<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

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

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

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

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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Retail properties in Echuca can be purchased from as low as $200,000, according to a recent report by valuation firm Herron Todd White.
Echuca has stayed at the rising market position for several months now, according to HTW's property clock. 
The property investment firm says that this applies to older buildings with long-term tenants.
“Retail holdings in secondary locations can start as low as $200,000 for basic strip shops in either Echuca or Moama.
“Typically these are for older buildings with few subject to longer term tenancies (three years or less would be the norm).
“Yields ranging between 6% and 8% would be considered reasonable although owner-occupiers able to take advantage of self managed super funds may be active in the market at lower yields.
“Interestingly several development sites have transacted in the past 12 month period which may result in additional supply of rental space,” the report stated.
A commercial property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-other-vic-bendigo-501925350" target="_blank">8 Centreway Arcade</a>, Bendigo (below) has been listed for $169,500. It has been on the market since April 2016, CoreLogic data shows.
<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/2017/06/23/8%20Centreway%20Arcade.jpg" alt="">
A business at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/vic/romsey/1608465/?lang=en" target="_blank">126 Main Street, Romsey</a> (top above) has been listed for $85,000. The business was being marketed by Ray White.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Echuca offers choice of retail properties below $200,000: HTW 

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Sentinel Property Group has purchased a fully leased office building in Cairns for $8.5 million, marking its second investment in the North Queensland city.
The 139 Grafton Street property comprises a four-level commercial office building with a total net lettable area of 2,453 sqm.
The property is fully leased to two tenants, Queensland Health on a new five-year lease expiring in 2022, and a well-established medical office.
Sentinel purchased DFO Cairns retail complex last year. Its property portfolio in North and Central Queensland comprises a free-standing Big W in Atherton, a neighbourhood shopping centre and industrial property in Townsville, the Port of Airlie Maritime Terminal at Airlie Beach, two neighbourhood shopping centres in Emerald and seven retail, industrial, office and land holdings in Mackay.
Sentinel managing director Warren Ebert said the Grafton Street property was underpinned by solid government tenants and is well positioned within the Cairns CBD.
“Cairns is a market that we know very well and has been a major focus for us in successfully turning around the DFO Cairns centre over the past year through continual improvements and investment,” Ebert said.
The Brisbane-based group says it has confidence in the North Queensland economy and its future growth prospects.
“We see a lot of upside in the Cairns market on the back of its resurgent tourism sector and more than $20 billion of planned infrastructure and development projects that will drive further tourism and economic growth.”
These projects include the expansion of the Cairns airport, upgrade of the Port of Cairns, the Ella Bay Integrated Resort Development and Rio Tinto’s Amrun Bauxite Project among others.
The Cairns office property is the sixth asset for the Sentinel Regional Office Trust, which since October 2016 has acquired more than $188 million of properties nationally. The Sentinel Regional Office Trust has a current net distribution of 9.50% pa (paid monthly).
Its other assets include office buildings in Darwin and Casuarina in the Northern Territory, an office property on the fringe of the Brisbane CBD, and office properties in Port Macquarie and Newcastle in New South Wales.
Ebert said the Trust would continue to look at more office acquisitions in regional locations.
“We have a number of further regional office acquisitions in the pipeline, providing diversity of income both geographically and by tenant, in line with our proven opportunistic buying strategy in sectors and locations yet to be fully identified by others.”
Sentinel Property Group has a total national portfolio of more than 40 retail, industrial, office, land, tourism infrastructure and agribusiness assets across Australia with a total value that is more than $1 billion.
Late in 2016, the group purchased the Port Hedland Boulevard Shopping Centre in Western Australia for $17.6 million from a private vendor.
It said the company has sold a total of 15 properties for $306.46 million at an average Internal Rate of Return of 26.60% across its national portfolio since its inception in 2010.
 
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Sentinel acquires Cairns office asset with government tenant for $8.5 million

