Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

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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<img src="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/images/supermarket-power-600-4057.jpg">
Source: <a href="https://www.farmersjournal.ie/">The Farmers Journal</a>.
This infographic first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Infographic: The power of supermarkets

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New vegan food outlet Supercharger Wholefood, from the brains behind Bar Napoli – George Incretolli and Paul Mathis – will be opened in Lonsdale Street's Emporium Melbourne.
Pizza joint Bar Napoli is located on Emporium's third level shop 3027.
It will be located in the Café Court level three food court and will be staffed by a crew of seven chefs. It calls itself a "micro cafe".
They will trade seven days a week, from 10am to 7pm, with hours extended until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
The café court is home to a number of popular outlets, including Subway, Starbucks, South Melbourne Dim Sim, I Love Pho and Charlie &amp; Co. Burgers.
Paul Mathis, who refers to the store as Supercharger, told Property Observer the opening will be in August either on the 21st or 22nd.
Currently looking for staff, their advertisements suggest the food will be modern vegetarian, perhaps with a raw and ‘superfood’ aspect to it, but mainly vegan. Their menu is likely to include soups, juices, salads and fermented foods. Vegans should note that they may use some honey bee pollen and potentially other dairy products - the official menu is set for release next week.
The sneak preview of menu ideas includes early morning breakfast porridges, including bircher museli with orange juice and tropical fruit; and jasmine rice congee with ginger and spring onion.  Sides and snacks include dishes such as house made roasted kale chips with paprika and sea salt, chia and amaranth zucchini and mint fritters and "air fried" chips.
For lunch and dinner, you choose a 'base' served in a large mixing bowl, which is then paired with either a warm or cold option and then a protein. For instance, you may choose mashed peas with avocado and coconut oil, combined with Ayurvedic style red lentil dhal and kombu broth simmered seitan.
Ferments, grains and vegetables are all looking like stars of the dishes, and all appear to be at very reasonable prices.
Lonsdale Street and surrounds are home to a number of successful organic and vegan eateries.
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Supercharger Wholefood to open at Emporium Melbourne in August

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Supermarket chain Coles Liquor has secured its first hotel nationally in four years on Hope Island, Queensland.
Knight Frank director of hotels, Craig Harley negotiated the Coles Liquor acquisition for the business leasehold interest of Marina Quays Tavern at 93 Broadwater Avenue, Hope Island.
“The substantial hotel property is adjacent to a planned shopping centre, retirement village, service station, and is surrounded by residential development which enjoys high visibility and extensive passing traffic,” continued Harley.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Coles Liquor secures Hope Island, Gold Coast tavern

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Patonga Beach Hotel on NSW’s Central Coast has been sold, five months after being listed with $10 million sale hopes.
Listed by the Osborne family, the Patonga Beach Hotel and the adjoining fish shop is set in the gully on the shores of Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.
No sale price or buyer has yet been revealed.
It is the only hotel in a 12-kilometre radius.
It is opposite the Patonga Beach ferry wharf, popular with day-trippers and visitors from the Central Coast.
<a href="https://rca.joneslanglasalle.com.au/property-hotel+leisure-nsw-patonga-501053471" target="_blank">Jones Lang LaSalle Hotel and Hospitality Group agent John Musca</a> had the 1546 square metre hotel offering, the only hotel in the two bays.
"There's no doubt that by incorporating the adjoining fish shop building and subject to necessary approvals, you could expand the boutique accommodation to become another Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay," Musca said.
"Many in the industry believe the hotel would be perfect for a celebrity chef hotel style repositioning, similar to that being embarked upon by TV chef George Calombaris in recent acquisition of the Hobsons Bay Hotel in Preston," the marketing suggested.
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Patonga Beach Hotel sold on NSW Central Coast

