For the first time, prospective off the plan apartment buyers in Sydney's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/homebush-nsw-2140">Homebush</a> can purchase with the confidence of a 10-year defect protection for their new apartment building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bridge-road-residences-homebush-3-5-bridge-road-homebush-nsw-2140">Bridge Road Residences</a>, the latest development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ventus-group">Ventus Group</a>, is the first new apartment complex in the area to offer the highly sought-after 10-year Latent Defects Insurance, provided by Resilience Insurance.

This policy, which applies to all 80 apartments in the new building on Bridge Road, covers homeowners against&nbsp;structural or design defects defects that may arise within the first 10 years after the building's completion. It can only be taken out by the developer or builder of the new development, and not by individual apartment owners.

Half of the apartments in the building have already been quickly snapped up. Buyers have been attracted by the insurance policy, along with the guarantee of a quality build, thanks to the insurance's Technical Inspection Service. This service involves third-party experts visiting the construction site at least once a month to ensure the building is being properly constructed, making defects highly unlikely.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6989 project_image_fid=2132]

Located on Bridge Road, the development offers a mix of apartment configurations, from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

Apartments have been designed&nbsp;by MX Architects with liveability in mind, featuring open-plan layouts, engineered timber floors, wool-blend carpet in bedrooms, and either ducted or split-system air conditioning depending on configuration.&nbsp;

Many apartments also include north-facing aspects or oversized balconies, enhancing natural light and outdoor usability.

The development includes landscaped communal gardens with a central lawn, shaded seating, and barbecue areas. A rooftop terrace offers views across the city and Sydney Olympic Park. These amenities are designed to provide outdoor spaces for both relaxation and socialising, without increasing maintenance burden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6989 project_image_fid=2135]

Bridge Road Residences is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Homebush Station and close to major road links including the M4 and M8.&nbsp;

Residents will have immediate access to Rochester Street’s cafes, grocers, and restaurants, as well as retail and dining hubs at North Strathfield’s Bakehouse Quarter, Strathfield Plaza, and DFO Homebush.&nbsp;

The area is also well-served by schools and tertiary institutions, including Homebush Public School and the University of Sydney.

Construction is being led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/one-way-dc">One Way Development &amp; Construction</a>. They are expecting to complete the build in Q3 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6989]

Joel Robinson

Bridge Road Residences brings 10-year defects guarantee to Homebush

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/romano-property-group">Romano Property Group</a> has appointed AG Construct to deliver their boutique new Fitzroy apartment development, Napier 235.

Half of the apartment in the architecturally-striking block of 14 have already been snapped up.

Located just 150 metres from Brunswick Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/napier-235-235-napier-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Napier 235</a> will bring a mix of two and three-bedroom residences to the tightly held inner-city neighbourhood, including a full-floor penthouse and one townhouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144904 project_image_fid=3217]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> with landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/florian-wild">Florian Wild</a>, Napier 235 presents a sculptural, low-rise form that aligns with Fitzroy’s heritage character while introducing contemporary detailing.&nbsp;

Residences are all north-facing and feature large private terraces, with living areas that connect to the outdoors via floor-to-ceiling sliding glass.

Inside, kitchens are anchored by 3.5-metre stone island benches and include walk-in pantries, Miele and Gaggenau appliances, and built-in bars with wine fridges in most apartments.&nbsp;

Customisable floor plans allow buyers to tailor internal layouts to suit their needs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144904 project_image_fid=3220]

Sustainability has been prioritised from the outset. Napier 235 ranks in the top five per cent of Victorian developments under current planning policy benchmarks, reflecting efficient energy use and environmentally responsible design.

Napier 235 places residents within walking distance of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a>’s food and retail precincts, including Marion, Morning Market, and Bentwood Café. Fitzroy Gardens, Carlton Gardens, and tram connections to the CBD are also nearby. Despite its proximity to major amenity, the development sits within a quieter residential pocket.

Pricing for two-bedroom apartments at Napier 235 starts at $1,225,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144904]

Construction to commence at Napier 235 in Fitzroy as Romano appoints builder

A rare new development in Surry Hills is aiming to replace a cluster of underutilised commercial buildings with a contemporary eight mixed-use building just 300 metres from Central Station.&nbsp;

The $27.5 million project is being led by ISL Property Investments Management and will include 35 apartments, some earmarked for affordable housing, alongside street-level retail and basement parking.

The development spans multiple lots between <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/98-106-kippax-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">Kippax, Sophia, and Waterloo Streets</a> and will involve substantial demolition of the existing structures on the 780 sqm site.

According to the Urban Design Report prepared by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO</a>, the design has been shaped to reflect the area’s gritty industrial past while contributing to its evolving identity as a high-density urban hub.

