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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/doma-group">DOMA Group</a> has unveiled plans for Newcastle Quay, a major waterfront precinct set to reshape Newcastle’s harbourfront and further cement the city’s evolution into one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

Positioned on a prominent site within the Honeysuckle Precinct, Newcastle Quay will span both sides of Honeysuckle Drive, connecting directly to the Foreshore Promenade and sitting within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange.

The mixed-use precinct is planned to include around 1,000 apartments, more than 28,000 sqm of commercial office space, 6,000 sqm of retail, and a 180-room hotel anchored by a 500-seat conference and exhibition centre, a move expected to significantly lift Newcastle’s ability to attract major business and tourism events.
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<img alt="DOMA Group unveil Newcastle’s future with transformative Newcastle Quay Precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0642ca09-67cc-4920-8a7e-d18df9729b4e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/%3D.png?VersionId=CnDmZxQnOV5LN0ePu7jaFBXC9tPGTrWm" />

The proposal builds on DOMA’s growing Newcastle pipeline, where the developer has already delivered 866 apartments and more than 19,000 sqm of commercial and retail space since entering the market in 2013. A further $2 billion pipeline is also in the works across the city.

The masterplan and executive architecture are led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, with building concepts developed alongside Stewart Architecture, Architecture AND and Curious Practice, and landscape design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/turf-design">Turf Design Studio</a>. More than 11,000 sqm of open space is planned, including a new waterfront park known as Honeysuckle Green, upgrades to Tree of Knowledge Park, and new pedestrian and cycling links throughout the precinct.

At the centre of the development will be the heritage-listed Wickham School of Arts, which DOMA plans to reposition as the civic and cultural heart of the precinct through restaurants, bars, events and public gathering spaces.

The broader vision is to create a genuine day-to-night precinct, blending residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and cultural uses in a way Newcastle has yet to experience at this scale.

DOMA Group Managing Director Jure Domazet said the aim was to create a precinct that becomes synonymous with Newcastle itself.

“Our vision is to create a precinct that not only delivers high-quality commercial, residential, and cultural spaces, but also defines Newcastle’s waterfront for generations to come,” Domazet said.

DOMA’s Chris Farrington said the project would fundamentally change how Newcastle is perceived nationally.

“Newcastle Quay is more than a waterfront precinct, it is a national announcement for this city,” Farrington said.

“A world-class Conference and Exhibition Centre will open Newcastle and the Hunter Region to a national and international audience for the first time, delivering something this city has long deserved.”

The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and act as a major economic driver for the Hunter region through tourism, business events, hospitality and commercial investment.

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Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the final parcel of harbourfront land will be a "true mixed-use precinct destination that includes housing, hospitality and entertainment, commercial spaces, retail, economic and social outcomes."

Joel Robinson

DOMA Group unveils 1,000-apartment Newcastle Quay precinct

ASX-listed developer Stockland is continuing to ramp up its return to the apartment market.

In late 2024, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> announced it would resume apartment development after a 13-year absence, launching with Stanton Place in Rosebery, a 144-apartment project now under construction.

Last week, the developer unveiled plans alongside the NSW Government for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-nsw-gov-unveils-plans-for-3-300-home-waterloo-south-renewal">3,300-home precinct in Waterloo</a>.

Now, Stockland has shifted its focus in St Leonards, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to replace an approved 42-storey office tower with a 52-storey residential development comprising more than 500 apartments.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8979095e-9072-432b-a7da-58b180cf994d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_jbRXYOafCSHjwsz.yQCNIymMyCj8zkF" />

An existing 14-storey commercial office building would make way for a 264.5-metre tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>. The project would deliver 538 apartments, including 30 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses at the podium and ground plane.

It will rise from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">601 Pacific Highway</a>, a prominent 2,844 sqm triangular site adjoining Mitchell Plaza and fronting Pacific Highway.

The development is being pursued under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway after Stockland’s proposal was declared State Significant Development earlier this year.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f40f35-0458-47ab-80c0-a4e98a31838a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%201.png?VersionId=rxXe3njr.auuGDuiR0k42uI8Zr4K.gZA" />

The apartment mix includes 217 one-bedroom apartments, 191 two-bedroom apartments, 122 three-bedroom apartments, and eight four-bedroom residences. Six basement levels would accommodate 300 car spaces, bicycle parking, loading areas, and building services.

