<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367540]

The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367529]

Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Joel Robinson

Smith by Valli delivers a refined collection of luxury residences to Melbourne’s inner north

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365684]

Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323057]

The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323055]

Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146358]

MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5346]

It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5347]

Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5360]

Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110588]

Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

ALTA Property to deliver $200 million Queens Road apartment tower

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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March trade figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed strong year-on-year growth of 3.51%, with Queensland (5.30%) and Victoria (4.73%) posting healthy year-on-year improvements.
The Executive Director of the Australian Retailers’ Association (ARA), Russell Zimmerman said although softer than anticipated, the results were reasonably solid results. 
The clothing, footwear and personal accessories category recorded standout 5.88% year-on-year growth in March, with footwear, in particular, recording a 6.43% year-on-year increase.  
“Clothing and footwear retailers have continued to experience rising growth since the beginning of the year, and with colder months ahead we can only expect these figures will increase,” Zimmerman said.  
Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (4.77%) and food retailing (4.46%) both experienced spikes in sales during March, with supermarket retailers recording 5.40% year-on-year growth. 
“Although consumer confidence has dampened over the last few months, the staggering rise in retail spend across cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services and food retailing, shows that Australians are starting to spend on discretionary items again and treating themselves to small luxuries,” Zimmerman said. 
“It is also pleasing to see that, despite recent droughts and floods occurring across various parts of the country, supermarkets have managed to bounce back, recording considerable year-on-year growth.”
Across the country, Australian Capital Territory Queensland (5.30%), Victoria (4.73%), Australian Capital Territory (3.71%),Tasmania (3.67%), New South Wales (2.70%), South Australia (1.87%),Western Australia (1.14%) recorded substantial growth, while the Northern Territory (-1.30%) recorded negative growth in March. 
“Queensland, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory have once again experienced strong year-on-year growth for March, while Tasmania and New South Wales also continue to show impressive growth year-on-year,” Zimmerman said. 
“Although these figures are pleasing, the persistent decline in retail spending across the Northern Territory over the last seven months is still a serious concern and we hope to see it turn around soon.”
Zimmerman said that it was to be hoped that whatever the outcome of the imminent federal election, the resulting government would be able to govern effectively without interference and frustration from minor party crossbench Senators.
“We are happy to work with whatever government is elected, but our overwhelming preference is for whomever that is to be able to just get on with it without constantly being frustrated in the Senate, which has put a handbrake on the process of government for many years now,” Zimmerman concluded.
Monthly Retail Growth (February 2019 – March 2019 seasonally adjusted):
<ul>
<li>Department stores (1.56%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.49%), Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.50%), Food retailing (0.41%), Household goods retailing (0.26%) and Other retailing (-0.59%). </li>
<li>Australian Capital Territory (1.69%), Queensland (1.45%),Northern Territory (1.42%),New South Wales (0.83%), Victoria (0.82%), South Australia (0.78%), Western Australia (-0.07%) and Tasmania (-0.95%).</li>
<li>Total sales (0.37%).</li>
</ul>
Year-on-Year Retail Growth (March 2018 – March 2019 seasonally adjusted):
<ul>
<li>Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (5.88%), Cafés, restaurants and takeaway food services (4.77%), Food retailing (4.46%), Other retailing (3.50%), Household goods retailing (0.57%) and Department stores (-0.42%).</li>
<li>Queensland (5.30%), Victoria (4.73%), Australian Capital Territory (3.71%),Tasmania (3.67%), New South Wales (2.70%), South Australia (1.87%),Western Australia (1.14%), and Northern Territory (-1.30%).</li>
<li>Total sales (3.51%). </li>
</ul>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

March retail trade figures show retail sector "chugging along": Australian Retailers Association 