“The proposed development is designed to integrate sensitively and intelligently with its immediate surroundings and evolving urban context,” DKO stated. “It mediates between the existing built environment and the area’s future trajectory, ensuring a thoughtful transition”.

<img alt="First look: I.S.L. Property Investments plans eight-storey mixed-use apartments in Surry Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="db880273-57af-4167-9601-f05fd7b39124" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Surry%20Hills%20isl.png?VersionId=f3Ix9jP4eJ44H69zUcgot_zxBr4rW6gJ" />

The project includes 35 one, two, three-bedroom apartments across the upper levels, with 15 per cent of the total floor area allocated to affordable housing.&nbsp;The dwelling mix is designed to cater to a range of household types, with layouts strategically oriented to maximise solar access and cross ventilation, DKO notes.

Architecturally, the building is anchored by a podium that reinforces the streetscape while referencing the area’s industrial brick fabric. Above this, a lighter tower form is chamfered to reduce visual bulk and improve solar access to the public domain.&nbsp;

“The tower mass is elevated above the podium, visibly distinct yet firmly anchored at the bookend corner of Kippax and Waterloo Streets,” DKO wrote.

The development is also aiming high on sustainability. Features include rooftop photovoltaics, water-efficient landscaping with local species, and a commitment to all-electric infrastructure.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: I.S.L. Property Investments plans eight-storey mixed-use apartments in Surry Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e1b99eb-6945-48b6-8222-647efe549803" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Site_0.png?VersionId=fUWGEn1sGpIMuzQ6KJ5zGQxQTjUoe9gz" />

The project is lodged under the Housing SEPP and seeks approval from the City of Sydney. There have been very few new apartment developments in Surry Hills in recent years. Some of the most notable has been redevelopments of former commercial buildings, as opposed to demolishing buildings.

That's the plan for national developer Time &amp; Place, which has recently submitted their State Significant Development Application for Marlborough House, the redevelopment of the original&nbsp;David Jones department store warehouse and factory building&nbsp;on Marlborough Street. The development will have around 150 warehouse-style apartments.

First look: Rare new apartment project pitched for Sydney's Surry Hills

Award-winning Canberra developer Art Group is approaching the final stages of construction on its newest residential development, Calypso, located on the city-fringe boulevard of Northbourne Avenue in Dickson.

Now 90 per cent complete and tracking toward a 2025 move-in date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/calypso-dickson-330-northbourne-avenue-dickson-act-2602">Calypso</a> will deliver 207 one-, two-, three-bedroom apartments designed for the owner-occupier.

The project has been described as a “vibrant oasis” within the growing Northbourne precinct, with design and amenity focused on enhancing both liveability and connectivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134842 project_image_fid=1205]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/art-group">Art Group</a> has positioned Calypso to meet the growing preference for flexible, lifestyle-oriented urban living. All apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows, generous internal layouts, and purpose-designed spaces such as study nooks or dedicated home offices in larger configurations.

One-bedroom layouts are designed with oversized bedrooms and dual-access bathrooms for added convenience, while two-bedroom apartments include additional study rooms and expansive kitchens.&nbsp;

The three-bedroom residences further elevate functionality with walk-in pantries, freestanding laundries, and panoramic mountain views from corner apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134842 project_image_fid=1203]

Beyond private residences, Calypso incorporates a range of shared amenities tailored to modern hybrid work and wellness lifestyles. These include dedicated coworking spaces, a gym with cardio and strength equipment, rooftop gardens, communal EV charging, and landscaped outdoor entertaining areas.

Technology integration is a key feature, with fibre-to-the-unit internet offering speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, instant-access Wi-Fi in shared zones, and an embedded network providing streamlined utilities.&nbsp;

The development also includes energy-efficient inclusions and central staircases designed to promote active living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134842 project_image_fid=912]

Situated on Northbourne Avenue, Calypso benefits from immediate access to light rail, placing residents within easy reach of the Canberra CBD.&nbsp;

The development is also walking distance to the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/dickson-act-2602">Dickson</a> retail precinct and close to several key education institutions, including the Australian National University, University of Canberra, and Dickson College, as well as&nbsp;North Ainslie Primary School, Lyneham High, and Blue Gum Early Learning Centre.

With demand for inner-north apartments continuing to outpace supply, Calypso’s nearing completion places it among a select few large-scale projects delivering new stock to the area within the next 12 months.

With an exclusive final developer release, and $0 stamp duty available in the ACT, there has never been a better time to look at this unique development.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134842]

Art Group’s Calypso in Dickson approaches completion

Headland Parade is one of the most premium and tightly held streets in Barrack Point in the Shellharbour region south of Sydney.

