be booked through the body corporate.
Field says apartments are getting smaller and therefore residents are use the rooftops as common areas for entertaining.
“It offers added value of views and amenities that they [residents] don’t have to pay for.”
Montrose is almost 50% sold.
 
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Of course the common facilities not necessarily have to induce vertigo. 
In Sydney, Payce's Victoria Park project Platinum (pictured below)  has its has a 2,000-square-metre podium courtyard that is located one level above the street.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/platinum1.jpg">
The courtyard contains Asian-inspired black bamboo planting to create multi-storey green screens and a pathway to meander through the bamboo.
Intimate pavilions are built from timber and framed steel and are illuminated at night.
There is also an alfresco entertainment area with hanging gardens, storage and a kitchen.
Rooftop trees and plants can clear the air by absorbing toxins such as benzene from the atmosphere.
The landscaping can also intercept between 70% and 90% of incoming solar radiation to aid temperature control.
One mature tree potentially provides nearly as much cooling as five 3-kilowatt air-conditioners, while in winter it helps keep apartments insulated.
The rooftop trend comes as the health-giving benefits of parklands are being acknowledged.
The Western Australian Department of Environment and Conversation (DEC) has established the national “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” program.
The DEC believes parkland is fundamental to people’s health and reduces urban stress as well as boosting immunity to certain health issues.
Parkland and community spaces also allow for a more balanced lifestyle, providing opportunities to socialise and may boost immunity to certain health issues.
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Democratising the rooftops as high-rise penthouses become passé

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This week’s episode of Grand Designs Australia features a glass house in the Barossa Valley South Australia.
James and Helen build a 60-metre-long, one-room-wide house that is virtually all glass in the hope of capturing the Barossa Valley views.
The house follows the contour of the hill, a 2.5-metre step down over five separate levels.
At the top of hill, there are four north-facing bedrooms, which are all accessed off a continuous ramp corridor that runs down the side of the house.
This corridor flows into a large living and kitchen area, with a sunken lounge at the end of the house.
One continuous roof plane will run along the entire roof.
An existing 130,000-litre water tank will provide the property with all its water needs.
Grand Designs host Peter Maddison says the simple design and double-glazed windows offer the property lightness and transparency.
The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination in South Australia.
It is 60 kilometres northeast of Adelaide and has an approximate population of 20,0000 people.
Last week's episode featured a house in <a href="/news">Annandale </a>that was built on a small empty allotment overshadowed by two large buildings either side, one heritage listed.
The Barossa Valley Glass House episode will air on the Lifestyle channel on November 29 at 8.30pm.
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