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A former CSIRO property in Highett is set to become one of Melbourne’s largest infill development sites following an anticipated sales campaign. 
Colliers International’s Trent Hobart, Peter Bremner, Hamish Burgess have been appointed on behalf of CSIRO along with transaction manager Urbis, to sell a 9.34 hectare site at 37 Graham Road in Highett.  
“Known as Park Village, this extraordinary development opportunity represents one of Melbourne’s largest and most flexible infill development sites that will capitalise on the Bayside area’s continued growth by delivering pre-eminent park-side residences,” Hobart said.  
“It is a unique and truly unrepeatable offering in a blue chip market, the market has been waiting a long time for this site to become available. It has been a four-year wait for the market’s biggest and best buyers to be given the opportunity to purchase this site. 
“This is the only 93,400 square metres residential development site in a premium south eastern bayside location so we expect all major developers locally, nationally and internationally to have an interest in this sale.” 
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/Mark%20up%201.jpg" alt="">
Home to former CSIRO laboratories, the site will be sold with vacant possession and clear of all building improvements.  
“The site is prominently positioned between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip Bay, nestled amongst some of Melbourne’s most exclusive suburbs such as Brighton, Hampton and Sandringham,” Bremner said. 
“Park Village at Highett is an increasingly rare large scale, predominantly townhouse opportunity, that is destined to become a world class urban village set in a prime park setting with the future residences surrounded by 4,000 sqm of parkland, situated next to a Highett Shopping including Woolworths and the Highett Train Station.”
The Park Village site is located immediately south of the recently completed full line Woolworths Shopping Centre, 100 metres from the Highett Train Station and positioned within the new generation café and retail strip of Highett Road.
As part of the sale process, the land will be re-zoned upon settlement to Residential Growth Zone and Development Plan Overlay - Schedule 2. Upon settlement, 4 hectares of the site area will be transferred to Bayside Council for public open space and conservation.  
The property is for sale via an International Tender campaign, closing Wednesday 19 June 2019.
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Former Highett CSIRO site to be one of Melbourne’s largest infill development sites

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Australian fashion label Saba is the latest addition to Melbourne’s shopping strip Church Street, Brighton.
Fitzroy agent Mark Talbot negotiated the lease for 38 Church Street, located in the prime of the shopping strip, at $130,000 per annum plus outgoings and GST on behalf of a private owner.
“Church Street has retained its reputation as Melbourne’s best-performing retail strip for some time, boasting a strong mix of national retailers and fashion labels, as well as highly regarded local operators,” Talbot said.
Church Street boasts one of the tightest vacancies of Melbourne’s iconic shopping strips.
Fitzroys’ Walk the Strip report showed vacancies were crunched from 2.7% in 2017 to 1.3% in 2018.
“Opportunities for retailers to secure a prized Church Street location are rare and inevitably fiercely contested, reflecting the strip’s constrained supply and positioning within one of Melbourne’s most affluent and established consumer catchments,” Talbot said.
“Church Street’s enviable fundamentals will continue generating a long queue of retailers and operators seeking space in the strip.”
He said Brighton’s trading environment has been further bolstered with the introduction of medium-density residential developments in what is broadly a low-rise suburb, while the suburb is home to a number of highly sought after secondary schools.
Other transactions completed by Talbot in this section of Church Street, Brighton include prominent brands Lee Mathews and Flannel.
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Saba secures Church Street, Brighton store

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An adjoining owner has snapped up a significant office property in Forest Hill for $45.85 million as demand for commercial assets in metropolitan Melbourne continues. 
Colliers International’s Rob Joyes, Peter Bremner and Rachael Clohesy have negotiated the sale of 347-351 Burwood Highway in Forest Hill on behalf of a long-term Sydney based private investor.  
The 2.62 hectare Commercial 1-zoned site, which is home to two office buildings with a combined net lettable area of approximately 10,692 square metres, changed hands on a passing yield of circa 4%. The property was purchased from an offshore investor.  
“This purchase also represents the largest metropolitan office investment to transact so far in 2019,” Bremner said. 
The property was approximately 70% occupied at the time of sale with a weighted average lease expiry of approximately 3.4 years.
“Over the past two years, over $180 million of office investments have transacted within the Tally Ho Business Park precinct,” Joyes said.  
“Office investors are taking a long-term view of the Outer East market with a particular interest in land with existing Zoning flexibility and are anticipating land values will increase significantly in the years to come off the back of State Government investment such as the Suburban Rail Loop and Vicinity’s transformation of The Glen shopping precinct.” 
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/CT_COL_347-351_Burwood_Highway_Forest_Hill_187.jpg" alt="">
The Outer East office market has bounced back after a period of high vacancy, Colliers International said.
Its latest Metro Office Research &amp; Forecast Report states that vacancy is currently at 8.74% in the Outer East, which is below the long-term average of 9.56%. 
“Due to the tightening of vacancy in the City Fringe and Inner East markets, tenants view the Outer East as a more affordable option,” Joyes said. 
Significant recent sales within the precinct include:
<ul>
<li>VicRoads, 12 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East - $25.5 million </li>
<li>Hewlett Packard, 353 Burwood Highway, Forest Hill - $88 million</li>
<li>CFA, 16 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East - $9.6 million </li>
<li>CFA, 8 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East - $18.08 million</li>
</ul>
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Investment continues in Forest Hill with $45.85 million office sale