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The property and telecommunications industries are at odds over infrastructure rules that will set the stage for the 5G wireless network.
While building owners accuse mobile carriers of paying lower rents and an “increasingly aggressive interpretation" of the laws related to the way buildings are used for telecommunications equipment, mobile carriers say the allegation of widespread problems is questionable.
The Property Council of Australia says that with the Telecommunications Act 1997 and its code of practice under reviewed by the Commonwealth government, the powers and immunities given to providers of mobile network infrastructure must also be reformed.
Building owners are complaining that they are forced to give over space at below-market rents, put up with cables inappropriately and are left to manage redundant kit at the end of a lease when a carrier walks away, reported The Australian Financial Review.
"Telecommunications carriers, with legislative protection, are too often a law unto themselves, show little regard for building owners or other tenants, and pay next to no rent," Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison was cited as saying by the AFR.
"The days of offering $1 rent to use a building must end," he said.
The council says in its submission to the review that the 20-year-old act has no provision for low-cost dispute-resolution mechanism so building owners are forced to put up with problems as the courts as the only recourse.
The 5G  mobile telecommunication network, due to be in operation by 2020, will be more complex and denser than its predecessors, meaning more mobile infrastructure in buildings. 
Mobile networks top body, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, said regulatory processes need to be simplified to roll out the network that will underpin technology such as ultra high-definition video and the machine-to-machine communication of driverless vehicles.
"One of the fundamental characteristics of the regulatory environment needed is it must keep up with technology and reflect the deployment environment that industry has to work in," said AMTA chief executive Chris Althaus.
"Part of that will be working more closely with building owners, property owners, but equally part of it must be efficient regulation."
The federal Communications Department’s review is expected to be handed over to the government by the year end.  
It has already proposed amendments that would save telcos up to $100 million a year through measures such as raising the size thresholds of equipment that needs planning approvals and making it easier to install replacement towers.
Althaus said property owners and telcos should work together, but questioned the allegation of widespread problems.
"On balance, given the high volume of deployment that has taken place in this country over the last three decades, the number of concerns, complaints and troubled circumstances is relatively low," he said.
The Communications Department said there was strong demand by consumers and businesses for better communications services and that carrier powers and immunities were designed to strike the right balance between quick and effective deployment of infrastructure and community and property safeguards.
 
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Building owners, telcos spar over network infrastructure rules

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A beachfront block of eight apartments and shops on Bondi Beach has been snapped up by Rebel Property Group's Allen Linz and Capit.el Group's Eduard Litver for $18.25 million.
The 134-138 Campbell Parade property sold at auction on a sharp yield of 2.7 per cent.
Market chatter had suggested price expectations of about $20 million.
Besides the eight apartments, the two ground-floor shops are leased to popular ice creamery Ben &amp; Jerry's and convenience operator EzyMart.
The selling agents were Colliers International’s Miron Solomons and Matt Pontey.
Last year, the developers of the Pacific Bondi, Linz and Litver along with Gil Baron splashed $19.12 million on Bondi Beach's iconic retail premises, the 1951 Bates Milk Bar.
"134-138 Campbell Parade is the ultimate trophy asset, so the huge interest and flight to quality in a now discerning market delivered a very strong result," said Solomons.
The asset, which has uninterrupted views of Bondi Beach, offers multiple income streams and potential for future development. The apartments comprise two two-bedroom units and six one-bedroom units.
Net income is nearly $501,332 per annum.
The total landholding is nearly 417 sqm and the zoning is B4 – Mixed Use.
"The absolute beachfront location delivers a low-risk income stream for investors as one of the last significant freehold opportunities on Campbell Parade,” said Pontey.
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Bondi Beach's Ben & Jerry's building snapped up for $18 million 

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A two-storey commercial building in Canberra, with a 15-year lease to a national childcare provider, has been put on the market with price expectations of $6,500,000 through Savills.
The corner property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-act-bruce-502470178" target="_blank">22 Thynne Street</a> is within the Fern Hill Technology Park in the Canberra suburb of Bruce. 
The ground floor is wholly tenanted by Guardian Early Learning Centre until 2029, while there are two new five-year leases to new tenants.
The first floor has been upgraded. The works included reconfiguration to three office tenancies and an upgraded common area for more than $850,000 over the past few years.
The property has an estimated net income of $464,495 pm (fully leased).
The listing agents are Andrew Stewart and LeeAnne Hobbs of Savills.
Stewart said childcare centres continue to maintain their status as one of Australia’s most sought after asset classes.
Recently, guest observer Michael Kark wrote that though the Early Childhood Development and Care industry has been an asset class with strong returns for many years, however, recently the new government childcare rebates, coupled with a number of other well-timed market changes, have seen this particular asset class truly become one to watch for investors.
In the past two years, the child care market has seen a rise in transactions and record yields driven by increased competition from national organisations looking to expand their portfolios, says Savills.
Added to that the suburban Canberra market has remained stable for small to medium commercial properties over the past 12 months with the majority of demand generated by owner-occupiers and small investment syndicates.
“Yields of 5.50% - 7.30% have been achieved consistently throughout 2016, with a Chatswood sale recording a yield of 3.90%,” Stewart said.
“We predict these sorts of properties will continue to attract strong results through the medium to long term nature of their leases and their statutory obligation to be fastidiously maintained” he said.
The property has a CZ5- Mixed use zoning and is for sale by expressions of interest concluding September 6.
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Canberra building anchored by childcare centre listed with $6.5 million hopes: Savills

