The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Australia

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Purchasing property in Australia might be a little easier than you think, thanks to the financial assistance provided by a decent selection of First Home Owner Grants available across Australia. While the grants could be colloquially deemed “free money”, there is a list of requirements you must meet for the sake of eligibility, but once your grant has been approved you’ll be well on your way to securing your first home in no time.

To break down the extent that a grant could actually help you, consider purchasing an <a href="/news/wa/5-perth-apartments-under-385k">off-the-plan apartment for $300,000</a>. With a low deposit home loan of 5%, you’d need to come up with a deposit of $15,000. Take $10,000* off that amount provided by a First Home Buyer Grant, and you’re left with just $5,000 to pay from your own savings.

*Based off of grants offered in some states.

Find out which grant will help you based on which state you live in, by referring to our state-specific list:

<h2>VICTORIA</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/melbourneconventionbureau_melbourne_yarra_night_d5f1d5f3-8775-449b-a6a1-ea715d0d5690.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Melbourne Convention Bureau"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="232" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/melbourneconventionbureau_melbourne_yarra_night_d5f1d5f3-8775-449b-a6a1-ea715d0d5690.jpg?itok=w5HrW-sT" title="Credit: Melbourne Convention Bureau" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.melbournecb.com.au/why-melbourne/">Melbourne Convention Bureau</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 if purchasing property within the city, and $20,000 for regional Victorian properties valued up to $750,000</li>
	<li>First Home Buyer Duty Reduction of stamp duty fees up to 50% if the house is worth up to $600,000</li>
	<li>Principal Place of Residence (PPR) stamp duty concession for primary dwelling homes worth up to $550,000 </li>
	<li>First Home Buyers with Family (at least one child) stamp duty concession on homes valued up to $200,000</li>
	<li>Off-the-plan stamp duty concession </li>
	<li>Young farmers concession, for those purchasing their first farmland</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>QUEENSLAND</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/d351-1600x670-brisbane-story-bridge-136310-2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Tourism Queensland"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="243" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/d351-1600x670-brisbane-story-bridge-136310-2.jpg?itok=GfiOigeS" title="Credit: Tourism Queensland" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.queensland.com/">Tourism Queensland</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Queensland First Home Owners Grant offers $15,000 for first home buyers who are buying or building a new house, unit or townhome valued up to $750,000</li>
	<li>If your contract was signed between 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2018 you could be eligible for $20,000</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>NEW SOUTH WALES</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/5104226627001_5232364726001_5203603568001-vs.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Lonely Planet"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="345" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/5104226627001_5232364726001_5203603568001-vs.jpg?itok=buNlkvto" title="Credit: Lonely Planet" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/sydney">Lonely Planet</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>$10,000 First Home Owner Grant for builders of new homes up to $750,000, and purchases of new homes up to $600,000</li>
	<li>Stamp duty relief for all homes up to $650,000 </li>
	<li>Reduced stamp duty fees for homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000</li>
	<li>No insurance duty on Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI)</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/canberra.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Smart Company"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="286" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/canberra.jpg?itok=5AoLWW1w" title="Credit: Smart Company" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/economy/canberra-leading-the-small-business-charge/">Smart Company</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>First Home Owner Grant of $7,000 for new, substantially renovated or off-the-plan properties up to $750,000</li>
	<li>Ability to defer stamp duty payment if eligible for the First Home Owner Grant</li>
	<li>From 1 July 2019, the First Home Owner Grant will change to a <a href="https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/home-buyer-concession-scheme/home-buyer-concessions-from-1-July-2019">Home Buyer Concession Scheme</a> where buyers can be eligible for a stamp duty exemption if they meet certain criteria</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>NORTHERN TERRITORIES</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/aerial-darwin-72_5437-1080x675.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Broadcast Australia"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aerial-darwin-72_5437-1080x675.jpg?itok=DoZSdgVZ" title="Credit: Broadcast Australia" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.broadcastaustralia.com.au/dab-digital-radio-now-live-darwin/">Broadcast Australia</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>From 7 May 2019, if you’re buying or building new, you could be eligible for a First Home Owner Grant of $10,000</li>
	<li>You may also be eligible for the <a href="https://nt.gov.au/property/home-owner-assistance/buildbonus-grant">BuildBonus</a> grant of $20,000 which is limited to 600 applications only</li>
	<li>
<a href="https://nt.gov.au/property/home-owner-assistance/territory-home-owner-discount">Territory Home Owner Discount</a> is a stamp duty concession of $18,601 available to those buying an established home, new home or land to build a new home in the Northern Territory</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>TASMANIA</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/tasmania.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Discover Tasmania"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="237" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tasmania.jpg?itok=t5yOgcd6" title="Credit: Discover Tasmania" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/">Discover Tasmania</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>First Home Owner Grant of $20,000 for those who meet certain criteria will be available up until 30 June 2020</li>
	<li>For eligible grant applications from 1 July 2020 onwards, the amount awarded will be $10,000</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>WESTERN AUSTRALIA</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/perth-skyline-night-720x405.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: Curtin University"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/perth-skyline-night-720x405.jpg?itok=gd4Rd-Nr" title="Credit: Curtin University" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/curtin-life/living-in-perth-and-wa/">Curtin University</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 for new builds valued up to $750,000 within the Perth metropolitan area</li>
	<li>First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 for new builds valued up to $1 million, north of the Perth metropolitan area</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>SOUTH AUSTRALIA</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/adelaide.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Credit: City of Adelaide"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/adelaide.jpg?itok=9IQpipT2" title="Credit: City of Adelaide" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Credit: <a href="https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/">City of Adelaide</a></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>$15,000 for new residential dwellings up to $575,000 (you must live in the property for at least 6 months in the first year to be eligible)</li>
	<li>Off-the-plan concession on stamp up to $21,330 for eligible contracts entered between 31 May 2012 to 30 June 2018</li>
	<li>Other grants of up to $7,000 are available for existing homes </li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>FIRST HOME OWNER GRANT (FHOG) RULES </h2>

Some of the rules that can be associated with these grants include a minimum age (often 18-years-old), at least one of the purchasers must hold Australian citizenship and it must be the first home bought by the purchaser and their spouse. Head to the website of your municipal government to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

<hr>
<h2>OTHER INCENTIVES TO NOTE:</h2>

<a href="/developers/geocon-group">Geocon’s</a> <a href="https://geocon.com.au/projects/residential/republic/">End Of Financial Year Property Bonus</a>: Geocon is offering a deal where you can buy a Republic apartment for $1,000 and Geocon will pay the remaining 5% deposit, up to $50,000*.

*Only 3 weeks left and Terms &amp; Conditions apply.

<a href="https://tullamoreapartments.mirvac.com/news-and-events/News/mirvac-matches-first-home-owner-grant">Mirvac</a> is offering pre-qualified first home buyers the opportunity to purchase an apartment with a 5% deposit. Mirvac will also match the government’s first home owner grant on selected 2-bedroom Tullamore apartments.

<a href="http://www.dkaproperty.com.au/special-offers">DKA Property</a> is providing buyers with financial assistance towards covering the first year’s strata levies cost to the value of $1,000.

Plantation Homes are offering free, no-obligation consultation preliminary finance qualification so buyers can find out what they can afford.

Caydon are offering to boost first home buyer deposits by $20,000 when purchasing one of their Malt District apartments. This may be used in conjunction with the First Home Buyer Grant.

Some off-the-plan sales are also able to be negotiated, so you can significantly reduce your purchase price by placing a low ball offer.

