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

Joel Robinson

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

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

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

<html><body>
Without giving the results away, the auction prices on the Channel Ten renovation series The Renovators were pretty ordinary, because the houses had been seriously overcapitalised within a short period of time.
Flipping property in quick time is a complicated task that tests even the experts.
So spending 20% of the purchase costs on renovation was always going to be a hard ask on resale.
The rule of thumb is to keep the reno spend to less than 10% of the value of a home.
The prices paid by the producers of the Channel Ten series were not excessive, but they went awry in their allowances.
They took the purchase price and then the stamp duty costs into their calculations before adding the 20% renovation outlay.
There were also extra prizes thrown into the mix, making the auction results that little bit more disappointing.
The respected renovation blogger Alex Brooks from RenovationPlanning.com.au says it's easy to spend more on the renovation than the increase it will deliver to the property.
Indeed she suggests that if the renovation will put your house near the top end of local market prices, you’d be better off selling and upgrading rather than paying more in building costs than you will gain in prices.
However, if the house was undercapitalised, it could be perfect for renovation. Brooks suggests undercapitalised houses are worth about 10% less than the area's median house price.
Obviously if the house only needs or gets cosmetic improvements without major structural changes, you are less likely to overcapitalise.
But of course the whole point of the television series was to stretch it out for the full three-month airing timetable duration.
Cutting corners and keeping it cheap wouldn’t have been the drawcard.
Selling Houses Australia, on The LifeStyle Channel presented by Andrew Winter, typically has three days to transform a home - on a budget of only 1% of the property's market price.
While the ratings for The Renovators was well short of expectations, that hasn’t stopped agents experiencing a dramatic increase in buy, renovate and sell project enquiries.
But buyers’ agent Patrick Bright suggests many are blissfully unaware of the true costs involved in renovating property.
“Whilst they are great entertainment, the biggest downfall from programs like The Renovators and The Block is that they don’t reveal to viewers the real cost of labour to make these improvements as well as the total costs associated with buying and selling real estate like stamp duty, legals, marketing and selling agents costs,” he says.
“The concept of buying, renovating and selling property as soon as the paint is dry can be profitable if executed correctly, however for most people is almost a guaranteed way to make a loss,” says Bright.
“Most would-be renovators who try to copy the formula seen on TV hoping to make a quick profit will end up bitterly disappointed and lose a lot of money.”
Following three months of hard work, August, Peter, Luke, Melissa, Natalia and Michael's houses will have their auctions broadcast tonight.

The winner will be the contestant with the property that has increased the most in value. They will take home the combined profit of each of the six houses after auction, which somehow just doesn’t seem fair.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The Renovators broke the cardinal rule of overcapitalisation in pursuit of prolonging the reno drama

<html><body>
As we look back on 2011, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of the year.
 
