Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

The latest application seeks approval for a multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" />

The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

Staff Writer

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.

With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter. 
&nbsp; 
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.

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The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;

Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358863]

Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;

Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.

“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.

“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;

“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”

For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.

“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.

“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292862]

Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;

“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.

“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;

“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.

“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;

“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”

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Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.

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Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;

With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.

GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Nine ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]

The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.

Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]

“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;

“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.

Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.

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Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

Property development giant <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/avid-property-group">AVID Property Group</a> is approaching completion, and sell-out, of its Surry Hills apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-rathbone-23-47-flinders-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">The Rathbone</a>.

The Flinders St project has sold well over half of its 32 apartments, which will sit above two retail spaces.

Now hitting the market are the final 14 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $1.15 million. AVID is targeting a mid-2026 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51208]

AVID General Manager New South Wales Danny Boubli said as more apartments are introduced to increase housing options in inner-city areas, homebuyers are searching for a &nbsp;sense of belonging in addition to location, convenience and value.&nbsp;

“There are very few opportunities for new developments in Surry Hills, and since acquiring the site, we’ve even seen one early purchaser merge two apartments plans together, reflecting the demand for a spacious, premium offering in a prime location,” Boubli said.&nbsp;

“Demand has been strong since we launched to market – we don’t see these final apartments staying on the market for long.”&nbsp;

Architectural firm Studio SC has designed the building which pays homage to the former 1900s Rathbone Terraces that once sat on the 990 sqm island site.

Boubil said the team has made every effort to create "truly liveable apartments", through&nbsp;functional floor plans, security, storage, and the inclusion of quality fittings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51207]

&nbsp;

Sustainable design has also been implemented throughout the development, with natural light flooding each apartment, ventilation throughout, extensive landscaping and where possible, materials with a high level of recycled content and low volatile organic compound paints have been used. &nbsp;

Apartments range in size from 57 sqm for the one-bedrooms to the large-scale 165 sqm three-beds which are priced at $2,575,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5947]

AVID launches final apartments at The Rathbone, Surry Hills

A wave of investment, renewal and precinct growth continues to shape the northern edge of Macquarie Park, where daily life is supported by a rare combination of university activity, corporate employment, major retail, and expansive green corridors. It’s this convergence of amenity and connectivity underpins the setting for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a>, which has now topped out and is tracking toward completion in mid-2026.

Within this pocket of the precinct, residents move easily between the area’s key anchors. Macquarie Centre, home to more than 360 retailers, fresh food offerings, dining and entertainment, sits at the heart of local convenience and functions as a major transport interchange. The Metro, T1 rail line and extensive bus network place much of Sydney within quick reach, while surrounding arterial links support direct access to neighbouring districts.

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Green space remains a defining feature of the immediate environment. Lane Cove National Park stretches along the northern boundary of the precinct, offering bushland trails, cycling routes and quiet riverfront pockets. Shrimptons Creek and the campus grounds of Macquarie University extend these recreational networks, softening the urban setting and creating a daily connection to nature that informs the project’s architectural response.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> have shaped La Vera around these contrasts. The building’s northern elevation adopts an organic, curvilinear form that mirrors the natural topography of the national park. Three sculpted forms soften the tower’s profile and encourage a stronger transition between indoor living areas, balconies and the broader landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223737]

Cox Director Felipe Miranda says the building’s outlook played a central role in the design process.

“The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park… The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies,” Felipe Miranda of Cox Architecture said.

Toward the city-facing side, the design shifts to a more urban expression. A gridded facade and extensive glazing capture CBD views, creating a dual strategy that blends ecological outlooks with metropolitan orientation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=5827]

La Vera delivers 169 residences across one- to four-bedroom layouts, reflecting the needs of young families, downsizers, first-home buyers and investors seeking long-term certainty within a high-amenity location. From the project, residents can walk to Macquarie University, Macquarie Hospital and nearby corporate offices, reach national park trails within minutes, and enjoy retail and dining without relying on a car.

