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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Last year marked the first time in a decade that there was a synchronised weakness in new housing starts across all eight states and territories.
And its not getting better with new home sales down to their lowest level in 18 years in March 2012, the voice of Australia’s residential building industry, the Housing Industry Association, claimed today.
Its chief economist, Dr Harley Dale, says leading housing indicators are still pointing to ongoing deterioration in already very weak new home building conditions.
"That situation is in turn having a major negative impact on manufacturing and services sectors," he says.
"It is not too late to turn the situation around.”
Click to enlarge
<img src="/images/stories/hiaapril30thumb.gif">
The HIA views any interest rate cuts as providing a helpful tonic to the residential construction industry.
But they aren’t the panacea for turning around weak housing conditions.
The HIA continues to advocate the importance of structural reform to new housing supply, suggesting there are simply too many excessive and inefficient cost obstacles to providing an adequate supply of new dwellings.
"Needless to say Australia's banks need to pass all official rate cuts on in full, as their actions to date on interest rates have damaged economic confidence and activity.
The latest HIA - JELD-WEN new home sales report, based on a survey of Australia’s 100 largest builders, showed a sharp decline of 9.4% in total seasonally adjusted new home sales in March 2012.
Detached house sales dropped by 9.7% while multi-unit sales fell by 6.9%.
Queensland suffered the biggest drop in March, with the number of seasonally adjusted new detached house sales down by 15.3%, and while poorly taken up, the end of the building boost today might not assist any recovery.
Next followed a 12% drop in Western Australia and fall of 9.7% in NSW.
The number of seasonally adjusted new detached house sales fell by 4.6% in Victoria and 4.7% in South Australia.
The figures are an estimate, with the month’s sample size capturing 14% of Australia’s new home building industry.
As I’ve been saying for some time, the lengthening absence of data indicating any housing construction recovery – and accompanying growth in credit – must be weighing on Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan during his May budget preparations. This isn't a blimp due to the introduction of the gst or triggered by the alarm of the gfc.
I suspect the federal government will throw some money at the problem so that it takes effect this year rather than save any announcement until the 2013 election year. The Federal Government will need to work in lockstep with state governments if they are to make any worthwhile advances.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Further declines in new home sales across Australia must weigh on Treasurer Wayne Swan

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The NSW state government has rejected the request for fast-tracking approval of the 240 hectare Jack Nicklaus Golf Course housing project by Capital Corporation at Rothbury.
The review has also knocked out a request to fast-track 142 hectares at The Vintage owned by Stevens Holdings. They will now progress as a normal development application through local councils.
The two applications were among the 43 submitted earlier this year by landowners after being invited by the state government which indicated worthy projects would bypass councils processes for rezoning if deemed suitable for some of the thousands of new houses needed on Sydney’s fringe and inner metropolitian.
In what was deemed a radical centralised approached to quickly increase home building numbers, the government initiative was based on claims Sydney has been building barely two-thirds of the 25,000 homes needed each year.
The government established a committee, run by the Premier's Department, to assess the nominated sites in January.
The 43 landowner-nominated sites, which identified more than 12,000 hectares of property, mainly on Sydney's fringe, enough land for more than 100,000 homes, has now been cut back to 31 sites. The former Clydeburn Marshalling Yards site covering 14 hectares at Auburn has been dropped from the list, along with Mir Group’s 30-hectare Kellerman Drive estate at St Helen’s Park, which locals claim is home to koalas, swamp wallabies and wallaroos. But Mir’s controversial plans for development of a 164-hectare development in the Blairmount area has made it to round two of a fast-tracked application process.
Assessment is also continuing on all 10 sites nominated in Wollondilly Shire, all four applications in Camden and all two applications in The Hills Shire.
Greens MP David Shoebridge says the government scheme was gifting developers "spot rezoning opportunities and cash windfalls" rather than conducting strategic planning for housing near infrastructure.
The general manager of Wollondilly Shire Council, Les McMahon, said developer proposals covered more than 4,000 hectares for rezoning, with only three sites in the council's new growth strategy.
"Under our growth strategy we would get 10,000 more sites [houses] over 20 years… This proposal increases that by another 26,000 [houses]," McMahon told the local press.
Stephen Albin, chief executive of developer lobby group the Urban Development Institute of Australia, hailed the scheme on its announcement as a stimulus that would fix up the massive supply problems in NSW for the last decade.
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Jack Nicklaus Golf Course among potential NSW developments putted back to councils for approval