Renovators are at risk of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars because reality home improvement TV shows don’t reveal their full costs, according to Sydney buyers’ agent Patrick Bright.
“Reality home improvement programs like the last series of The Block and the current series of The Renovators were giving viewers a false perception of the costs involved to renovate property,” Bright says.
With three months of renovations, The Renovators claimed to be the most expensive ambitious home-renovation show put to air.
The ratings for The Renovators was well short of expectations, but it hasn’t stopped Bright's company, EPS Property Search, experiencing a dramatic increase in buy, renovate and sell project enquiries, with many people unaware of the true costs involved in renovating property.
“Whilst they are great entertainment, the biggest downfall from programs like The Renovators and The Block is that they don’t reveal to viewers the real cost of labour to make these improvements as well as the total costs associated with buying and selling real estate like stamp duty, legals, marketing and selling agents costs,” he says.
“The concept of buying, renovating and selling property as soon as the paint is dry can be profitable if executed correctly, however for most people is almost a guaranteed way to make a loss,” says Bright.
“In these television programs contestants end up with regular $10,000 bonuses as well as big prizes such as a $30,000 cash boost or a pool package for the property, which significantly add value to the renovation project but are not taken into consideration on the profit and loss ledger come sale time.”
“Most would-be renovators who try to copy the formula seen on TV hoping to make a quick profit will end up bitterly disappointed and lose a lot of money.”
He says the programs don’t show the hidden costs associated with renovating, which quickly add up, such as finance costs, holding costs and council fees.
Bright also says both shows highlight that renovating and making a profit is not easy to do, even with significant resources and support.
The shows  highlights the importance of sticking to an appropriate budget based on purchase price and end value so you can make a profit, he says.
The shift to more at-home entertaining and creating stylish rooms in existing homes - rather than upgrading to a new, more expensive home – has been noticed by TAFE colleges, which have witnessed a surge in interior decoration and design courses.
Bright's comments coincide with figures released by the Housing Industry of Australia that show that the total renovation investment nationally surged in the first half of 2011 and is forecast to reach close to record levels in the next two years.
The HIA data shows renovations activity is growing, with the total investment in renovations increasing in both the March and June quarters of 2011, driven by both small and large renovation jobs.
“The high transaction costs involved in moving home was the main factor driving households to invest in their existing property,” says HIA chief economist Dr Harley Dale.
“Total renovations investment is forecast to grow by 2.3%  to $31.6 billion in 2011-12 and to increase by a further 4.6%  to $33 billion in 2012-13, which would be approaching a record high,” Dale adds.
Bright, whose buyers’ agency project manages property renovations for clients, says once a property has been renovated there is a choice for owners to sell the property or turn it into a higher-yielding investment property and take advantage of the manufactured capital growth. His latest book, The Insider’s Guide to Renovating for Profit, is due out later this year.
The auction finale of The Renovators will go to air Wednesday night.
There have been reports that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/entertainment-the-winner-in-the-renovators-as-some-of-the-six-struggle/2011093051757">many of the houses failed to sell in excess of their purchase and renovation costs</a>.
Meanwhile the NSW state government is set to unveil reforms to the Home Building Act, with key changes including raising the threshold for written contracts from $1,000 to $5,000 and  raising the home warranty insurance threshold from $12,000 to $20,000.
Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts says the amendments will "pump some adrenalin in the industry".
"We want to remove the dead hand of government off as many small tradespeople and builders as possible," he says.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/" target="_blank">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
</body></html>

The Renovators gives would-be fixer-uppers false profit hope: Buyers' agent

<html><body>
The outer-Melbourne suburb of Point Cook is set for a new 750-lot development, and developer Wolfdene will release the first 25 in stage 1 Saturday, October 8 at 11am.
Lots in first release of the Saratoga development will range from 392 square metres to 579 square metres and will range in price from $235,000 to $295,000. Oliver Hume Real estate, which is marketing the land, is offering house-and-land packages, or buyers can choose their own builders and designs.
Saratoga aims to combat the notion that new suburbs and developments lack community with a luxury recreation centre designed by SJB architects. The centre will include a swimming pool, gym, wine bar, cafe and meeting spaces.
“Our aim at Saratoga is to create a modern form of private estate living, a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a place where people can build their ideal home on one of the many quiet, leafy streets within a few short paces of their own vibrant community hub where they can socialise, exercise or enjoy a coffee,” says Wolfdene managing director Michael Goldthorp.
The entrance to the site is set to be marked by a sculptural feature designed by SJB and designed to include natural elements and the history of Point Cook, which was a pastoral holding dating back to the mid-19th century.
“We’ve created a gateway feature that combines an arrival experience with the sense of a journey as you make your way through the site,” says SJB director Tony Battersby. “The area is completely flat with no elevation, so we are looking at ways of creating a topography where previously there was none, altering the landscape to create unusual forms and incorporating pieces of urban art within a new landscape.”
Point Cook is 25 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, and its population is growing rapidly. Currently home to about 30,000 residents, the suburb is expected to have more than 40,000 by 2016 and 60,000 in 2025.
A display village with 40 different types of homes is expected to be finished in late 2012.
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Point Cook's 750-lot Saratoga development to launch this week

<html><body>
As we look back on 2011, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of the year.
 