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GUEST OBSERVATION
While many vendors and owners believe that spring is the only ‘golden’ time of the year, the period between now and spring is actually a fantastic period to both buy and sell.
I believe it is important to create a point of difference for a property and importantly, not to compete in an overcrowded and noisy market, as property stock levels increase dramatically in spring.
If you have a challenging property, it is still going to be challenging in spring, perhaps more so as you will be up against so many other standout properties.
We have seen the property market as fairly consistent, month in month out, for the last few years. You don’t have to follow the masses. My advice would be to get in before spring; there are plenty of other times in the year to sell if your property doesn’t tick all the boxes.
We don’t always subscribe to what everyone else does, as the property market is actually quite random and sporadic at times.
Most real estate agencies are geared towards the seasonal aspect, and in Melbourne, that is spring.
But we now live and operate in a global economy. It's worth considering that when it is spring in Melbourne, it is autumn in Beijing and Asia is now a very important market force.
Property is a global commodity and the Asian market is impacting markets from London to New York - it's a market that is only going to get stronger in the future. It’s not a local market any more - there are hot spots all around the world. Asia, and specifically China, are deploying funds and investing in property around the world. Melbourne is one of the preferred destinations due to the quality of education and lifestyle as one of the worlds top 10 cities.
Everything has changed and you cannot do the same things now that you did 20 years ago - it won't necessarily work anymore. 
Andrew Fawell is director of <a href="https://www.bellergroup.com.au/" target="_blank">Beller Property Group</a>. 
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It's not all about spring: Now is also a great time to buy and sell

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When owner-occupiers and investors enter the market they want to achieve different things. 
Owner-occupiers want to buy a property they like and that suits their lifestyle requirements, while investors buy property to make money.  
The problem for many investors is they enter the property market as an investor but they make decisions as a home buyer. They develop an investment strategy based on what they like and let their heart take over the decision-making when it really should be the head that’s in control.  
Unfortunately the location and features that appeal to you on an emotional or lifestyle level may not be those that stack up on an investment level. Here are a few tips to help you make clear-headed decisions.
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<li>
Don’t buy near your own home  Many investors buy close to where they live because they like driving past the property, admiring their investment and keeping an eye on it. The problem is that many investors live in areas with strong demand from owner-occupiers, but little demand from tenants.   What’s more, owner-occupier strongholds are often some distance from the infrastructure tenants look for, such as public transport, shopping and entertainment precincts.   
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<li>
Don’t fit out the property according to your own tastes  Too many investors buy a property and renovate it according to their personal tastes. For example, installing granite bench tops and expensive appliances in the kitchen, or putting a spa in the bathroom. This is fine if it’s your own home, but it’s a potential waste of money for an investment property.   Tenants rent for primarily for location, proximity to infrastructure, and price. There’s little point spending thousands on items that tenants don’t need — particularly when those items are depreciable and will lose value over the time you own the property. Instead of focusing on expensive fittings and fixtures, focus on buying a property with strong capital growth potential, located in an area where land values are driven by strong ongoing demand from owner-occupiers and investors alike.   
</li>
<li>
Don’t buy where you like to holiday It’s one thing to fall in love with a holiday spot, but quite another to buy there and expect it to perform like a prime investment location. Most holiday homes are owned by people who don’t live there full-time. When finances are tight, many owners will sacrifice their holiday home so they can hold onto their family home.   If you’re forced to sell, you may not be the only one. The more properties for sale in a particular area, the harder it will be for you to achieve your desired price. Worse still, you may be unable to sell at all.   
</li>
<li>
Don’t pay an emotional premium  When you fall in love with a property, you may be prepared to pay more than its true market value, to be sure of securing it. If it’s going to be your family home, overpaying may be justified, because you’re buying for lifestyle reasons.   If it’s going to be an investment property, however, overpaying doesn’t make sense. Not only will you have to take out a bigger loan and pay more interest, but you’re eating into the profit you’ll make when you eventually sell. That’s not an investment; that’s a millstone around your neck. Research the market before throwing your hat in the ring, then set a limit and stick to it.
</li>
</ol>
MARK ARMSTRONG is a director of <a href="https://ratemyagent.com.au/" target="_blank">ratemyagent.com.au</a>, Australia’s number one real estate agent rating website.
This article was originally published on Property Observer in September 2013.
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Use you head, not your heart: Four tips for buying the right investment property