Bates Smart said the project has been shaped around a series of urban design principles intended to improve the pedestrian experience and respond to the evolving character of St Leonards.

“With a boundary length of almost 75m along Pacific Highway and 70m along Atchison Street to the north, complying simply with the LEP envelope and required setbacks would result in a very wide tower form on the skyline,” the architects noted in the Design Report.

“We propose breaking the tower form into two defined volumes rather than a singular form.”

The podium has similarly been articulated into separate forms to reduce perceived bulk and create a finer-grain response to Mitchell Plaza and Atchison Street. Retail tenancies would activate the lower levels, while commercial space is proposed across the podium floors.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90149990-0551-40d2-bd48-14b69a015d12" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%202.png?VersionId=MJC2KIIWFvU9FPGr3IVq09gkRN_gX3m8" />

The design also places a significant emphasis on communal amenity and environmental performance. Residents would have access to landscaped terraces, wellness areas, flexible workspaces, and rooftop communal facilities, while the all-electric building is targeting an average 7-star NatHERS rating. Bates Smart said the project incorporates passive design measures including natural ventilation, integrated shading, and lightweight façade systems.

Planning documents note the site is around 350 metres from St Leonards Station and 400 metres from the metro entrance, placing it within one of Sydney’s most connected emerging residential precincts.

The project arrives amid a wave of large-scale redevelopment proposals reshaping the St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline. Several nearby sites have recently been approved, lodged, or declared under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as the precinct absorbs significant residential density uplift tied to transit-oriented development policies.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7805bd7c-dfd7-4b35-8e15-ec4a8bf8e61b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iY12K2m2bQ6EeDnshqfZC9rbLx_oEugP" />

Bates Smart’s report describes St Leonards as transitioning away from its historical commercial identity toward a more mixed-use urban environment.

“In recent years, the character of St Leonards has started to evolve, driven by new development trends along the Pacific Highway corridor,” the report said.

“These projects have increasingly focused on residential accommodation, marking a shift from its purely commercial roots.”

Sekisui House Australia is currently selling Waterstone down near Newlands Park, in a pocket being branded "St Leonards South." Hyecorp recently completed Audrey in the same pocket.

First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower

ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> is down to the final Canopy Villa release at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara, as construction continues on the 59-residence gated community positioned above 100 hectares of natural savanna on the Gold Coast.

The remaining Canopy Villa forms part of one of four collections within the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>-designed community and has attracted interest from buyers seeking larger-format homes that combine privacy, security and low-maintenance living. Positioned within a private cul-de-sac and facing a protected black she oak forest, the four-bedroom villa includes a large private outdoor area suited to pet owners and families wanting more flexible space.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a>, located at 17 Baltimore Court, comprises a mix of three and four-bedroom villas across the Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview collections. Prices currently range from $1.455 million to $1.895 million, with the final Canopy Villa priced from $1.825 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360477]

The Canopy Collection villas offer four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 245 sqm of internal space, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. Expansive glazing, open-plan living spaces and private balconies have been designed to maximise natural light and outlooks toward the surrounding savanna landscape.

Construction is now underway across the fully funded development, which VentureCrowd says has become an increasingly important consideration for buyers assessing off-the-plan opportunities on the Gold Coast. The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, which has operated in South East Queensland since 1993 and delivered more than 1,000 homes across the region.

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting previously said the project responds to changing buyer priorities in the prestige Gold Coast market.

“Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Whitting said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360505]

The buyer profile at Cumulus has reflected that shift toward owner-occupier-driven demand. Stuart Towns and Tracey Loynes recently purchased a Canopy Villa, drawn to both the lifestyle offering and the flexibility the home provided for their next stage of living together.

The couple, who met three years ago, sold their Robina home earlier this year after identifying what they saw as strong long-term investment potential at Cumulus while remaining within the same Gold Coast market. The villa’s private backyard was a major drawcard for their dog Luna, while proximity to golf courses including Emerald Lakes also aligned with their lifestyle interests.

Beyond the residences themselves, the community has been planned around shared lifestyle and recreation amenities. The Infinity Terrace will include a 20-metre heated pool, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining spaces and elevated retreat areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. Walking trails, a private nature reserve, orchard and herb garden are also integrated into the masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360473]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenaway said the design approach was heavily influenced by the site’s outlook and secluded setting.