The Block stars Josh Densten and Jenna Whitehead are turning their flair for interior design into a fulltime business with the launch of decorating/renovation business Bicker Design.
Josh and Jenna, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/take-two-auction-frenzy-as-only-one-offering-left-on-the-block/2011082351266" target="_blank">whose double-fronted Victorian cottage sold for $1 million</a> through Ruth Roberts of Woodards a few days after The Block auction, have been swamped with enquiries from Australians who want their advice and expertise on furnishings, colour, design and sometimes complete renovation.
“It’s been really overwhelming because we’re trying to take on a little bit too much. It’s been really busy,” says Jenna.
“Josh was going to go back to work and I was going to manage the business, but it’s been busy enough that we don’t have to go back to work.”
Jenna says the response from home owners keen to ask for their expertise has taken the couple by surprise, but they did not have the luxury of planning if they wanted to capitalise on their newfound celebrity.
“We started our new business about a couple of months ago and we just thought we’d strike while the iron was hot,” she says.
“It’s been a lot harder, because people that start businesses take a bit of time and plan and all the rest, but we jumped right in.”
The couple are providing advice for four properties at the moment, as well as renovating their own Melbourne house. Some of their clients ask for emailed consultation on colour, furnishings and decoration, while others need in-person consultation and advice on structural renovation. The couple's website is <a href="https://bickerdesignco.com.au/">https://bickerdesignco.com.au/</a>
Jenna mentions a three-bedroom Carlton apartment that the couple are styling from scratch.
“It’s a pretty big job to style the whole house,” she says. “It’s new, so they had no furniture whatsoever. We had to source everything, every little nook and cranny. It’s been fantastic. It’s been kind of like The Block again because we’re trying to get it done for them really, really quickly.”
“There’s a lot of lead time with furniture that we didn’t have on The Block – on the show you just dropped the name The Block and you could get everything right away but in the real world there is a lot of wait time!” she laughs.
Jenna says their business name was inspired by their on- (and off-) screen persona.
“We thought Bicker Design Co because we bickered throughout the show and that’s what people knew of us,” she says.
She says the show has been invaluable in launching the next stage of their careers. She is enrolled in an interior design course at RMIT next year, and Josh may return to construction if things quiet down at Bicker Design. But that does not seem likely to happen anytime soon.
“We showed all of Australia what we do and if they get in contact with it they already like it.”
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/" target="_blank">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
</body></html>

Block stars Josh and Jenna take reno from small screen to real world

<html><body>
The Lend Lease Group syndicate is up against a Brookfield Multiplex-led consortium as the final two tenders to develop the Waterbank prime riverside site in Perth.
"East Perth Redevelopment Authority is in the final stages of evaluating two submissions from Lend Lease and Brookfield Multiplex Constructions with Frasers Property Australia, to develop Waterbank and deliver a new precinct for local residents and visitors to the city," says  Western Australian Planning Minister John Day.
The government's urban development agency is in the final stages of evaluating bids for the right to develop a four-hectare site known as Waterbank near the city centre.
Waterbank is the first stage of a planned $2.6 billion development of Perth's riverside area, which would involve building 3,400 homes and more than 80,000 square metres of retail and commercial space.
</body></html>

Lend Lease and Multiplex vie for Perth Waterbank tender

<html><body>
Cashed-up self-managed super funds are expected to develop an appetite for fixer-uppers following the release of draft rules that allow them to renovate properties they hold provided they don’t borrow the money to make the improvements. 
According to Aaron Dunn, managing director at The SMSF Academy, the draft ATO ruling has “many positive implications, in particular it allows trustees to use cash in the fund to improve an acquired asset”.
 