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At a time when growth in the residential housing sector is mired by tough lending practices and few affordable housing options, Australand Property Group is flourishing by feeding this hungry market.
“We see our ability to create and deliver new product, at or below the median price point in each of our markets, as a key competitive advantage. Particularly as home buyers are confronted with tighter lending criteria and a lack of new, affordable housing,” managing director Robert Johnston told the company’s AGM.
The group has $8.1 billion worth of residential property under development or management, and it focuses on the important housing markets of Sydney and Melbourne.
“During the year, we acquired two new sites in Sydney. The Clemton Park project in Sydney's inner west was acquired with our partner, LaSalle Investment Management. The first stage of the project sold out following its release in August last year, and we are now pre-selling the second stage. When complete the project will yield over 750 homes,” he says.
Australand is currently rezoning the Ashlar golf course in Sydney’s Blacktown, where it plans to develop 750 homes with prices ranging from $350,000 to $500,000 while in the southern suburbs it launched the Greenhills Beach project last August. It has pre-sold 80 lots for an average price of a tad over $800,000.
In Melbourne, the Burwood project has secured more than 100 sales in 2011. By completion in 2013 it will have 235 dwellings across many price points.
“While market conditions are currently challenging in the residential sector, we believe that our strategic positioning will deliver improved and more consistent returns over the next few years,” Robertson said.
 
 
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Australand buoyed by Melbourne and Sydney affordable residential sales successes 

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The Housing Industry of Australia and RP Data have released a list of the 10 least expensive regional markets in Australia for lots of land, led by south-east South Australia.
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The median lot price in south-east South Australia, according to the HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Mersey-Lyell, Tasmania, according to the HIA and RP Data.
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The median lot price in Mallee, Victoria, according to the HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in northern New South Wales, according to HIA and RP Data.
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The median lot price in northern South Australia, according to HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Murrumbidgee, New South Wales, according to the HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Murray Lands, South Australia, according to HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Murray, New South Wales, according to HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Loddon, Victoria, according to HIA and RP Data.
 
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The median lot price in Ovens-Murray, Victoria, according to HIA and RP Data.
 
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The 10 cheapest regional markets for land prices across Australia: HIA-RP Data

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The last 2.6-hectare block of land in Port Douglas that was due to be developed by the late Gold Coast property developer Brian Ray has been sold to a New Zealand developer.
The land sold under the hammer over the weekend for $750,000 following a campaign by Port Douglas agents Tony McGrath and Callum Jones of McGrath Real Estate.
<img src="/images/stories/ptdouglas.jpg">
McGrath told Property Observer there were two other local bidders.
The land, which is approved for the construction of 23 strata-titled villas or homes, was to form the third and final stage of Ray’s upmarket Niramaya Resort (formerly called Bale resort).
It includes a central lake, utilities, landscaping and roads.
The sales price equates to $33,000 per lot.
Stages one and two of Niramaya Resort have been previously completed.
The marketing material notes its listing was to finalise Bale Resorts Ltd holdings in Port Douglas.
The land <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/leisure/final-piece-of-the-late-brian-ray-s-port-douglas-dream-for-sale/2011100651705">was listed for sale in October last year</a>.
Niramaya Resort  was developed by MFS Bale, a joint venture partnership of Brian Ray’s Ray Group and Queensland property and financial services business MFS (later re-named Octaviar).
MFS collapsed in January 2008 owing creditors $2.8 billion.
Brian Ray and his wife, Kathy, died when their plane crashed during a snowstorm about five kilometres from the Mount Hotham airport in July 2005.
The Bale land was sold as part of a portfolio of six Port Douglas properties that went to auction over the weekend.
A four-bedroom house at 16 Ti Tree Street sold for $420,000 under the hammer.
 
 
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Final piece of Brian Ray’s Port Douglas Bale dream sells for $750,000

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Just how do Australians define and appraise various housing styles? Bungalow, villa, shack, terrace and mansion, to suggest a few.
Some 16 property aficionados will be endeavouring to do so in an upcoming Sydney lecture series.
It commences April 26 when the author, historian and conservation consultant Dr James Broadbent – and owner of Australia's oldest house in private occupation – traces the development of the much-loved Australian bungalow in his public talk hosted by the Historic Houses Trust.
It was the developer Richard Stanton who is credited as introducing the American-style bungalow to Sydney in 1906, and by 1912 the new type of compact servant-less house was being erected across Sydney by speculative builders. Californian Bungalows with sandstone footings were followed by the more geometric Chicago style.
Others in the talk series include Hannah Tribe, the founding principal at Tribe Studio Architects, who looks at the terrace house, which was popular in the 19th century especially around Sydney’s inner east and inner west.
The talks – part of the Sydney Open event - run weekly between April 26 and June 14, being held at The Mint on Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Architects can claim informal CPD points by their attendance.
The series
Bungalow
Thursday, April 26, 6pm - 7.30pm
Dr James Broadbent, historian, conservationist and author
Scott Robertson, Director, Robertson &amp; Hindmarsh Architects
 