The project is delivered by Urban Property Group, a 4.5-star iCIRT-rated developer-builder with more than three decades of experience. The company has become a leader in adopting 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), first introduced on its Parq Bexley development and now embedded into its pipeline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223727]

La Vera is the first development in Macquarie Park approved to offer this 10-year LDI policy, adding another layer of protection for purchasers and reinforcing the transparency of the construction process.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias says this assurance has become increasingly important for buyers navigating the off-the-plan market.

“Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been… Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share,” Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said.

Urban Property Group's in-house construction team is forecasting a mid-2026 completion, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/home789">HOME789</a> appointed as the project marketer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera delivers a nature-connected address within Macquarie Park’s core

Commercial Property

Commercial Property Hub is a user-friendly digital platform that streamlines the process of finding suitable commercial properties in the City of Yarra and the City of Port Phillip.

&lt;iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D43Ldrb12rs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;

It offers an extensive database of commercial properties details, including details about zoning, overlays, and demographic information.

With this platform, businesses and individuals can identify properties that align with their specific needs and requirements.

The platform also provides links to council business concierge programs, which offer additional support to businesses to ensure their smooth operations.

Commercial Property Hub is a one-stop solution for businesses and individuals looking for hassle-free access to comprehensive information on commercial properties in the City of Yarra and the City of Port Phillip.

Commercial Property Hub is a user-friendly digital platform that streamlines the process of finding suitable commercial properties in the City of Yarra and the City of Port Phillip. 

Commerical Property Lookup Hub | City of Yarra of Port Phillip

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Nine Entertainment's digital and print real estate media business Domain Holdings is set acquire the Commercialview.com.au website.

For starters Domain will spend $2 million in cash to secure the commercial property digital listings platform, which had most of its footprint in Melbourne and Sydney.

CommercialVIEW.com.au is a stand-alone commercial real estate advertising portal that is industry owned, directed by Ben Cooper, Stephen Gorman, Malcolm Gunning and its CEO Daniel Bignold. Its issued capital is given as $3.8 million, with nine million ordinary shares on issue and 310,000 redeemable preference shares.

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During the past year the board exercised its power to change the option terms with the exercise price of the options reduced from $0.50 to $0.00.
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It was established in 2012 under the stewardship of Petra Sprekos and Enzo Raimondo of the REIV.

In 2016 Bignold made a rare public comment on the state of the website.

Bignold said the dominant players in the market had been able to press prices higher, putting pressure on commercial property agents. 

"We have a price point that’s very fair and reasonable, and is less than our competitors," he noted. 

<img alt="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/12/17/CommView.jpg">

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Domain Holdings Australia Limited announced its commercial real estate business, Commercial Real Estate entered into a three stage agreement with shareholders of Commercialview.com.au Limited to acquire 100% of the issued share capital in CommercialView.

The acquisition will occur through a subsidiary of Domain, Commercial Real Estate Media Pty Limited (“CREM”), which is currently approximately 70% owned by Domain and 30% owned by members of the commercial real estate industry.

The consideration for the proposed transaction is anywhere between $4.2 million and $17.2 million, contingent on targets relating to the future financial performance of the CREM and CommercialView businesses. 

The on-target consideration is $10.2 million, which is equivalent to four times the projected increase in EBITDA from the transaction for calendar year 2020, including synergies.

The maximum consideration for the acquisition is $17.2 million of which a maximum of $2 million is payable in cash. The remainder is payable in newly issued shares in CREM.

Domain Group CEO Jason Pellegrino said there had been unanimous support for the transaction from CommercialView shareholders.

The commercial property website recently reported another loss in its annual results which gave its revenues as $1.6 million.

It was segmented into $440,000 subscription revenue, $150,000 banner advertising and over $1 million in depth revenue.

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The 2018 financial year loss of the company after providing for income tax amounted to $8,500 compared to its $428,000 loss in the prior year.

Its directors, who noted it was a high demand/low supply commercial property market, slashed marketing expenses from $386,000 to $255,000. 

