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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Walker Corporation has launched the second stage of its Vicinity Industrial Base in Adelaide given the<a href="https://www.vicinityindustrial.com.au" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> first stage of the 100 hectare estate has almost sold out</a>.
Cahill Transport, Nick Scali Furniture, Rand, Toll NQX, and Kimberly-Clark have taken space at the Direk estate since its initial 2008 launch.
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-sa-edinburgh-5558505" target="_blank">Vicinity</a> ranks as Adelaide’s most successful industrial subdivision in recent years. It will eventually have about 4000 workers.
 
 
 
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/industrila-estate-june-18-one.jpg" alt="">
However, Colliers International’s latest industrial report <a href="https://www.colliers.com.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/Research/Industrial/Industrial%20First%20Half%202014.ashx" target="_blank">Investors Tighten Their Grip</a> suggests the pending Holden’s Elizabeth plant closure would put pressure on Adelaide’s industrial market.
"The announcement of the Holden plants closure has come as a blow to certain parts of to the South Australian industrial market. 
"Holden and suppliers to the Holden plant account for a significant amount of employment, economic activity and occupiers in the Adelaide Outer North industrial market.
"Although this is likely to have a significant impact on the Outer North, other significant industrial markets in the West, Inner North and South are unlikely to see significant falls in occupancy. 
"Also the full effects of this closure are likely to be staggered as the plant will not cease production until 2017.
"This allows for some time for the South Australian economy to readjust and absorb some of the workforce left from the Holden closure.
"Increases in vacancy in the Outer North are likely to be most acute from 2017 onwards," the Colliers report suggested.
Overall Colliers considers demand for industrial space appears to have improved over the last six months with the level of enquiry and size of requirements improving over this time.
Logistics and transport have been the key tenant type which has driven demand over the last 12 months, supported in part to the significant increases in online retail. 
Tenants looking for prime quality industrial space over 5,000m2 have very limited choices in the Adelaide industrial market with the vacancy rate tightening in the Adelaide industrial market to 4.2%, compared to 4.4% in the second half of 2013.
Overall rentals have eased slightly over the last 12 months with a rental range of $78 per square metre in the Outer South to $143 per square metre in the Inner West.
"Incentives across the market have remained stable with prime incentives currently quoted between 10-15%.
"The outlook for the Adelaide industrial market will be challenging in the Outer North and possibly Inner North in the medium term.
"This is due to the structural change from the automotive industry to another use, which will take time. "For the other industrial regions the outlook is more positive, with demand and enquiry likely to pick up and the lack of A grade space is likely to drive more new construction to meet demand over the next 12 months to two years."
It was in 2008 when Walker Corporation announced it was partnering with prominent South Australian developers Daycorp and Badge on the industrial estate in Adelaide's northern suburbs after the investment by government in transport infrastructure in the region.
The land was being offered from $85 per square metre in 2008.
Some $88 million of Adelaide industrial property transacted during 2013, around 42% below the transactions in 2012.
The largest sale in the year was the new Rand facility which sold in August for $32.3 million by the developer, Pacific Group to Cromwell Property Trust.
Rand Refrigerated Logistics is a 10,500 square metre food distribution centre at the corner of Heaslip and Edinburgh roads. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Walker Corporation launches Vicinity Industrial Base, Adelaide second stage

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Ice cream retail chain Baskin-Robbins plans to open 20 new stores across Australia over the next year, with the first five to open in coming months.
The new stores will be a combination of company-owned and franchise stores, adding to the Palm Oasis Ventures-owned brand’s stable of 78 stores in Australia.
Baskin-Robbins announced in 2013 <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/franchising/30732-we-scream-for-ice-cream-baskin-robbins-and-ben-jerry-s-plan-another-230-stores">plans to open another 200 outlets in Australia</a>, following the signing of a new master franchise joint agreement with Galadari Brothers.
The first of the new stores will be located in Forest Lake, West End, Townsville, and Bayside in Queensland, and Nedlands in Western Australia, with more to come in New South Wales and Victoria.
Baskin-Robbins Australia general manager David Jordan told SmartCompany the 25% increase in the chain’s network is part of its “aggressive growth strategy”.
“We’ve been consolidating our brand over the past two years and we are now in the position to grow our stores at a rate that is both sustainable and meeting consumer demands,” says Jordan.
Jordan says ice cream is especially popular in Australia and Baskin-Robbins is looking to extend its store network to better meet the demand.
”The Australian market has one of the highest per capita rates on spending of ice cream – we’re the third,” says Jordan.
“Australians can’t seem to get enough of ice cream. We believe the marketplace can hold and warrant a far greater amount of ice cream stores,” he says.
While the first handful of new stores will be located in the brand’s Queensland and Western Australia homeland, Jordan says Baskin-Robbins will be focusing on new stores in Victoria and New South Wales between October and December—with a view to opening even more stores further down the track.
“We believe the dessert industry in Australia is strong,” says Jordan. “We could open another 50 over Victoria, most definitely,” he says.
Despite <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/economy/42155-consumer-confidence-hits-gfc-lows-450-jobs-to-go-at-qantas-midday-roundup">cooling consumer confidence</a> and the <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/growth/franchising/42244-wow-cow-frozen-yoghurt-chain-milked-dry-as-only-bondi-store-left-standing">recent decline of Australia’s first frozen yoghurt chain Wow Cow</a>, Jordan says the Baskin-Robbins brand is strong enough to weather the storm.
 “The brands that are able to build strong loyalty and get passionate will always be able to ride the ebbs and flows of consumer confidence,” says Jordan.
“As long as you stay true to values as a brand and build on your values,” he says.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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jake-cSmGT7VXVf

