Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

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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Veteran estate agent John McGrath has joined Twitter.
His 28th tweet caught Property Observer’s attention – McGrath commenting on a kitchen with bright white cupboards contrasting with the yellow splashback tiles. And the great yellow kickbacks too, he added.
He’s subsequently posted ?the must read: 10 Ways to Warm up Your Home for Selling.
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/johnmcgrath100"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/mcgtweet.jpg"></a>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1484373&amp;l=245dc4d589&amp;id=265665123466132"><img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/09/yellowkitchen.jpg"></a>
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John McGrath's bright outlook, yellow kitchen included: Tweet of the day

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Eco Trendee Homes, the developer of a recently purchased Bribie Island site, has lodged development plans with Moreton Bay Council.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/bribie2.jpg">
Ty Wardner, the Sunshine Coast-based developer, recently<a href="https://www.realtor.com.au/cgi-bin/vgmsg/vgqld/propview.p"> </a>paid about $4 million in a receivership sale for the 42-hectare block of land on Bribie Island, 50 kilometres north of Brisbane.
The subdivision site was bought with preliminary development approval for 544 lots.
The $100 million plans, which date back to 2007, include 10 proposed stages of traditional housing lots, medium-density and retirement developments.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" width="300" src="/images/stories/2012/09/bribie.png">
The existing approval for the development will lapse in 2013.
The Eco Trendee plans were drafted by urban planners and architects The Helibronn Group.
The site, at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-qld-bongaree-200165486">69 Coolgarra Avenue in Bongaree</a>, attracted formal offers from nine groups when offered through a public tender campaign by Ray White Special Project Queensland directors Mark Creevey and Tony Williams.
Williams says there was strong interest from developers before its sale earlier this year.
"There is definite demand for developers looking for good sites to acquire.
"Broadly across south-east Queensland there’s a limited quantum of sites a reasonable distance from Brisbane with a capacity and size like this. There are a handful in hands of larger developers."
"It varies from asset to asset, but by and large with a stereotypical site with advanced planning you’ll get good interest," Williams says.
It was sold under instructions of McGrathNicol, the receivers and managers of Dux Property Group.
Williams says the land is close to the surf beach and golf courses.
“The area is well serviced with amenities, with the Bribie Island Shopping Centre containing Woolworths and 30 specialty shops.
The proposed development includes a 7.65-hectare lake as a central water feature.
The 148-square-kilometre island is the most northern of the three major islands forming the coastline sheltering Moreton Bay and is the only island linked to the mainland by bridge.
In 2009 Dux Property Group took exception to the government’s 2004 valuation of the site at $17.35 million and took the Department of Natural Resources and Water to the Land Court of Queensland.
By  June 2012 the site was valued at $8 million.
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Eco Trendee Homes lodges development plans for Bribie Island block