Apartment
Thursday, May 3, 6pm - 7.30pm
Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, assistant director, Creative Services, Historic Houses Trust
Adam Haddow, Director, SJB Architects
 
Villa
Thursday, May 10, 6pm - 7.30pm
Scott Carlin, Curator, Historic Houses Trust
Philip Goad, professor of architecture at the University of Melbourne
 
Mansion
Thursday, May 17, 6pm - 7.30pm
Dr Charles Pickett, curator of design and built environment at the Powerhouse Museum
Jonathan Chancellor, managing editor, Property Observer
 
Beach shack
Thursday, May 24, 6pm - 7.30pm
Dr Michael Bogle, design historian
Peter Stutchbury, Peter Stutchbury Architects
 
Terrace
Thursday, May 31, 6pm - 7.30pm
Keri Huxley, social and political scientist and former mayor of Woollahra Council
Hannah Tribe, founding principal, Tribe Studio Architects
 
Project home
Thursday, June 7, 6pm - 7.30pm
Dr Judith O’Callaghan, senior lecturer, The University of New South Wales
Tone Wheeler, principal architect, Environa Studio
 
Portable
Thursday, June 14, 6pm - 7.30pm
Megan Martin, head of collections and access
Sean Godsell, Sean Godsell Architects
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Property aficionados to define and appraise Australia's housing styles in Sydney lecture series

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The construction sector contracted for the 22nd consecutive month in March, with particular weakness in the residential sector, according to the latest Australian Industry Group Performance of Construction Index released in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association (HIA). 
The last time construction was expanding was in May 2010. 
While the index rose slightly by 0.6 points to 36.2 it still remains well below the 50-point mark, which separates a contracting sector from an expanding sector.
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House building activity declined further in the month with the sector’s sub-index falling by 7.6 points to 30.3 to signal the sharpest pace of decline since September last year. 
Apartment building activity also remained weak, with the sector’s sub-index falling by 3.9 points to 30.5, the steepest rate of decline recorded by the sector in the past four months. 
New orders in house building continued to decline with a sub-index reading of 28.5, which was 4.8 points below the level in February and the weakest reading in six months. 
Commercial construction was again subdued with a sub-index reading of 35.5 but that was up by 9.2 points on the previous month, an early indicator that more projects are starting to receive the go-ahead. 
In March poor demand and subdued workloads resulted in businesses again reducing their employment. 
As a result the activity and capacity sub-index increased by 2.5 points to 35.5 points. 
Reduction in the commercial construction sector moderated in March after a sharp fall in February.
 
 
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Construction industry contracts for 22nd straight month in March due to weak residential sector: AIG/HIA