The practice sought to create what Greenaway described as a “little piece of paradise,” drawing inspiration from the elevated views, surrounding greenery and quiet location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a> continues to attract buyers seeking larger homes within proximity to the coast but without direct beachfront pricing. Cumulus sits within easy reach of Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and the M1, providing connections north to Brisbane and south toward the Gold Coast Airport and northern New South Wales.

The first stage of Cumulus Grand Villas is targeting completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

VentureCrowd nears sell-out of Canopy Collection at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara

Waverley Council has made a call that many councils have been reluctant to make publicly. Growth is coming, regardless of who controls it.

The release of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan is less about whether the Eastern Suburbs’ primary centre will change, and more about how that change is shaped, funded, and ultimately experienced on the ground. Waverley Council has released a 100-page plan which is effectively the first comprehensive blueprint for Bondi Junction in over two decades, and in doing so, signals a clear shift in how councils are positioning themselves in the current planning environment.

For the past 18 months, the conversation across New South Wales has been dominated by the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the emergence of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Both have created faster, more centralised avenues for development approvals, particularly in well-located, infrastructure-rich areas like Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council’s response has been to move early, and decisively.

Rather than react to individual proposals as they come through the HDA or broader State-led reforms, Council has sought to establish a clear, place-based framework that sets the terms for how Bondi Junction evolves. The underlying position is relatively straightforward: if densification is inevitable, it should be tied to infrastructure, public domain improvements, and a cohesive vision for the centre, not delivered piecemeal through ad hoc applications.

<img alt="bondi junction" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f1f729c-ed99-4c6c-bf87-ffbce6991941" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-19%20at%209.58.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ULX4OlXKjeJ5BvNCNGL86evgXCjCfMih" />

At its core, the document is attempting to reposition Bondi Junction from what it largely functions as today, a transport interchange anchored by a major retail centre, into something far more layered. The ambition is to transform it into what the plan describes as the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East,” a place that is active beyond commuting hours and capable of supporting a broader mix of uses, experiences and communities.

That repositioning is built around four key ambitions.

The first is to create a true destination. Bondi Junction already attracts significant foot traffic, with more than 86,000 daily transport users and millions of annual retail visits, but much of that activity is transient. People pass through, rather than stay.

The Master Plan seeks to change that dynamic. It leans heavily into the idea of an “18-hour economy,” extending activity well beyond traditional retail hours through dining, cultural programming, events, and a more active night-time offering. This is not just about adding more hospitality venues, but about fundamentally shifting how the centre operates, from a daytime shopping destination to a place that functions across the full span of the day and into the evening.

Oxford Street Mall sits at the centre of that shift.

Long seen as underperforming relative to its potential, the Mall is identified as one of the key catalyst projects in the plan. It is to be reimagined as a day-to-night spine, combining retail, dining, wellness and cultural uses in a way that creates a continuous flow of activity. Outdoor dining, rooftop venues, laneway activation and a curated events program are all part of the strategy, alongside significant public domain upgrades that aim to improve comfort, safety and usability.

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The second ambition is to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class interchange.

Despite being one of the most heavily used transport nodes in Sydney, the current experience is fragmented. Connections between the station, Westfield, Oxford Street Mall and surrounding streets are often unclear, and major roads create physical barriers that disrupt pedestrian movement.

The Master Plan proposes a more seamless, people-focused network. That includes clearer pedestrian links, improved wayfinding, better integration between transport modes, and a rethinking of how arrival into the centre is experienced. The aim is to shift the perception of Bondi Junction from a place people move through, to a place they arrive in.

The third ambition focuses on greening and open space.

One of the more consistent pieces of community feedback throughout the Vision phase was the need for more greenery, better public spaces, and a more comfortable urban environment. Despite being surrounded by major parks, Bondi Junction itself has relatively limited accessible open space, with much of the public realm dominated by hard surfaces and traffic infrastructure.

The plan responds with a network of new and upgraded public spaces, increased tree canopy, and what it terms the “Parkline,” a green link connecting Waverley Park through to Centennial Park. This is not just about aesthetics. It is about addressing heat, improving liveability, and ensuring that increased density is matched by access to high-quality outdoor space.

The fourth ambition is perhaps the most important from a development perspective: growth that gives back.