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Australian dwelling starts rose by 4.6% in the June quarter to 34,116 – the first rise in five quarters – boosted by a 19% rise in apartment starts, which reached 13,011, according to new ABS figures.
However, in the more depressed detached new housing sector, starts fell 1.7% to 20,523 to be at their lowest level in more than a decade (June 2001 quarter).
New housing starts are down 10.7% year-on-year, while unit starts are down 4.9% year-on-year.
Over the year to June 139,349 dwellings were commenced down 2.7% on the prior year.
The 11-year low for new housing starts comes a day after the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/the-%2415000-queensland-first-home-owner-construction-grant-what-first-home-buyers-need-to-know/2012091156510" target="_blank">Queensland state government introduced a new $15,000 first home owner construction grant</a> taking effect today.
A similar scheme will take effect in NSW from October 1.
“The announcement of additional assistance to Queensland’s housing construction sector in the 2012?13 State Budget is likely to see a sustained increase in Queensland housing construction,” says Commonwealth Bank economist James McIntyre.
“Our broader housing construction outlook already incorporates a recovery in Queensland activity levels.”
Peter Jones, chief economist at Master Builders Australia (MBA), which successfully lobbied the Queensland government to introduce the new $15,000 construction grant, says the June figures are cold comfort for builders who continue to face very difficult operating conditions.
“Builders are struggling and with little joy in the forward indicators there is an urgent need for policy action at all levels of government.
“Further rate cuts from the Reserve Bank are needed to turn consumer pessimism around and ensure that demand recovers.
“Removing policies that work to restrict supply must be a focus for all governments. Policies that prevent the residential building industry meeting the serious undersupply of housing must be addressed. Poor land release strategies and inefficient developer charges should be the first place to start.
“The housing sector has been underbuilding for the past seven years and it is crucial that Australia’s residential building industry now embarks on a major growth phase to overcome the housing shortfall.
“Urgent reform is required to address supply bottlenecks otherwise a strong industry response to meet underlying demand cannot eventuate. This will exacerbate Australia’s housing affordability crisis, increasing rents and house prices as people chase less stock,” says Jones.
On a state-by-state basis, dwelling commencements increased by 25.9% in New South Wales, 2.8% in Victoria, 8.1% in Queensland and 68.8% in the Northern Territory.
HIA chief economist Dr Harley Dale pointed out that improvements in the June quarter were "narrowly based, primarily occurring in the non-detached dwelling segments of New South Wales and Victoria, which recorded impressive increases of 64.5% and 15.8%, respectively.
“This reflects the market’s response to policy changes in these two states," says Dale.
Seasonally adjusted dwelling commencements fell by 9.3% in South Australia, 6.1% in Western Australia, 5% in Tasmania, and 1% in the ACT.
The HIA says the June quarter figures confirm that Australia’s new home building sector fell back into recession in 2011-12
"To lift dwelling commencements off a GFC-equivalent low from 2012-13 requires policy reform and investment from federal and state governments, augmented by further interest rate deductions," says Dale.
"Too few governments in Australia are implementing the policies required to stem the negative consequences a persistently weak new housing sector is having on tens of thousands of Australian businesses and many more labour market participants.”
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Unit starts boost residential construction in June quarter but house starts fall to 11-year low: ABS

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 Greenfield suburbs – the fastest-growing parts of our cities – must be built to meet the needs of future generations, not just initial residents, according to  the Grattan Institute.
Launching the Grattan’s new report, Tomorrow’s suburbs: building flexible neighbourhoods,  Jane-Frances Kelly, the cities program director at the institute, suggested within a generation these new developments would have residents with very different profiles and needs.
"If these suburbs are to thrive in the long term we should make them flexible and able to change right from the start."
"Yet greenfield suburbs are overwhelmingly dominated by family-sized detached houses when they are first built.
"If, unlike older areas, these suburbs can't change over time, they will lack the flexibility to meet the changing life circumstances of their residents.
"If a suburb cannot change as households change, then residents' quality of life will be diminished," she says.
Kelly saus that flexible suburbs contain land that can be used for different purposes, shopping centres that suit a range of businesses and shops, and buildings and homes that can be adapted as people’s needs change over time.
"But the communities being established in greenfield areas lack these qualities – even when they work well for current residents," Kelly says.
Instead, land tends to be strictly separated into commercial and residential uses, shopping centres lack diversity and offer limited scope for setting up local businesses, and there is a predominance of similar lot sizes with detached houses built on them, often right to the edges of the lot.
"A uniformity of housing options can make it difficult for residents to move house – into a smaller home, for example – as their needs shift over time," Kelly.
"If housing cannot adapt, a suburb may struggle to attract new residents, and new businesses. It will miss out on the process of renewal that is essential to successful cities."
Grattan’s report recommends ways to make new suburbs, shopping centres, buildings and homes more adaptable. It shows how a capacity to change has proved enormously valuable in existing urban areas, especially the older core of our cities.
"By pure chance, certain characteristics of these older areas made inner urban renewal easier," Kelly says.
"We are not saying we can reproduce these qualities in greenfield areas, but we can plan for flexibility right from the start."
The five suggested measures for new suburb developments that will enhance adaptability are recommended as:
<ul>
<li> a joint sale option that lets owners sell their land together if at least 90 per cent of them agree, starting 25 years after the initial purchase</li>
<li>town centres that can grow and change, surrounded by a variety of buildings that face the street</li>
<li>a 15-year limit on restrictive covenants</li>
<li>broader, mixed-use zones, with regular reviews of zoning across the city</li>
<li> new standards for connectivity based on how long it takes residents to get to a mix of jobs, shops and services.</li>
</ul>
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Adapting to demographic change will be the key to greenfield suburb longevity: Grattan Instititute