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The Melbourne accommodation market continues to enjoy buoyancy, according to HTL Property’s latest report.
The research showed strong increases in visitor numbers, aided by attraction to the city via its many international and local sporting events, together with world-class conference facilities, has kept occupancy levels high, and in turn, ADR and RevPAR continue to be elevated.
“Victoria is a highly sought-after accommodation market to invest in, driven by its variety of visitors,” said HTL Property’s Head of Research Vanessa Rader.
“Strong international visitors dominated by the family market enjoy the Melbourne CBD location; while domestic visitors like to travel further out of town in order to explore the natural wonders, as well as the wine regions.
“Melbourne has done much to promote its town and attract visitors; as evidenced by the various sporting events regularly held, together with the growing arts scene the city's attraction as a conference destination, has kept occupancy high and ADR competitive.
“This market has seen some new supply added and will continue to do so over the next few years, which we anticipate will keep these indicators stable.
“While investors (notably offshore buyers) will continue to aggressively contest these assets, keeping investment yields some of the lowest in the country.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/mel%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/mel%201.jpg" alt="">   HTL Property Director of Asia Pacific Region Andrew Joliffe said demand for accommodation assets remained high, however limited quality stock available to the market had resulted in 2018 recording a record low in sales volumes.
“Sales turnover for 2018 has exceeded $400 million, which is approximately 40% down on 2017 results; and well behind the highs achieved in 2015,” Joliffe said.   “The sale of Pullman on the Park in mid-2018 propping up these volumes, selling for $156 million to iProsperity Group, on a reported yield of 5.50%.   “With Melbourne CBD and surrounds enjoying strong visitor demand, regional activity has historically been limited, typically recorded at less than 5% of the total volume of sales.   “CBD assets continue to be in strong demand, with overseas buyers vying for these assets; the Quincy Hotel (under construction) being the only city hotel selling in 2018 to InterGlobe out of India for $91.3 million, (representing close to $380,000 per room).”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/mel%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/mel%202.jpg" alt="">   Jolliffe said interest in accommodation hotel assets across Australia was high, particularly by overseas investors.   “This is at its highest in Melbourne given the strong international visitor numbers as well as domestic visitor attraction; keeping investment yields some of the lowest in Australia,” he said.   “Currently, Victorian yields range from 4.30% to 7.75% with an average of 5.50%, which has compressed by 210 basis points in the last five years   “Offshore activity is high with buyers hotly contesting CBD and suburban assets within a short proximity of the city centre.”
Joliffe said Victoria was the second most visited state in Australia by international visitors behind NSW, while domestic visitors choose Victoria behind NSW and Queensland.   “Tourism forecasts highlight these higher international visitor nights in 2017/2018, reaching 76,629 representing a 7.13% increase over the last year, whereas domestic visitor nights of 65,994 represented just 0.67% improvement,” he said.   “Looking ahead, international visitor nights are forecast to grow on average 7.16% per annum over the next five years, while domestic nights projections are for 2.51% annual growth over the same period.”   Joliffe said recent data from STR illustrated that the Melbourne Accommodation market has been trending slightly behind prior years, albeit ADR had remained steady.   “New stock additions to the market has kept competition high, and put pressure on the occupancy levels and RevPAR,” he said   “The accommodation market is cyclical with the various trends obvious across the Melbourne market.
“High occupancy is enjoyed during three periods throughout the year, February–March, July–August and October–November.   “Most recent data for February 2019 highlights peak occupancy of 89.1% a new monthly high, with ADR recorded at $197.74.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/mel%203.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/mel%203.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/5/7/mel%204.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/7/mel%204.jpg" alt="">
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Melbourne accommodation market remains buoyant: HTL Property