Local developer&nbsp;Allowrie snapped up an opportunity to develop four custom-designed townhomes on the exclusive strip, which they recently completed the luxury homes to the design by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ingenuity-home-designs">Ingenuity Home Designs</a>.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150639 project_image_fid=3556]

From the street, the development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/12-headland-parade-barrack-point-12-headland-parade-barrack-point-nsw-2528">12 Headland Parade</a>&nbsp;features gabled rooflines, muted coastal palette and landscaped frontages that reflect the enduring character of the area.

Inside, the attention to detail continues across open-plan layouts that flow into private alfresco spaces, with select residences enjoying their own inground concrete swimming pool.

The interiors are defined by their use of thoughtful materials and functional sophistication. 40mm 0% silica stone quartz benchtops, brushed brass tapware, and curved v-groove bathroom cabinetry are paired with Polytec kitchen joinery and Lappato-finished terrazzo tiles to create spaces that feel both premium and relaxed.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150639 project_image_fid=3550]

Comfort underfoot is achieved through hybrid European oak flooring and extra heavy-duty loop pile carpets in the bedrooms, while ducted reverse-cycle air-conditioning ensures seasonal adaptability.

Each residence includes a garage with epoxy flake flooring, landscaped outdoor areas, and integrated energy-efficient inclusions like 5kW solar photovoltaic systems. These elements reinforce the project’s focus on longevity and liveability, making the homes equally suited to growing families and downsizers alike.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150639 project_image_fid=3558]

Located 160 metres from Little Lake and 400 metres from Warilla Beach, the address sits within walking distance of the Shellharbour Village café strip, Shellharbour North Beach, and the coastal cycleway.&nbsp;

The Shell Cove Marina precinct is a five-minute drive, and Stockland Shellharbour provides broader retail and medical services nearby. Recreational spaces include Dawes Park, Killalea State Park, and Bass Point.

The four townhomes are move-in ready, and start from $1.25 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150639]

Staff Reporter

12 Headland Parade delivers rare new-build coastal homes to Barrack Point

Construction Spend

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVATION
The impact of the credit squeeze that caused the rapid deterioration in building conditions over the past 18 months is evident in today’s construction data.
This is the right time in the economic cycle for governments to be investing in infrastructure critical to residential development.
Preliminary figures released by the ABS today provide data on the value of construction work done in Australia.
Nationally, residential construction work has fallen by 10.9 per cent compared to last year. The contraction in homebuilding in today’s figures was anticipated given the decline in other data such as building approvals and housing finance.
More recent data suggests that the decline in residential construction will not continue, with leading indicators showing improvement.
A boost in spending on infrastructure by state and federal governments as announced in this year’s budgets was expected to offset the decline in the home building sector and absorb the excess labour from the building industry. This hasn’t happened with engineering construction work declining by 9.6 per cent on same quarter last year.
For the past five years home building pulled the economy forward. The home building industry is now dependent upon a strong national economy to pull it forward. Infrastructure spending can help drive this growth.
Today’s data - which shows a significant decline in engineering and construction work - tells us that the announced investment in infrastructure has not yet commenced. “
This begs the question where and when is the infrastructure spending going to occur?.
All the states declined for the September 2019 quarter compared to previous quarter.
The notable exception to this decline in residential and engineering work is in Victoria, where new residential work done increased by 1.8 per cent for the quarter to be up by 4.0 per cent annually.
New South Wales declined by 7.8 per cent, Queensland by 4.7 per cent, South Australia by 0.7 per cent and Western Australia by 4.9 per cent.
Tasmania and the ACT which have previously managed to buck the national trend have also declined by 20.5 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively compared to the June 2019 quarter.
ANGELA LILLICRAP is an Economist for HIA
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

When and where is Australian infrastructure spending coming online: HIA's Angela Lillicrap