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Sustainable House Day is celebrating its 11th anniversary on September 9 across Australia.
More than 200 sustainably built homes will be open to the public.
“It provides a unique opportunity for people to meet with home owners who have ‘been there, done that’ and are able to provide unbiased advice, ideas and inspiration via their own personal experience,” says event organiser Pia Vogrin.
One <a href="https://www.smarthomefamily.com.au/sustainable-house-day-at-the-smart-home">open house in Newington</a>, NSW (pictured below), will show a waterless Australian native garden, trial the next generation of Sydney’s Smart Meters and provide recycling ideas like a Coke bottle bench.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/smarthome.jpg">
Councils are also having sustainable events like the Green Family Life Festival in Richmond, in Melbourne, to inspire families towards sustainability as well as market stalls and games for kids.
Each year the average Australian household contributes 13 tonnes of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere and uses an average of 73,000 buckets of water a year, the equivalent of 12 baths a day.
<a href="https://auses.org.au/" target="_blank">Australian Solar Energy Society</a> started <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sustainablehouseday.com/">Sustainable House Day</a> in 2001 to show the public they can save on energy bills while helping to save the environment.
“With the ever-increasing cost of living, sustainable solutions such as solar power systems can not only help reduce your emissions, but also wipe out your electricity bills,” says Nick Brass, co-owner of Energy Matters.
One of Sydney's open houses uses LED lighting as the norm in the timber House of the Future (pictured below).
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/sustain.jpg">
The United Nations has established 2012 as the Year of Sustainable Energy.
The Subiaco Sustainable Demonstration House in western Perth (pictured below) was built to educate people and will be one of the leading open houses on Sustainability House Day. The house is designed for cost efficiency, passive solar principles, energy and water efficiency and adaptability for universal access. It is designed to suit diverse occupants and lifestyles.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/subisustain.jpg">
“Sustainable House day is all about action rather than words,” says Vogrin. “You can view an open house or search ideas online.”
Sustainable House Day has a <a href="https://www.sustainablehouseday.com/competitions.php" target="_blank">competition</a> to win one in three $1,000 Australian Ethical Managed Funds.
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Green homes to open to the public across Australia for Sustainable House Day's 11th anniversary

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A striking new glass rooftop with an outdoor terrace and an enlarged inner atrium to bring in more light are the main elements Macquarie Group will add to 48-50 Martin Place, in Sydney CBD.
Macquarie plans to turn the historic banking chamber into its state-of-the-art headquarters.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/macquarie3.jpg">
The diversified financial services giant has lodged an $82.8 million development application with the City of Sydney, with the rooftop plans part of a revised design of an already approved development proposal launched by previous owner the Commonwealth Bank.
The enlarged atrium would be topped by a “high-performance glazed elongated dome roof structure” to be used as a bespoke reception, meeting and event and function space with direct access to the terrace.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/macquarie1.jpg">
The rooftop has hosted a number of different structures over the 84 years it has stood in the Sydney CBD, with historical photos included in the application showing a range of large habitable structures dating back to when the original building was first opened in 1928. The photos include the current cream-coloured structure  (pictured above) added by the Commonwealth Bank in the 1980s.
The new headquarters will have about 26,000 square metres of space, with the ground floor banking chamber leased to the Commonwealth Bank and 10 office floors to house 2,000 Macquarie staff.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/macquarie2.jpg">
The proposal is seeking a six-star green star environmental rating for the building.
It will also seek to reduce its carbon footprint, with the number of car spaces halved to just 15 but the number of bike racks increased to 93.
JBA Urban Planning Consultants, which prepared the modified application on behalf of Macquarie Group, has likened the atrium to the glass dome atop the Reichstag in Berlin, designed by renowned UK architect Sir Norman Foster.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/macquarie4.jpg">
“This glazed structure will significantly increase the daylight (and in some instances sunlight) penetration into the enlarged atrium and the office floors below," says JBA.
“By curving and glazing the rooftop addition, dramatic light-filled meeting spaces and a modern and sustainable workplace are created."
Under the design proposal, the main atrium will be widened from 6 meters to 10.5 meters with the report noting “low daylight levels and the limited outlook” are major shortcomings of the office floors as it currently stands.
“The key to overcoming these difficulties is to increase daylight from above by opening up the ‘throat’ of the atrium at the rooftop levels and widening the main atrium.
“The enlargement of the void also dramatically exposes the original structural grid and atrium layout, which can be readily interpreted  notwithstanding the modifications made to widen the space,” says the JBA report.
The design by architects Johnson Pilton Walker and Clive Wilkinson Architects does not propose any changes to the exterior of the heritage-listed building - apart from the roof.
It was constructed between 1925 and 1928 for the Commonwealth Bank and is regarded as one of the finest 20th Century bank buildings in Australia and one of the most important examples of the inter-war Beaux-Arts architectural style.
Macquarie acquired the building from the Commonwealth Bank earlier this year for $130 million.
Between 1984 and 1990, the Commonwealth Bank undertook an extensive program of conservation works to the interior and exterior of the building. 
Macquarie currently has its much larger headquarters at 1 Martin Place.
The application is currently on exhibition until September 18.
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Macquarie Group to let the light shine into Martin Place headquarters with $83 million makeover

