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

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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Its style has been described as Clockwork Orange-meets-Vogue Living – The QT Sydney hotel opens mid-September with $400-plus nightly weekend room rates.
Billed as Sydney's first true designer hotel, the 200 guest rooms come in 12 different styles set across the upper 12 levels of the Palazzo-style Gowings building and State Theatre in Sydney. Art curator Amanda Love has carriage of its art installations.
Hoping to bring a little pizazz to George Street, reviving its theatrical and retail past, it will come with two restaurants, Gowings Bar &amp; Grill and Parlour Lane Roasters cafe; spaQ with six treatment rooms; a men's barber shop; plus a Hammam-inspired steam room.
Amalgamated Holdings bought the Gowings building in April 2006 for $69 million and has spent close to that on demolition and redevelopment of the retail area.
It adjoins the historic State Theatre, which has also had a facelift.
The ground floor has been leased to the British Topshop fashion chain for its flagship Sydney store.
Amalgamated and QT Sydney managing director David Seargeant says great effort has been undertaken to retain the features of the Gowings building, including the mosaic and timber floors.
QT is Australia’s newest hotel brand.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Clockwork Orange-meets-Vogue Living: The QT Sydney

<html><body>
Modern journalism is about sitting around twiddling your thumbs, before springing to life whenever a media handout from a company or lobby group comes across your desk. 
This is when 21st-century journalists earn their pay. Quickly and expertly, they stylishly re-write the press release. Job done. Then it’s off to the cafeteria for another coffee. 
Surveys have found that most of the articles in newspapers today are press release re-writes. I track the output of hacks writing about real estate for big-city newspapers and find that many never stray from the easy-street path of regurgitating propaganda from industry groups. All their articles have just one source: the individual or organization who sent in the press release. 
This is how the idea of “a housing shortage crisis” has come to be accepted as fact by media outlets around Australia. 
The people who send them press releases say it’s the case, so why would they doubt it. 
Here’s the problem. It’s a lie. Not a mistake, but a lie – one that has been carefully and obsessively constructed by vested interests over several years. 
There is no shortage. Indeed, all the evidence contradicts it. The evidence is so compelling that there is only one explanation for journalists’ inability to see it: extraordinary incompetence and laziness in equal measure. 
The argument put forward, almost daily, by the building industry is that Australia is not building enough new homes. Their talking heads claim there is strong demand but the nation has failed to satisfy that demand, to the extent that we have a shortfall of over 200,000 homes. I keep asking where those 200,000-plus households are living (under bridges? in tents?), but no one has an answer. 
Economic laws dictate that this means we should have rising prices and rents. Indeed, given the serious nature of the shortage – usually characterised as “chronic” – prices and rents must be soaring, with double-digit annual growth. 
But the opposite has happened. Prices, generally speaking, have fallen in all our major cities over the past two years. Strong demand, a chronic shortage, yet prices have fallen. Have we slipped into a parallel universe? 
Vacancies in many parts of Australia tend towards the low side of the 3% mark considered to be a balanced market, but not by a great margin. In “a chronic housing shortage crisis” vacancies would be near zero, but the average across Australia is around 2%, according to SQM Research. 
Here’s further evidence: In several of Australia’s biggest residential markets, including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast, developers are offering incentives to induce consumers to buy their products. Free tropical getaways, new cars, fees waived, all kinds of monetary inducements. 
Why? Because they can’t shift their product any other way. There are too many new dwellings and not enough demand.
 