It is, however, important to weigh up your options when purchasing your first home, and although a property may be financially viable (and look good on paper) you'll want to ensure it meets your needs in terms of look and feel; location; amenity offering; quality; and champions timeless modern design.

<hr>
Sources:  <a href="http://https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/first-home-owner">State Revenue Office Victoria</a> | <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/financial-help-concessions/qld-first-home-grant/apply-first-home-grant%C2%A0">QLD.GOVT.AU</a> | <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/first-home-buyers/">NSW.GOVT.AU</a> | <a href="https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/first-home-owner-grant">Revenue ACT</a> | <a href="https://nt.gov.au/property/home-owner-assistance/first-home-owners/first-home-owner-grant">NT.GOVT.AU</a> | <a href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/first-home-owner-grant">State Revenue Office of Tasmania</a> | <a href="https://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/State_Revenue/FHOG/About_the_First_Home_Owner_Grant.aspx">Finance Western Australia</a> | <a href="https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/grants-and-concessions/first-home-owners">Revenue South Australia</a>

Disclaimer: While Urban strives to provide accurate content, we do advise that readers undertake their own research and to only use our findings as a guide. 
</body></html>

Olivia Round

How to navigate Australia's First Home Buyer Grants

<html><body>
Bank Australia is due to assist in delivering the Sustainable Australia Fund, which will expand an original Melbourne-centric finance model to a national scale, to include NSW and South Australia. The fund provides businesses with upfront capital to make environmentally conscious upgrades to their buildings.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/saf.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="218" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/saf.png?itok=GyjVbhFd" width="580"></a></figure>The original Sustainable Melbourne Fund was established by Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood 17 years ago with a goal to drive business innovation, reduce emissions and mitigate climate change impacts by the private sector. The City of Melbourne has agreed to divest from the scheme to allow it to grow to a national scale.

<blockquote>
“Our seed funding and support for the fund has unlocked more than $30 million in environmental infrastructure upgrades for Victorian businesses. This has enabled the abatement of more than 300,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions… We could not be prouder of the success of Sustainable Melbourne Fund and the outcomes it has achieved in supporting Victorian businesses create savings and environmental upgrades through access to loans, which are repaid through council rates.”
</blockquote>

- Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood

In 2010, the City of Melbourne created Australia’s first Environmental Upgrade Agreement with support from the Victorian State government. The loans have enabled Victorian businesses to offset of more than 300,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions as well as reduce energy costs due to upgraded operation infrastructure.

<blockquote>
“From the first environmental upgrade agreement signed in 2011 at 460 Collins Street, solar PV projects in a number of municipalities, to a multi-million dollar water treatment plant in regional Victoria, it’s exciting to know we’ve delivered some great results in saving money, reducing environmental impact and driving new business."
</blockquote>

- City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood

The new national initiative will provide access to an Environmental Upgrade Finance loan of up to $200 million. Businesses can apply for funding to cover a number of environmental projects, including energy, water or waste performance. The loan will then be paid back via the quarterly council rates. 

<h2>WHAT THEY SAY</h2>

<blockquote>
“We’re proud to support the launch of the Sustainable Australia Fund to enable it to expand its impact across Australia which aligns with our purpose of creating positive impact for people and the planet.”
</blockquote>

Darren Dawson, Head of Impact Finance at Bank Australia

<blockquote>
“It’s truly a testament to the success of the original goals of Sustainable Melbourne Fund that it can now expand its reach beyond the borders of Victoria.”
</blockquote>

City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood

<blockquote>
“The City of Melbourne has demonstrated tremendous leadership since 2002 in facilitating environmental infrastructure upgrades for Victorian businesses. It has supported industry and commercial properties, and more recently, agricultural businesses and farmers to upgrade their facilities through accessible loans.”
</blockquote>

Scott Bocskay, CEO of Sustainable Australia Fund

<h2>CASE STUDY</h2>

460 Collins Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/front-of-460-collins-street-e1395900264831.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="460 Collins Street. Credit: Sustainable Melbourne Fund"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/front-of-460-collins-street-e1395900264831.jpg?itok=zEn9QCwT" title="460 Collins Street. Credit: Sustainable Melbourne Fund" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>460 Collins Street. Credit: Sustainable Melbourne Fund</figcaption></figure>460 Collins Street in Melbourne was originally constructed in 1939, so in order to reach a higher level of sustainability, the building was retrofit with a highly efficient PowerPax chiller, as well as a new control system. Controllers were also fitted into the existing VAV boxes and air-handling units. This significantly reduced energy consumption from the air conditioning system resulting in an energy bill saving of $11,000 per annum, and 170 tonnes of CO2-e.

<h2>WHAT WILL BE COVERED BY THE FUND?</h2>

Building Upgrades       

Building fabric insulation upgrade

Cool roof coating

External solar shading

Green roof installation

High-performance windows

Reduce building infiltration/exfiltration

Energy source

Domestic Hot Water sustainability via technology  upgrade

Reduced carbon on-site energy source

Grid-connected renewable energy, with or without battery storage.

Solar thermal hot water

Power factor correction

Lighting

Lighting control upgrades

Lighting technology upgrade

Plant Upgrades

Drive and fan efficiency upgrades

Duct testing and sealing

Ducting and piping insulation

HVAC efficiency via control upgrade

HVAC technology upgrade

Permanent high-efficiency commercial appliances

Permanent refrigeration upgrades

Pool efficiency upgrades

Water

Blackwater system

Greywater system

Rainwater system

Water efficiency measures

<h2>COUNCILS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING EUA* APPLICATIONS</h2>

(*Environmental Upgrade Agreement)

Victoria

Baw Baw Shire Council

Brimbank City Council

Campaspe Shire Council

Cardinia Shire Council

Central Goldfields Shire

City of Greater Bendigo Council

City of Greater Geelong Council

City of Melbourne

City of Kingston

City of Monash Council

Darebin City Council

Greater Dandenong Council

Greater Shepparton Council

Hobsons Bay City Council

Horsham Rural City Council

Knox City Council

Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Maribyrnong City Council

Mildura Rural City Council

Mitchell Shire Council

Moira Shire Council

Moonee Valley Council

Moreland City Council

Mornington Peninsula Shire

Mount Alexander Shire Council

South Gippsland Shire Council

Warrnambool City Council

Wellington Shire Council

Wyndam City Shire Council

Yarra Ranges Council

New South Wales 

Blacktown City Council

Parramatta City Council

City of North Sydney

City of Sydney

South Australia 

City of Adelaide (CoA)

City of Salisbury

City of Marion

City of Onkaparinga
</body></html>

Bank Australia to support sustainable infrastructure upgrades across three states

With populations within cities&nbsp;expected to grow by an average of 50 million people per year, and today&rsquo;s greenhouse gas levels at the highest rate in 3 million years, it&rsquo;s important to focus on mitigating the effects of climate change before it&rsquo;s too late.

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Solving climate change has gone from not in our scope to being a requirement in less than 30 years.&rdquo;

-&nbsp;Shawn Fisher Hesse, International Living Future Institute Associate Director, via <a href="https://www.greenbiz.com/article/what-it-would-take-end-trickle-down-equity-buildings-and-beyond">GreenBiz</a>
</blockquote>

Building with a sustainable focus is growing in popularity as both developers and consumers are beginning to see impressive results from investing in energy-efficient building technology <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/04/we-have-the-tools-to-beat-climate-change-now-we-need-the-right-laws/">which can reduce a building&rsquo;s consumption by 30-40%</a>.

