The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Airbnb

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South Australia’s economy got a $38 million economic boost from Airbnb in the 2016 financial year, with guests on the shared accommodation platform spending more than the average tourist, according to research from Deloitte Access Economics.
The report noted that 64,100 guests were booked in for 109,000 nights in Adelaide and regional towns across the state through Airbnb. The spurt to tourism supported more than 400 jobs in addition to the activities of hosts. 
Airbnb guests contributed $38 million to South Australia’s economy (Gross State Product) in the in 2015-16 financial year, according to the report titled Economic effects of Airbnb in Australia, South Australia. 
Survey data showed that its guests spend more than the average tourist, with Airbnb guests spending $237 per night on average, and general overnight visitors spending $146 per night.
The report noted that one of the drivers of Airbnb growth has been creating lower cost accommodation options.
“We estimate a cost saving of around $26 million in 2015-16 for guests staying in Sydney who might otherwise have stayed in traditional accommodation,” said the report’s authors.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/07/17/AirbnbSA.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/07/17/AirbnbSA.png" alt="">
Hosts in the state earned a median income of $4390 for the 12-month period, it said.
And the platform seems to be ever popular, with the average star rating for Airbnb listings across South Australia being 4.7 out of 5.
And its popularity is not limited to cities. A recent survey released by the peer-to-peer accommodation platform showed that more than half of its bookings in Australia are now for stays in country towns or coastal ­resorts.
Since launching in 2012, Airbnb has facilitated over 1.3 million short stays in Australian cities and more than 150 million guests, including over 2.5 million Australian guests, are currently on the platform, it said.
The report said Airbnb can also assist the government in meeting another key objective of Tourism 2020 – increasing overnight spend to $140 billion by 2020. As at February 2017, tourism expenditure had tracked 38 per cent towards the upper bound Tourism 2020 goal.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Airbnb injected $38 million into SA economy in 2015-16: Deloitte research

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Strata by-laws that impose restrictions on short-term letting, including Airbnb, in residential-only Sydney apartment blocks are invalid and only councils have the authority to take these steps, according to NSW Fair Trading.
The watchdog has modified its Strata Living handbook to warn strata committees and owners corporations that they can’t pass by-laws restricting holiday letting just weeks before a discussion paper on new holiday letting legislation is released. 
“Section 139 (2) of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 states that no by-law can prohibit or restrict the devolution of a lot or a transfer, lease, mortgage or other dealing relating to a lot,” a Fair Trading spokesperson for Innovation and Better Regulation Minister Matthew Kean was quoted by Fairfax Media.
The statement was immediately welcomed by peer-to-peer letting platform Airbnb, which said it protected the rights of people to share their own homes.
“Strata laws prevent an owners corporation restricting an owner from letting their lot, including short-term letting,” says a recent amendment to Strata Living. 
“The only way short-term letting can be restricted is by council planning regulations,” it said.
A government spokesperson explained that this means by-laws telling owners that they must abide by local council zoning restrictions are invalid as only local councils can enforce their zoning.
By-laws supporting local zoning have been used by some strata schemes to work around the restrictions on by-laws directly banning short-term letting.
“The local council ‘owns’ the zoning regulation,” the spokesperson told Fairfax Media. “Only they can enforce it.”
Head of public policy ANZ at Airbnb, Brent Thomas added that it was unfair to “discriminate against apartment dwellers, and prevent them from participating in the sharing economy in the same way house dwellers can”. 
However, the ruling has not gone well with strata managements. Reports say local councils are receiving between zero complaints in a year to 10 a month in Sydney areas where short-term letting is most prevalent.
While the due process to turn a discussion paper into a Bill and then passed by Parliament could take a year, the ministry advised that owners can only pursue the issue of short-term letting through their local council.
A senior executive of Owners Corporation Network, which represents strata owners, Karen Stiles said the OCN was awaiting the NSW parliament amending laws to allow owners to effectively manage their communities or “we will see a summer of chaos in Sydney apartment blocks”.
“Local council engagement with this is patchy, to say the least.”
A spokesperson for City of Sydney Council – where residential letting is defined as three months or more – denied that they have backed off from pursuing non-compliant holiday lets but said they had very few complaints, two of which were currently being  pursued.
“The City carefully addresses all reports about short-term letting but has received complaints from only a small number of people,” said the spokesperson.
In contrast, Waverley Council – which covers Bondi Beach – receives about 10 complaints about holiday letting a month, while in Randwick there has been no council action against non-compliant short-term or holiday letting over the past summer.
A spokesperson for Woollahra Council said they had only had a handful of complaints in the past nine months but two of the properties concerned were now applying for official bed and breakfast permits.
They said the complaints were specific such as late-night noise or misuse of waste bins.
Other states have been facing similar issues as well. Last year, research by a Queensland body corporate company indicated that one in three Queensland strata residents were concerned about apartment security from Airbnb guests.
Commercial short-stay companies like Airbnb are expected to deprive the Victorian Government of more than $14 million in uncollected GST.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Strata body corporate can't stop Airbnb rentals, only local Sydney councils