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The weakest part of the “housing shortage crisis” argument is the way the industry comes up with its figures. It compares how many houses have been built with how many “should have” been built. They call this latter figure “underlying demand”, which some media sources accept as gospel but which is, in fact, a piece of self-serving speculation. 
The reality is that the number of houses built is dictated by consumer demand. When a first-home buyer secures a block of land and puts in a building application, a new dwelling gets built. If 1,000 new homes are built in a given area, it’s because consumers have directly demanded that number. It’s ridiculous to claim that 2,000 “should have” been built. Where’s the demand for the extra 1,000? 
The final nail in the coffin of the shortage argument is this simple question: if the building industry genuinely believes there is unsatisfied demand for new houses, why don’t builders construct more houses? That’s their function in society, isn’t it? Stop whingeing and start building. 
But in many of Queensland’s major markets there are already too many dwellings, particularly new apartments and townhouses. The Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, the Fraser Coast, Townsville, the Whitsundays and Cairns all fit this category. Prices today are lower than they were five years in many of these places. 
In Surfers Paradise, the median unit price has dropped almost 10% in five years. In Noosa, the median today is 22% lower than it was in 2007. 
A shortage? Get real. 
Recently I saw a stark example of how the shortage propaganda comes to be accepted as fact. 
Someone sent off a press release that claimed north-east Victoria was in “a housing crisis”. Population growth was set to far outstrip building starts over the next 20 years. Demand would artificially inflate rents and push many people into tenancies and mortgages they cannot afford. Homelessness and demand on public housing would worsen. 
Naturally, The Border Mail newspaper in Albury-Wodonga published it all as fact, under a headline that screamed “Housing crisis to get worse”. 
But note that the “housing crisis” and all those nightmarish consequences are nothing more than a prediction by an organisation that consults to the building industry. It’s all based on someone’s forecast that the region won’t build enough houses over the next 20 years. Do they have a crystal ball?  A time machine? 
I can’t think of a part of Australia less likely to have a chronic shortage than Albury-Wodonga. There’s buckets of land available, with local councils eager to facilitate new development. The Wodonga Council has just published plans for a new town of 35,000 to cater for demand over the next 40 years. Other locales that are part of the twin border cities are projected to grow exponentially over the next 30 years, including Thurgoona and Wirlinga. 
So there’s no land shortage. And affordability isn’t a major issue: the median house price for North Albury is $195,000, while Lavington, Wodonga and West Wodonga are all typically priced in the low-to-mid $200,000s. 
Housing crisis? This is the worst kind of fiction.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> and can be <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">followed on Twitter</a>.
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Australia's so-called housing shortage is a lie constructed by vested interests

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Ahead of an expected pick-up in residential sales activity in the established housing market in spring, developers and builders are offering a range of incentives to encourage new home buyers.
Incentives include cash handouts, new cars, free house upsizings and zero deposit home loans.
The freshest offering, commencing on September 1, is a $10,000 cheque Stockland and participating building groups will give to buyers in four of its NSW residential communities.
Buyers will be able to spend the money as they choose, following research by social research group Ipsos Mackay that – among other things – found that childcare and healthcare costs are a growing burden and that government handouts and hand-ups are going to the wrong places.
“Stockland’s spring offer reflects this ‘real’ mentality by letting buyers chose how and when they wish to use $10,000. Unlike other offers on the market, it is completely flexible so customers may choose to pay bills, top up their savings account or take a much-needed holiday,” says Matthew Mears, Stockland’s general manager of NSW residential development.
Here’s a round-up of some of the more prominent special offers from new housing developers and builders:
 Stockland’s $10,000 “reality cheque”
From September 1 to October 21 new buyers in four Stockland NSW residential communities – <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/residential/nsw/mckeachies-run-living-at-mcKeachies-run.aspx" target="_blank">McKeachies Run in Maitland</a>, <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/residential/nsw/murrays-beach-living-at-murrays-beach.aspx" target="_blank">Murray’s Beach on Lake Macquarie</a>, <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/residential/nsw/brooks-reach-living-at-brooks-reach.aspx" target="_blank">Brooks Reach in the Illawarra</a> and <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/residential/nsw/bayswood-living-at-bayswood.aspx" target="_blank">Bayswood at Vincentia on the NSW south coast</a> – will receive $10,000. The money will be paid on settlement comprising $5,000 from Stockland and a further $5,000 from participating builders, including Barrington Homes, Clarendon Homes, Eden Brae Homes, Huxley Homes, Masterton, McDonald Jones Homes, Perry Homes and Trevelle Homes. A home-and-land package (three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with garage) starts from $323,950 at Brooks Reach.
Free Toyota worth up to $40,000 from Peet
Listed property developer Peet has extended its offer of a free Toyota car to September 2 to house-and-land buyers who purchase select blocks of land in one of <a href="https://www.peet.com.au/freecar/qld/lotsbonus.aspx" target="_blank">five Queensland communities</a> and one of <a href="https://www.peet.com.au/freecar/vic/" target="_blank">eight communities in Victoria.</a> Developments include Flagstone Rise in the Brisbane south west suburb of Jimboomba, with house-and-land packages from $345,000. A Toyota Yaris worth $19,000 is being offered on select blocks of land in this development starting from $162,000 for a 685-square-metre block. Other more expensive select blocks in other estates come with a free Toyota Kluger ($40,000) or Rav4 ($29,000).
Devine to pay new buyers up to $10,000 on completion
Listed developer Devine will <a href="https://www.devinedouble.com.au/" target="_blank">double the deposit paid on any new Devine house-and-land package or on a Devine home</a> built on the buyer’s own land up to a maximum of $10,000. The offer is valid for approved purchasers who sign an unconditional contract for sale with Devine for a new Devine house up until September 30, 2012. Devine will pay the buyer the value of their deposit within 10 days of completion up to a maximum of $10,000. Buyers still need to obtain finance for the full balance purchase price in order to settle.
Free upsize offer valued up to $16,000 for buyers of some Burbank Homes
Queensland and Victoria home builder Burbank is offering new home buyers a free size upgrade from a <a href="https://burbank.com.au/promo/Upsize/" target="_blank">28-square-metre home to a 31-square-metre home in 21 display locations</a> up until November 1. Homes that qualify for a free upgrade include the <a href="https://www.burbank.com.au/HouseDetails.aspx?ID=82" target="_blank">Ascent design</a>, where buyers can save around $10,000 on an upgrade and the <a href="https://www.burbank.com.au/HouseDetails.aspx?ID=183" target="_blank">Scarborough design</a>, where savings are up to $16,000. Other homes included in the promotion are the Attenborough, Evolution, Clemson, Freeman and Durham designs.
$0 deposit offer from Perth builder HomeStart
<a href="https://www.homestart.net.au/no-deposit-homeloans" target="_blank">HomeStart is offering a no deposit home loan</a> to new home buyers sourced through credit provider Harrisdale Pty Ltd trading as The Loan Company. The Perth home builder offers house-and-land packages starting from $230,000. HomeStart is part of the privately owned Buckeridge Group of Companies (BGC), one of the largest home builders in WA.
Carlisle Homes offering $10,000 incentive on select purchases in Warralily
Victorian builder Carlisle homes is offering a $5,000 discount for buyers who purchase a Hansen, Westbury Mk2, Savannah &amp; Ascot home and build in the <a href="https://www.carlislehomes.com.au/special-offers" target="_blank">Warralily masterplanned residential community</a>, a  joint development by Casey Capital Partners and Newland Developers near Geelong. In addition, Warralily Estate will also offer a $5,000 rebate on selected lots in Warralily Estate.  First-home buyers can save up to $17,000 if they qualify for the $7,000 Victorian government first-home buyers' grant.
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New cars, $10,000 cheques and free home size upgrades:  Six spring incentives from house-and-land developers and builders