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Once we’ve located a suitable development site and if there’s an existing house on the land, we order a pest and building inspection. Management of the renovation is part of the development process.  But to what degree do you renovate, and when is it considered overcapitalising?  In these regional areas, we are not looking to massively upgrade a house but to add cost-effective value and maximise rental returns.
It’s crucial that we receive the pest and building report before our client exchanges on the property, so we always make our offers “subject to a pest and building report”.
When the report arrives, it’s usually around 30 pages long and for first-time readers, can completely shock and turn them off a property. The report contains a lot of information that the inspector needs to explain and also to include in order to “cover” himself.  It’s his job to point out all the things wrong with the house, but then it’s our job to sift through the data and explain to our clients what we believe to be acceptable or common in houses in this particular area and of this particular age.
Property Bloom has renovated many houses, and we have picked up some common problems that may sound a bit scary but can be quite cost-effectively solved.  Most of the houses that fall into the right price range – so that the numbers stack up to develop – would be over 50 years old.
And these properties do have defects, depending on the age and the general maintenance they’ve experienced, however the property usually still represent good value.
I thought it would be interesting to translate some comments we often find in the building report that can raise alarm bells. In our experience these ‘defects’ are actually are not too hard to fix by using cost effective renovation strategies.
Defect: Various downpipes discharge rainwater to ground and require connecting to stormwater pipes or storage tanks.
Solution: A plumber can cost-effectively connect down pipes to the stormwater for approximately $800.
Defect: The external painting and finishes reflect an inadequate maintenance program and will require extensive preparation, detailing and painting to ensure long-term qualities.
Solution: Most houses can be washed down and may not require painting.  If they do, we can usually have it painted for $2,500.
Defect: Roof mortars require repointing randomly to ensure further long-term waterproofing qualities.
Solution: Pointing is a substance that is used on the roof capping tiles. A quote from a roofer can be quickly obtained, however if the roof is not leaking then it may not be required urgently.
Defect: Internal painting is in poor condition and requires professional upgrading.
Solution: One person’s “poor condition” is another person’s “OK”.  We like to wash down internal walls and ceilings with sugar soap and they usually come up like new. What is acceptable for a tenant may be different to your own standards.  We can internally paint a house for around $2,000 and a new coat of paint does wonders to a house, so it’s worth considering.
Defect: Asbestos linings were possibly present in some areas.
Solution: Asbestos materials remain serviceable and are considered safe as long as asbestos is not tampered with.
Defect: There is sagging to the ceilings.
Solution: Sagging ceiling are easily identified by the ceiling areas being wavy and not level and can be repaired by a handyman securing ceilings to partitions.
Defect: There are variations in the floor structure and some bounce.
Solution: Over time piers do sink or timber floor joists can deflect or bend.  Piers can be packed to stop some of the bounce and variation. To re-pier an entire house is usually not necessary, but we always ensure the ant caps are on piers.  Bent joists can be replaced if required.
Defect: Some damage due to wood decay fungi.
Solution: Wood decay fungus is commonly known as wood rot.  The type of fungi encountered by pest controllers usually resides in poorly ventilated subfloors, below wet areas of the home, exterior timbers and in areas that retain waters in the soils. The durability and type of timbers are factors along with the temperature and environment. Removal of the moisture sources usually alleviates the problem.  Have a carpenter inspect and replace any rotted boards or timbers. Most old homes will have some degree of wood rot.
So don’t be put off when reading through reports, if you have any doubts or don’t understand the information, discuss it with your building inspector, as often a conversation can explain things in more simple terms.
If your strategy is to create high-yielding property then be careful not to overcapitalise when you are renovating.  We base our renovation assessments on what’s required to bring a house up to the market standard and to make the house safe and clean.  Right now we are finding properties where just a few thousand dollars needs to be spent to increase the rent substantially due to the high demand in these town.   Once you’ve completed your house renovation and then go on to add a new dwelling, granny flat or even a duplex, the yield can be dramatically increased and equity can also be created.
Jo Chivers is director of <a title="Property Bloom" target="_blank" href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
 
 
 
 
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How to read between the lines of a pest and building report: Jo Chivers

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Denton Corker Marshall will design the new Venice Biennale pavilion for the Australia Council for the Arts, planned for 2015 completion.
Denton Corker Marshall, whose credits include the Melbourne Museum, Museum of Sydney, the Australian Embassies in Tokyo and Beijing, and the Stonehenge Visitor Centre in the UK, was unanimously selected from a shortlist of six Australian firms.
“Denton Corker Marshall was considered the outstanding choice to undertake this significant project,” says Australia Council chairman James Strong.
Denton Corker Marshall’s concept for the pavilion was a design is “to make a form of the utmost simplicity; a white box contained within a black box”.
The firm hopes the pavilion will be envisaged as an object rather than a building.
The Venice Biennale is the world’s oldest international contemporary arts event, with Australia represented at the event for more than three decades. It attracts a quarter of a million visitors over its five months and last year over 192,000 attended the Australian pavilion’s exhibition.
Australia has had a site in the prestigious Giardini location since 1988 – one of only 29 countries to have a permanent national presence – where Phillip Cox designed Australia’s first pavilion as a temporary structure for the Arthur Boyd exhibition.
The new pavilion is due to be completed for the opening of the 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale 2015.
The project, managed by the Australia Council, is estimated to cost approximately $6 million, with all capital funds to be sourced from the private sector. Australia is the first country to redevelop its site in the Giardini.
 
 
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Denton Corker Marshall chosen to design Venice Biennale pavilion for 2015

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Building approvals could decline even further, with the 7.8% decline in February possibly signalling the start of a “renewed deterioration”, according Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan.
 “The Feb building approvals report suggests construction activity remains under pressure. Indeed whereas previous reports had pointed to a bottoming out after a sharp decline through most of 2011, the Feb data casts major doubt on that assessment and could even signal the start of a renewed deterioration,” Hassan says.
“The total number of new dwellings approved fell sharply, down 7.8% to be at its lowest level since May 2009.
“That was much weaker than the market expectation of a 0.5% gain. If that forecast had come to pass, approvals would essentially have moved into a trend flattening. Instead, the weak February read maintains the relatively rapid trend decline at 1.5% per month, an annualised pace of 16.7%,” he says.
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