Baskin-Robbins planning a sweet future, despite cool consumer sentiment

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Victoria's Secret will open a store next month at the Emporium, Melbourne.
The beauty and accessories store will open the 142 square metre store which will feature two video walls broadcasting footage of Victoria's Secret Angels.
Victoria's Secret opened its first "downtown" store in Australia in March, <a href="https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/secret-s-out4?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=RTR+ENEWS+TUESDAY+17TH+JUNE+2014&amp;utm_content=RTR+ENEWS+TUESDAY+17TH+JUNE+2014+CID_50493109927e7a06773c396df7827d47&amp;utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&amp;utm_term=more" target="_blank">Ragtrader reported</a>, in Sydney's Queen Victoria Building.
Prior to that there was a network of five travel retail locations in Australia, including Sydney Airport's terminals one, two and three as well as Melbourne Airport's domestic and international terminals.
Showman Baz Luhrmann will officially open Emporium Melbourne on 20 August, although <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-emporium-melbourne-officially-opens-its-doors">the </a><a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-emporium-melbourne-officially-opens-its-doors">doors to the $1.2 billion shopping centre opened </a>in April.
The 48,000 square metre shopping space will be home to around 225 stores. 
The much delayed Emporium Melbourne, which occupies the site on Lonsdale Street that was formerly Myer, is credited as the biggest retail development in Melbourne’s CBD in more than a century.
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Baz Luhrmann to officially open Emporium, Melbourne which snares Victoria's Secret

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Probuild has been selected to construct the latest expansion at the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.
It will add an office tower along with extension to the retail with the capacity for a future hotel.
Probuild has completed every major stage of the shopping centre since 1989. Work on the 29th stage starts this month.
The prior 28 stages have occurred over 21 years of transformation.
The project for CFS Retail will add 34,000 square metres taking it to more than 212,000 square metres.
Probuild is one of Australia’s largest construction companies, with an annual turnover of $1.5 billion and a staff of 1,100 nationally.
Image courtesy of Alpha/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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Chadstone expansion project goes to Probuild

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The Gold Coast is set to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will see a surge in infrastructure and investment spend. Such is the spend that it <a href="/news/qld/gold-coast-property-recovery-tipped-from-2015-as-house-prices-bounce-back-but-unit-prices-slip-to-lowest-in-a-decade-prodap-report">has had reports predicting a house price bounce since 2013</a>.
The spend, however, also includes a $55 million outlay on a velodrome.
This one is to be designed by Brisbane-based Cox Rayner architect, a project that Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney announced would keep dollars in the local economy.
“The design and construction of these facilities will provide a lasting legacy for Queenslanders to enjoy long after the Games is over, proving that we have a strong plan for a brighter future for the State,” said Seeney.
“The Games will inject an estimated $2 billion into our economy and create up to 30,000 full time equivalent jobs.”
It is to be built at the Sleeman Sports Complex near the SuperX BMX track, with the aims of making the area a “cycling mecca”.
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/gold-coast-june-18-two.jpg" alt="">
Cox Rayner Architects submitted plans and scored highly due to capability, experience, comparative cost and knowledge of the sports complex.
“The firm’s winning design capitalises on south-east Queensland’s sub-tropical climate and conservation surrounds,” he said.
“Its streamlined roof design will overcome the weather limitations of the existing outdoor velodrome, which was built for the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.”
A timber track will also be built, where the previous velodrome’s was concrete.
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/gold-coast-june-18-three.jpg" alt="">
In total 17 new and refurbished venues are expected for the games, with the Velodrome to be one of two in Brisbane. Belmont Shooting Range will also be in Brisbane.
The velodrome will include a café and improved green spaces.
The <a href="/expert-insights/buying/gold-coast-commonwealth-games-village-urban-renewal-project-underway">Gold Coast's Games Village urban renewal project is already underway</a>.
It remains to be seen <a href="/expert-insights/investing/gold-coast-to-ride-wave-of-commonwealth-games-momentum">whether the Gold Coast will ride the wave of the games' momentum</a>.
Images supplied.
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Gold Coast aiming to become new "cycling mecca" with $55 million velodrome development