The focus on building development sustainability has led to the creation of new jobs; new policies; changes in design, engineering and construction processes; as well as new metrics and rating systems with an environmentally-centric approach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94819]

Australian architects and environmental engineers are becoming world leaders in building sustainability by pioneering new design trends and technology to achieve eco-conscious credentials. These projects are also garnering well-deserved attention from prospective buyers who consider a building with a low carbon footprint an essential factor when choosing a property.

Here are&nbsp;6 leading sustainable architectural design trends in Australia:

<h3>#1 SOLAR BALUSTRADES</h3>

Case study: The General, Melbourne

<figure><a href="/buildings/the-general-421-high-street-northcote" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="870" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/the_general_bipv.jpg?itok=6vBFFeVL" title="the general's solar balustrades" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>The General&#39;s solar balustrades</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/new-apartments/northcote-vic-3070">Northcote&rsquo;</a>s &lsquo;<a href="/buildings/the-general-421-high-street-northcote">The General</a>&rsquo; is the first building in Australia to utilise Onyx Solar photovoltaic glass on its exterior to generate sustainable solar energy. Occupying the corner section of High and Bent Streets, the glass balustrades (supplied by Environmental Technology Solutions) have been ideally positioned to make the most of excellent natural light but also provide an important layer of thermal protection year-round. Onyx solar balustrades are one of the key contributing elements which won &lsquo;the general&rsquo; it&rsquo;s impressive 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating.

Solar panel use globally:

-&nbsp;Noor (which is an Arabic word meaning &ldquo;light&rdquo;) is the largest solar farm in the world currently.&nbsp;By 2020,&nbsp;the $9 billion solar power plant is expected to generate 580 megawatts, which is enough electricity to power over a million homes.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/psyaa2jh4pzbajhkxuagz7dvxcvsrdltqknf7j-1dd8.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Noor solar farm, Morocco. Credit: REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/psyaa2jh4pzbajhkxuagz7dvxcvsrdltqknf7j-1dd8.jpg?itok=mDFoj2Mv" title="Noor solar farm, Morocco. Credit: REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Noor solar farm, Morocco. Credit: REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal</figcaption>
</figure>

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Morocco is showing real leadership and bringing the cost of the technology down in the process.&rdquo;

-&nbsp;Mafalda Duarte, the manager of Climate Investment Funds (CIF) via <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/morocco-is-building-a-solar-farm-as-big-as-paris-in-the-sahara-desert/">World Economic Forum</a>
</blockquote>

<h3>#2 ROOFTOP URBAN FARMS</h3>

Case study: Burwood Brickworks, Melbourne

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/acre1_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Urban rooftop garden. Credit: Burwood Brickworks" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/acre1_0.jpg?itok=sFXaKImh" title="Urban rooftop garden. Credit: Burwood Brickworks" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Urban rooftop garden. Credit: Burwood Brickworks</figcaption>
</figure>

As part of <a href="/developers/frasers-property">Fraser Property&rsquo;</a>s wider project &lsquo;<a href="/expert-insights/burwood-brickworks-set-to-become-the-world-s-most-sustainable-retail-development">Burwood Brickworks</a>&rsquo;, an urban farm situated atop the entire building will provide all the produce for the complex caf&eacute;. The farm will also feature systems including closed-loop technology for recycling wastewater, mulch excess organic material for compost, eliminate produce transportation by growing on site, feature rooftop solar panels as well as offsite renewable energy sources, avoid the use of worst-in-class chemicals to reduce air pollution and boast a 6 Star Green Star Community rating (this has already been obtained).

Rooftop urban farms globally:

- Brooklyn Grange, NYC

- Lufa Farms, Canada

- HK Farm, Hong Kong

- City Farm, Japan

<blockquote>
&ldquo;We built the world&rsquo;s first commercial rooftop greenhouse on an industrial building in Montreal, Quebec, to prove that high-yield, year-round farming is a smarter, more sustainable, and commercially viable way to feed cities. Since then, we&rsquo;ve built new and bigger and better rooftop greenhouses, to grow more and more vegetables.&rdquo;

- Lufa Farms
</blockquote>

Another stand-out example of the positive effects of rooftop gardens is the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) headquarters.&nbsp;

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_10.19.03_am.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Overhead and Cross-Section Schematics. Credit: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. " class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="452" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_10.19.03_am.png?itok=YkhP9YKr" title="Overhead and Cross-Section Schematics. Credit: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Overhead and Cross-Section Schematics. Credit: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.</figcaption>
</figure>

Multiple awnings across the site have been planted with lush greenery, and during a 10-month monitoring period, studies undertaken by ASLA found that the green roof <a href="https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=28758">prevented over 100,000 litres of stormwater (which is approximately 78%&nbsp;of all precipitation hitting the roof)&nbsp;from flowing into D.C.&rsquo;s overburdened sewer and stormwater system</a>. The study also discovered that run-off water contained fewer pollutants, there was a 10% decrease in building energy use over the winter, and even on the hottest summer days, the roof was around&nbsp;15&deg;C cooler than conventional roofing on neighbouring buildings.

<h3>#3 TRI GENERATION PLANT</h3>

Case study: One Central Park, Sydney

<figure><a href="/buildings/central-park-wonderland-81-oconnor-street-chippendale" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="370" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_1.06.49_pm.png?itok=qf93_E0V" title="One Central Park. Credit: Frasers Property and Sekisui House" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>One Central Park. Credit: Frasers Property and Sekisui House</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="https://www.centralparksydney.com/">One Central Park</a> raised the bar back in 2013 for green energy&nbsp;by housing its own tri-generation plant on site. The energy source will supply electricity, heating and cooling for 3,000 residences and 65,000 sqm of retail and commercial space via &lsquo;green transformers&rsquo; which are powered by natural gas. Environmental consultants and engineers have estimated a 190,000-tonne greenhouse gas emission reduction over the next 25 years which is the equivalent of removing 2,500 cars off the roads annually for 25 years.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-05_at_2.10.28_pm.png" rel="gallery-all"><img class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="334" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-05_at_2.10.28_pm.png?itok=-o4aQLIq" width="580" /></a></figure>

Tri-generation plants globally:

<ul>
	<li>PricewaterhouseCoopers, London&nbsp;</li>
	<li>DAMM&nbsp;brewery, Barcelona</li>
</ul>

<h3>#4 BLACK WATER RECYCLING</h3>

Case study: 1 Bligh Street

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/160805_blighstreet_aeriallandscape_touchup.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="1 Bligh Street. Credit: Cbus Property" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/160805_blighstreet_aeriallandscape_touchup.jpg?itok=tT5s7iFp" title="1 Bligh Street. Credit: Cbus Property" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>1 Bligh Street. Credit: Cbus Property</figcaption>
</figure>

In 2013 Sydney&rsquo;s 1 Bligh Street apartment complex was the first CBD development to house an Aquacell blackwater recycling unit. Aquacell said that the system would be likely to save 1 Bligh Street residents 100,000 litres of drinking water per day. The process involves treating bathroom wastewater (and sometimes additional water from a nearby sewer) to be used for plant irrigation, toilet flushing and cooling towers.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/online_e001_40292.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="1003" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/online_e001_40292.jpg?itok=2g_Ic_mL" width="580" /></a></figure>

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Recycled water schemes like this will ease pressure on water, energy and land as our population increases &ndash; this legislation ensures ongoing management is robust and a level playing field is achieved. Only organisations that meet the highest standards can be issued a licence which streamlines the approval process for future schemes.&rdquo;

- Aquacell CEO Colin Fisher
</blockquote>

Blackwater recycling globally:

- Goreangab recycling plant,&nbsp;Namibia.&nbsp;

As one of the first plants of it&#39;s kind, the&nbsp;50-year-old treatment centre has welcomed visitors from developed countries who are facing water shortages to see where water reclamation started. Experts from Australia, Singapore and the US have taken inspiration from visiting the centre and now all three countries&nbsp;have their own sewage recycling plants.