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GUEST OBSERVER
Commercial short-stay companies like Airbnb will this year deprive the Victorian Government of more than $14 million in uncollected GST.
Airbnb, and similar operators, only collect GST on the 5 percent to 15 percent ‘service fee’, rather than the entire booking cost. This means the state misses out on up to 95 percent of the GST applicable under current legislation. But conversely – or perversely –, this year hosts will pick up an extra bill, with the Australian Tax Office signalling a tax crackdown on users of the app.
It’s hardly fair that Airbnb gets out of paying millions in GST, while mum and dad hosts who simply rent a room, are not only subject to income tax, but are actually being targeted by the tax office.
How on Earth can a person renting out a room in their house be considered to be running an income–producing business, while on the other hand the multinational rental company doesn’t have to pay its fair share?
Victorians are missing out on millions of dollars every year, while Airbnb’s profits continue to grow, and that’s where the focus should be.
Airbnb alone had 651,000 guests last year and grew at a rate of 116%. It’s only fair that legislation is updated to recognise the rise of this unregulated industry, so Airbnb pays its share, along with other overseas companies.
Airbnb admits other countries require the company to collect GST on the entire booking cost, so why isn’t it happening here?
The Federal Government should learn from those other countries and also require Airbnb to collect and pay its proper, fair share of GST in Australia, based on the booking fee, not just the service fee.
The industry also avoids commercial rates from being imposed by local Councils, by relying on their land use activity being classified as a residential activity.
Come on – Airbnb is not a residential activity, it’s a business activity, and a loud, disruptive, unregulated and unfair one at that.
A Parliamentary Committee examining the commercial short-stay industry has heard a range of submissions, calling for Airbnb, and similar overseas companies, to pay GST and other taxes.
The Committee has also made a series of recommendations to the Victorian Government, including that it:
• Considers that the current proposed legislation is unfair to residents and should be reworked. • Works with Victoria Police to examine safety issues in residential complexes with short-stay activity. • Works with Victoria Police to consider establishing protocols to manage violent and disruptive incidents. • Reviews the regulatory imbalance between the short-stay and traditional accommodation sectors. • Investigates costs and benefits of introducing a registration and compliance framework for commercialresidential short-stay accommodation (where properties are listed as short-stays for more than 90 days).
We Live Here is a growing movement of residents from across Victoria, dealing with significant detrimental impacts due to the rapid, unregulated rise of the commercial short stay industry.
The concerns relate to safety and security, higher maintenance costs due to increased wear and tear, and disruption through ‘party houses’.
We have been encouraged by the level of support we are receiving across the state, from people who share our concerns
Residents from more than 200 buildings have joined We Live Here, along with locals from suburbs, and towns, across the state.
Clearly, the government needs to act on these concerns and bring legislation into line for this massive industry. We need a solution which puts residents, businesses and the tourism industry on a level playing field.
Ensuring these giant overseas companies pay their fair share of tax on the millions they make in Victoria, is just one of many issues that require urgent attention, when it comes to the commercial short-stay industry.
Marshall Delves is from <a href="https://www.welivehere.net" target="_blank">We Live Here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Airbnb escapes tax time crackdown, but mum & dad hosts left with a bill: Marshall Delves