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">GUEST OBSERVER</div>
<div class="section"> </div>
<div class="section">The ABS quarterly survey “Engineering Construction Activity” provides an update of the infrastructure sector, including details on commencements and the work pipeline. Here we provide an overview of the sector.</div>
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Activity: Infrastructure construction work is in the midst of a downturn, from record highs, as the mining boom transitions from the investment stage to the output phase.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.06.55%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.06.55%20AM.png" alt="">
Total real infrastructure activity contracted by almost 10 percent in the June quarter 2016, to be 26 percent below the level of a year ago. That was the fourth year of contraction and follows a fall of 9 percent in the year to June 2015, as well as declines of 3 percent in each of the two years prior to this.
Weakness is increasingly centred on the oil &amp; gas sector, as projects in WA and the NT near completion. Work on other mining projects and mining related projects appears to be stabilising, at a low level, as is work in Qld.
Private non-mining infrastructure activity has strengthened, increasing by 13.5 percent over the past year, centred on NSW and Victoria.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.08.05%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.08.05%20AM.png" alt="">
Public works are trending higher, up from the low of September 2014. Over the past year, public works rose by 16 percent, with further upside near-term.
Commencements: In the June quarter, some $17.0bn worth of projects began work. This adds to the likelihood that the low point for commencements is behind us. For the 2015/16 year, commencements totalled $65.8bn. That is an increase of 8.8 percent on the 2014/15 outcome of $60.5bn. This represents a modest bounce, with commencements still well below the $118bn in 2012/13.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.09.02%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.09.02%20AM.png" alt="">
The turnaround in commencements is being led by the public sector. In 2015/16, public commencements were $32.8bn. That is up $6.2bn on the year prior, centred on roads, rail, and telecommunications.
Private commencements stabilised in 2015/16, at $33.1bn, following $33.9bn in 2014/15, down from $88bn in 2012/13.
Work pipeline: Significant progress has been made in reducing the sizeable work pipeline. The pipeline now stands at $71bn, down from $77bn a year ago and moderating from a peak of $169bn in September 2012.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.10.13%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.10.13%20AM.png" alt="">
Prospects are for a further decline in infrastructure activity as work on key gas projects is completed and given the absence of new mega projects. Public works will provide a partial offset as state governments boost spending on major transport projects. Notably, the value of total work done in Q2, at $22bn, would need to fall by around 20 percent to be in line with the current level of commencements. 
Activity: overview
In the June quarter 2016, the value of infrastructure activity declined by a further 9 percent. Over the past year, activity contracted by almost 24%, following a 10% decline over the previous year.
In dollar terms, the value of work fell by $2.16bn in the quarter, with a $2.28bn fall in private sector activity swamping a $115mn rise in public works. Over the year, activity is down by $6.75bn.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.11.31%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.11.31%20AM.png" alt="">
Private mining
Construction work on oil &amp; gas projects continues to moderate, down $2.55bn in the period, as projects are progressively completed. That brings the decline over the past year to $5.1bn.
Work on other mining projects and mining related projects was relatively stable in the June quarter, declining by only 1%, with a minimal dollar impact. However, over the past year, there was a fall of 50 percent, a decline of $3.2bn. This was as work on pipelines and harbours wound down, as well as a moderation in construction work on coal and iron ore projects.
By way of context to the mining investment downturn, infrastructure work peaked at about $21bn in Q4 2013, is currently around $9.5bn and would fall towards $4bn to be in line with the current level of commencements. On this figuring, close to 70 percent of the downturn in the value of mining infrastructure activity is behind us. (These are Westpac estimates.)
Private non-mining
Private non-resource projects cover roads &amp; bridges, utilities (water supply, sewerage, electricity), telecommunications, and recreation.
Activity in the private non-mining segment strengthened further in the June quarter, increasing by 6.6 percent, a rise of around $300mn. Annual growth lifted to 13.5 percent, up almost $600mn on the level of a year ago. The lift in activity was evident in electricity generation (Victoria) and in sewerage &amp; drainage (NSW).
In the case of NSW, we suspect that there are some positive spill-over effects from the housing boom, boosting the need for infrastructure to service new residential areas. The durability of the lift in private non- mining infrastructure activity remains uncertain. Commencements are yet to establish a clear upward trend.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.12.35%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.12.35%20AM.png" alt="">
Public infrastructure, upturn
The public infrastructure cycle has turned, led higher by a commitment by the state governments to spend more on key transport projects. The public sector now accounts for 1/3rd of total infrastructure activity. Public infrastructure activity grew by a further 1.6 percent in the June quarter, the 6th increase in the past seven quarters. Public works were valued at $7.25bn in the June quarter, $1.0bn above that of a year earlier, a rise of 16 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.13.34%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-20%20at%208.13.34%20AM.png" alt="">
There is further upside to activity near-term. Construction work, at $7.25bn, is still running below commencements, which were around $9bn in both March and June. Moreover, the work pipeline has climbed to $19.7bn, up from $12.2bn at the end of 2014, to be above the previous peak of 2010, of $18.7bn.
The upswing in public infrastructure is a nationwide trend. The work pipeline has expanded over the past one to two years in all states. NSW is leading the way, with a work pipeline now at $8.5bn, a near 100% increase on $4.3bn at the start of 2015, to now account for 43 percent of the national work pipeline. As to the $1.0bn increase in public works nationally over the past year, 40% was due to progress on projects in NSW. 
Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Construction Spend

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Construction Spend

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

The latest real estate & off the plan properties & news, delivered to your inbox.