<h3>#5 RECYCLABLE BUILDING MATERIALS</h3>

Case study: Central Institute of Technology&rsquo;s Green Skills Centre, Perth

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_10.30.34_am.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Green Skills Hub render. Credit: Pyramid Constructions WA" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="320" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_10.30.34_am.png?itok=IQVhoiAI" title="Green Skills Hub render. Credit: Pyramid Constructions WA" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Green Skills Hub render. Credit: Pyramid Constructions WA</figcaption>
</figure>

Western Australia&rsquo;s greenest building also happens to be the education hub for environment training &ndash; Green Skills Hub. The building has been constructed using entirely sustainable materials including structural steel which can be reused later down the track, and recycled timber throughout. The centre was awarded a 6-star Green Star rating.

Training and Workforce Development Minister&nbsp;Liza Harvey explained that&nbsp;the Green Skills building would help provide students with resources, training and skills that,

<blockquote>
&ldquo;&hellip;ensures our graduates are at the top of their game in growing sectors such as sustainable building and construction.&quot;

- Liza Harvey, Training and Workforce Development Minister&nbsp;
</blockquote>

<h3>#6 SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY</h3>

Case study: The Burcham in Rosebery

<figure><a href="/buildings/the-burcham-6-8-crewe-place-roseberry"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="355" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/v04-150910-rooftop-aerial-final-2000_620x380_1.jpg?itok=-R1bCkFa" title="Credit: The Burcham in Rosebery" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Credit: The Burcham in Rosebery</figcaption>
</figure>

There is no denying technological advancements are making their way into our everyday lives at rapid speed, and the all-encompassing smart home device that was once a fictional concept is now a reality. <a href="/new-apartments/rosebery-nsw-2018">The Burcham in Rosebery</a> has installed&nbsp;&lsquo;Geo Fencing&rsquo;&nbsp;technology in all 99 of their apartments, and whilst providing residents with the luxury of having a coffee brewed for their arrival home or the lights on by 7 PM, the technology is also proven to be beneficial for environmental sustainability. Residents will be able to monitor and manage their energy consumption and modify their use based on pricing and availability, allowing them to control living costs and reduce their carbon footprint.&nbsp;

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/energy-management-1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Wiser Link Energy Management Tool. Credit: The Burcham in Rosebery" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="619" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/energy-management-1.jpg?itok=c0vtua9R" title="Wiser Link Energy Management Tool. Credit: The Burcham in Rosebery" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Wiser Link Energy Management Tool. Credit: The Burcham in Rosebery</figcaption>
</figure>

<h3>THE FUTURE</h3>

<a href="https://www.3dprintedhouse.nl/en/project-info/project-milestone/">3D PRINTED HOMES</a>

Case study: Project Milestones&#39; 3D Printed Home, Netherlands

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_11.15.08_am.png" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="An artist’s impression of the 3D printed houses. Credit: Project Milestone" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="291" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-04-08_at_11.15.08_am.png?itok=TsTKQyG-" title="An artist’s impression of the 3D printed houses. Credit: Project Milestone" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>An artist&rsquo;s impression of the 3D printed houses. Credit: Project Milestone</figcaption>
</figure>

A revolutionary project will see a Dutch town open five highly sustainable 3D printed concrete homes this year. The world-first design technique is likely to be adopted by Australian&nbsp;firms such as biotechnology company Mirreco&nbsp;<a href="https://3dprint.com/217838/mirreco-to-3d-print-hemp/">who have already expressed an interest</a> in utilising 3D printing for their developments.&nbsp;

RELATED:&nbsp;<a href="/news/5-of-melbourne-s-environmentally-conscious-new-development-highlights">5 of Melbourne&rsquo;s environmentally conscious new-development highlights</a>

&nbsp;

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/urban_-_infographic_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="2854" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/urban_-_infographic_2.jpg?itok=P6eBECWI" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>6 of Australia&rsquo;s top sustainable architectural design trends Infographic.</figcaption>
</figure>

6 of Australia’s top sustainable architectural design trends

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We are <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/32692064?q&amp;versionId=43970540" target="_blank">still settling Australian cities</a> on unceded Aboriginal lands. With the global agreement on the <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/" target="_blank">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</a> in 2015, development has finally come home to the developed world. Yet in Australia we still often proceed as if development goals are about foreign aid, somehow separate from our own development activities and civic responsibilities.
The <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/SDGs" target="_blank">Senate inquiry into the SDGs</a>, for example, has been referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Three of the seven <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Foreign_Affairs_Defence_and_Trade/SDGs/Terms_of_Reference" target="_blank">terms of reference</a> relate to Australia’s <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201819/ODA" target="_blank">Official Development Assistance</a> program.
<a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/trade-minister-exit-paris-accord-and-kiss-europe-trade-deal-goodbye" target="_blank">Reports</a> that trade with Europe might be in jeopardy because of Australia’s failure to act responsibly on climate change – a commitment enshrined not just in the Paris Agreement but also in <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/" target="_blank">SDG 13</a>: Climate Action – illustrate the naivety of thinking this country can carry on as usual while others tackle sustainable development.
Australia’s SDG indicator framework
The National Sustainable Development Council’s focus on transforming Australia is an important starting point. The NCDC draws on the <a href="https://www.sdgtransformingaustralia.com/" target="_blank">SDG Progress Report</a> to “highlight key trends and emerging issues for policy and decision-makers and communities across Australia”. But it doesn’t go far enough.
The focus is on targets and indicators that are deemed relevant and important for Australia. This is complemented by a wheel-of-fortune-style dashboard set of aggregated results across four key benchmarks.
The result is a colourful, largely unintelligible – albeit very well-intentioned – national SDG assessment.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/235918/original/file-20180912-144479-1wv6wx2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/235918/original/file-20180912-144479-1wv6wx2.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Australia’s SDG Indicator Scorecard. <a class="source" href="https://www.sdgtransformingaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/Australias-Dashboard_SDGs_310818.pdf" target="_blank">NCDC</a>
Looks like we get a C grade. But what does this actually say about Australian settlements?
<h2>Sanitised and complacent</h2>
The real issues facing Australia are sanitised and out of sight with a 6.5 score. With 90% of Australians living in urban areas, how does this assessment inform and transform the state of sustainable development in our cities?
A core sustainable development challenge for Australia is the spatial unevenness of its development – between cities and non-city regions, between the dominant cities (Sydney and Melbourne) and the rest, or between different suburbs within cities.
Our patchwork economy generates serious social inequities. The answer is not just to stimulate greater economic activity or spread the boom to “lagging” areas.
We need to recognise that the apparent success of the “bright patches” is often based on their exploitation of “dull patches”. Some areas are set up to be sacrifice zones that suffer, for example, the ill effects of resource extraction, heavy industry and waste disposal.
And some regions struggle not simply because they are physically distant, but because uneven provision of infrastructure has made them functionally distant. Prioritisation of certain regions over others and an over-reliance on infrastructure provision as a proxy for development are two issues that the nation needs to tackle to deliver the SDG agenda.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0XTBYMfZyrM?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" width="440" height="260"></iframe>
Do you know all 17 Sustainable Development Goals?
<h2>Beyond national silos</h2>
Australian cities rely on and impact upon these spaces and others far beyond their boundaries. Thus tackling <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/">SDG 11</a> on cities cannot be separated from tackling the other SDGs, including sustainably managing life on land (<a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/" target="_blank">SDG 15</a>), clean water and sanitation (<a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/" target="_blank">SDG 6</a>), affordable and clean energy (<a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/" target="_blank">SDG 7</a>) and life below water (<a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/" target="_blank">SDG 14</a>).
This means thinking not just about where and how cities access resources, but where their outputs go. For example, when China halted a major waste flow to its recycling plants this exposed the reliance of Australian cities on often distant facilities.
 