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The March retail report showed a slightly better than expected monthly gain but a materially weaker than expected result for March quarter sales volumes, the latter being the more important takeaway.
Monthly sales posted a 0.3% gain, beating expectations of a 0.2% rise with Feb’s surprisingly firm 0.8% gain marked up to a 0.9%. Annual growth lifted from 3.2%yr to 3.5%yr.
That’s where the good news ends though. The wash up for the quarter as a whole showed all of these gains in nominal sales were due to higher prices with sales volumes declining.
Real retail sales dipped 0.1% in Q1, coming in well below consensus expectations of a 0.3% gain with the quarter on a par with the flat result in Q4. Annual growth has slowed to 1.1%yr but with a cumulative gain of just 0.2% over the last three quarters is in danger of dropping below 1%yr next quarter.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2022.jpg" alt="">
The undershoot vs expectations was due to a stronger than expected rise in retail prices which rose, up +0.8%qtr vs +0.7%qtr in Q4. The sub-category detail shows a particularly big rise in food prices (+1.4%qtr vs 1.2% in Q4). Non food retail prices posted a 0.2%qtr gain.
The detail also points to a material slowing in sales across sub-categories associated with ‘big ticket’ discretionary spend, consistent with a wealth effect drag from the housing market correction. In particular, household goods retail volumes declined 0.6% in the quarter to be flat over the year, a marked slowdown on the 5.4%yr growth seen this time last year. Department stores also recorded a contraction, sales volumes down 1.2%qtr, and –0.7%yr. Other non food categories, mostly ‘small ticket’ discretionary, recorded small gains for the quarter and over the year. Cafes and restaurants were the only bright spot, recording a 1%qtr gain in Q1 to be up 1.4%yr.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/5/31/New%20Project%2023.jpg" alt="">
By state, NSW was the only state to post a gain in Q1, up 0.6%qtr, but was coming off a bigger 1.1%qtr fall in Q4, annual sales growth slowing to just 0.9%yr. Results across the other states were: Vic –0.3%qtr, +2.3%yr; Qld –0.1%qtr, +1.5%yr; SA –0.4%qtr, –0.4%yr; WA –0.6%qtr, –0.7%yr and Tas –0.9%qtr, +1.7%yr. The broad based weakness in the quarter suggests that it is not just about spillovers from the correction in housing markets which to date has been largely confined to NSW, Vic and WA.
Looking by channel, online sales look to have posted a 0.7% gain in the March month, annual growth slowing to 'just' 12.7%yr, a subdued gain for this segment.
Overall the March retail report points to downside risks to the wider consumer spending estimates in the March quarter GDP, the headwinds that emerged in the second half of last year clearly carrying into 2019. 
MATTHEW HASSAN is a Senior Economist for Westpac. 
Read full article <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2019/May/er20190507BullRetailQ1.pdf" target="_blank">'Australian retail sales Q1'</a>.
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Retail volume results materially weaker than expected: Westpac's Matthew Hassan 