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Prelease opportunities for Sydney’s industrial market are at such a low that infill sites are seeing increased demand, according to CBRE national director, industrial brokerage Jason Edge.
Edge said that englobo sites are highly sought after, but developers and investors are seeking out other opportunities due to supply issues in the market.
“A shortage of new supply entering the market has seen a shift in interest towards infill sites to satisfy the lack of new opportunities,” Edge said. This is despite a recent $55 million purchase by Mirvac in Eastern Creek.
“Furthermore, businesses relying on metropolitan distribution rather than warehouse distribution, as well as a work force reliant on office accommodation, have prompted more and more developers to look at these locations rather than the greenfield sites located at Erskine Park,” he said.
Two properties were recently purchased by Commercial and Industrial Property for $25.9 million – a 5.3 hectare Smithfield site for $14.6 million and a 4.1 hectare Chullora site for $11.3 million.
“Chullora continues to be a location in high demand. Occupiers not only benefit from the surrounding road network, but the Enfield Intermodal Terminal will see this area continue to transform,” said Edge.
Investors are still active in the inner and outer areas of Sydney’s industrial market, explains CBRE Research, with institutional investors and property trusts looking for passive plays. This is often traditional assets with long term leases around the main ring roads of the M4, M5 and M7, explains CBRE senior director of industrial investments Angus Klem.
“There continues to be a strong investment focus on assets within Sydney’s infrastructure-laden areas.”
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Sydney's lack of pre-lease industrial opportunities sees infill demand uptick

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Investors who lost a total of about $27 million when the investment fund Wickham Securities collapsed have gained access to internal financial documents that will assist in determining whether to pursue any class action against Wickham’s trustee company Sandhurst Trustees. 
The Federal Court recently ruled the investors should have access to hard copy documents contained in 11 lever arch folders along with an electronic folder of documents with 561MB of data.
On 21 December 2012, Grant Sparks and David Leigh of PPB Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Wickham by a resolution of the directors.
Mostly self-funded retirees had invested around $27 million in the mortgage lender through $1 unsecured deposit notes promising returns of 9.25% prior to its collapse.
Wickham had raised $38,848,471 through the issue of notes under its first five prospectuses.
The aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding was $22,096,890.
The profit for the year ending 30 June 2010 was given as $3,245. The 30 June 2009 profit was $157,711.
In January 2013, the first meeting of creditors of Wickham was held. Sandhurst, representing the noteholders, attended the first meeting of creditors.
The preliminary investigations by the administrators identified a number of “significant issues”.
Firstly the directors had “not accurately [reported] the position and quality of [Wickham’s] loan portfolio” to Sandhurst since at least August 2010 when receivers and managers were appointed to a borrower called WLP Pty Ltd.
Secondly Wickham provided Sandhurst with an “Account Balance Confirmation letter” advising that the balance of Wickham’s “Application Account” was $10,779,835.00 as at 30 November 2012 when the actual balance at that date was $264,892. 
The balance of the Application Account was overstated by $10,514,943.00. 
The administrators expressed this view: “It is our view that this confirmation letter has been fabricated”. 
The administrators also say that their investigations indicate that an account balance of $10,779,835.00 did not exist at any time in the 12 month period prior to Wickham’s letter to Sandhurst confirming that account balance.
Thirdly although the prospectus issued by Wickham dated 15 December 2010 was open for 13 months, Wickham’s records indicate that it continued to accept amounts from noteholders after the closing date of 14 January 2012. The contributions beyond the closing date amount to $1,962,500.
The administrators observed that their investigations revealed that Wickham provided Sandhurst with a schedule disclosing 21 loans totalling $28,181,010 as at 30 June 2012. 
The administrators say that they have identified another loan file where the debt was not reported to Sandhurst as at 30 June 2012. 
The administrators estimated in their preliminary report a range of “gross realisations” that might occur from the loan portfolio as $1,738,000.00 as the low estimate and $6,265,500.00 as the upper estimate with the book value of the loan portfolio recorded as $28,180,010.00 in respect of 22 loans.
The administrators set out a schedule which said that of those loans, three were supported by first mortgage  security; five by second mortgage security; three loans were not supported by any available loan file; seven of the loans were made to entities in respect of which receivers and managers had been appointed to the borrower, and in respect of four loans, the borrower was in liquidation or had become a deregistered company.
The administrators also noted aspects of the loan criteria. They note that loan terms for loans made prior to 9 July 2006 were to be no more than 12 months and loan terms after that date no more than 24 months. The maximum loan to valuation ratio was to be 85% with valuations less than six months old at the time of a loan approval.
Wickham recorded total noteholder liabilities of $27,671,014.
The estimated gross return on the loan portfolio was 6c to 22c in each dollar before taking account of the costs of recovering the loans, legal fees and the costs and expenses of the administrators.
The majority of Wickham investors are from Queensland, many knowing two of Wickham’s directors, Brad Sherwin and his brother-in-law Peter Siemons.
In 2013 ASIC took action in the Federal Court against Sherwin and entities related to him for freezing orders.
 