SMSFs with cash reserves are likely to find older properties in need of renovation more attractive propositions, Dunn says, while those funds that need to borrow to invest are likely to find newer properties, including those available off the plan, more attractive. 
Under the draft ruling released by the ATO, money borrowed by SMSFs under limited recourse borrowing arrangement (LRBA) provisions can be used not only to acquire a property but “also in carrying out repairs and maintenance to the asset whether necessary at the time of its acquisition or at a later time”. 
However, “no amount that has been borrowed by the SMSF trustees under the LRBA may be applied to improve the single acquirable asset”. 
If a trustee of an SMSF uses borrowed money to improve their property, they will contravene the rules covering LBRA provisions. 
The ATO provides examples to demonstrate the difference between repairing or maintaining a property and improving one: 
Repair or maintenance examples (borrowing allowed)
 
<ul>
<li>A fire damages a part of the kitchen (cooktop, benches, walls and ceiling). Restoration of the damaged part of the kitchen would constitute repair of what is a subsidiary part of the asset being the house and land. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The guttering on the house is replaced and the house is repainted. A fence is replaced. A fire alarm is installed to comply with new council requirements. This would be repair or maintenance. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A cyclone damages the roof of the house. Replacement of the roof in its entirety is a repair. </li>
</ul>
Improving examples (borrowing not allowed)
 
<ul>
<li>If the kitchen was also extended by extension of the house this extension would be an improvement. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The addition of a new pool or a new garage would be an improvement. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The addition of a second storey to the house at the time of also replacing the roof would be an improvement.</li>
</ul>
Rural property example
Repair or maintenance examples (borrowing allowed)
 
<ul>
<li>Replacing a section of the cattle yards or the existing fencing is a repair. 
</li>
<li>Ensuring the bores, windmills, tanks and troughs continue working is repair or maintenance. This would include laying new pipes between the tank and trough. 
</li>
</ul>
 
Improving examples (borrowing not allowed)
 
Each of the following additions is an improvement:
<ul>
<li>a new set of cattle yards; 
</li>
<li>a new bore, tank, windmill and trough; 
</li>
<li>a dam; 
</li>
<li>a further two kilometres of fencing. 
</li>
</ul>
 
Comments on the proposed ruling can be submitted up until October 28.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Older properties take on new sheen for SMSFs following tax reno ruling