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EXPERT OBSERVERS
Industrial relations is in the DNA of Australian politics: it is the defining policy issue that has traditionally distinguished Labor from the Coalition.
Industrial relations issues have featured prominently in recent election campaigns, with <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/how-we-will-help/templates-and-guides/fact-sheets/rights-and-obligations/enterprise-bargaining" target="_blank">Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs)</a>, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/jericho-10-years-on,-the-spirit-of-workchoices-still-lives/7248368" target="_blank">WorkChoices</a> and union governance being the subject of fierce contestation between the major parties. However, this election the policy contrast is especially evident.
While the policies of the major parties have always differed, over the past 30 years there was a neoliberal consensus on economic policy that in some respects extended to industrial relations.
For instance, the <a href="http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/cth/consol_act/fwa2009114/" target="_blank">Fair Work Act</a> implemented by the Rudd government reversed some but not all elements of Howard-era industrial relations policies. It largely maintained constraints on trade union power.
But this consensus is fracturing, as reflected in the policy settings of the two major parties. The Coalition has held steadfast to the idea that industrial relations and labour market issues are best left to the logic of the market. From this perspective, a strong economy enabled by low taxation and minimal government intervention results in employment and wage growth.
In contrast, and in light of the evident decoupling of economic growth and wages growth, the ALP has taken a more interventionist stance. This reflects less confidence in market mechanisms alone to solve persistent issues such as gender inequality, low pay and the proliferation of precarious work.
<h2>The Coalition’s commitments</h2>
Much of the Liberal and National parties’ policy platform focuses on what the Coalition has achieved in office. Most prominent is the focus on the <a href="https://www.liberal.org.au/our-plan/economy" target="_blank">Coalition’s job record</a>, particularly its claim to have created 1.3 million jobs since it was first elected in September 2013.
The Coalition highlights recent job growth among younger workers, increased workforce participation among women and the creation of full-time jobs. This is despite persistent challenges relating to gender equality at work, unemployment and under-employment among young workers and a prevalence of insecure and non-standard work arrangements.
Very little is said explicitly about wages, job security and other “core” industrial relations issues. One explanation for this could be memories of the “WorkChoices election” of 2007 when the Howard government’s weakening of worker protections led to its removal from office.
Or it could be because of an ideological view that removing market constraints, particularly for small business, will lead to improved conditions for workers. This is a strong theme in the Coalition’s platform: it claims that lower taxes are “a critical part of our plan to deliver a strong economy and record job creation”.
The Coalition also points to its record in “tackling union lawlessness”, particularly through the establishment of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/restoring-the-construction-watchdog-abcc-experts-respond-69643" target="_blank">Australian Building and Construction Commission</a>. A key aspect of the Coalition’s policy platform is to highlight Labor’s perceived weaknesses through its links with the union movement and also the potential impact of climate change policies on employment in carbon-intensive industries.
But it’s hard to see this resonating much among voters, who for the past two decades have seen unions are having much less power than big business (see below).
Voters’ perceptions of the power of trade unions and big business, Australia, 1967-2016
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/272427/original/file-20190503-103053-t25lnp.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/272427/original/file-20190503-103053-t25lnp.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> Australian National University, Australian Electoral Study 1987–2016
<h2>Labor’s commitments</h2>
Reflecting a renewed enthusiasm for policy aimed at challenging the free rein of the market, the Labor Party has announced a suite of interventionist measures. Some appear aimed squarely at amending the Fair Work Act – for example, legislating to prevent employers using agreement termination to revert to award wages and conditions, and to impose higher penalties for wage theft.
However, the bulk of Labor’s announcements relate to three themes: the problems of ongoing wage stagnation and income inequality, job insecurity and gender equity at work.
Key to the ALP’s wages policies is a commitment to develop a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/shorten-to-announce-labors-living-wage-plan-but-without-an-amount-or-timing-114225" target="_blank">living wage</a>” to keep working people out of poverty. Details of how this will be calculated will likely be left to the Fair Work Commission.
Another <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/employers-wary-as-bill-shorten-promises-2-6m-casual-workers-the-right-to-convert-20190423-p51gi1" target="_blank">headline announcement by the ALP</a>, easier conversion from casual to permanent work, draws a connection between the prevalence of insecure forms of work and historically low wage growth.
Commitments to ensure labour hire workers receive the same pay as those who are directly employed and an <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/labors-plan-for-secure-jobs/" target="_blank">undertaking</a> to “make sure workers in the gig economy are paid properly and not used to undermine Australian wages, including by changing the legal test for sham contracting” suggest enthusiasm for a recalibration of labour market regulation away from free-market logic.
This is reinforced by a broader set of policies focusing on the eradication of <a href="https://theconversation.com/at-last-australia-has-a-modern-slavery-act-heres-what-youll-need-to-know-107885" target="_blank">modern slavery</a>, the inclusion of superannuation in the <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/labors-plan-to-save-workers-super-from-dodgy-bosses/" target="_blank">National Employment Standards</a> and <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/labors-plan-for-pay-transparency-for-large-company-ceos/" target="_blank">reporting requirements</a> for CEO pay in listed companies.
<a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/labors-plan-to-help-close-the-gender-pay-gap/" target="_blank">Gender equity</a> at work policy provides a stark area of contrast between the two main parties. The ALP has pledged A$400 million towards closing the gender superannuation gap, a 20% <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/labor-s-childcare-wages-plan-to-cost-at-least-1-6-billion-a-year-20190501-p51j1n" target="_blank">increase in pay for early childhood educators</a> and prioritising gender equity in the Fair Work Act and in the work of the Fair Work Commission.
Linking gender equity to wage stagnation, Labor has announced it will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jul/01/shorten-promises-to-restore-penalty-rates-and-spend-6bn-on-sydney-rail" target="_blank">reinstate penalty rates</a>, the loss of which has had a disproportionate impact on female-dominated industries such retail services and hospitality.
<h2>Comparing apples and oranges</h2>
The small-target approach of the Coalition to industrial relations during this election campaign is very difficult to compare to the comprehensive suite of policies released by the ALP. This is partly a result of the inherent nature of election campaigns – the incumbent seeks to defend its record and the challenger to present a convincing agenda for change.
What the industrial relations policies of the major parties most starkly reveal is a Coalition that maintains its conviction that fiscal measures such as tax cuts are the best way to “regulate” the labour market, and a Labor Party that’s looking to curb market excesses and redress what it sees as market failures.
This provides a stark choice for voters.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/116256/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-kaine-19347" target="_blank">Sarah Kaine</a>, Associate Professor UTS Centre for Business and Social Innovation, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936" target="_blank">University of Technology Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-f-wright-9738" target="_blank">Chris F. Wright</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841" target="_blank">University of Sydney</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-major-parties-stack-up-on-industrial-relations-policy-116256" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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How the major parties stack up on industrial relations policy