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A leased shopfront in Melbourne’s far east has been snapped up by a local investor for $750,000, highlighting the affordability of the city’s far eastern suburbs.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-croydon-502300130" target="_blank">71 Wicklow Avenue</a> property in Croydon is leased to Linear Hair Salon for one year, with another one-year option to renew.
The retail asset was sold in an off-market deal through Colliers International’s Jackie Hanna.
She said the $8,333 rate per sqm for the 90 sqm corner shop was a “great result” for a freehold under a short-term lease.
“We received significant local enquiry for this asset,” she said.
“Investors saw the upside potential given the property’s proximity to the local shops and train station.”
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Shopfront in Melbourne’s far eastern Croydon suburb sells for $750,000

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Amid all the controversy surrounding slow NBN speeds, a new report shows that Australia is at 55th position for download speeds, behind Estonia, Kenya, Bahamas, Cyprus and Ukraine.
Figures from Cable.co.uk, which used data from M-Lab, show the country lags behind most of Europe.
Australia’s a mean download speed is 7.7 mbps, according to an article in the Herald Sun.
Singapore topped the list with a download speed of 55.13Mbps.
For comparison, a 7.5GB movie can download in 18 minutes and 34 seconds in Singapore while in Australia it would take two hours and 12 minutes based on the mean speed.
Director of Melbourne Networked Society Institute Professor Thas Nirmalathas said Australia’s population could be slowing the country down but internet service providers are partly to blame.
“A big factor is that internet service providers are not keeping up their investment to be consistent with the NBN investment,” he said.
“The NBN debate has been running a long time and other countries have managed to speed up their deployment so that’s why we are behind.”
Professor Nirmalathas said the NBN would improve the connectivity between the home and exchange point but much work was to be done to achieve that.
“You have to be careful when comparing the statistics as we are a vast population and it’s not comparing apples versus apples, but Australia should be able to do better than it is.”
The year-long study collected data from 63 million tests of broadband speeds from around the word.
Recently, another report suggested that if telcos paid just $9.75 extra a month per connection, speeds for the National Broadband Network would vastly improve.
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NBN woes: Study shows Australia lags most of Europe and some African countries in download speeds

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Investors’ attentions are now shifting towards Geelong due Melbourne’s high median price, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property investment firm says that Geelong’s proximity to Melbourne is what makes it attractive to investors.
“Due to the high median house price in Melbourne, some investors are now shifting their attention to Geelong.
“Geelong is attractive to investors due to its proximity to Melbourne, public transport options, education, the beaches and strong growth over recent years.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/04/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-04%20at%201.56.57%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/08/04/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-04%20at%201.56.57%20pm.jpg" alt="">
“Many people commute to Melbourne every day from Geelong, therefore the demand for properties close to a railway station is high.
“<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-geelong-124783030" target="_blank">57 Carr Street</a>, Geelong (above) is a good example of the type of property investors are looking for.
“The property sold for $470,000 in March 2017 and was rented out in June for $400 per week reflecting a yield of 4.4%.
“It is also important to note that the property sold in January 2015 for $416,000,” the report stated.
Warun Ponds have a strong yield and capital growth Herron Todd White advises.
“In the suburb of Waurn Ponds, capital growth and yields are strong.
“<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-waurn+ponds-125158446">60 Willesden Drive</a>, Waurn Ponds (below) sold for $600,000 in April 2017 and was rented for $500 per week in June 2017, reflecting a yield of 4.33%.
<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/2017/08/04/60%20Willesden%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
“The advice for investors looking at the Geelong market is to look for properties close to railway stations.
“Properties in these areas tend to have strong capital growth and good yields.
“With possible railway upgrades along the Geelong to Melbourne route on the horizon, property in Geelong will continue to be in demand for people looking to live outside Melbourne,” the report advised.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-newtown-125990482" target="_blank">25 Cairns Avenue</a>, Newtown (below) was recently sold for $970,000.
Built in 1930 it last sold for $237,500 in 2001.
<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/2017/08/22/25%20Cairns%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-manifold+heights-126002658" target="_blank">4 Trewheela Avenue</a>, Manifold Heights (below) was recently sold for $540,000.
It last sold for $342,000 in 2011.
<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/2017/08/22/4%20Trewheela%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-grovedale-125988338" target="_blank">8 Pit Street</a>, Grovedale (below) was recently sold for $539,000.
<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/2017/08/22/8%20Pit%20Street.jpg" alt="">
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Melbourne's high median price shifts investors focus to Geelong: HTW