This demonstrates how cities are inextricably linked to spaces beyond their city limits, and the need for Australian cities to reduce and reuse as well as just recycle waste. It also illustrates the entwining of Australian settlement development with multiple spaces beyond our borders. Australia’s responsibility for sustainable development includes attention to the nation’s own urban heartlands as well as their impact on both neighbouring and distant countries.
<h2>Putting the SDGs to work in Australian cities</h2>
The SDGs can be mobilised to help achieve sustainable development, but we are not putting them to work in Australia. We stumble our way into the challenges of our climate of change, no more nationally self-aware it seems than before.
A new sustainable development approach is needed in Australia. An SDG ethic and compass must guide our direction so no one is left behind.
The SDGs are an invitation to take seriously the sustainable development challenges we face as a nation, and the implications of our actions for other nations. Rather than look for ways to reinforce our developed country privilege with a C grade report card, we could use the SDGs as a two-fold opportunity to:
1) ask the hard questions about the sustainability of our development
2) collectively explore transformative pathways, particularly within our cities.
Both suggest the importance of connecting more genuinely with Indigenous understandings of sustainability and living ethically on Country. And what do the SDG indicator frameworks and benchmarks tell us about our progress in our <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-we-meaningfully-recognise-cities-as-indigenous-places-65561" target="_blank">sovereign relationship with Indigenous people</a> on whose unceded land we live and work?
We are not arguing for a more parochial agenda, or that international development is not important. Indeed, Australia could usefully follow the UK in positioning national science and research priorities within broader “<a href="https://www.ukri.org/research/global-challenges-research-fund/" target="_blank">global challenges</a>”.
Rather, we are pointing to the risks of framing sustainable development issues as problems “over there”. This obscures both Australia’s own acute settlement problems and its role in creating problems “over there”.
What is needed is joined-up policy, planning and research that includes Australia within the frame as a sustainable development site, as well as a funding provider.
It could also include identifying Australia as a country in need: a nation that needs to better contribute to all the SDGs. In the case of <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/" target="_blank">SDG 13</a> on climate action, that need is glaring.
In Australia we need to make sure our identity does not include an implicit assumption that our home base is not in need of SDG attention – or only in certain areas. Many if not all aspects of development in Australia are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maldevelopment" target="_blank">maldevelopment</a>, which calls for strong critical evaluation and action as much as in any other space. As a nation we can do much better.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102641/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wendy-steele-4698" target="_blank">Wendy Steele</a>, Associate Professor of Sustainability and Urban Planning, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063" target="_blank">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-rickards-1931" target="_blank">Lauren Rickards</a>, Associate Professor, Sustainability and Urban Planning, School of Global Urban and Social Studies; Co-leader, Climate Change and Resilience Research Program, Centre for Urban Studies, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063" target="_blank">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/libby-porter-300183" target="_blank">Libby Porter</a>, Vice-Chancellor's Principal Research Fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063" target="_blank">RMIT University</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/business-as-usual-the-sustainable-development-goals-apply-to-australian-cities-too-102641" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Australian transformation a focus for the National Sustainable Development Council

With Apartments.com.au&#39;s Project Database now being expanded to encompass all of Australia, and more national content appearing on the site, it seemed like a good opportunity to highlight the country&#39;s future top 10 tallest skyscrapers on the horizon, not including those already completed.

<h2>#1. Southbank by Beulah (Residential Tower) I Melbourne&nbsp;I 356.2M</h2>

Green Spine, know known as Soutbank by Beulah having been taken over by the Melbourne developer Beulah, will be&nbsp;designed by&nbsp;<a href="/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a>&nbsp;and is&nbsp;planned to be the tallest skyscraper in the Southern Hemisphere. The tower was the winner of <a href="/developers/beulah">Beulah International</a>&rsquo;s international competition for a $2 billion development in Melbourne&rsquo;s <a href="/new-apartments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8804]

&nbsp;

<h2>#2. Magic Tower&nbsp;I Melbourne&nbsp;I 60- storeys&nbsp;I 330M</h2>

The Magic Tower is a slender skyscraper designed by <a href="/architects/decibel-architecture">Decibel Architecture</a> in partnership with Royal Society of Victoria. The residential tower will be located in the north eastern corner of Hoddle Grid.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/magic_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it's width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="714" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/magic_11.jpg?itok=__Rf7Zwf" title="If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it's width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>If to be built Magic Tower will be the tallest tower for it&#39;s width in Melbourne. Image: Decibel Architecture</figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

<h2>#3. Orion Towers (South Tower) |&nbsp;Gold Coast | 103-storeys | 328m</h2>

<figure>
<a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/orion_towers.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Orion Towers' South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/orion_towers.jpg?itok=rtzkSomr" style="width: 580px; height: 327px;" title="Orion Towers' South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot" /></a>

<figcaption>Orion Towers&#39; South Tower would become the tallest in Australia. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption>
</figure>

The $1.2b twin-tower development in Surfers Paradise known as <a href="/new-apartments/south-beach-surfers-paradise-3006-surfers-paradise-boulevard-surfers-paradise">Orion Towers</a> will soar 103 storeys high for a total height of 328m, inching out Melbourne&#39;s One Queensbridge by 5m. The development will also feature Australia&rsquo;s highest observation restaurant on level 101 offering 360-degree views.

The tower is anticipated to be completed by 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887]

&nbsp;

<h2>#4. One Queensbridge |&nbsp;Melbourne | 90-storeys | 323m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/qbt.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/qbt.jpg?itok=DqCq-D0j" style="width: 580px; height: 396px;" title="One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello" /></a>

<figcaption>One Queensbridge should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. Image: Schiavello</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/new-apartments/one-queensbridge-street-1-23-queensbridge-street-southbank">One Queensbridge</a> should it proceed, would eclipse Australia 108. It will be a JV between Crown Resorts and <a href="/developers/schiavello">Schiavello</a>. <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/packer-s-plans-uncertain-on-australia-s-tallest-building-20180525-p4zhhz">The Age reported</a>&nbsp;in May of last year that as part of the approval, a deadline for February 2019 had been set to commence construction of the project.

The Wilkinson Eyre designed goliath is yet to commence, as it is currently undergoing construction delays due to being unable to obtain government approval for alterations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=245]

&nbsp;

<h2>#5. Australia 108 | Melbourne | 100-storeys | 317m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/aus108_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne's tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="265" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aus108_1.jpg?itok=diMxAs9s" title="Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne's tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Australia 108 races along to its title of Melbourne&#39;s tallest. Images (L-R): FK | Mark Baljak</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/buildings/australia-108-southbank-70-southbank-boulevard-southbank">Australia 108</a> is to rise opposite it&rsquo;s sister tower, Eureka.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=582]

This time last year, Australia 108&#39;s core reached level 60 with the floorplates well over the halfway mark. This also coincided with the first residents beginning to move in on levels 14 and 30 as part of the completion of stage 1.

The tower is still presently undergoing construction, with more residents being able to move in from 2020.