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Airbnb is not just a city phenomenon, with a recent survey released by the peer-to-peer accommodation platform showing that more than half of its bookings in Australia are now for stays in country towns or coastal ­resorts.
Australia is the only major country in the world where ­regional Airbnb stays surpassed city bookings last year, according to a report in The Australian.
Regional stays comprised 56 per cent, or 1.7 million guest ­arrivals, last year, the survey said.
Popular regional destinations included Cairns, Noosa and the Gold Coast in Queensland, Byron Bay in NSW, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Robe, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, according to The Australian.
Regional Australian getaways are more popular with locals, who take mini-breaks during long weekends to head out to the country and book a stay through Airbnb, unlike the trend in cities where it’s mostly foreign visitors.
Meanwhile, Airbnb continues its march in Sydney, with entire home listings expected to grow to 44,000 following an announcement by the NSW government that it supports short-term letting in state, short-term rental management service MadeComfy said recently.
As an illustration of the popularity of the platform in regional Australia, an entire cabin '<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/7042427?location=Kangaroo%20Island%2C%20South%20Australia&amp;s=oDY6G4ID#neighborhood" target="_blank">The Dolls House</a>' in the township of Kingscote in Kangaroo Island is available for $85 a night. The cabin has all amenities like kitchen, shower and toilet etc. 
The ad has 85 reviews.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/07/05/Dolls1.jpg" alt=""> 
Property Observer also found a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4874403?location=Byron%20Bay%2C%20New%20South%20Wales&amp;s=-GrnLeIw%20" target="_blank">bungalow in Byron Bay</a> in NSW that is close to the beaches. The entire home can be rented out for $115 per night.
According to host Lainie, the bush setting is only a few minutes drive from the beaches.  
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/07/05/Byron.jpg" alt="">
 
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Airbnb bookings in regional Australia surpass cities

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The growth of Airbnb listings is anticipated to see 44,000 entire home Airbnb listings in Sydney by the end of 2017, following an announcement by the NSW government that it supports short-term letting in state.
According to professional short-term rental management service MadeComfy, the declaration provided a clear direction from which homeowners and property investors can continue to let their property on platforms such as Airbnb, and will allow for a year-on-year growth of 85%.
There were 24,000 entire home listings in Sydney on Airbnb at the end of 2016 which is expected to grow to 44,000 by the end of 2017, it said.
The assessment also takes into account that of Sydney’s almost 2 million properties, only 1.2% have been listed on Airbnb at some stage, suggesting there is still room for growth, however, represents only a small proportion of Sydney’s rental market.
The Sydney-based business believes that the Airbnb market will not likely to see an influx of owners listing on the booking platform, but rather take confidence they can continue to do so with more clarity around their rights and responsibilities.
The government announced on April 19 that it accepted nine out of the 12 recommendations proposed by a report that was tabled by a Parliamentary Inquiry into the adequacy of regulation of short-term holiday letting in October 2016. 
It is now seeking further consultation with stakeholders before releasing an options paper on the potential approaches to regulating the short-term rental market.
MadeComfy said on its blog that the step provides much-needed “direction from which homeowners and property investors can continue to let their property on platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz”. 
MadeComfy co-founder Sabrina Bethunin remarked that the renewed support by the NSW government will hopefully result in short-term rentals being a viable option for every homeowner without fear of legal or financial penalties.
“In addition to that, with the median property price in Sydney having reached over 1 million dollars, households are dedicating an average of 44 per cent of their income to service their mortgages,” she said. 
“It means Sydneysiders are considered under ‘mortgage stress’ as they are devoting more than 30 per cent of their income to mortgage repayments. Either by renting a spare room or the whole property when it’s not utilised, for many homeowners, Airbnb and similar platforms provide a means to obtain an income to help cover their mortgage repayments or afford their holidays.”
MadeComfy said a key aspect of future regulation of short-term rentals in NSW would be the state’s response to how it can be undertaken in strata-managed buildings as clear guidelines were missing in its April announcement. 
It is also partnering with building strata managers to provide the professional support needed to mitigate the concerns voiced by the Owners Corporation Network (OCN). A key concern of the OCN was the harmony of guests and residents within shared building environments. 
“Until regulations are legislated, we advise that all owners should adhere to their building by-laws in terms of whether short-term letting is permitted or not,” it said in a blog posting. 
In order to address these issues, MadeComfy said it was seeking to introduce its guest screening process prior to accepting a booking, as well as enforcing strict house rules such as a no party policy and maximum occupant numbers.
The criteria is designed to mitigate against any unruly guest behaviour, providing strata managers and residents with confidence short-term rentals will be managed without negative effects in their building.
Last year, Archers the Strata Professionals had reported that one in three Queensland strata residents were concerned about apartment security from Airbnb guests.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney Airbnb listings to keep up sharp growth in wake of NSW government's support: MadeComfy 