<html><body>
The renovated 1960s suburban at<a target="_blank" title="15 Anthony Road" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-castle+hill-107810196"> 15 Anthony Road, Castle Hill</a>, is no longer stuck in a timewarp.
And its <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/reno-tv-series-the-renovators-offerings-scheduled-for-late-september-auction/2011091251509" target="_blank">upcoming September auction</a> will give some guidance on the future direction of the Sydney market.
Having been listed with low $600,000 expectations in January this year, it cost $607,500 when bought by the producers of the latest renovation television series, The Renovators.
The four-bedroom house sits on the largest land holding in the series of 765 square metres.
It had last been marketed through LJ Hooker with the suggested “Renovate or Detonate!” LJ Hooker suggested the new owner to possibly build a duplex.
The ensuing single-storey house renovation over the past three months had a budget of $126,000, thereby requiring $760,000 to break even, after including conveyancing costs. It has been listed by Martin Baldacchino at Century 21 The Complete Real Estate Castle Hill.
It’s been the most actively traded of the show’s six offerings and amply highlights the ups, down and plateaus of Sydney’s property market over the decades.
It had previously sold at $460,000 in 2006; when the then vendors tried without luck to secure $549,000 having bought in boomtime 2003 at $520,000.
In 1994 it fetched $213,500 and four years earlier in 1990 it was sold at $205,000.
The Century 21 estate agents selling the six Sydney homes featured in the realty series The Renovators have been instructed not to issue price guidance.
And unlike The Block a request by Property Observer failed to secure any depreciation reports for the renovated properties, which will be sold with furniture.
The six were bought by the series producers for a $3.3 million total between December 2010 and March this year. The renovation budgets totalled at least $740,000.
The cheapest acquisition was the $299,500 fibro cottage at <a target="_blank" title="85 Harold Street" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-blacktown-107825221">85 Harold Street, Blacktown</a>, which now has expansive outdoor living areas and modern indoor features. Its renovation budget was $62,000. It had previously traded at $270,000 in 2006 and had been listed with a $329,950 four months before its sale to the television series company. It’s been listed by Penny Stylianou at Century 21 John Ross Combined.
The weatherboard, at <a target="_blank" title="51 Franklin St" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-parramatta-107820796">51 Franklin Street, Parramatta</a>, was next cheapest at $460,500. It is now a modern family home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms with an entertaining space and backyard area. It had been marketed for December 18  2010 auction by LJ Hooker as “not listed as heritage by Holroyd Council.” Its renovation budget was $95,000.
The inner-city terrace, at <a target="_blank" title="12 Hegarty Street" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-terrace-nsw-glebe-107810276">12 Hegarty Street, Glebe</a>, cost the dearest price at $720,000 and also sits on the smallest block of just 89 square metres. It is now a renovated 1890s three-bedroom, two-bathroom property featuring open-plan living. It was bought just a week after coming onto the market through Belle agent Mark Tooth and James Cahill in late January this year. It has been listed through Thomas Skelly at Century 21  Cordeau Marshall. The renovation budget was $150,000. 
“This property is to be sold at auction and I have been instructed to get market feedback from all genuine buyers who attend our open house inspections, so that a very realistic reserve price can be set for the auction day,” Skelly says.
After costing $572,000 in March, the shop, at <a target="_blank" title="146 Addison St" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-marrickville-107822406">146 Addison Road, Marrickville</a> has been transformed into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom abode. It had previously sold at $68,000 in 1985. Its renovation budget was $119,000.
After costing $642,500, the half-done house at <a target="_blank" title="5 Frederick St" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-st+peters-107828496">5 Frederick Street, St Peters</a>, has an Edwardian facade with modern home behind it. Its renovation budget was $134,000.
Louisa Gatto, its Century 21 Natoli Real Estate listing agent, says our instructions are that the property will be sold at auction.
“We aren’t giving a price guide on this property as there are no recent sales in the area that are comparable.
“The home is unique in design and will be sold fully furnished with quality inclusions,” she says.
Price guides were provided by agents marketing the properties featured on the Channel 9 series The Block, along with depreciation reports.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
</body></html>

DIY price estimates for The Renovators' six offerings

<html><body>
All six properties in Channel Ten series The Renovators have now been completed and set for late September auction finale through Century 21.
The DIY home renovation show hosted by Brendan Moar, with judges Robyn Holt, Peter Ho and Barry du Bois, has overseen the transformation of six properties.
The competitive reality renovation game show premiered in July.
The shop, at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-marrickville-107822406" title="146 Addison Road Marrickville" target="_blank">146 Addison Road, Marrickville</a> has been transformed into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom abode.
The weatherboard, at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-parramatta-107820796" title="51 Franklin Street, Parramatta" target="_blank">51 Franklin Street, Parramatta</a>, is now a modern family home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms with an entertaining space and backyard area.
The inner-city terrace, at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-terrace-nsw-glebe-107810276" title="12 Hegarty Street, Glebe" target="_blank">12 Hegarty Street, Glebe</a>, is a renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom property featuring open-plan living.
The ‘60s suburban at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-castle+hill-107810196" title="15 Anthony Road" target="_blank">15 Anthony Road, Castle Hill</a>, is no longer stuck in a timewarp.
The half-done house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-st+peters-107828496" title="5 Frederick Street" target="_blank">5 Frederick Street, St Peters</a>, has an Edwardian facade with modern home behind it.
The fibro cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-blacktown-107825221" title="85 Harold Street, Blacktown" target="_blank">85 Harold Street, Blacktown</a>, has expansive outdoor living areas and modern indoor features. All properties are in Sydney.
Leading independent auctioneering company Cooley Auctions has been selected to perform the on-site auctions on Tuesday, September 27, Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29.
“We can’t wait to get in there and achieve the highest price possible for these properties,” Cooley Auctions director Damien Cooley says.
Network Ten announced in August that it had commissioned a second season of the series, but indicated that it would modify the program's format in order to address poor ratings.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/diy-price-estimates-for-the-renovators-six-offerings/2011091351521">The agents marketing the properties will not disclose price estimates.</a>
</body></html>