"For a portal, this is a difficult market to extract revenue as not only stock levels are low, but when stock is listed it generally move fast and doesn’t require large ongoing advertising budgets. 

"Total new listings that hit the CVIEW portal in FY18 compared to FY17 were down 21 percent and listings for sale were down 29 percent yoy. 

"This creates a large void for listing upgrade opportunities particularly investment stock which generally attract a larger advertising budget."

The revenue focus for the year was seeking upgrade opportunities for remaining sales stock and also to leverage the larger proportion of leasing stock in the market.

The business has had a "clear strategy" of tightening up on expenses without negatively impacting the operations, which resulted in a 22 percent reduction in expenses and $150,000 positive full year EBITDA and an $88,000 increase in cash balances for the year. Its assets included $474,000 in cash and $193,000 in trade receivables.

Its deferred tax assets sit at $700,000 plus.
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Completion of the proposed transaction is targeted to occur on 21 December 2018.

The consideration is payable in three tranches, partially contingent on targets relating to the future financial performance of the CREM and CommercialView businesses, as follows:

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	a payment of $4.2 million to be paid at completion as a combination of cash and CREM shares, amounting to approximately a 3.7% equity interest in CREM;
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	a second payment payable in early 2020, in the range of $0 to $5 million to be paid as a combination of cash and CREM shares; and
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	a third payment in early 2021, in the range of $0 to approximately $8 million payable in CREM shares.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Commercialview.com.au sold by estate agents to Domain

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Hi Margaret, I've recently purchased commercial real estate in the last 30 days in VIC (settlement has been completed). I registered it under company "1 PTY LTD", however I wish to change this to a different company (I remain as the company director of the new company). Stamp duty cost me 100k+ (I don't wish to pay this again). Is the above possible without attracting stamp duty on the building if a mistake was made?
 
It may be hard for you to convince the office of state revenue that you made a mistake on this one - when you received the contract it would have asked for the purchaser's detail, the documents would have been signed by you as that purchaser and the State Revenue Office would have relied on these documents for the purpose of assessment of duty. As this one is outside of my own area of expertise I consulted Paul Sande from Asset Conveyancing.  He is an expert in conveyancing in all states, as this area is markedly different from state to state. He believes that there may be another avenue available to you. Sec 250A of the Duties Act 2000 provides for an exemption from duty for an eligible transaction where there is a legitimate reconstruction of corporate groups. An eligible transaction is any of the following that occurs on or after 1 January 2004:- 1. A transfer of dutiable property from one member of a corporate group to another member of the group; 2. A relevant acquisition by a member of a corporate group from another member of the group to which Sec 83 of the Duties Act applies; 3. A declaration of trust to dutiable property the specification of which forms part of the declaration of trust or part of the transaction constituted by the declaration of trust by one member of a corporate group under which the dutiable property is held on trust for another member of the group; or 4. Any other transaction that results in the beneficial ownership of dutiable property moving from one member of a corporate group to another member of the group. Paul says that the Commissioner needs to be satisfied, amongst other things, that the eligible transaction does not arise from arrangements or a scheme devised for the principal purpose of taking advantage of the benefit of the corporate reconstruction exemption. In your case you did this inadvertently and so there was no intent to gain any particular advantage here. Your best course of action is to consult your office of state revenue, explain that you wish to reconstruct the corporate group to have this property held by another member of that group, and see what they say about this.
Have a property question?       <a href="mailto:askmargaret@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
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mlomas-KC9MUPZ6Ca

Ask Margaret: Convincing the Office of State Revenue

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The NSW Government’s stamp duty change may leave many commercial property owners “worse off”, according to property valuation firm m3property.

Owners of less valuable properties may potentially pay more than double after ten years.

Jennifer Williams, the firm’s national director of research, said it was unclear whether the new property tax would achieve its aims.

“We agree that change is required to make the NSW tax system fairer, simpler and less volatile and a broad-based property tax is a good option to achieve this”, she said.

“The devil is in the detail, however, and it is yet to be seen whether an opt-in system will achieve the simplicity the Government seeks or reduce the current revenue volatility given most commercial purchasers are unlikely to opt-in.”