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A leading smoke alarm supplier has expressed concerns that hosts on Airbnb may not be aware of strict smoke alarm rules that may apply to them. 
Whilst the next trend for hospitality is so new that providers have not considered hospitality law as applying to them.
Smoke Alarm Solutions’ Australia and New Zealand sales and marketing director, Julieanne Worchurst, said state legislation differs, but home owners offering Airbnb accommodation need to ensure they are not only aware of applicable federal and state-based smoke alarm legislation, but also ensure their property complies.
“Although the jury is still out as to whether Aribnb hosts qualify as landlords or not, it is imperative to ensure their property’s fire detection system is working and compliant to specifications set out in the Building Code of Australia, which concerns all Australian properties,” Worchust said.
“Regardless of whether you are a home owner or a landlord, each smoke alarm installed in your property needs to be operational and the system needs to comply with federal legislation,” she said.
She said it was the responsibility of the home owner to ensure smoke alarms were compliant before having someone stay at the property. 
“Queensland has very stringent new smoke alarm legislation for brand new properties (with a development approval after January 1 2017); including the fact that photoelectric, 240 volt interconnected smoke alarms need to be installed in each sleeping place.”
Last year, it held a workshop for Queensland property managers outlining the new state smoke alarm legislation, which was passed in August 2016.
SAS supplies, installs and services smoke alarms in more than 262,000 Australian homes and claims it has the largest field service capability in the industry.
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Airbnb hosts may be unaware of strict smoke alarm rules: SAS

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The accommodation platform Airbnb is keeping the Hobart housing market "robust”, according to the chief executive of Tasmania's second biggest lender, MyState Bank.
Melos Sulicich said investors were listing their properties on Airbnb because of a lack of hotel accommodation, The Australian Financial Review reported.
"There's a lot of apartments and small housing rentals going onto Airbnb [and because of this] there's a shortage of long-term rental accommodation," Sulicich was quoted by the AFR.
The Central Hobart vacancy rate has fallen from about two per cent to just 0.6 percent over the past two years, pushing up annual rents by four per cent for houses and 12 per cent for apartments, according to data compiled by SQM Research.
Searches on Airbnb show more than 300 properties available for rent on Airbnb across greater Hobart. According to analytics firm Airdna, which analyses Airbnb data, there are 111 properties for rent in Central Hobart, up from 96 a year ago with 84 being entire homes or apartments.
A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4386251?location=Hobart%2C%20Australia&amp;s=ldgAtSGr" target="_blank">studio in West Hobart</a> is up for rent for $80 a night. The ad says it has its own courtyard and access and is close to the city.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/15/Hobart1.jpg" alt="">
Another <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2919585?guests=2&amp;adults=2&amp;location=Hobart%2C%20Australia&amp;s=eAyRkUfI" target="_blank">one-bedroom house</a> with garden was advertised for $195 per night in Hobart’s Battery Point suburb.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/06/15/Hobart2.jpg" alt=""> 
Hobart was experiencing a pent up demand from the increased tourism - the latest ABS figures show international visitor nights up 20 percent - to match the new supply, Sulicich said.
The development pipeline includes a number of hotels in Hobart and across Tasmania, but Sulicich doesn’t expect a big impact on the housing market when these hotels open.
He also brushed off the most recent CoreLogic housing data for May, which showed a 4.8 percent drop in dwelling values in Hobart to a median of $350,000, after values had risen 10.2 percent over the previous 12 months.
The fall reflected the "law of small numbers" (referring to the size and volatility of the market) rather than any sign of a major correction in Hobart house prices, Sulicich said.
MyState, whose loan book from Tasmania makes more than half of its total of more than $4 billion, was seeing similar levels of mortgage growth, Sulicich said.
Sulicich said Tasmania was heavily dominated by owner-occupiers which accounted for 80 percent of its borrowers.
 