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Australand is restoring the historic Chimney at Botanica, which originally provided light and power to the Lidcombe hospital through the boiler house. 
Cnthia Csernay, senior marketing coordinator for Australand, says the aims behind the restoration of the chimney were to bring the structure up to the current earthquake codes, as well as to make the building more visually attractive. 
The chimney dates back to 1901 and contained coal furnaces that fed into a generator to produce enough electricity to provide lighting and power to the entire hospital, as well as hospital wards and residences. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/chimney.jpg">
The Lidcombe hospital closed in 1993, and the boiler house and chimney have not been active since. 
The Lidcombe hospital changed its name over time as the focus of care changed and developed. It was originally known as the Lidcombe Old Men’s home, though during the 1919 influenza pandemic, women had been admitted to the infectious disease ward. 
After 1913 the hospital changed names to Rookwood State Hospital and Home For Men, and changed twice more until it closed as Lidcombe Hospital. 
The chimney that fed electricity and power to the hospital is now a historical landmark within Australand’s Botanica. 
“It will be a piece of history that all the community can be proud of, and we look forward to the completed restorations,” says Australand NSW residential division general manager Nigel Edgar. 
Edgar also says that the chimney at Botanica is a treasured feature of the residential community and plays a very important role in understanding the history of site. 
Botanica is part of a new neighbourhood, which is spread over 44 hectares and is 14 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. 
The former hospital buildings are now known as “The gallery at Botanica” and are a collection of heritage-listed building that have been adapted by Australand into modern homes. 
There are currently 31 homes on sale at Botanica, with a some 500 new homes sold. 
Its three-bedroom houses are available from $660,000 to $740,000, and the four-bedroom house ranges from $715,000 to $940,000.
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Chimney at Botanica set for hot new look