Many purchasers are likely to be disadvantaged by the proposed new system, given the average length of commercial property ownership in NSW is greater than ten years, mp3property suggested.

A hypothetical case study found that after ten years the owner of a property with a market value of $2 million would pay $144,937 under the current system, and $298,061 under the new system.

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Whilst the burden on commercial owner-occupier operators appears to be higher for the proposed property tax, stamp duty must also be taken into consideration.

For investors who buy and sell more often, the choice of which tax route to take may be more complicated.

However, the impact on purchasers is likely to vary on the type of purchaser, the property’s land value, the length of time the investor retains the property, and which option a buyer takes at purchase, property tax or stamp duty and land tax.
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Many purchasers are likely to be disadvantaged by the proposed new system, says property valuation firm m3property.

max.kwok_55688

NSW stamp duty change likely to leave many "worse off"

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Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s National Investment Sales Team has been appointed to sell a portfolio of alternative investment assets across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, that are expected to sell for a total of approximately $60 million when they go under the hammer on 10 December in Sydney.
The portfolio comprises 15 freestanding investments across the popular sectors of fast food, fuel and convenience retail and childcare. The fast food assets, situated in suburban and regional locations across the east coast, offer long term leases to major brands including Hungry Jacks, McDonald’s and KFC.
Seven childcare centres are up for grabs in strategic New South Wales and Queensland locations. A NAB retail bank branch in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, and a Mitre 10 in Airlie Beach, Queensland complete the portfolio.
The auction is expected to be led by a fast food and convenience retail investment on the Gold Coast jointly leased by United Petroleum and ASX Listed Collins Foods (KFC) with a price guide upwards of $8.5 million. In addition, a Dee Why property occupied by KFC for the last 30 years is anticipated to be hotly contested and sell for in excess of $6 million.
A brand-new facility in Brisbane with a 20-year initial lease term as well as a centre in the Campbelltown region of Sydney will lead the childcare offerings.
Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s National Investment Sales team of Michael Collins, Tom Moreland, Aaron Dahl, Yosh Mendis, Geoff Sinclair, Ryan Cross and Billy Dent are managing the sales campaign with the auction of all 15 assets to be held on December 10 at Doltone House, Sydney, and live streamed via Auction Now with live bidding rooms in Brisbane and Melbourne.
The upcoming auction follows the sale of 12 assets for more than $60 million as part of Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s November portfolio auction.
Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Head of National Investment Sales, Michael Collins, said: “We continue to see the market for private investment strengthen, given the sheer weight of capital targeting defensive assets and yield. The results of our recent portfolio auction show that the appetite among high net worth investors for properties with long term leases and blue-chip tenants continues to grow.”
Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Associate Director, Tom Moreland, added: “We anticipate a huge level of interest in the upcoming auction, particularly as fast food properties have continued to be one of the best performing assets during the pandemic. Childcare centres also remain high on investor’s wish lists due to the strong Government support provided at the start of COVID-19, with many investors viewing the sector as highly resilient.”
Michael Collins added: “The portfolio coming to market in December is one of the most geographically diverse we’ve seen in 2020 with properties spanning metro, suburban and regional locations up and down the east coast of Australia.”
December 2020 portfolio: • United Petroleum and KFC – 195 Old Coach Road, Upper Coomera (Gold Coast) QLD • Mitre 10 – 2 Carlo Drive, Cannonvale (Airlie Beach) QLD • McDonald’s – 22 New England Highway (Kelly Street), Scone (Hunter Valley) NSW • KFC – 36 Fisher Road, Dee Why (Sydney) NSW • Hungry Jack’s – 15 Commercial Drive, Springfield (Brisbane) QLD • Mobil and Zambrero – 147-153 New England Highway (Bridge Street), Muswellbrook (Hunter Valley) NSW • Ampol Australia Petroleum and Smokin’ Joe’s Pizza &amp; Grill – 250 Epping Road, Wollert (Melbourne) VIC • CBD Restaurant Development Opportunity – Lot 1, 1 Kings Cross Road, Darlinghurst (Sydney) NSW • Paper Planes (Childcare)– 2 Avondale Drive, Thornton (Greater Newcastle) NSW • Play &amp; Learn (Childcare) – 57 Kinross Road, Thornlands (Brisbane) QLD • Open Arms (Childcare) – 122 Dickens Road, Campbelltown (Greater Sydney) NSW • Banora Point ELC (Childcare) – 38 Woodlands Drive, Banora Point (Tweed Heads) NSW • Paisley Park Early Education (Childcare) – 18 Woongool Road, Maryborough QLD • Evolve Education (Childcare) – 100 Callum Street, Cairns QLD • NAB – 72 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Seven NSW & Queensland childcare centres listed for commercial auction