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Hobart housing market 'robust', with Airbnb's help: MyState Bank chief

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A Perth accomodation host has lost a court battle to be allowed to let his Rivervale apartment to short-term tenants through Airbnb, raising questions about the future of the private accomodation platform in the city. 
The Court of Appeal last week dismissed Ceresa River apartment owner James Byrne's case that he should be entitled to sub-lease his home to visitors, sometimes for just days at a time, reported the WA Today.
The court upheld the Supreme Court of WA's original decision from May 2016 that his apartment strata had a by-law which prohibited letting an apartment for short term stays.
Many apartment complexes in Perth have by-laws which prefer residential tenants over short-stay visitors.
"There's no doubt that short-stay letting in residential buildings creates a high degree of angst for those who call the complex home,” Strata Community Australia WA president Scott Bellerby was quoted as saying by www.watoday.com.au.
"This case is being used to provide direction to the strata industry on a matter that is becoming more and more prevalent as short-stay letting increases in and around Perth," he said.
 The dismissal of this appeal, at least for now, provides some confidence to owners that the implementation of appropriate by-laws can help them to effectively manage this issue."
Property owners within a strata wanting to rent out using Airbnb would likely have to apply to introduce a short-stay clause into the building's by-laws, he added.
Sydney and Perth have been listed in the top 10 cities worldwide to make an income using services like Airbnb.
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Perth unit owner loses battle to rent out using Airbnb

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Sydney is ranked the second highest city to recoup investment on a home using a peer to peer rental service like Homeaway or Airbnb with an expected yearly return of 11.96 percent.
A study by peer-to-peer motorhome rental platform SHAREaCAMPER found Frankfurt, Germany, is the best city to pay off a home using a peer-to-peer rental, with 13.48 percent expected yearly return.
The study ranked 31 cities by analysing the ratio of market to P2P rental prices, including any fees paid by the owner, for more than one thousand homes per city. Cities were ranked by a grand total of the time needed to recoup investments, based on the return of investment percentage, according to the occupancy rate.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-13%20at%2010.39.12%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-13%20at%2010.39.12%20AM.png" alt="">
SHAREaCAMPER CEO Florian Dahlmann said the sharing economy offers great individual experiences as well as flexibility.
"With peer to peer rental, people can make memories in the home they’ve always dreamed of owning," he said.
"Similarly, everyday people can pay off investments simply by renting out underused assets.
“The biggest lesson of our research is that you don’t need to charge exorbitant rental rates to pay off your investment.
"We are huge fans of win-win situations like this and we hope this research encourages development in more hesitant markets."
"Sydney placed second for ROI on P2P home rental with a projected 11.96 percent adjusted rate of yearly return.
"Boston had the lowest ROI followed by Paris and San Francisco."
A Perth accomodation host has lost a court battle to be allowed to let his Rivervale apartment to short-term tenants through Airbnb.
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Sydney, Perth top 10 worldwide to make an income using services like Airbnb

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There are Airbnb properties with some odd qualities. Property Observer looks at six of them:
1. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/7042427?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=KJXy1ujm" target="_blank">Dollhouse</a> at Kingscote, South Australia is a historic cabin in the heart of town.
It features a loft bedroom with a queen bed, kitchen downstairs and lounge and other amenities.
It is available from $85 per night.
2. A one bedroom unit shaped like <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1602856?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=CFeeFIKz" target="_blank">an igloo</a> at Trinity Beach, Queensland is set around an octagonal swimming pool with Trinity Beach just a short walk away.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/23/Airbnb-2.jpg" alt="">
It is available for $115 per night
3. A one bedroom home called <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/999067?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=CFeeFIKz" target="_blank">the Stable</a> at Richmond, Victoria is named because a stable had been renovated to become a home.
One guest stated, "The Stables were great. Close to public transport and close enough to the city to pop in and out.
The place was adorable and exactly what it looks like in the pictures"
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/23/Airbnb-3.jpg" alt="">
It is available for $101 per night.
4. A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4647524?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=CFeeFIKz" target="_blank">1920s tram</a> has been converted into a four bedroom home at Lauriston, Victoria for $340 per night.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/23/Airbnb-4.jpg" alt="">
5. A small house in the shape of an <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1483865?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=CFeeFIKz" target="_blank">alpine tent</a> in an isolated area is available at Myrrhee, Victoria for $120 per night.
One guest stated, "Fantastic secluded, friendly atmosphere Views are breathtaking Glamping rocks Cant recommend enough."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/23/Airbnb-5.jpg" alt="">
6. A four bedroom <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/6565539?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;children=0&amp;infants=0&amp;s=8cnhUSXX" target="_blank">heritage-listed church</a> at Brisbane, Queensland is available for $290 per night.
One guest stated, "Our stay at the Old Church met and exceeded all expectations.
Such a great, historic site to accomodate us whilst enjoying our time in Brisbane."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/01/23/Airbnb-6.jpg" alt="">
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