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<div style="text-align: left;" align="center">Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in March 2019, seasonally adjusted, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Retail Trade figures. </div>
Following on the heels of a 0.9 per cent rise in February 2019. Ben Faulkner, Director of Quarterly Economy Wide Surveys said, "cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.4 per cent) and Food retailing (0.4 per cent) led the rises with strength in food prices contributing to rises, especially in supermarkets and grocery stores."
"Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (1.2 per cent) and Household goods retailing (0.2 per cent) also rose. The rises were partially offset by falls in Department stores (-1.5 per cent) and Other retailing (-0.4 per cent)". In seasonally adjusted terms, ABS found there were rises in Victoria (0.7 per cent), Queensland (0.6 per cent), New South Wales (0.2 per cent), Tasmania (0.4 per cent), South Australia (0.1 per cent), and the Northern Territory (0.7 per cent). The Australian Capital Territory was relatively unchanged (0.0 per cent) and Western Australia (-0.7 per cent) fell in seasonally adjusted terms in March 2019. The trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in March 2019. Compared to March 2018, the trend estimate rose 3.0 per cent.  Online retail turnover contributed 5.7 per cent to total retail turnover in original terms in March 2019. In March 2018 online retail turnover contributed 5.1 per cent to total retail. For the March quarter 2019, there was a fall of 0.1 per cent in seasonally adjusted volume terms.
The quarterly fall in volumes was led by Household goods retailing (-0.6 per cent), and Department stores (-1.2 per cent). Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services (1.0 per cent), Other retailing (0.3 per cent), Food retailing (0.1 per cent), and Clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing (0.3 per cent) all rose in seasonally adjusted volume terms.
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Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent in March: ABS