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A 600sqm facility in Kunda Park has been leased to Gold Coast company Classic Concrete Pumping on a five-year term.
Jason O’Meara of Savills had the listing. 
The facility at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/leased/property-12-tectonic-crescent-kunda-park-qld-4556-503439554">12 Tectonic Crescent</a> includes office and warehouse and 1,500sqm hardstand security fenced yard.
Savills received solid enquiry though February and into March as there is currently a massive shortage for sheds this size with useable, secure and compacted hardstand. 
“Standalone industrial properties such as this are in demand at present and there are few of them as most buildings account for 50-55% of site coverage, so to get the extra area for hardstand and truck set down areas is challenging” Mr O’Meara said.
Classic Concrete Pumping emerged 17 years ago when company founder and Managing Director Peter Gisinger had a passionate belief that he could build a successful concrete pumping business.
<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/2020/9/21/12%20Tectonic%20Cres%20Kunda%20Park%20-%20Tony%20Douglass%20Classic%20Concrete%20Pumping%20Manager%20-%20Sunshine%20Coast%20Right%20Jason%20OMeara%20of%20Savills.jpg" alt="">
 
Four pre-loved concrete pumps, referred to more often as ‘Jurassic’ than ‘Classic’ and eight hard working crew set out to prove their worth. 
Classic Concrete Pumping have resolutely built a reputation for outstanding service and with that built a loyal customer base and grew their fleet, crew and company HQ to keep up.
“We are strongly committed to the Sunshine Coast and committed to industry-best service and customer satisfaction with 90 employees between our 3 locations on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Kunda Park depot” Peter Gisinger said.
Sunshine Coast Manager Tony Douglass said the business has a very modern fleet in total of 46 units, from line pumps, both low and high pressure, to 3 x 58m booms, and most sizes in between. 
“Our equipment is fully certified, plant registered and periodically independently inspected. These stringent measures guarantee safe, modern equipment to our job GPS tracked means we always know where your machine is”. 
"There has been good industrial leasing traction over recent months in Kunda Park with net absorption of factory/warehouse space on the incline. Industrial leasing activity through Covid to mid-year has been encouraging. 
"We have witnessed some strong lease transactions with Savills leasing 506 Maroochydore Road in Kunda Park to a Brisbane based company Oxworks Pty Ltd.
Other businesses to lease larger facilities in the immediate area recently include Sydney Tools and Express Print and Mail taking up occupancy on Maroochydore Road.
“We are aware of a number of larger tenants looking for suitable space, but with limited options to put to them, and a shortage of land generally mid coast, Savills would be keen to talk to owners with expiring leases or vacant warehouses coming up for lease” said Mr O’Meara.
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Tectonic Crescent, Kinda Park facility leased 