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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 href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/the-first-step-when-getting-involved-in-property-development-choose-the-right-location-jo-chivers/2012081656083" target="_blank">Step one is finding the right location. </a>
Step two: Find a good development site
Once you have found the area you want to develop in, it then comes down to good site selection. 
When looking at a development site consider:
<ul>
<li>Location</li>
<li>Aspect</li>
<li>Slope</li>
<li>Frontage</li>
<li>Depth</li>
<li>What’s on top of the land</li>
<li>What’s underneath the land</li>
</ul>
 Location of your development site is obviously important. We all know that being close to community amenities is top priority whether you are planning to keep your new dwellings or sell them, so being close to schools and universities, shops, transport and medical facilities is very important.  You should check out the neighbours on all sides of the land to make sure there are no dog breeding kennels, chicken coups, car workshops or noisy businesses that may make the location undesirable for tenants. Ask the locals about crime rates and take a drive around the streets to get a “feel” for the area. Trust your gut feel or intuition; we will often get an instant negative feeling if something is not quite right.
Aspect is the direction the land faces – north, south, east or west.  It’s important to have the living areas of your development as close to facing north as possible to maximise natural light.  Aspect is also very important for the energy rating of your development.
The slope of the block is important. Most people think a dead flat block might be good for developing, but although it may be better than a steeply sloping site you may need to build up the site with fill and retain it to meet drainage issues. So the ideal block will slope or fall slightly to the street, which will assist with natural stormwater runoff and drainage.
A wider frontage or width of the block is usually desirable, particularly if you are looking at a medium density development as you will be losing some of the width to a driveway to access the rear dwellings. Some councils have a calculation as to how wide the driveway needs to be based on the number of dwellings. So make sure you have taken this into consideration and have a wide enough block.
 
Depth is important and will determine how many dwellings you may get onto the land.  Be careful with very deep blocks, as the deeper the block, the longer the driveway. A long driveway can add thousands to your costs. You may also need to run services such as sewer, water, gas and electricity from the front of the block to the back, depending on where the connection points for these services are located.
 
What’s on top of the land? For a quick assessment, take a look around to see how many large trees may need to be cleared. A mature gum tree can cost up to $5,000 to remove, so if there are a few of these, you will need to allow more for you site clearing costs. Also look out for asbestos sheds on concrete slabs, which are expensive to remove. If there is an existing house that you plan to keep, check there is good access to the back of the block for the large site clearing machinery that may be required.
 
What’s underneath the land?   In some regional areas, you should check for old mines.  If you know it’s a mining area, you can apply to the local mine board for a subsidence report.  You can still build over an old mine, but it adds considerable foundation costs. Is there a natural water course running under the land?  The soil type is also important. In most cases, you won’t know unless you commission a geotechnical report, which is advisable to have done if after all your research you are sure this is the correct site. It may cost around $800 but worth every cent if it means you can more easily assess projects viability.  You will also need to know the location of the sewer line, sewer junctions and sewer manholes as some of these may be built over but one of them most certainly cannot.  You can request the sewer diagram from the agent or the local water authority.  A detailed survey will show other important things so again, if you are serious about the site, get a detail/contour survey done as you will need this to have a builder or architect work on a design for your project.
Jo Chivers is director of <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
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The second step when getting involved in property development: Find a good development site

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With the spring selling season just a week away, home owners and hopeful vendors are sprucing up their gardens and outdoor spaces in the hopes of enticing buyers who want more than a roof above their heads. 
There is no doubt that Australians love their gardens, and a recent survey by independent research firm Kairos Future found 55% of Australians want to see more green space in their cities, and 65% of Aussies are willing to pay more for property with good green space nearby.
With this in mind and the whiff of spring in the air, Property Observer checks out 10 of the best gardens currently on the market across Australia.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden1.jpg">
This beautiful property <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/12-lansell-road-toorak/Property-Details-buy-residential-4296033">is located on Lansell Road</a> in the pricey picturesque suburb of Toorak, Melbourne. It is set on 3,280 square metres, with inbuilt french doors to access the outdoor entertainment area. The front yard has a rustic birdbath and lemon trees. The backyard has a centered statue and pristine hedges leading to a wooden arch.
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden2.jpg">
Located in Brighton, Victoria, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/Brighton/?adid=2009522095" target="_blank">this property</a>, which has lingered on the market, is encircled with a Paul Bangay-designed garden. Many of the features in the 6,130-square-metre grounds can be controlled remotely from a central keypad, including the lights the blinds, the fountains and the gates.
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden31.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/1-corona-street-balwyn-north/Property-Details-buy-residential-4221683">This serene sanctuary</a>, located in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Balwyn North, plays host to a Japanese-inspired garden milieu (pictured above and below.) The exotic garden “wonderland” is secluded beyond a tranquil water-garden oasis. Set upon 1,100 square metres, this private garden includes a wide variety of plant species.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden3.jpg">
 