&nbsp;

<h2>#6. Spirit | Gold Coast | 89-storeys | 298m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/spirit_gc.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/spirit_gc.jpg?itok=BpZZiGBR" title="Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Spirit on the Gold Coast will launch to the market next month. Image: Forise Holdings</figcaption>
</figure>

Designed by <a href="/architects/dbi">DBI Design</a> who have previously designed other notable towers on the Gold Coast such as Oracle, <a href="/buildings/jewel-residences-surfers-paradise-36-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise">Jewel</a>, SOUL Tower and The Wave, Spirit was to have been the tallest building to roof in Surfers Paradise prior to Orion Towers&#39; entry onto the list.

The design features a dramatic wave across its facade similar to The Wave, but on a grander scale. The current proposal replaces an earlier scheme for Iluka Tower, following Forise Holdings purchase of the site in 2015.

This tower is in the early stages of construction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8128]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93998]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8843]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6207]

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2>#7. Cienna Square Tower II | Gold Coast | 88-storeys | 280m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/cienna_square.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/cienna_square.jpg?itok=VhFJsHIh" title="Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. Image: DBI Design</figcaption>
</figure>

Cienna Square will be developed on the site of the former Regent Cinema. DBI Design&#39;s second entry on the list is for a dual tower on the Southport site of the former Regent Cinema, which has remained empty since it was cleared to pave way for a now unbuilt scheme back in 1989.

Cienna Square received preliminary approval back in April 2016.

&nbsp;

<h2>#8. Crown Sydney Hotel &amp; Resort | Sydney | 75-storeys | 271m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/crown_sydney.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="395" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/crown_sydney.jpg?itok=rF1VRZYX" title="Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo. Image: Wilkinson Eyre</figcaption>
</figure>

Crown Sydney Hotel and Resort will be built within Barangaroo.

Crown Resorts&#39; second tower on the list sees it once again collaborating with architects Wilkinson Eyre on what is set to become Sydney&#39;s tallest building, capping off the Barangaroo development.

The tower is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021.

&nbsp;

<h2>#9. Brisbane Skytower | Brisbane | 90-storeys | 270m</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/brisbane_skytower.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Brisbane's under construction Skytower. Image (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="304" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/brisbane_skytower.jpg?itok=dsSud53R" title="Brisbane's under construction Skytower. Image (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis " width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>Brisbane&#39;s under construction Skytower. Images (L-R): Billbergia | Ozscrapers member fyturis</figcaption>
</figure>

Brisbane&#39;s recently completed <a href="/buildings/brisbane-skytower-222-margaret-street-brisbane">Skytower</a>. <a href="/developers/billbergia">Billbergia</a> and <a href="/developers/amp-capital">AMP Capital&#39;s</a> joint venture project, Skytower is Brisbane&#39;s tallest tower and bookend the southern edge of the CBD, it is located directly opposite the Botanic Gardens.

New levels have just been completed on this tower and are now selling.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6199]

&nbsp;

<h2>#10. 240 Margaret Street |&nbsp;Brisbane | 87-storeys | 270m&nbsp;</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/240_margefrom-kp.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="557" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/240_margefrom-kp.jpg?itok=bls0H2ab" title="240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land" width="580" /></a>

<figcaption>240 Margaret with the neighouring U/C Skytower. Image: World Class Land</figcaption>
</figure>

<a href="/new-apartments/240-margaret-street-brisbane">240 Margaret</a> with the neighbouring U/C Skytower. World Class Land&#39;s second entry on the list following its Australia 108 project will reach the same height as the neighbouring Skytower development. This is the maximum height allowed in Brisbane as a result of Brisbane Airport radar shadowing issues.

The tower has been granted development approval.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6227]

Laurence Dragomir

Top 10 (Future) Tallest Buildings in Australia

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The global benchmark for environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of real assets, GRESB has named the Australia and New Zealand real estate market as the world’s most sustainable.
GRESB assessed 850 real estate companies and funds, representing more than 77,000 properties and AUD $4.6 trillion in global assets under management.
The Australia/New Zealand regional score was 73, compared with a global average of 63.
In 2016, Australia/NZ scored 74, compared with the global average of 60.
Ruben Langbroek, Head of Asia Pacific at GRESB said a record 66 Australian companies with AUD $205 billion in assets reported to GRESB this year, up from 55 last year.
He said this uptake is a direct result of increased investor demand for ESG-related disclosures.
“Transparency on ESG performance of property companies and funds supports investors, such as superannuation funds, to make better informed decisions on where and how to allocate their capital," he said.
“Importantly, it also enables them to identify material topics for engagement with their investment managers, with the aim of enhancing and protecting shareholder value.
“The results for Australia and New Zealand underline that investor interest, supported by accurate ESG performance benchmarking and building-level certification programs, is empowering the spread of leading practices in sustainability.
“The region’s integrated approach to sustainability supports the industry’s efforts to create healthy working environments, efficient buildings, inclusive communities and resilient cities.”
Romilly Madew, CEO, Green Building Council of Australia’s said green building certification programs, like Green Star and NABERS, are now institutionalised in mature real estate markets like Australia.
“Disclosure and transparency continue to drive the market in Australia, influenced by a host of factors from the Paris Agreement targets and Sustainable Development Goals, to disclosure requirements through the stock exchange and the Green Building Council of Australia’s zero carbon agenda,” she said.
“Australia continues to be recognised globally for its high level of transparency, collaboration and knowledge- sharing, as well as its accountability for sustainability at the highest levels.
“GRESB can help investors understand important non-financial metrics that are influencing the value of buildings across global markets.
“Leading companies understand this, which is why 20 per cent more Australian companies are now reporting to GRESB than a year ago.”
Lendlease’s Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial was ranked number one of all 850 companies and funds globally.
Lendlease International Towers Sydney Trust and Lendlease One International Towers Sydney Trust were jointly named the most sustainable development funds globally, and the Asian Retail Investment Fund 1 recognised as the regional leader for the retail sector in Asia.
The Australian Prime Property Fund Retail ranked number two in Oceania.
Josh McHutchison, Lendlease’s Managing Director, Investment Management, said around the world, we continue to see more and more investment in sustainable world-class assets.
“Established rating tools like Green Star provide investors with an independent verification of performance and helps us position our funds to meet the demands of leading investors,” he said.
Dexus Wholesale Property Fund was named a global sector leader for diversified office and retail groups.
Darren Steinberg, Dexus Chief Executive Officer said being named a global sector leader recognises our success in delivering world class, sustainable properties and is testament to the hard work and efforts of our sustainability team
Stockland was ranked first globally among listed companies for the diversified office and retail sector.
Stockland also announced today they will invest $23.5 million roll out Australia’s largest ever property solar project at 10 of its shopping centres across the country.
Davina Rooney, Stockland General Manager for Sustainability, said Stockland, sustainability is integral to what we do, creating vibrant and thriving places to shop, work and live, now and into the future.
“We continue to take a concerted effort to improve and measure sustainability across the business - within our assets, through our supply chain, the location and design of our communities and through tangible benefits to our customers and retailers,” he said
“We are 100% committed to investing in sustainability for the business and extremely proud to be setting this new standard in solar for Australian property.”
GRESB’s regional sector leaders for Australia/NZ are:
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Retail – Mixed:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Vicinity Centres
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Office – Listed:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Dexus Office Trust
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Office – Private:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Australian Prime Property Fund Commercial – Lendlease
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Industrial – Mixed:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Diversified – Retail/Office Mixed:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Dexus Wholesale Property Fund
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Development fund – Listed:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Goodman Group
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="186">
Development fund – Private:
</td>
<td valign="top" width="239">
Lendlease International Towers Sydney Trust
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index named Mirvac the top real estate group.
Investment specialist group RobecoSAM, which compiles the rankings, singled out Mirvac’s “climate strategy and approach to biodiversity” as “particularly laudable”.
Mirvac's top ranking was underpinned by strengths in corporate governance, impact measurement and valuation, environmental reporting, and social reporting.
Mirvac’s CEO and Managing Director, Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz. said the result demonstrates our whole-hearted commitment to sustainability in its broadest form, which provides real value to our communities, customers, partners and investors.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Australia posts seven years of global sustainability leadership