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There could be a severe shortage of housing stock in Perth over the next 20 years as the population grows faster than the city's supply of residential land, according to a report by Knight Frank.
A further 280,000 dwellings will be required over the next 20 years, but developers’ stock of lots with conditional approval is just 43,000, according to the Knight Frank englobo land report.
Australian Bureau of Statistics suggest an average annual population growth of 1.85% in the greater Perth region over the next 20 years, pushing the population up 727,000 to 2.49 million people by 2031.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/kfsept6.gif">
Source: Knight Frank
Knight Frank director John Corbett says there is an increasing gap between englobo land parcels (undeveloped land zoned for closer settlement growth with potential for subdivision) reaching the market and the demand for housing, with the median price for residential land up more than 10% over the last 12 months.
“The availability and development of englobo land has slowed in recent years and will lead to increased prices and significantly increased rents in established residential properties,” Corbett says.
“The many factors that have restricted residential land releases don’t appear to be abating. A tightening of credit and a softening in sentiment because of economic uncertainty in Europe are holding back the market, however, pressure is building for prices to increase”.
He says the current demand for housing lots is putting increasing pressure on government and developers with northern and southern suburbs such as Yanchep, Baldivis and Byford continually expanding to meet demand.
Baldivis, Yanchep and Byford are the top three suburbs for conditional approved lots, with 7,834 proposed lots between them.
The report says the supply of new land for residential development in WA is constrained by variations between councils on developer contributions; a constrained sand supply; environmental considerations and approvals; rising price and time costs associated with infrastructure; and access to reliable water supplies.
There is up to five years worth of potential future land supply with the current stock of lots, the report finds.
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Perth could face severe land shortage in next 20 years: Knight Frank

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Victorian construction company New Dimension Homes has entered administration, with Glenn Crisp of Jirsch Sutherland appointed as administrator.
New Dimension Homes had a turnover last year of around $7 million and previously traded as Icon Designer Homes.
Its website describes New Dimension Homes as "one of Victoria's top builders", offering single and double-storey homes and house and land packages.
Crisp told SmartCompany the business went into administration earlier this week, by which stage all of its 15 or so employees had left.
"It ceased trading about a month ago so we are dealing with a shell of a company," says Crisp.
"The company does not have any cash and does not hold a builder's licence to build any homes. "We had a meeting with the Housing Industry Association to work out how to get the homes finished for the home owners who are affected at the home owners' insurers would not deal with us."
Crisp says around 50 home owners have been impacted across Melbourne.
He believes the home owners have warranty insurance and the voluntary administration process triggers their right to claim under that insurance, but Crisp warns there will "certainly be delays" in finding new builders to complete the homes.
Creditors of New Dimension Homes are owed "quite a few million dollars" according to Crisp, with Westpac Bank as the major creditor and a number of suppliers such as Bunnings as large creditors.
The first creditors' meeting will be held on Friday, September 7, where creditors will have the opportunity to retain or replace the existing administrators.
The administration is the latest in a string of collapses in the Australian construction industry, with the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/unpaid-sub-contractors-trigger-nsw-government-reform-inquiry-into-construction-industry-collapses/2012080955934">NSW government announcing an enquiry</a> earlier this month to try to address the problems in the troubled sector.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/index.php">SmartCompany</a>.
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Victorian builder New Dimension Homes in administration