 
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<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden4.jpg">
Located in Matcham, New South Wales,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-matcham-111058195"> the “Woodstone”</a> is a calm retreat markedted as an idyllic existence. Situated on 24,300 square metres of environmental harmony and moss-green lawns, the structures and archways of the property are strewn with grape vines. Woodston plays host to an abundance of stone walls, a swimming pool, tennis court, piazzas and terraces. The property lake is stocked with fish, and is home to dozens of species of rare birds. Better yet, the calm retreat is boarded by a spectacular rainforest reserve.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden5.jpg">
Nestled behind grand wrought-iron gates, this private setting features a glorious basket range of sandstone frontage and an entertainer’s pavilion. Nestled on a comfortable 1,755 square metres, the manicured rear garden plays host to a rustic fountain. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/44-sunnyside-road-glen-osmond/Property-Details-buy-residential-4263235">Located in Glen Osmond, South Australia</a>, this gem is a rarity in a small city.
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden6.jpg">
This<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-bridgeman+downs-110520485"> Bridgeman Downs garden</a> is on 20,200 square metres of picturesque and manicured grounds, bordered by secure fences. At the rear of the property, the guest/workers’ area contains three dedicated stables with holding yards. The garden boasts freshness and tropical warmth, with an array of palm trees on the front lawn. The vibrant green shrubbery is evidence of the tropical climate all year round.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden7.jpg">
Situated on 1,100 square metres, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/287i-kenmore-road-fig-tree-pocket/Property-Details-buy-residential-4071299">the property </a>boasts breathtaking views of the Brisbane River. Located in Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland, the garden is manicured and features a multitude of tropical plants.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden8.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/149-victoria-road-hawthorn-east/Property-Details-buy-residential-4272041">“Rathgar” boasts a landscaped garden</a>, which was among the first created by the multi-award-winning Jack Merlo. The grounds provide north-facing areas for entertaining, a solar-/gas-heated pool and spa and a flood-lit-north-south mod-grass tennis court. Two loud flowerpots adorn the entrance to the property, which is located on 1,650 square metres in the eastern suburb of Melbourne, Hawthorn East.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden9.jpg">
For something a bit different, there’s a French- and Italian-inspired apartment <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/3a-chatsworth-avenue-brighton/Property-Details-buy-residential-4274497">in Chatsword Avenue, Brighton</a> (pictured above and below). Wrought-iron gates open onto a long stone driveway lined with pear trees. This property is significantly smaller at 655 square metres, but this allows for a comfortable courtyard with Espalier pear trees and wisteria-draped pergola.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden11.jpg">
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/garden10.jpg">
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/14-aberfeldie-street-aberfeldie/Property-Details-buy-residential-3582091">Located in Aberfeldie, Victoria</a>, this English heritage home is enclosed with wrought-iron electric gates. The outdoor environment is a clear display of being designed by Australian landscaper Paul Bangay. Fitted with a fully automated garden watering system and a rain sensor, the landscape stays fresh and hydrated. The watering system is integrated with three underground water tanks of 30,000 litres. The backyard is an oasis in warmer months, with a large in-ground pool and with high hedges that offer optimum privacy.
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Blooming brilliant: 10 of Australia's best gardens on the market

Blocks of land for new homes can be found&nbsp;around Melbourne at well under the $200,000 threshold.&nbsp;

Starting at around $95,000,&nbsp;Property Observer has found eight&nbsp;Melbourne suburban housing estates&nbsp;where <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/melbourne-land-blocks-dip-below-%24200000-but-no-dramatic-falls-expected-oliver-hume/2012082156102" target="_blank">land can be bought for&nbsp;under $200,000</a>. It may mean&nbsp;a long commute once the house gets constrtucted,&nbsp;but the land prices are low.

1.