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/84049/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Since the 19th century, Australian drovers have moved their livestock along networks of stock routes.
Often following traditional Indigenous pathways, these corridors and stepping-stones of remnant vegetation cross the heavily cleared wheat and sheep belt in central New South Wales.
The publicly owned Travelling Stock Reserve network of New South Wales is now under government review, which could see the ownership of much of this crown land move into private hands.
But in a study published today in the Australian Journal of Botany we suggest that privatising stock routes may endanger vital woodlands and put vulnerable species at risk.
The review will establish how individual reserves are currently being used. Although originally established for graziers, the patches of bush in the network are now more likely to be used for recreation, cultural tourism, biodiversity conservation, apiary and drought-relief grazing.
This shift away from simply moving livestock has put pressure on the government to seek “value” in the network.
The review will consider proposals from individuals and organisations to buy or acquire long-term leases for particular reserves.
It is likely that most proposals to purchase travelling stock reserves would come from existing agricultural operations.
Travelling stock reserves across New South Wales represent some of the most intact examples of now-endangered temperate grassy woodland ecosystems.
Our research found that changing the status or use of these reserves could seriously impact these endangered woodlands.
They criss-cross highly developed agricultural landscapes, which contain very limited amounts of remnant vegetation (areas where the bush is relatively untouched).
Travelling stock reserves are therefore crucially important patches of habitat and resources for native plants and animals.
This isn’t the first time a change in ownership of travelling stock reserves has been flagged.
Over the last century, as modern transport meant the reserves were used less and less for traditional droving, pressure to release these areas for conventional agriculture has increased.
To understand what a change in land tenure might mean to the conservation values of these woodlands, we spent five years monitoring vegetation in stock reserves in comparison to remnant woodlands on private farmland.
We found that travelling stock reserves contained a higher number of native plant species, more native shrubs, and less exotic plants than woodland remnants on private land.
The higher vegetation quality in travelling stock reserves was maintained over the five years, which included both the peak of Australia’s record-breaking Millennium Drought and the heavy rainfall that followed, referred to as the “Big Wet”.
The take-home message was that remnant woodland on public land was typically in better nick than in private hands.
Importantly, other studies have found that this high-quality vegetation is critical for many threatened and vulnerable native animals.
For example, eastern yellow robins and black-chinned honeyeaters occur more frequently in places with more shrubs growing below the canopy.
The contrast we saw between woodlands in travelling stock reserves and private land reflects the different ways they’re typically managed.
Travelling stock reserves have a history of periodic low-intensity grazing, mostly by cattle, with long rest periods.
Woodland on active farms tend to be more intensively grazed, by sheep and cattle, often without any strategic rest periods.
The uncertain future of travelling stock reserves casts doubt on the state of biodiversity across New South Wales.
The current review of travelling stock reserves is considering each reserve in isolation.
It flies in the face of the belief of many managers, practitioners and researchers that the true value of these reserves is in the integrity of the entire network – that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Travelling stock reserves protect threatened species, allow the movement of wildlife, are seed sources for habitat restoration efforts, and support the ecosystem of adjacent agricultural land.
These benefits depend on the quality of the remnant vegetation, which is determined by the grazing regime imposed by who owns and manages the land.
Of course, not all travelling stock reserves are in good condition.
Some are subject to high-intensity livestock grazing (for example, under longer-term grazing leases) coupled with a lack of funding to manage and enhance natural values.
Changing the land tenure status of travelling stock reserves risks increasing grazing pressure, which our study suggests would reduce ecosystem quality and decrease their conservation value.
The travelling stock routes are important parts of our ecosystem, our national heritage, and our landscape.
They can best be preserved by remaining as public land, so the entire network can be managed sustainably.
This requires adequate funding for the Local Land Services, so they can appropriately manage pest animals, weeds, erosion and illegal firewood harvesting and rubbish dumping.
Travelling stock reserves are more than just The Long Paddock – they are important public land, whose ecological value has been maintained under public control. They should continue to be managed for the public good.
Luke S. O'Loughlin is a research fellow at the Australian National University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-s-oloughlin-183211" target="_blank">here</a>.
Damian Michael is an ecologist at the Australian National University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/damian-michael-409368" target="_blank">here</a>.
David Lindenmayer is a professor for The Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-lindenmayer-4848" target="_blank">here</a>.
Thea O'Loughlin is an ecologist and adjunct researcher at Charles Stuart University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thea-oloughlin-407914" target="_blank">here</a>.
All are authors at The Conversation.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/84049/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Review of historic stock routes may put rare stretches of native plants and animals at risk

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Australia’s population is booming, with some regions growing by more than 50 percent over the last five years.
In celebration of its upcoming 10th anniversary, <a href="https://www.nearmap.com.au" target="_blank">Nearmap</a>, the Aussie aerial imagery company, has paired its high-res aerial imagery with new Australian Bureau of Statistics data, revealing the country's rapid growth through before and after images of the top 10 fastest growing regions in Australia.
As businesses and local governments work to stay ahead of housing and infrastructure demand, it is becoming increasingly important to fully utilise technology to save time, keep costs down and ultimately speed up delivery of large-scale, long-term developments projects, like those pictured below.
Rob Newman, Nearmap CEO, said from the ground it can be difficult to see the pace at which Australia is growing.
"But when you look at it from the air, you can observe in incredible detail the change occurring across our country, even just in the last five years," he said.
“Nearmap captures, manages and delivers the most frequently-updated high res aerial imagery in the world.
“And by having access to the most up to date information, businesses and government agencies are able to make more informed and strategic decisions, critical for effectively planning and managing urban development as Australia’s population continues to grow.”
Below are the top 10 regions around Australia that have experienced the highest percentage of population growth between 2011 and 2016.
<table style="width: 411px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
Order
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Region name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
2011 population
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
2016 population
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
Growth
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
State
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Serpentine – Jarrahdale
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
17,805
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
26,873
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
50%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Gungahlin
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
47,303
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
71,142
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
50%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
ACT
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Melbourne City
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
93,612
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
135,969
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
45%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
North Lakes
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
51,568
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
71,560
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
38%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
QLD
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Wyndham
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
166,020
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
221,895
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
33%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Kwinana
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
29,227
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
38,918
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
33%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Casey – South
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
128,361
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
168,177
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
31%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
8
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Ormeau – Oxenford
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
94,056
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
120,883
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
QLD
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
9
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Whittlesea – Wallan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
166,907
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
213,708
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
VIC
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="48">
10
</td>
<td valign="top" width="94">
Bringelly – Green Valley
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
80,339
</td>
<td valign="top" width="83">
102,811
</td>
<td valign="top" width="57">
28%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="47">
NSW
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Serpentine - Byford December 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.10.24%20AM.png" alt="">
Byford June 2016
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.11.19%20AM.png" alt="">
Gungahlin - May 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.12.40%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Gungahlin April 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.22.31%20AM.png" alt="">
 Melbourne City - Carlton November 2011
<h1 class="filename"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.25.35%20AM.png" alt=""></h1>
 