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Everyone wants to buy in a “hotspot” area that becomes trendy and popular in the near future and allows investors to take advantage of some good capital growth over a shorter time period.
Here are 10 of Melbourne’s suburbs that we believe have the potential to give investors good returns in the coming years.
Click on the suburbs names to find the latest property data, mapping tools and demographic information, from RP Data.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Reservoir</a></li>
</ul>
Reservoir is located 12 kilometres north of the CBD. Bounded by the Merri Creek in the west, and the Darebin Creek in the east, Reservoir is a mixed use suburb in Melbourne's north.
The suburb has significant industrial areas in the west and a commercial focus around the railways station and along Broadway.
Reservoir is well represented by the Italian population and also features the Reservoir Private Hospital and Edwardes Lake Park.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Frankston</a></li>
</ul>
Frankston is located 41 kilometres south of the CBD.
Frankston is the major commercial; retail, educational and transport centre in Melbourne's outer south, servicing a large hinterland including the Mornington Peninsula.
The major commercial area is located between Nepean Highway and the railway station, although Karingal Hub Shopping Centre is located in the east of the suburb. Frankston also features Monash University Peninsula Campus, the Peninsula Institute of TAFE and Frankston Hospital as well as a number of golf courses.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Footscray</a></li>
</ul>
Footscray is located 6 kilometres west of the CBD. Located in the inner west of Melbourne, Footscray is a multicultural community with a significant Vietnamese population.
The suburb has a combination of residential, industrial and commercial land, with retail activity centred on Barkly Street and industrial activity in the east and north. Footscray also features the Whitten Oval, the Victorian University of Technology, a major rail junction for the St Albans and Werribee Railway lines, the Western Hospital - Footscray Campus and Footscray Park.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Preston</a></li>
</ul>
Preston is located 9 kilometres north-east of the CBD. Bounded by the Merri Creek in the west, and the Darebin Creek in the east, Preston is a mixed use suburb in Melbourne's north.
The suburb features a significant commercial district along High Street, while the eastern regions feature a significant amount of light industry. It is also a multicultural suburb, with large Greek and Italian communities. Preston also features Northland Shopping Centre and the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE - Preston Campus.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Sunshine</a></li>
</ul>
Sunshine is located 12 kilometres west of the CBD. Sunshine is the major commercial, industrial and transport centre for the middle and outer western suburbs of Melbourne.
It is a highly multicultural suburb, comprising a significant Vietnamese community. Although there has been a decrease in manufacturing employment since the early 1980s, it still provides a quarter of all jobs for Sunshine's workforce.
Sunshine is the railway junction for the Ballarat and St Albans railway lines and features the Footscray TAFE - Sunshine Campus and the Sunshine Centre Plaza.
Five more of Frank Valentic's Melbourne hostpots on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Kingsville</a></li>
</ul>
Kingsville is located 8 kilometers west of the CBD.
Kingsville is a small residential area located in Melbourne's western suburbs. It is multiculturally diverse, well represented by people from the countries of the former Yugoslavia and Vietnam.
Kingsville's labour force is concentrated in the manufacturing sector, providing a significant labour base to adjacent industrial suburbs. The suburb also features commercial areas along its boundaries.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Thornbury</a></li>
</ul>
Thornbury is located 7 kilometres north-east of the CBD. Located between the Merri Creek in the west and the Darebin Creek in the east, Thornbury is a residential suburb, with significant areas of commercial activity, especially along High Street.
It is a multicultural community, with the Italian, Greek and Chinese communities being well represented.
Thornbury also features many areas of open space, including the Hayes, Mayer, Penders and John Cain Memorial Parks and the Sir Douglas Nicholls Reserve.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Brunswick West</a></li>
</ul>
Brunswick West is located 6 kilometres north of the CBD. Bounded by the Moonee Ponds Creek in the west and Moreland Road in the north, Brunswick West is a primarily residential suburb.
The suburb is densely populated,featuring a young population, most notably 25-34 year olds.
Brunswick West also features a number of reserves and recreational areas, such as the Dunstan, the Denzil Don, Hudson, Shiels and Wylie Reserves.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Glen Huntly</a></li>
</ul>
Glen Huntly is located 12 kilometres south-east of the CBD. Bounded by Neernim Road in the south and Grange Road in the west, it is a small, primarily residential suburb in Melbourne's south-east. The suburb's retail activity is concentrated around the railway station. 
Glen Huntly also features parkland including Garden Avenue Reserve. The suburb's population includes a large number of renters and small households.
<ul>
<li><a href="/news">Mornington</a></li>
</ul>
Mornington is located 47 kilometres south of the CBD. Mornington is one of the larger commercial centres on the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne's south.
This bayside suburb is traditionally a popular retirement area and has a number of aged care facilities.
Mornington also has a large number of families living in the area, especially in the new residential subdivisions on the eastern side of the Nepean Highway. The suburb features the Mornington Racecourse and the Mornington Country Golf Club.
FRANK VALENTIC is managing director of award-winning buyers' agency <a href="https://www.advantageproperty.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Advantage Property Consulting.</a>
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fvalentic-kJt4iZ5jDx