Bondi Junction is already the primary location for new housing supply in the Waverley LGA, and that is expected to continue. The area carries a target of 2,400 new dwellings by 2029, with further growth projected beyond that as demand for well-located housing continues to rise. The Master Plan does not seek to limit that growth. Instead, it attempts to shape it.

New housing is to be concentrated around transport, with stepped building heights designed to protect the character of surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, the plan introduces a more explicit link between development uplift and public benefit. This is where value capture becomes central.

The document outlines a framework where increased development potential is tied to contributions that fund public domain improvements, community infrastructure, open space, and affordable housing. It is an approach that recognises that much of the transformation of Bondi Junction will be delivered by the private sector, but seeks to ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared more broadly. The Civic Precinct is a key part of that equation.

Leveraging Council-owned land, the plan proposes a consolidated civic and cultural hub centred around Ebley Street. This would include new community facilities, cultural spaces, and potentially a new Council Chambers, creating a focal point for civic life that currently does not exist in Bondi Junction at scale.

It is one of several catalyst projects identified in the Master Plan, alongside the Oxford Street Mall transformation. These projects are intended to anchor change, acting as early interventions that unlock broader investment across the precinct.

Importantly, the Master Plan is not just a design document. It includes a delivery framework that sets out how these ambitions are intended to be realised.

Council is explicit in acknowledging that it cannot deliver the transformation alone. Implementation will require coordination between State agencies, private developers, landowners and the community, with a mix of planning agreements, infrastructure contributions and direct delivery mechanisms used to fund and stage improvements over time.

The plan outlines a mix of short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, from immediate public domain upgrades and planning controls, through to larger-scale projects that will unfold over the next decade or more. In practical terms, the next 12 to 24 months will be the most important.

This is when the Master Plan will move through exhibition, refinement and eventual adoption. It is also the period in which Council will seek to embed the framework into its planning controls, giving it weight in the assessment of future development applications.

Council officers have indicated that once the Master Plan is in place, it could be used as a benchmark when assessing Housing Delivery Authority proposals, and potentially reduce the need for further HDA declarations within Bondi Junction. In effect, it is an attempt to bring planning control back to the local level, while still aligning with State housing targets.

That tension between State-led reform and local planning control is not unique to Waverley. It is playing out across Sydney.

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If delivered as intended, Bondi Junction will become denser, more active, and more complex. It will support more residents, more workers, and a wider range of uses, extending beyond its current retail core into a more layered urban environment.

“The civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East”: Bondi Junction masterplan revealed

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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A commercial piggery in South Australia has sold for $2.7 million amid increased interest in the sector, driven by a rise in pork prices.
GROWventure piggery at Brownlow, near Eudunda in South Australia, was bought by an existing SA-based piggery operator.
“The increase in the pork price over the past six months has resulted in surge of enquiry for piggeries, particularly farrow-to-finish assets that have long-term contracts with processors,” said Colliers International’s Jesse Manuel, who along with Tim Altschwager sold the property. 
“An increase in the consumption of both pork and chicken as people move to these more affordable meats is the main reason for the price increase and this is flowing on to farm values as demand for the assets has also increased.”
With its regular and consistent cash flow, existing management structure and possible expansion potential through the acquisition of a neighbouring property, Manuel said the GROWventure asset represented an attractive prospect to increase a company's footprint in the sector.
He said the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-livestock-sa-eudunda-7679119" target="_blank">GROWventure piggery</a> was a high quality intensive livestock operation that complied with industry and government regulations. 
It has been described by an industry auditor as “the cleanest piggery in Australia,” said Manuel.
The piggery is near the major regional centre of Gawler and an hour’s drive from Adelaide.
GROWventure comprises both breeder and grower complexes with a combined total land area of nearly 228.48 hectares.
“The two operations are in close proximity of one another and produce high quality porker and baconer pigs under contract with one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains.”
The breeder complex is a 500-sow operation consisting of a farrowing shed, weaning shed, mating shed, three dry-sow sheds, feed mixing shed, AI laboratory and effluent ponds.  
The property includes a four-bedroom stone cottage for a manager.
The grower complex consists of four grow-out facilities and a capacity to hold up to 3,600 pigs. 
“The farm is modern compared to many other piggeries recently offered to the market, and is very well located within close proximity to the Port Wakefield Primo abattoir,” said Altschwager.
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Piggery GROWventure sold to South Australian operator for $2.7 million