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Albion Central, a fully leased new service and retail and medical centre boasting a 10-year WALE has been announced for sale. 
The property is being sold by JLL together with Morrison Project Consulting. 
JLL Senior Director and Joint Head of Retail Investments Australia, said Albion Central was of the most outstanding convenience retail centres in Brisbane’s affluent inner north.  
“The freehold interest provides a secure, long term income stream, in addition to a strong capital growth outlook and long-term re-development potential.” 
“At home on 2,400sqm, the centre caters to a high-profile demographic and has a tenancy mix to suit - all are on brand-new 10-year leases with fixed annual rent reviews of 3.50% or higher.
“Offering a 10-year WALE, Albion Central will provide the successful purchaser with a secure, long term income stream. Given the rental position, after 10 years the property will be producing a gross income of over $1,321,000 per annum.” 
The property occupies a corner position fronting the Albion Fiveways on the doorstep to the blue-ribbon suburb of Ascot, Clayfield and Hamilton, with exposure to over 80,000 passing cars per day. 
Just opened in July 2020, the centre is fully leased to seven boutique retailers, anchored by Albion Marketplace and Next Practice Medical.  
Albion Central is being offered For Sale via Expressions of Interest closing September 17.
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Albion Central, Brisbane’s inner north retail centre listed for sale

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The Border Express distribution centre in South Australia has been purchased by Primewest.
The Border Express property is located within the Northern Adelaide industrial Precinct and returns a net passing income of $1.439 million.
“Border Express was a significant acquisition for the trust enabling it to uphold a 7% pa cash distribution to investors,” said Primewest Managing Director David Schwartz.
“A new five year lease was signed at settlement and of the 50,000 plus square metres of land, only 41% is occupied, allowing for further development potential.”
“We are looking to raise more funds for our acquisition pipeline.”
Mr Schwatz said Primewest remained confident in the future of key industrial and logistics markets nationally, as they continued to benefit from Australia’s growing exposure to on-line retailing and e-commerce as a result of COVID 19.
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South Australia's Border Express distribution centre purchased by Primewest

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GUEST OBSERVER
We’ve heard a lot about what the present crisis will do to <a href="https://propertyupdate.com.au/coronavirus-how-will-it-impact-australias-property-markets/">home</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/16/how-will-coronavirus-affect-australias-real-estate-market-and-house-prices">prices</a>, less about what it will do to <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/office-property-now-in-covid-19-firing-line-969479/">commercial property</a> prices.
Commercial properties include office buildings, shopping centres, hotels and warehouses.
They account for <a href="https://www.superannuation.asn.au/ArticleDocuments/269/SuperStats-Jun2020.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y">8%</a> of the assets of Australian super funds.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351238/original/file-20200805-237-3qmk3f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351238/original/file-20200805-237-3qmk3f.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Melbourne’s Wesley Place commercial precinct is owned by a property trust.
If their values drop (and they are falling) it will affect all of us, especially those about to retire or already retired.
Until COVID-19, commercial properties were widely regarded as safe investments. They offered both reliable income streams and capital gains as population growth increased the value of scarce real estate.
With the return on government bonds falling <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-government-has-just-sold-15-billion-of-31-year-bonds-but-what-actually-is-a-bond-143598">below 1%</a> they ought to be becoming more attractive, but offices are empty, their future uncertain, high end shopping centres are receiving less traffic, and hotels have entire floors unused.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351240/original/file-20200805-24-17539g9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351240/original/file-20200805-24-17539g9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
In July the number of mobile phones active in Sydney’s central business district was down <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8486-roy-morgan-ubermedia-covid-19-movement-sydney-june-27-2020-202008040143">52%</a> on January and February. In Melbourne’s CBD, before the stage 4 lockdown, mobile phone traffic was down <a href="https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8476-roy-morgan-ubermedia-covid-19-movement-melbourne-july-28-2020-202007270623">65%</a>.
<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/data-centres-in-hot-demand-with-remote-working-on-the-rise-20200804-p55ih6">Data centres</a> are among the few commercial property bright spots – we are moving more data – along with distribution centres and <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/neighbourhood-malls-flourish-as-shoppers-stay-local-20200723-p55eto">regional shopping centres</a> – we are shopping online and closer to home.
Over the course of the year the values of commercial property trusts listed on the Australian Securities Exchange have slid <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/DXS">29%</a>, <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/GPT">32%</a>, <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/MGR">34%</a>,<a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/SCG">48%</a>, <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/VCX#company-top">52%</a>, and <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/URW">69%</a>.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351242/original/file-20200805-24-p5j3b2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351242/original/file-20200805-24-p5j3b2.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Share price of GPT Group. GPT owns and manages retail, office and logistics properties. 
For super funds with 8% of their assets in commercial property, a decline of 25% in values knocks 2% off their assets — A$54 billion across the industry as a whole.
In the only other big downturn since the advent of Australia’s superannuation system, the global financial crisis, commercial property offered the funds stability while shares were volatile.
Not so this time. The value of the commercial property is diving along with the stock market with just as uncertain a future.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/143824/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/theodore-connell-variy-1142418">Theodore Connell-Variy</a>, Lecturer, School of Property, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tony-mcgough-1142730">Tony McGough</a>, Senior Lecturer, Property, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/warning-what-covid-is-doing-to-commercial-property-it-is-about-to-do-to-super-funds-143824">original article</a>.
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What COVID is doing to commercial property it is about to do to super funds