The top 10 Melbourne hotspot suburbs: Frank Valentic

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A generational shift may be coming that will substantially alter the property market, according to Club Plus Super. But what that shift is may catch you off guard.
Club Plus Super’s chief executive officer Paul Cahill says that the current structure of superannuation will see many Australians forced to sell the family home to fund their retirement – and move in with their children.
Modelling undertaken by the company has shown that a 65 year old person’s super balance will likely be dried up after just six years in retirement.
This matches an Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia report that saw the majority of Australians relying on modest levels of superannuation, with many retirees relying on the Age Pension. A Club Plus Super survey also discovered that while more than 50% of the 843 respondents understood the funds needed to retire, just one third were making extra contributions.
“This system and the sheer scale of Australia’s rapidly aging population will potentially see hundreds of thousands of retirees run out of funds and not be able to enjoy the retirement they envisaged,” said Cahill.
What will then potentially be seen is a system where retirees sell their large properties, unlock equity and then either rent, downsize or move in with their children.
“These trends could significantly change the dynamics of Australian families, the Australian property market and the Australian economy,” he said, pointing to moving in with children as the most cost effective option for many retirees.
He says that either Australians need to make additional contributions to grow their superannuation, or the government need to overhaul the system.
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The generational shift set to alter the property market: Club Plus Super