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A Melbourne-based syndicator has secured two North Queensland retail centres in a combined deal worth $23.75 million.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-qld-townsville+city-501646325" target="_blank">Rising Sun Shopping Centre</a> in Townsville and the Town Plaza centre in Charters Towers were sold through an expressions of interest campaign by Savills.
The blended initial yield works out to be around 7.5%.
The 9,393 square metre Rising Sun Shopping Centre at Mundingburra, six kilometres from Townsville CBD, is anchored by a 2,243 square metre Coles supermarket, with 11 specialty shops including Subway, Brumby’s Bakery and Chemist.
The 7,782 square metre Town Plaza Shopping Centre in Charters Towers, 137 km from Townsville, has a 2,579 square metre Woolworths supermarket with nine specialties including Suncorp, Millers and Rockmans.
The deal was brokered by Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson of Savills for MAB Funds Management Ltd. 
Fawkner Property purchased the properties, bringing the total assets under management to more than $150 million.
The information memorandum forecast 100% tax-effective distributions of 7.5% for the 2106 financial year.
"The market liked the strong economic background story associated with the Townsville Region given the diverse employment generators of the region which includes defence, education, mining, tourism and grazing," said Jon Tyson.
"This backdrop coupled with the Coles and Woolworths anchors and relative affordable price point of the assets generated wide ranging buyer interest."
“Property syndicates are especially attractive to the trustees of self-managed superannuation funds, looking for steady monthly income,” said Fawkner MD Owen Lennie.
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Two North Queensland retail centres sold for $23.75 million through Savills

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A site with mixed-use development potential at Carnegie in Melbourne’s inner south-east has been snapped up by a local private developer for an undisclosed sum.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-carnegie-501733386" target="_blank">360 Neerim Road</a> property comprises a 568 square metre corner site with an existing building generating short-term holding income of $55,140 per annum net.
The selling agents were Julian Heatherich and Jesse Radisich of Savills.
A development scheme prepared for the property includes 13 large apartments and ground-level retail, said Heatherich.
The site is positioned between the Carnegie and Murrumbeena retail precincts and train stations and close Chadstone Shopping Centre, Monash University, schools and parks.
"As such it offers developers excellent potential for the sort of residential and retail project described in the development scheme,’’ Heatherich said.
The vendor was a local private investor.
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Developer snaps ups mixed-use site in Melbourne's Carnegie

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The current business and consumer confidence will continue to have a positive effect on Australian property into 2016, according to a report by Colliers International. 
“We have experienced a sustained increase in business confidence over the past twleve months,” said John Kenny, CEO Australia and New Zealand at Colliers International.  
“This confidence is having a positive impact across the property sector, and this optimism is starting to flow through to several of our occupier markets, as businesses become more confident in leasing office space.”
The Sydney CBD office market has improved since early 2015, with a significant decline in vacancy over the year, said the report titled Property Outlook. 
This run is expected to spread to other markets with Melbourne CBD office, Sydney industrial and national neighbourhood and large format centres likely to experience strong demand in the year ahead, it said. 
Despite this return of occupiers across the country, there will still be pockets where this does not lead to rental growth.  
In some markets, oversupply is offsetting the growth in tenant demand. 
Similarly, those locations impacted by parts of the economy experiencing a slowdown, such as those markets dependent on, which have remained elevated for some time, are another contributing factor in the overall strong performance of the property sector. 
“The strong residential housing market, increasing consumer confidence and the lower Australian dollar are all factors that have contributed to the current state of our economy,” said Nerida Conisbee, national director of research at Colliers International.  
“Right now, Australian interest rates remain stable at their historic low of 2%. Nevertheless, the Reserve Bank continues to suggest that it is not averse to cutting rates and is waiting on key economic releases post Christmas. 
"For now, although GDP growth remains below average, business surveys suggest that the services sector will continue to improve which will support the Victorian and New South Wales economies in particular.  
“All of these factors continue to make Australia a very attractive destination for offshore capital, and this flood of both local and offshore activity will continue to hold the property sector in good stead for 2016.”
Investment in Australia's commercial property is expected to reach $35 billion in 2015, of which domestic buyers account for around half. 
Australian investors are increasingly moving offshore, spending about $5 billion overseas in 2015. This is more than double the 2014 level but well below the nearly $28 billion in 2007 when Australian investors were the third highest offshore investors in the world. 
“Very few Australian groups are entering international markets at this stage, with around 90% of this year’s offshore acquisition activity made by two groups – Australian Super and Lend Lease,” said Conisbee.  
According to the report, this growth in Australian groups investing offshore will continue next year, but the types of investors in the market will be different from the previous cycle. 
In 2007, the most dominant purchasers were Australian institutions. In the current cycle, these institutions are increasingly being funded by offshore groups looking to partner with them because of their expertise in Australian property.  
The dominant groups going offshore will continue to be Australian superannuation funds as they seek to diversify their investment into direct property. Finding the scale necessary in Australia is increasingly difficult and offshore markets provide a significant pool in which to invest in. 
At a regional level, the focus remains on China and the impact it has on property, from the large capital flows into property across the region to the Chinese banks that are making their mark on occupier markets and the flow of tourists dominating tourist spending and hotel usage. 
India is also considered to be a major player next year though not so much from the outflow of capital, but rather the gradual opening of that country to investment and the opportunities for regional investors.
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Business confidence to help Australian property sector in 2016: Colliers report