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Remarkable consistency of steady performance is the hallmark of the Adelaide property market, which I regard as the nation’s most under-rated. It has more suburbs with rising demand than any other capital city and the current number is the second highest for Adelaide since Hotspotting started its quarterly surveys of sales activity four years ago.
In the past seven quarterly surveys, the number of growth suburbs has been 48, 45, 58, 61, 71, 60 and 62, showing that the market remains elevated compared to the levels of 18 months ago and continues to show great consistency.
SA, dominated by Adelaide, has impressed with its steady performance in the past five years. Each of the past 21 quarters has recorded between 8,000 and 9,500 dwelling sales. Adelaide has recorded between 45 and 71 growth suburbs in 16 of the past 17 quarterly surveys. 
It continues to rank well ahead of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as the strongly recovering Perth market, in terms of the number of growth suburbs – and ahead of most state regional jurisdictions (where most of the strong growth markets are found at present).
And while sources such as CoreLogic and SQM Research report annual growth of only 1-2% in Adelaide house prices, these generalised figures disguise individual areas which have done better. Our suburb-by-suburb analysis shows that 74% of Adelaide markets have median prices higher than a year ago - and roughly half of those have grown by more than 5%.
Of the 199 Adelaide suburban markets analysed, 70 have grown 5% or more and 78 have increased by less than 5%. There are 23 suburbs where the annual growth in median prices has topped 10% - including North Adelaide (up 23%), Mansfield Park (20%), St Georges (18%), Henley Beach South (15%), Glenelg units (27%) and Norwood units (17%).
It’s noteworthy that many of the upper-end suburbs have recorded more than 5% growth in their median prices in past 12 months. Suburbs with median prices above $700,000 and good annual price growth include Beulah Park, Clarence Park, Craigburn Farm, Glen Osmond, Glenelg East, Glenunga, Goodwood, Henley Beach, Henley Beach South, Kensington Park, North Adelaide, Prospect, Seacliff, Somerton Park, St Georges, Stirling, Unley and Walkerville.
The growth is not all confined to the top end: there are suburbs with growth above 10% spread across all price ranges, including Broadview (up 15% to $560,000), Daw Park (up 14% to $640,000), Mansfield Park (up 20% to $395,000) and Tea Tree Gully (up 12% to $445,000). This reinforces the reality that out-performing areas can be found even when the overall market appears to be moderate.
The high number of suburban markets with rising sales activity suggests price growth will continue.
Adelaide has a broad geographical spread of LGAs with good numbers of growth markets. There are nine municipalities which have four or more suburbs with rising sales trajectories leading to price growth. This means there is growth momentum across the metropolitan area.
Port Adelaide Enfield continues to be a leading precinct, with eight growth suburbs including Dernancourt, Enfield, Greenacres, Lightsview, North Haven, Northfield and Semaphore. Five suburbs have recorded annual median price growth above 5%.
Onkaparinga, which always features prominently, also has eight suburbs with growth momentum – including Aldinga Beach (quarterly sales 54, 62, 71), Flagstaff Hill (36, 42, 53, 56), Reynella (16, 26, 36, 31, 42) and Sellicks Beach (15, 15, 23, 22, 35).
The upmarket Burnside LGA is a new contender: it has six upwardly-mobile suburbs, including Glenunga, Burnside, Kensington Gardens, St Georges and Toorak Gardens. Five suburbs have recorded annual price growth above 5%, including Glenunga (up 11% to $1,055,000) and St Georges (up 18% to $1,150,000).
The Marion LGA, a middle-market area in the south-west of Adelaide which has been a market leader for the past 18 months, has faded slightly but still has five growth suburbs in terms of sales activity and five where median prices have increased more than 5%.
Six municipalities have four or five rising markets each: the Charles Sturt, Campbelltown, Holdfast Bay, Playford and Salisbury LGAs, as well as Marion.
The affordable Tea Tree Gully LGA features as a highly-consistent market and one where eight suburbs have recorded median price growth of 5% or more – including the suburb of Tea Tree Gully (up 12% to $445,000) and Fairview Park (up 9% to $410,000).
The solid performance of the Playford and Salisbury LGAs (eight growth suburbs between them) means the northern suburbs provide a range of very affordable markets with rising momentum. The suburb of Salisbury Hills ($285,000) in the Salisbury LGA has lifted sales from 30 to 32 to 41 to 56 in the past four quarters, while Andrews Farm ($275,000) in the Playford municipality has recorded quarterly sales totalling 33, 46, 50 and 52 after the past 12 months.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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Adelaide the most under-rated property market in Australia: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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Manly’s Hotel Steyne has been sold.
Sydney's popular northern beaches pub has been bought by Iris Capital founder Sam Arnaout whose said he was "delighted" to have bought the pub.
"We intend to get a good feel for the asset and work with the locals to return their pub to its former glory," Mr Arnaout said.
It was listed for sale in February.
Arnaout said the Steyne positioned Iris Capital as a "genuine hospitality leader in this part of the world, and complements our macro coastal investment strategy in respect of similar landmark projects such as Newcastle's $700 million East End development".
The Steyne will boost Iris Capital's portfolio to 20 pubs across Sydney, including the Grand Hotel, Bondi Junction; Golden Tiger, Hurstville; Gaslight Inn, Darlinghurst and Peden's Hotel in Cessnock.
Iris Capital beat out other contenders by paying between $60 and $80 million for the iconic pub.
Nine Entertainment suggest it was $65 million.
HTL Property would not be drawn on the sale price, however described it as a “record price” in their official statement.
<div class="wp-caption">
The Manly Daily reported the shortlist of five, included two international buyers, two from Sydney and one from interstate.
</div>
It was reduced to a final two.  
The landmark and multi-level beachfront hotel, spread across approximately 2000sqm, was offered by a consortium that comprised businessman John Singleton, hotelier Arthur Laundy and investors Robert Whyte and Mark Carnegie.
They paid about $30 million for the property in 2010, and have reportedly spent about $5 million.
Speaking to the Manly Daily, Mr Laundy said that he was happy with the outcome, both from a sale price perspective and the new buyer.
He said he had bought and sold more than 90 hotels in his almost 60 years as a publican, and Hotel Steyne would easily be in his top 10.
 
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