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In recent weeks, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed that the number of loans taken out for the purposes of construction has increased to the highest level in around four and a half years.
If we smooth the numbers out on a rolling annual basis, we can see that while an upturn is entrenched, the uptrend still remains relatively shallow at this stage, and there is much more lifting to be done here:
<img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tqj0YZO7Kec/U8oJqJk0eXI/AAAAAAAAOmc/BmOyCPYotp0/s1600/constr1.jpg">
With dwelling prices having risen over time the total value of construction loans on a rolling annual basis is getting set to break new record highs:
<img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBdi5yNpAsg/U8oJqNmc-fI/AAAAAAAAOmY/NcXlcmhEXo4/s1600/consrt2.jpg">
Importance of this?
It's worth noting here why this is considered to be important.
Dwelling construction been extensively researched by the ABS in years gone by, and the data uncovered showed the construction industry to have a very strong multiplier effect on the economy.
One of the more depressing things about visiting Britain over the past six or seven years - apart from the ongoing under-performance of the national sporting teams, that is - has been the near total lack of cranes on the horizon. 
That's rarely a sign of a thriving economy.
Things have been picking up strongly for UK construction of late, but it's been a moribund period indeed for the construction industry.
<a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/ed6220072793785eca256b360003228f!OpenDocument" target="_blank">Here's the ABS</a> on the effect of construction on the multipliers on the wider economy in terms of output and employment in Australia:
"For every $1 million spent on construction output (houses, non-residential buildings, etc.) in 1996-97, a possible $2.9 million in output would be generated in the economy as a whole, giving rise to nine jobs in the construction industry (the initial employment effect), and 37 jobs in the economy as a whole from all effects.
"These flow-on effects are made up as follows. The initial effect of the additional construction is $1 million. The first round effect for this additional construction would be the increased value of activity of around $0.5 million in those businesses manufacturing the materials needed for the additional construction, such as concrete and steel frames.
"The businesses supplying and servicing the concrete and steel frame businesses, such as aggregate quarrying and raw steel production, experience an increased demand for their products and services. This industrial support effect is estimated to be an additional $0.4 million.
"As activity has increased in the construction industry, as well as in the suppliers to that industry and the suppliers to the suppliers, there is an increase in wages and salaries to employees in this chain. The spending of these wages and salaries induces a further round of consumption effects in other areas of the economy totaling an additional $1 million."
Multiplier of three for construction
So, there you have it: construction in Australia has a multiplier effect of close to three. That is, for every $1 million invested, an additional $3 million is generated in the economy as a whole. 
Now let's put this in its wider context.
Below is what has happened in Aussie construction over the long run. Note the gargantuan boom in engineering construction driven by the resources building boom.
This sector is set to tail off quite nastily over the coming few years, although it's not yet entirely clear how quickly that will happen. Note how construction has become overwhelming dominated by mining and resources:
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4H062eDXc9U/U8oKjO5YRII/AAAAAAAAOms/774bYa3YBso/s1600/cons3.jpg">
In terms of other building work done, the split between residential and non-residential building has tracked as follows:
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtWrJsICYfs/U8oKvGB0FQI/AAAAAAAAOm0/-JrUJyQa-WU/s1600/CONS4.jpg">
We don't need to get bogged down too much in the headline numbers here, other than to note that if mining capital expenditure falls by 20% in the 2015 financial year (which <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/5625.0Main%20Features3March%202014?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=5625.0&amp;issue=March%202014&amp;num=&amp;view=" target="_blank">forecasts suggest</a> may well eventuate), and does something similar again in the following financial year too, this leaves a monster hole in the Australian economy to somehow be filled.
Only one shining light exists in the state economies at the moment for infrastructure and dwelling construction, that being New South Wales, which is busily tackling its infrastructure and dwelling deficit:
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSjRk0aOP2A/U8oPWO50R4I/AAAAAAAAOnI/YQx8kQ8oq0o/s1600/NSW+cwd.jpg">
Article continues on the next page. Please click below. 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
States which need to rebalance?
The implication of the mining and resources construction boom detailed on the previous page is that the Aussie economy has gotten itself quite dramatically out of balance.
In the March 2014 quarter the total value of engineering construction seasonally adjusted at around $31,850 million was way, way bigger than the total value of building at closer to $21,750 million.
This means that some states are going to face very significant challenges when the mining construction drops away.
The quarterly engineering construction figures by state clarify which which states - Queensland and Western Australia in particular - are going to face an uphill struggle in the coming years.
Those two states have benefited greatly from the boom, so they face more of a challenge from the forthcoming downturn:
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o2yTIzIBqpE/U8ouGvfyJNI/AAAAAAAAOnc/-GshYS_mTcY/s1600/BWDa.jpg" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
This is especially so because when you look at the uplift in building work done in this cycle only New South Wales to date has shown any real sign of thriving. These figures are not seasonally adjusted so the next seasonal uplift will be key, but it's clear that Western Australia has hit a plateau, Victoria's house building boom was last decade's news and something is not working as it should be in Queensland in terms of building work. South Australia and the minnow states are floundering, and in any case they aren't going to add much value in chain volume measures terms:
<img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maZf5-kXmds/U8ouGnGYKhI/AAAAAAAAOnY/q4Z8QSzDQ-w/s1600/BWD1.jpg">
This something to be wary of when commentators start talking up the Brisbane property market with the usual hyperbole this year, stating that it is "due for a boom".
Look, maybe, yes, and the general consensus is that Brisbane offers relatively good bang for the buck and the outlook for the property markets over the the next few years appears bright. But equally it always pays to be careful of the shallow property market commentary which takes little (or more typically zero) account of what is actually happening in relation to these huge structural shifts in the Aussie economy. Yes, there is an argument for dwelling prices to rise strongly in response to low interest rates, but as a general rule people don't buy property when they don't have jobs, and there is a major rebalancing challenge lying right ahead in the Aussie economy, especially in the mining states. You'd need rocks in your head to call a sustainable property boom while taking no account whatsoever of what the wider economy and labour markets are up to. It's one to watch carefully. Rates to fall lower still 
The charts detailed above show quite clearly that the hole left by mining construction can't readily be filled only by building more houses and a moderate level of infrastructure.
Net exports need to increase, which they indeed have been doing, albeit in the face of lower commodity prices. Household consumption needs to increase, which it was doing quite nicely, but then appears to have stalled again post-budget.
With the economy looking likely to tread water in Q2 (the unpredictable effect of inventories left aside), futures markets are quickly getting around to realising that the next move in interest rates must be down. To me another rate cut is looking more and more likely by the week. Pencil in a likely interest rate cut before Xmas, for my money.
You can visit <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) or Pete's <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blog</a>.
His latest book is '<a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>' .
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Why residential construction is so important to the Australian economy