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Modular hotel company Tribe Hotel Group will partner with the Mantra Group to operate its inaugural property in Walker Avenue, West Perth.
Mantra Group will manage the West Perth hotel’s operations under the new Tribe brand when it opens in 2016.
The Tribe Hotel Group's modular design and construction methodology comprises pre-fabricated guest rooms with essentials for the modern traveller, deviating from traditional accommodation.
“Tribe aims to revolutionise the traditional hotel experience by challenging the norms to attract the new generation of traveller who is looking for simplicity, affordability, and connectivity in a high-end interior environment," Mark Peters, the founder of Tribe Hotel Group, said.
"We saw an opportunity to lower the cost of construction by designing and manufacturing a quality modular product from overseas and plan to pass these savings onto our guests who are travelling for business or looking to explore a new city.
“We look forward to bringing this vision to life with Mantra Group and our key business partners to revolutionise the market when we open our first hotel in West Perth.”
The first Tribe Hotel in West Perth aims to provide a smart, curated hotel experience with luxurious guest rooms supported by free WiFi, barista coffee and fresh juices with communal work and breakout spaces.
Construction company Probuild has been engaged to complete the project build, expected to be more efficient than the average build time for a similar sized hotel due to the modular application.
Construction is set to commence in November 2015 and the project is estimated to have an end-value of $30 million with completion expected in December 2016.
“The Perth market is in a solid position with strong occupancies. We expect this to be sustained by a growing leisure travel sector along with corporate travel and inbound tourism maintaining strong demand for the city and are confident this project will be a great success,” said Mantra Group CEO Bob East.
Mantra Group will play a major role in the success of the West Perth hotel alongside Tribe Hotel Group’s joint venture partners including prominent property developer, Salta Properties and the Victor Smorgon Group.
Tribe Hotel Group has acquired two additional sites in prominent locations with plans to start construction in 2016 on projects in Melbourne and Hobart.
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Tribe partners Mantra for modular-design hotel in Perth

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Two combined residential houses in Melbourne's Balwyn suburb have been auctioned off for $4.05 million.
The 1,853 square metre site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-balwyn-501712393" target="_blank">327-329 Union Road</a>, which was offered to the market with a planning permit for seven luxury townhouses, was snapped up by a Chinese buyer.
The selling agents were CBRE’s Mark Wizel, Julian White and Scott Orchard.
The sale price translates to a rate of more than $575,000 for each permitted townhouse.
There were more than 100 enquiries, with six offshore bidders, said Julian White.
“CBRE is witnessing a spike in demand from mainland Chinese buyers across a broad range of asset classes. Many industry authorities expected the uncertainty in the Chinese economy to have a negative impact on the Australian property market, however, what we are witnessing is quite the opposite,” added Wizel.
The properties are surrounded by residential homes and close to retail centres like Belmore Road retail and Coles. Also nearby is the Balwyn High School, one of Melbourne's top public schools.
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Townhouse development site in Melbourne's Balwyn fetches $4.05 million at auction