$95,000 

Mickleham 

The latest project from Evolve Development, <a href="https://www.wonderofthewoods.com.au/" target="_blank">The Woods</a>, has home sites available starting at $95,000. There are 42 sites available in the first release, with land sizes starting at 213 square metres. It&rsquo;s about 30 kilometres north of Melbourne.&nbsp;There have been six $95,000&nbsp;block sales&nbsp;to date with the further supply of $95,000 blocks being&nbsp;driven by market demand. The $95,000&nbsp;blocks are 213 square metre&nbsp;with 8.5 frontage. Approximately&nbsp;25% of the first public release - known as Hollington Release -&nbsp;has sold since its recent opening weekend.

&nbsp;

2.

$99,000

Eynesbury 

The<a href="https://www.eynesbury.com.au/home" target="_blank"> Eyensbury Township</a> is a development by GEO Property Group. For $99,000 you can buy 290 square metres. The development is well sold with a limited number of lots remaining. The suburb&nbsp; is about 35 kilometres west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

3.

$139,000

Wyndham Vale

A 315-square-metre lock of land in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-wyndham+vale-200229665" target="_blank">Belle Meade Estate </a>costs $139,000. The estate is three kilometres from Weribee train station and 27 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

4. 

$140,000

Pakenham

In the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-pakenham-200332447" target="_blank">Amberlea Estate</a> $140,000 will buy a 306-square-metre block of land. This estate is situated in the Henry Road precinct, providing easy access to the Freeway. It is about 50 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.

&nbsp;

5.

Doreen

$140,000

Land&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-doreen-200223025" target="_blank">Panorama Estate</a> in Doreen can be picked up at reduced prices, with agents listing&nbsp;land at $140,000 rather than the initial&nbsp;$160,000 asking price. That price will buy you 416 square metres. Doreen is about 30 kilometres north-east of Melbourne. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

6.

Beveridge

$149,000

A 315-square-metre block of land in the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-beveridge-200127316" target="_blank">Mandalay Estate</a> in Beveridge costs $149,000. The estate is accessed via the Hume Highway and is near to Cragieburn and Wallan. It is nearly 40 kilometres north of Melbourne, though, and a long commute.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

7.

Williams Landing

$190,000

<a href="https://www.williamslanding.com.au/" target="_blank">The Cedar Woods</a> development has prices starting at $190,000. Approved as a new suburb in May 2007, the area is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Australia, according to the developer. Near Hoppers Crossing, the suburb is 20 kilometres south-west of Melbourne.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

8.

Berwick

$195,000

A 350 square metre block of land in the <a href="https://www.orchardrise.com.au/" target="_blank">Orchard Rise</a> development costs $195,000. The development has approval for 87 lots. The estate offers 1.6 hectares of parks and recreation facilities. Berwick is 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Outside of large developments, there are also isolated blocks of land available for sale by individual vendors.

1.

$120,000

Chirnside Park

An isolated block of land in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-chirnside+park-200246165" target="_blank">Chirnside Park</a> starts at $120,000 for a 495-square-metre block. Near Lilydale, Chirnside Park is 30 kilometres east of Melbourne.

2.

$120,000

Cranbourne 

A 250 square metre block in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-cranbourne-200179285" target="_blank">central Cranbourne</a> costs $120,000. It comes with planning approval for a double-storey, three-bedroom dwelling. Cranbourne is 40 kilometres south-east of Melbourne.&nbsp;&nbsp;

3.

Melton

$105,000

<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-melton-2983606" target="_blank">In Melton </a>you can buy a 212-square-metre block for $105,000. It comes with planning approval for a two-bedroom house. Melton is nearly 40 kilometres west of Melbourne. &nbsp;

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Where to find blocks of land around Melbourne for under $200,000