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Property development can encompass many activities including renovating an existing dwelling or building, demolition of buildings and/or building new and subdividing or changing the use of land.
Developing property can be risky and not for everyone. There are many things that can go wrong, so it is important to really do your due diligence and understand the many facets involved.
I’ve compiled what I think are the top three things to do first when embarking on a property development. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/the-first-step-when-getting-involved-in-property-development-choose-the-right-location-jo-chivers/2012081656083">Step one is finding the right location.</a> Step two is finding the right site. Step three is assembling your property development team.
Who will I need in my property development team? 
Your property team should consist of: 
<ul>
<li>
Property accountant – It’s very important to have the correct structures in place before you buy. My accountant is a key member of my team and well worth her weight in gold (that’s how much she charges me! Of course, accounting fees are tax deductible). </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Property lawyer – Every property transaction is different, and even the simplest contract should be looked over by someone with experience. My lawyer is like a father to me, and I thoroughly trust his judgment and advice. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Finance broker – It is vital to use a broker with a strong understanding of construction finance. Establish a close relationship with your broker so she understands your individual situation and be able to fast-track the sometimes tedious process of obtaining development finance. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Architect/draftsman – A local architect will have an understanding of the council requirements but always have your builder check over the plans before you lodge your DA to get a construction perspective. Some small changes by the builder can make a big difference in building costs. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Builder – A close working relationship with your builder is important. They need to be flexible and accuracy in their pricing with enough clout be offer economies of scale with their buying power of materials. Some builders may have existing designs for villas or duplexes that will save you money not having to engage an architect. You can usually make minor changes to these plans. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Surveyor – He or she will have a strong knowledge of the local area and has often conducted surveys or subdivisions on land in the area. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Quantity surveyor – important to maximise tax rebates on completion of your development. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
Project manager/development manager – If it’s your first development, an experienced project manager will hold your hand through the process and you’ll learn what’s involved so you can then manage your next development. A good project manager will also bring discounted rates and other advantages to the project. </li>
</ul>
This is a nutshell of information on what to consider as you get started. Sometime is will seem a lot easier just to buy existing property but if you really want fast-track your portfolio and create some equity along the way, then property development may be for you.
 Jo Chivers is director of <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
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The third step when getting involved in property development: Assemble your property team

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Property developer and fund manager Peet has reported a 76% fall in net profits for the 2012 financial year in what it described as challenging market conditions, with Victoria the toughest market where it has projects under development.
Net profits for the year to June were $20.3 million, just ahead of earlier market guidance of $15 million to $20.2 million.
Earnings in Peet’s residential development operations declined 50% compared with the 2011 financial year to $20.2 million as lot settlements for the year declined to 395 from 598.
A further $40 million worth of contract are due to settle by December 2012.
Contracts on hand fell from 1,125 in 2011 to 788 in 2012 – worth $788 million – with Peet attributing this to “market weakness, substantially reduced capital investment in certain Victorian projects and difficulty of buyers obtaining finance”.
In particular it reported a slow-down in sales at its $293 million Aston residential development in Craigieburn, where more than 1,500 lots ares still available on Melbourne’s fringe. Its $131 million Ardan development in Greenvale featuring 558 lots has been deferred.
The developer expects market conditions to remain challenging in the 2013 financial year.
However, it says positive signs are emerging in WA and Queensland is also poised for recovery, with housing finance growth and building approvals improving.
Peet’s biggest residential project is Flagstone City, 45 minutes south-west of Brisbane in Jimboomba, which has a gross development value of $1.87 billion and is due to begin in 2013. It features 1,500 lots and is proceeding as scheduled.
In total Peet has a lot pipeline of 34,600 worth $6.2 billion.
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