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Savills Australia has announced the promotion of Graham Postma to Managing Director, Western Australia, effective April next year.
His appointment follows the recent announcement that the current managing director Paul Craig, will move into the role as Chief Executive Officer of Savills Australia &amp; New Zealand.
Currently the Director of Office Leasing in WA, Graham will continue to lead the commercial leasing team whilst assuming the responsibilities of managing director.
Graham has been a key member of the WA leadership team for the past 13 years, having specialised in commercial leasing for more than 23 years.
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Savills promote Graham Postma to WA GM

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Telecommunications and ICT services company Visionstream has secured 7,600 square metre office space at the $500 million masterplanned Parkview Estate in Melbourne's Moorabbin.
Visionstream has committed to an entire office building within the 51 hectare estate, which is 20 km from Melbourne's CBD.
Colliers International national director Rob Joyes, who brokered the deal, said it was the largest office-leasing transaction in Melbourne's south-east in 2015.
"Vision Stream is joining big brands like Bunnings, Bolle, Westpac and Danks Home Timber and Hardware who are operating out of Parkview Estate, a suburban business park," he said.
Developer Pellicano's managing director Renato Pellicano said the office building, which was purpose built in 1998 as the South East Water headquarters, was vacant for less than a month, reinforcing the strong demand for suburban office spaces.
"Visionstream virtually moved into the office as soon as South East Water vacated, on the back of some minor refurbishments," he said.
"Parkview Estate currently has 19,000 square metres of commercial offices spread across five buildings with a vacancy rate of less than 2%. A sixth office building is currently under construction which will take the total commercial space to over 22,000 square metres.
Parkview Estate houses over 65 business and 3,000 workers and includes Quest serviced apartments, 75 residential apartments, the 25,000 square metre Moorabbin SuperCenter, the Otto Lane café, gymnasium, swim school, childcare centre and retail banking.
Family-owned Pellicano's 2015 development workbook is at $275 million, with commercial, industrial and residential projects currently underway between Melbourne and Brisbane.
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Pellicano secures south east Melbourne's largest commercial deal for 2015

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The NSW government has sold off a commercial office building in the heart of Blacktown for $17.15 million.
Blacktown City Council has been selected as the preferred buyer for the six-story building at 22 Main Street, after an open market tender.
The building will be leased back to the state government to meet the occupancy needs of government tenants, that includes the Department of Education, WorkCover NSW and Juvenile Justice.
“The sale and leaseback of this property not only releases capital upfront to reinvest into infrastructure and services for the community, it also maintains government jobs in Blacktown’s CBD,” said Brett Newman, the CEO of Government Property NSW, while announcing the sale.
Newman said the sale aligns with the principles outlined in the Property Asset Utilisation Taskforce (PAUT) report, which state that government should only own real property assets to support core service delivery.
The sale of 22 Main Street was managed by CBRE.
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NSW government's sale of Blacktown building fetches $17.5 million

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Indie game developer Halfbrick Studios will open its doors at the former Sunny Queen Eggs home in Brisbane's Red Hill.
Halfbrick Studios – creator of the best-selling Fruit Ninja video game – has signed a five-year lease for an annual rental of $450,000 gross per annum.
Previously occupied by Sunny Queen Eggs, the 2,200 square metre building at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-qld-kelvin+grove-501230671" target="_blank">25 Musgrave Road</a> has been completely retrofit, with a $5.5 million fitout and refurbishment undertaken by engineering contractor John Holland.
The deal was brokered by CBRE’s Mel Pikos and Michael Skarparis.
“Following the immense success of Fruit Ninja, which has been downloaded more than one billion times, Halfbrick Studios has experienced exponential growth, and, as a result, required additional facilities that would enable further expansion,” Pikos said.
Fruit Ninja is the second highest-selling game of all time on the iOS platform, says the gaming company's website.
“Some of the key building features that appealed to Halfbrick include the exposed ceiling grid spray painted black, large internal stair with void, multiple break-out and chill-out zones, large rooftop area overlooking the Brisbane CBD, and even an original chick-hatchery room that has been converted to a meeting room,” he said.
Skarparis said the deal was evidence of Brisbane’s increasing appeal as an IT and gaming destination.
“In 2015, Brisbane has emerged a hub for computer game and app developers, with deals negotiated to Halfbrick Studios for 2,200 square metres, Gameloft for 650 square metres, and Red Eye Apps for 355 square metres,” he said.
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