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Gross Melbourne residential land prices remained unchanged during the June quarter at a median price of $210,000 with lot supply trending down for the first time in two years, according to the latest research by Oliver Hume. Once rebates and incentives are factored in the net effective land price fell below the “magical” $200,000 mark for the first time since June 2010, the real estate group reported in its Melbourne Growth Area Land Market Report. 
Incentives included the $13,000 first-home buyer bonus for newly constructed homes, which ended on June 30.
Oliver Hume says that during the quarter, first-home buyer activity “underpinned the market, moving to a level higher than at the height of the incentive-led sales frenzy”.
“It will now move in line with the long-run trend, accounting for some 55% of all purchases.”
Two years ago, gross land prices were $187,500.
Over the six months to December 2010, prices rose by more than $38,000 or around $50 per day to peak at $225,750.
However, they have not risen since the June 2011 quarter.
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According to Oliver Hume, the monthly project sales rate on the 18 Melbourne residential land projects launched to date this year remains relatively weak.
Report author Andrew Perkins highlighted that the trend of rising lot supply since the June 2010 quarter reversed in the June 2012 quarter, falling by about 7% to about 3,500 lots (a fall of about 260 lots) available for purchase.
"Almost half of these 3,500 lots are titled, up from around 35% last quarter," Perkins says.
"This creates a number of marketing challenges over the next six months for developers, not to mention the need to pay land tax and rates.
"Based on current project sales rates, the retail supply represents 5.6 months' sales; once again falling below the industry benchmark of six months (after exceeding the mark last quarter for the first time since the September quarter of 2006)." 
All municipalities except Hume experienced a fall in supply.
Oliver Hume counted eight new Melbourne projects launching over the June quarter to bring the year-to-date count to 18 projects with around 4,850 lots end-yield.
As a comparison, the six months June 2011 delivered 16 new projects and a fully developed yield of around 10,350 lots.
The biggest drop in lot supply over the quarter occurred in the Mitchell: Wallan - Beveridge municipality in the outer north, where there is now around 8 ½ months’ supply, down from just over 20 months in the March quarter.
Mitchell: Wallan – Beveridge has the cheapest gross median land price at $171,500 alongside Melton (in the west), with the most expensive being Wydnham at $242,000.
Oliver Hume noted this drop was due to stock being withdrawn from the market as opposed to an uplift in sales.
The City of Whittlesea was the only other municipality to be comfortably over the industry benchmark of six months, with eight months’ supply.
Casey and Hume are now the tightest markets.
Wyndham in the west with 34 projects has 24% of the new land market, followed by 31 in Whittlesea in the north (22% of the market).
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Melbourne land blocks dip below $200,000 but no dramatic falls expected: Oliver Hume

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Residential developer Cedar Woods notched up around 200 lot settlements at its flagship $1.5 billion Williams Landing master-planned development in Melbourne’s outer west as it reported a 22% rise in net profits to $34.3 million to June 30.
Profits at the Perth-based developer were in line with earlier forecasts.
The developer, which has most of its residential projects scattered around the fringes of Melbourne and Perth, achieved $140 million in pre-sales over the past financial year compared with $130 million last year.
Last month, Cedar Woods reported that Williams Landing had its strongest month of sales in 18 months, with 21 sales to begin the new financial year.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/williamslanding.jpg">
To date, 56% of the 2013 financial year pre-sales target for Williams Landing has been secured, with about 530 homes completed.
Williams Landing is the largest infill site in Melbourne covering 275 hectares and encompassing the former RAAF Laverton airfield and the land to the north of Altona Meadows and Seabrook known as Wyndham Waters.
It takes its name from the historic aviation base on which it is located, RAAF Williams airfield (pictured below), named after Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, the man many regard as the "father" of the Royal Australian Air Force.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/williamslanding3.jpg">
It was approved as a new suburb in May 2007, and according to Cedar Woods is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Australia.
The annual results show that 1,700 of the 2,500 lots remain available for sale, with land priced between $190,000 and $340,000.
Builders offering house-and-land packages at Williams Landing include Simonds Homes, which is offering three-bedroom on a 480-square-metre lot priced at $493,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/williamslanding2.jpg">
Builder 8 Plus is offering a four-bedroom house on a 392-square-metre block priced at around $456,000.
Other builders selling house-and-land packages at Williams Landing are Boutique, Metricon, Burbank, Carlisle Home and Urban Edge Homes.
Construction of the Williams Landing train station and freeway interchange by the Victorian government is due to be completed in early 2013.
The project’s  50-hectare town centre  has  also  progressed, with a  builder for the Masters Home Improvement  hardware store  soon to be  selected and  an application for final approval lodged with the local council.
In April Cedar Woods secured Woolworths and Big W as tenants alongside Masters with further commercial stages to include office, medical facilities and additional retail.
Cedar Woods raised $30.5 million from shareholders in May.
Managing director Paul Sadleir said the strong result reflected the strategic location and diversity of Cedar Woods? projects in Western Australia and Victoria, which continue to experience healthy demand.
“This result confirms the success of Cedar Woods' strategic focus on providing residential housing in urban and regional growth areas across a range of dwelling types and price points," Sadleir says.
"It is also a reflection of the company’s resilience against a mixed macroeconomic backdrop."
Sadleir says prevailing market conditions in the 2012 financial year were “challenging and variable from month to month, reflecting consumer concerns on a range of issues”.
“The key drivers for the residential market – population growth, employment and wages growth and interest rates together with the current undersupply of housing – are all supportive of improved levels of activity."
The outlook for the Melbourne property market is cloudier than for Perth, with the developer reporting that the Victorian capital has been influenced by first-home buyer incentives (which have now disappeared) and has given up some of the gains, while in Perth prices are firming after two years of modest decline.
Cedar Woods expanded its Victorian property portfolio during the financial year through the acquisition of a 6.8-hectare development site in St Albans, 16 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, for $12 million. There are plans for 200 apartments, townhouses and houses and at the former industrial site, where the Victorian government has announced a $150 million investment in upgrading St Albans train station and other local transport infrastructure.
Other residential projects include its Banbury Village project in Footscray, featuring 390 dwellings on 11 hectares.
At the company’s boutique development, Realm Camberwell, almost half of the 78 homes that will be developed have been pre-sold, with civil works underway.
Twenty of the 27 homes in the initial release of the Realm development sold for between $750,000 and $1.2 million.
New projects launched over the reporting period were Piara Waters near Canning Vale, south of Perth and South Hedland (both 150 lot projects) with settlements expected in the 2013 and 2014 financial years.
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Cedar Woods notches up 200 sales at Williams Landing and 22% rise in full-year profits