ASIC <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/wickham-securities-auditor-accepts-asic-life-ban-as-nab-seeks-to-repossess-founder-bradley-sherwins-wooloowin-house/2013062762789" target="_blank">cancelled the registration of Wickham Securities auditor Brian Kingston</a> for undertaking "inferior work" and "failing ins his job" and banned him for life.
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Wickham Securities investors win access to internal collapse financial documents

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GUEST OBSERVATION
From a single collaborative workspace in San Francisco in 2005, coworking has ballooned into a popular movement, with an estimated 3,000 spaces around the world.
Tim Butcher and Julian Waters-Lynch explain how the principles of coworking also offer advantages for big businesses, as well as for freelancers and individuals.
{qtube vid:=XB7zxBHRfho}
Julian Waters-Lynch is a PhD Candidate at <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank">RMIT University</a>. Julian is a member and previous employee of Hub Australia.
Tim Butcher is senior lecturer, School of Management at <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank">RMIT University.</a> Tim is a Hub Melbourne member.
This video is a co-production between <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/" target="_blank">SBS World News</a> and The Conversation.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/27443/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1"> This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

VIDEO: Coworking – the benefits of collaborative workspaces

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Agent: Dave Reardon<img src="/images/2014/06/11/reardon-profile-june-11.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
POSITION: Managing director
COMPANY: LJ Hooker Commerical
Office location: Penrith
How long have you been in the industry? 
I graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Land Economy) in 1991 and from there I started in commercial real estate in 1996 up until now.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in? 
Things are on the move in our area. Property is finally starting to sell after the global financial crisis. Sustained low interest rates, changing government and a positive property environment have led to businesses looking to take advantage of the affordable properties.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold. 
The most interesting property I have sold was a huge parcel of industrial land. After selling the land I was then involved with the subdivision and from there the sale of the 33 blocks of land.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job? 
Be persistent, don’t give up and specialise in an area for a long time – it will pay off.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
I deal with business people every day and this helps me improve as a business owner as well.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000? 
I would invest it across a few different assets – shares, property and pay off debt.
Which football team do you support? 
Penrith Panthers (who are sitting at the top of the ladder now) and the Wallabies.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget? 
iPhone.
How do you use social media? 
I only use it on a personal level. I don’t use it for work at this point.
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In profile: LJ Hooker Commercial Penrith's managing director, Dave Reardon