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The COVID-19 led economic slowdown had a major impact on commercial market sentiment in Q2, with NAB’s Commercial Property Index falling to an unprecedented -62 points (surpassing the previous low of -19 in Q3 2012).
Sentiment collapsed in Retail (-76), Office (-68) and CBD Hotels (-60), but the fallout for Industrial property (-28) was comparatively limited.
Sentiment fell steeply in all states, with VIC (-60), NSW (-63) and QLD (-49), joining SA/NT (-67) and WA (-63) in deeply negative territory.
The hit to confidence was also severe, with the 12-month index falling to -55 and the 2-year measure to -29 -its first ever negative read. The results suggest property experts are not expecting markets to improve any time soon.
With COVID-19 driving new norms around how we work, shop and live, confidence levels are now weakest for Retail and Office property. Confidence has also been shaken (and is now negative) in all states.
Expectations for capital growth for the next 1-2 years were pared back significantly for Office (-4.4% &amp; -3.0%) and Retail (-4.7% &amp; -2.8%), with falls predicted in all states. Industrial values are set to fall moderately in the next 12 months, but the outlook in 2 years’ time is positive.
Office vacancy hit a 2-year high 8.5% in Q2, and climbed steeply in VIC (7.4%) and NSW (6.7%). Retail vacancy also hit new survey highs (9.0%), but industrial property remained insulated, with vacancy falling (5.8%).
As many commercial tenants struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 led downturn, the outlook for rents was pared back sharply for both Retail (-5.6% &amp; -3.6%) and Office (-4.5% &amp; -2.9%) property over the next 1-2 years.
Supply over-hangs have now also emerged in all sectors, bar Industrial.
The number of developers looking to start new works in the next 18 months fell heavily to a survey low 68% in Q2, suggesting the disruption caused by the pandemic has not only had an immediate impact on the building construction industry, but will continue to impact over the next few years.
Property experts indicated that debt funding conditions were more difficult in Q2, and expect it will remain so in the next 3-6 months. With market uncertainty persisting, the average pre-commitment required to meet funding requirements for new developments across Australia rose significantly for both residential and commercial property in Q2.
New research finds that 8 in 10 property experts expect the biggest changes in Office markets from COVID-19 will be the continuation or extension of working from home, and structural changes as to how office space is used.
A large number also expect to see slower leasing volumes and renewals, and cashflow reductions due to firms’ ability to continue operating and pay rent and how this will impact investors’ mindset as key changes. Only 2% believe that conditions will return to pre-Covid-19 patterns.
New research also shows COVID-19 had a big impact on rent collections across all Retail property formats. Bulky Goods Retail and Large Format Retail look to have held up best, with 30% and 21% of property experts reporting no change in collections from these formats. This compares to 7-8% from Neighbourhood and Regional Shopping Centres and in Strip Retail.
At the other extreme, rent collections were 30-50% lower from significantly more Strip Retailers (43%), and were down 50% or more from 45% of Other Retailers, 24% of Strip Retailers and 20% of Regional Shopping Centres.
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