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A budget of $400,000 for a property purchase in a capital city used to provide an array of options.
However, with dwelling values continuing to rise, new research by CoreLogic shows a significant reduction in the proportion of sales occurring in this price bracket. 
The research shows that across Australia, 31.2% of houses and 37.3% of units sold transacted for less than $400,000.
By comparison, a year ago the proportions were recorded at 32.8% for houses and 38.6% for units.
A decade ago, 62.4% of all house sales and 68.9% of unit sales were priced below $400,000.
Almost seventeen percent of all house sales and 28.4% of all unit sales over the 12 months to June 2017 were below $400,000.
Even comparing these figures to just a year earlier the decline in the proportion of sales under $400,000 is extremely noticeable for houses (19.0%) and somewhat less so for units (29.6%).
A decade ago, more than half of all capital city house (53.1%) and unit (66.3%) were less than $400,000.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.40.39%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.40.39%20am.jpg" alt="">
Outside of the capital cities, 52.0% of houses and 60.5% of units sold over the 12 months to June 2017 were priced below $400,000.
A year earlier the proportions were recorded at 54.3% for houses and 63.2% for units.
If we go back 10 years more than three quarters of regional house (75.6%) and unit (75.2%) sales were less than $400,000.
Over the past year, less than 3.5% of all house sales in Sydney and Canberra were below $400,000 compared to 35.5% and 40.0% respectively a decade ago.
In a market like Sydney, the unit market doesn’t represent much of an alternative with 7.4% of all unit sales over the past year below $400,000 compared to 53.9% a decade ago.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.40.49%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.40.49%20am.jpg" alt="">
Looking specifically at houses, a decade ago only Sydney (35.5%) and Canberra (40.0%) had fewer than 50% of sales below $400,000.
Compared that to the last 12 months, Hobart was the only capital city to have more than 50% (53.2%) of house sales below $400,000.
Today’s research shows a similar, but not quite as dramatic decline in the proportion of units selling under $400,000.
A decade ago, only Sydney (53.9%) and Perth (60.4%) had fewer than 70% of units selling for less than $400,000.
Over the past 12 months, only Adelaide (59.2%) and Hobart (78.3%) had greater than half of all unit sales below $400,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.41.02%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.41.02%20am.jpg" alt="">
As dwelling values continue to increase, we anticipate that over the next 12 months the proportion of properties selling for less than $400,000 will further reduce and in the way that the rising number of sales of properties for at least $1 million shows the deteriorating affordability, so too does the significant reduction in the availability of properties priced under $400,000.”
Although the Federal Government attempted to address housing affordability in the Budget this year, in order to improve housing affordability, clearly there is much more work to be done on both supply and demand drivers of the market.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.41.18%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-17%20at%2011.41.18%20am.jpg" alt="">
A greater supply of stock which could potentially reduce prices would at the very least be a good start however, the supply needs to be supported by sufficient infrastructure and employment opportunities.”
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Housing price barrier increases as under $400,000 housing supply dries up: Cameron Kusher

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House and land packages are attracting investors in Hervey Bay, according to Herron Todd White’s latest August report.
The property investment firm says that lot sizes are steadily decreasing as higher density living rises.
“Investors are typically attracted to standard house and land packages which start at an affordable $330,000 for a basic 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with double garage.
“Lot sizes have been steadily reducing over the past five years as Council looks to promote higher density living particularly within the newly established estates located in the fringe areas of Hervey Bay.
“Over the past few years we have seen many duplex style dwellings constructed, with the floor plan providing 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom accommodation (with single garage) on one side, with an attached 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom flat (with single garage).
“These have been very popular with investors with most yielding 6% to 7% gross return, along with attractive tax depreciation benefits.
“This type of property is currently being marketed to interstate investors and we are yet to see a resale of this type of duplex.
“Investors who choose to purchase on the Fraser Coast have a very wide range of property to choose from, with new estates offering a range of turn-key quality inclusions to attract buyers,” the report stated.
A 2360 sqm lot allotment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-qld-craignish-2499635" target="_blank">38/5 Glen Laton Court</a>, Craignish (above) has been listed for $330,000.
A riverfront 1055 sqm lot allotment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-qld-burrum+heads-2592706" target="_blank">70 Traviston Way</a>, Burrum Heads (below) has been listed for $350,000.
<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/2017/08/04/70%20Traviston%20Way.jpg" alt="">
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