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As stories go, there won’t be many bigger this year than the offshore investors who appear to be buying Australian real estate without Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval.
Back in March 2014 I wrote: <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-end-of-the-great-chinese-property-splurge">The end of the great Chinese property splurge?</a>. This was gathering momentum as I heard that the federal government was about to announce an inquiry headed by federal MP Kelly O’Dwyer – probing offshore sales in Australia. In fairness I have watched this for quite a few years now and it was just not adding up – well not until now anyway.
The House of Representatives economic committee report has suggested that lawyers and relatives have been provided a passageway that bypasses FIRB approval as foreign investors believe the $85,000 fine for such a breach is simply the “cost of doing business in Australia”. It should be noted that since 2010 there have been no prosecutions, which is understandable as prior to this inquiry the government had absolutely no idea that this new Australian real estate acquisition method actually existed, let alone had become widespread.
Over the past 48 hours we are starting to get a clearer picture –<a href="/news/firb-powerless-to-identify-or-stop-illegal-residential-purchases-as-chinese-investment-surges"> FIRB powerless to identify or stop illegal residential purchasers, as Chinese investment surges.</a> 
This is not the first time the federal government has been found wanting. I remember back in the early 1990s when the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) wrote to every real estate agency in Australia demanding a comprehensive list of every landlord transaction, rents received, tenants names, full disbursements together with every sale we had made dating back five years (the government back then was then moving into the computer era.)
There are a number of interesting points that I have observed in recent times; the first of which is that each and every property enquiry is actually home-grown. The suggestion that Chinese buyers are looking at China’s largest international property website <a href="https://list.juwai.com/?ag_kwid=504-3-1d922c23cb56ad27.0b2639f826f4bfa3&amp;gclid=CjgKEAjwn-WcBRD61NHM-uqDrm4SJADrP4tPf9IcWh5ZVBKDht7Df4L3GWPa66SNUdaaWJ-tGCWYC_D_BwE" target="_blank" title="Juwai">Juwai</a> simply does not stack-up. We have been paid subscribers to the Juwai website for a few years now and have never yet received a single enquiry – I have also spoken to a number of other agents/agencies who all say the very same.
To try and put this into perspective it’s vital we look at exactly what’s happening here given some agencies have spruiked that such an overseas market exists when the vast majority all confirm the actual contact comes from residents here in Australia – via the Australian property portals. I am yet to speak to an agent who has received an enquiry from a Chinese property portal so that should dispel that myth of where vendors should be redirecting advertising monies.
Another factor that requires consideration is that earlier in 2014 the Canadian government immediately axed its 28 year old visa scheme designed to attract wealthy foreigners to the country. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. However, Treasury advised the Inquiry that there is currently a surge in applications – 10,244 in the nine months to March 2014, compared with 6,567 in the entire 2012/13 year. When you’re buying a multimillion dollar home a fine of just $85,000 is insignificant when one looks at the big picture.
Given these recent revelations, many would now argue the fine should be a proportion of the purchase price, should the Abbott government decide to act on these revelations.
<a href="https://www.rwm.com.au/files/2014/06/12-06-2014-11-38-49-AM.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21002" src="https://www.rwm.com.au/files/2014/06/12-06-2014-11-38-49-AM.jpg" alt="12-06-2014 11-38-49 AM" width="567" height="357"></a>
Yesterday the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that Australian house prices are among the top five most expensive in the world. This leads me to another observation.
Following “the recession we had to have” in the early 1990s we saw the emergence of a powerhouse new business model that drove our property markets through to the global financial crisis (GFC) – namely merchant banks.
Over the period of the GFC top-end property values dropped by up to 30% given the bankers were effectively removed from the property markets. In the interim we did see an accelerated entry into the prestige property markets by the mining fraternity albeit quick. The banks have re-calibrated and back into a better space in terms of profitability although there is serious doubt they will again dominate these markets again.
It has become very clear that the emerging new player in our top-end property markets has been the Chinese and up until now we all believed this was through the correct government channels. No doubt the vast majority did follow this process, but following what has been revealed in this inquiry the government now must fully investigate this matter.
I don’t believe the overseas investors are the main reason why we have seen a total collapse of first home buyers in Australia. Whilst they are an obvious contributing factor, we are forgetting that we are seeing unprecedented low interest rates where local and overseas investors have taken full control of this market demographic.
With governments across Australia now focused on building new infrastructure it is imperative that as a result of this inquiry a full investigation is launched immediately, as infrastructure drives property markets.
Last week the Premier Mike Baird announced that next week’s NSW budget will reveal a billion dollar plan to <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/north-shore/nsw-premier-mike-baird-confirms-a-military-rd-tunnel-is-the-best-solution-to-daily-traffic-woes-for-sydneys-north/story-fngr8h9d-1226950408944" target="_blank">overhaul Spit and Military Roads</a>. Now nothing has happened to these areas since they started construction on the Spit Bridge in 1952. The northern beaches are easily the most under-valued prime real estate in Australia because of this antiquated transport system. A vastly improved transport infrastructure would in all probability see top-end property prices potentially escalate by as much as fifty (50)%.
Based on this announcement this is the next Sydney boom area so it would be nice to see that those investing into these markets are 100% approved by the Australian government.
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