Reno TV series The Renovators offerings scheduled for late September auction

<html><body>
Sure, we all enjoy watching those renovation shows that keep popping up – The Block, Top Design, and the new kid on the block, The Renovators. Celebrities such as Scott Cam and Jamie Durie guide us through renovations week after week and we’re glued to the set.
Where’s the "wow" factor?
The TV shows focus on the emotions and challenges of participants and the final project always has a "wow" factor. But have you noticed the lack of "wow" factor when it comes to turning profits? It seems there’s more blood, sweat, and tears than dollars by the end of the show.
As much as we love watching these shows, potential investors shouldn’t get discouraged by the lack of financial results seen on TV. There are still plenty of good buys and opportunities for property investors to renovate and make a profit if they educate themselves first.
Show me the money! 
Investors should take to heart the importance of buying the right property – in the right place, for the right price, with the right renovation rules – to make sure they make a pretty profit, as well as create a pretty house. Sometimes women make the mistake of getting emotional about a property and start thinking everything they do will add value instead of crunching the numbers first to make sure the project is profitable. Why not get a valuation of a property before renovating to make sure you don’t overspend?
In addition, don’t be taken in by the escapism of the not-so-real reality renovation shows where contestants are often rewarded for creative, over-the-top, and at times, expensive ideas. Sometimes it’s the simple and practical renovations that make the most sense. For example, painting, replacing handles on cabinet doors, or cutting back overgrown gardens aren’t glamorous, but give you a lot of bang for your buck.
And remember, while renovation TV shows are entertaining they do not show the practical steps of research and analysis that is needed in order to make a profit. For example, property investors must learn how to choose the right suburb, set a budget, utilize floor space by reconfiguring a layout, what order to complete projects, and how to choose the right trades people.
Keep in mind, unlike renovation shows on TV, the goal of many property investors is not to immediately turn around and sell property, but to hold on to properties as capital investment and to generate income from rent. In this case, renovating properties can be a good idea in this tighter, more profitable rental market as a way to increase the rent and generate more income. In fact, some investors spruce up a property, raise the rent, get a new valuation from the bank, and then borrow against the increased value to fund another property purchase.
Remember, there’s money to be made in any market, but the key is to buy well and renovate sensibly.
Rachel Barnes is a founder of <a target="_blank" title="Property Women" href="https://www.propertywomen.com.au/go/property-observer/">www.propertywomen.com.au</a>, a website for and by women investing in property.
</body></html>

rachelbarnes-ioa7Ca3tf5

Reality TV more property entertainment than education

<html><body>
The Western Australian government has offered a massive parcel of prime Perth CBD property for sale with hopes that it will realise more than $1 billion.
Expressions of interest for the 5.2-hectare riverfront site have been called internationally, with the government amalgamating many holdings into a single package to sell to one buyer.
It is being touted as the West’s version of Barangaroo in Sydney.
“It will be sold to a single buyer, but that is likely to be a consortium of developers,” says WA Planning Minister John Day.
According to the minister, the site will be developed into low-level office buildings, a retail strip that will connect the CBD to the Northbridge entertainment precinct, residential apartments and a prestige hotel.
“We need to bring more people to live in the Perth CBDm so there should be a large residential component,” he says.
Local interest is expected from Brookfield Multiplex, Lend Lease and Mirvac, and Singapore’s Fraser Group and cashed-up Dutch and Canadian superfunds, which already have a strong presence in Perth, are expected to put their feelers out.
Known as the Perth City Link project, it is the WA’s largest development plan. It will include the sinking of the inner-city rail line to build residential apartments overhead. The state will also pick up the cost of creating a public square within the project.
The Perth City Link is part of the large-scale redevelopment of the waterfront that includes the Riverside project near the city causeway.
Expressions of interest close in November.
</body></html>

Latest Building Insights

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Building Insights

How Australia Post is solving the parcel problem for apartment living

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News