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Arno Corporation has revealed ORBIS, a new luxury apartment to be built with a unique architectural expression.
Orbis is inspired by Indian-born British sculptor Anish Kapoor’s three-storey "sky dish" in New York City’s Rockefeller Center.
Inspiration is also drawn from surrealist painter Rene Magritte’s mysterious suspended orbs painting The Voice of Air.
Orbis is designed with an architectural technique associated with sculpture, which involves the selective removal of a mass to reveal a figure or image.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/orbis1.jpg">
The new apartment complex is the latest collaboration between Arno Corporation’s Andrew Cook and Anthony Heffernan, and ARM Architecture.
Arno Corporation’s Anthony Heffernan says ARM’s intriguing design for Orbis plays with perceptions of space and depth by scooping out selective masses from the distinctive façade, creating the illusion of enormous reflective orbs and dishes that cleverly invert and reshape their surrounds.
There are a total of 48 apartments, with one-bedroom-plus-study units comprising 40% of the complex and two-bedroom apartments taking up 60%.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/orbis2.jpg">
The apartments range from 55 square metres to 86 square metres, with terraces ranging from approximately eight square metres to 56 square metres.
A one-bedroom-plus-study unit starts at $495,000, two-bedroom apartments start at $590,000 and two-bedroom, two-bathroom units start at $650,000. Prices range up to $910,000.
All apartments have one undercover secure car space with storage. The northern penthouse apartments are the only exception with two car spaces and storage.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/orbis3.jpg">
More than 20% of Orbis’ 48 apartments sold before the building’s launch at the end of July, with no further update given at time of publication.
“The degree of luxury and organic design – inside and out – won’t be matched on the market for a very long time,” says Heffernan.
The inside of the apartments will consist of mosaic glass tiles, timber oak floors, Miele appliances, Fisher &amp; Paykel remote dishwasher, stone benches, track lighting light fitting, 100% wool loop tile carpet – with a choice of three colours – taps in aged bronze, brushed brass or chrome with a colour scheme choice of light or dark.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/08/orbis4.jpg">
ARM Architecture is led by Ian McDouhall, who has previously worked with the Hamer Hall redevelopment, the Melbourne recital Centre and Arno Corporation's Momentum, which will be Orbis's neighbour.
Arno Corporation is celebrating 25 years in the property industry this year and is regarded as one of Victoria’s foremost residential luxury property developers.
Other projects by Arno Corporations include the FACE development in Acland Street, St Kilda, and ISIS development in Domain Road, South Yarra.
The Orbis development display suite is located on the corner of Eastern Road and Palmerstone Crescent, South Melbourne.
The display suites are open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm and Monday to Thursday from noon to 2pm.
Orbis Development is scheduled for completion in 2014.
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