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A textile manufacturing company that has been operating in the Victorian regional city of Wangaratta for more than sixty years has collapsed into liquidation due to the offshoring of government contracts and an increasingly competitive market.
Bruck Textile Technologies <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/42794-popular-cake-business-with-reality-tv-show-collapses-for-a-second-time" target="_blank">went into liquidation</a> on 11 July, with Barry Taylor and Andrew Needham from HLB Mann Judd appointed as liquidators.
Speaking to SmartCompany, Taylor said in prior years the manufacturer had a turnover of around $56 million.
“More recently to June 2013 it had dropped to about $38 million,” he said.
Taylor said creditors are owed around $7-8 million, with employees’ entitlements estimated to be worth an additional $4 million.
In recent days the textile manufacturer has been <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/wangaratta-textile-maker-shreds-company-sheds-worker-entitlements-20140713-zt65q" target="_blank">accused of deliberately entering into a questionable business arrangement</a> with another company, Australian Textile Mills, to avoid paying 60 redundant workers their entitlements – including annual leave, long service leave and redundancy pay entitlements.
This has caused Federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz to refer the matter to ASIC, and Taylor said as joint liquidator he is instructing solicitors to review the transaction.
“ASIC have been in touch with us and we are assisting them with their enquiries,” he said.
In a statement, Australian Textile Mills chief executive Geoff Parker told SmartCompany Bruck Textile Technologies was a company losing money despite its best efforts.
“With the demise of the local automotive industry and the offshoring of key government contracts, it was not a sustainable business and was incurring ongoing, significant losses,” said Parker.
“Under this strain, in the last six months alone, significant funds were invested by the shareholder to fund day to day activities, which was simply not sustainable,” he said.
Parker said the manufacturer’s board took professional financial and legal advice and decided it either had to liquidate the company – which would have affected more than 200 jobs – or sell the business to Australian Textile Mills in order to retain two-thirds of its staff.
Parker said all creditors will be paid and Australian Textile Mills will take on liabilities of approximately $20 million.
“The Directors of Australian Textile Mills are confident that they have made the correct decision,” said Parker.
“The only other option would have been far more devastating to the local Wangaratta community, creditors and employees.”
Bruck Textile Technologies has a long history in northeast Victoria and Cathy McGowan, the local federal MP, told SmartCompany there has been a huge amount of support shown for the workers both in Parliament and Wangaratta itself.
“The footwear clothing and textile industry is a very tough industry and it’s extraordinarily competitive,” says McGowan.
“This is a wake-up call for this sector in rural and regional areas.”
McGowan says it’s crucial for government to work with business in order to create an environment where manufacturing can reach its long-term potential.
“When businesses get into trouble they have to seek advice early,” says McGowan.
“There is absolutely no point in waiting until the death knoll. In a much bigger context, we need to look at how we can plan for the future of manufacturing.”
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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