Carlton May 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.26.16%20AM.png" alt="">
QLD North Lakes
Griffin June 2011
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.27.28%20AM.png" alt="">
Griffin June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.28.12%20AM.png" alt="">
Wyndham Vale Victoria
January 2012
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.29.12%20AM.png" alt="">
Wyndham Vale February 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.30.03%20AM.png" alt="">
Western Australia
Wandi June 2013
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.31.02%20AM.png" alt="">
Wandi June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.31.43%20AM.png" alt="">
 Cranbourne East August 2011
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.33.50%20AM.png" alt="">
Cranbourne East March 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.34.23%20AM.png" alt="">
Queensland 
Ormeau Hills May 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.35.36%20AM.png" alt="">
Ormeau Hills June 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.36.30%20AM.png" alt="">
 Victoria
Doreen December 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.37.48%20AM.png" alt="">
Doreen February 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.38.21%20AM.png" alt="">
New South Wales
Cobbitty February 2010
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.39.33%20AM.png" alt="">
Cobbitty April 2017
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-18%20at%2011.40.18%20AM.png" alt="">
</body></html>

New images reveal Australia’s 10 fastest growing regions

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The calendar year 2016 marked another year of strong performance in property investment markets, according to Savills’ latest report.
In Australia, Savills recorded approximately $27 billion worth of commercial property transactions in the  12 months to December 2016, down from $33.74 billion in the previous year, but much the same as the five year average ($25.6 billion).
A lack of portfolios and a diminishing supply of prime properties for sale continues to weigh on investment volumes.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.16%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.16%20pm.jpg" alt="">
Foreign investors were the most active in the investment market in 2016, purchasing 40 percent of stock reported sold or approximately $10.7 billion.
Professional investors, represented by Trusts, Funds and Syndicates, purchased a total of $8.75 billion of commercial property.
Both buyer groups remain keenly interested with ongoing appetite for commercial property investment.
A slowdown in resource demand from China, a reversal of commodity prices and the end of the mining investment boom (coupled with the GFC) saw interest rates in Australia fall to historic lows.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.26%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.26%20pm.jpg" alt="">
A subsequent pickup in occupier and investment demand in Melbourne and Sydney followed whilst there was a substantial reversal in fortunes in Brisbane and Perth. Whilst Brisbane has stabilised,
Perth continues to be challenged (more office supply is in the pipeline), Melbourne is meeting both occupier and investment demand with a supply response whilst Sydney remains challenged on the supply front.
An added difficulty in both Melbourne and Sydney is the continual withdrawal of office space and development sites (both in CBD and non-CBD office markets) for conversion to residential or compulsory acquisition for public works.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.37%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/Screen%20Shot%202017-02-21%20at%207.16.37%20pm.jpg" alt="">
Capital markets exhibited greater degrees of volatility throughout 2016 and have finished the year stronger with the ASX200 rising 9 percent over the last six months, the Australian dollar ended up largely unchanged against the US dollar and 10 year bonds yields softened by 90 basis points to approximately 2.9%.
Commercial property investment yields continued to firm across the board (by an average 20 basis points) – a theme we have been writing about for several years now.
Whilst the “bond yield” story has run its course, in some markets, fundamentals are improving rapidly.
“We believe this improvement will lead to further tightening in yields as investment capital starts to price in expectations of future NOI growth. This part of the yield cycle is just beginning,” the report stated.
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Strong performance in the Australian 2016 commercial property market: Savills

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The longstanding appeal of Australian markets as a destination for core investors globally continues, according to new real estate forecast.
Australia’s popularity is a result of a mature market and relatively high yields, but an acute shortage of investable assets has led to reduced transaction volume in 2016, according to Emerging Trends in Real Estate Asia Pacific 2017, published by the Urban Land Institute and PWC.
Large amounts of foreign capital continue to arrive in Australia looking for deals, although 2015 was the first in many years where domestic purchases were the largest component of investment-grade acquisitions.
This reflects the huge weight of capital that needs to be invested in Australia from domestic pension funds.
“The numbers of investors that are looking for opportunities vastly outweighs the prospects available because the amount of institutional-quality real estate is small,” said John Carfi, ULI Australia chairman and head of residential at Mirvac.
“We have noticed that although foreign investors are generally reluctant to migrate away from the CBD, a lack of available stock means they often have little choice if they want to place capital."
This year’s investment prospects survey shows a strong shift away from last year’s favorites, which featured Sydney and Melbourne, in favor of emerging-market destinations, with two Indian cities topping a list which also includes Vietnam, the Philippines and Shenzhen in 5th position.
Other major survey findings include steep declines in the popularity of gateway cities, with the exception of Shanghai which has seen a resurgence in foreign investment over the last couple of years, despite high prices.
This overarching shift reflects the difficulty in sourcing core assets in an environment where owners have few other places to invest their capital if they sell, together with the growing urgency of investors’ quest for yield as returns are squeezed ever lower.
The top five markets for investment and development in 2017:
• Bangalore (first in investment and development) –The big story for investors has long been the city’s role as India’s main hub for the business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT industries. There is huge demand for space as both domestic and international companies flock to open both call-in and research-and-development centers.
• Mumbai (second in investment, third in development) – Mumbai’s geography has prevented easy expansion of the city’s metropolitan area, which has made it both the most expensive city in India and the slowest growing. However, a major road and rail infrastructure program will allow easier access to the center from outlying areas, with most construction scheduled for completion before 2019.
• Manila (third in investment, fourth in development) –The Philippines continues to attract positive comments, with its vibrant economy led by a booming BPO market and strong remittances from overseas workers. Today, the fundamentals appear as strong as ever. Demand is resilient and vacancies remain low, and office capital values and rents continue to show good growth.
• Ho Chi Minh City (fourth in investment, second in development) –Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in South-east Asia and is probably the most popular real estate investment destination, with capital arriving from numerous sources but in particular from Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Shenzhen (fifth in investment, fifth in development) – The major recent talking point for Shenzhen has been its residential sector, where prices have soared more than 40% year on year in the first three quarters of 2016—the fastest in the world. On the commercial side, office rents have been on a steady upward trajectory for years and are now double their level of 2009.
Other findings from the report include the following:
• Core assets continue to be the favored asset class, although product is becoming increasingly hard to source. One way around this is for investors to assume development risk by pursuing “build-to-core” projects. Although these are not traditionally considered a core strategy, many core investors are now willing to adopt this approach, especially when it involves buyers such as insurance companies that are likely to be long-term holders of the end product.
• Investors with a mandate for higher return strategies continue to migrate up the risk curve, both in terms of sectors — pursuing niche strategies such as sub-logistics facilities or data centers — and geographically, with emerging markets such as India drawing increasing attention.
• Investments in metropolitan areas have become a popular theme given ongoing trends of urbanization, land shortages in city centers, and low returns from central business district projects. Cities across the Asia Pacific including Sydney, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Jakarta are engaged in major transportation construction projects that link suburbs or satellite towns to city centers.
• In line with markets in the West, Asia is embracing the shared economy. The last 12 months have seen huge growth in the adoption of shared workspaces, either as standalone businesses that rent open-plan office facilities to individual or corporate users, or on a corporate basis, as large companies scrap conventional office layouts and embrace hot-desking and collaborative working environments. On the residential side, shared spaces are also becoming more prominent as rising prices continue to shrink apartment footprints.
The report, which is being released at a series of events across Asia over the next several weeks, provides an outlook on Asia Pacific real estate investment and development trends, real estate finance and capital markets, and trends by property sector and metropolitan area.
It is based on the opinions of 604 internationally renowned real estate professionals, including investors, developers, property company representatives, lenders, brokers and consultants.
The full report is available here.
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