Just a few months after acquiring a prime Broadbeach site on the corner of First Avenue and Surf Parade, family-run developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/raptis">Raptis</a> has filed fresh plans for a new apartment development.

Raptis is seeking to deliver a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-19-first-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4217">29-storey tower with 73 apartments</a> on the 818 sqm site. It will be the developer's seventh project in the suburb, as they are approaching completion of The Sterling on George Avenue.

There will be a pool, barbecue and outdoor dining area, residents lounge and dining, sauna and steam room, gym, and a Yoga and Pilates studio.

<img alt="Raptis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b554da3f-7344-49aa-b1c9-44cf459af0d7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%2010.41.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zzjWu1iO1wnuYv4EV4fyOyf5nSXjGYut" />

Raptis Joint Managing Director, Evan Raptis, says they remain&nbsp;committed to developing quality infill sites across the Gold Coast in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

"This project continues our long track record of delivery in Broadbeach, and we look forward to bringing another premium development to this thriving precinct."

The announcement follows strong delivery momentum for Raptis, with The Sterling Broadbeach nearing completion and construction well underway on the final stage of the Waterpoint community adjacent to Harbour Town. The developer's continued investment in the Gold Coast reflects confidence in the region's apartment market fundamentals, underpinned by sustained Southeast Queensland population growth.&nbsp;

The outlook for the region is further bolstered by infrastructure investment tied to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, which is expected to drive continued economic and population growth across the SEQ corridor.&nbsp;

Subject to a favourable response from Gold Coast City Council, construction on the new First Avenue tower is targeted to commence before the end of 2026.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/it-s-all-in-the-family-four-decades-later-raptis-continues-to-shape-the-gold-coast-skyline">It’s all in the family: Four decades later, Raptis continues to shape the Gold Coast skyline</a>

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/raptis-secures-prime-surf-parade-site-for-next-broadbeach-apartment-development">Raptis secures prime Surf Parade site for next Broadbeach apartment development</a> 
&nbsp;

Gold Coast developer brings seventh Broadbeach project to market, targeting construction commencement before year end

Joel Robinson

First look: Raptis lodges plans for new 29-storey Broadbeach tower 

Brisbane development veteran Kevin Seymour's Seymour Group is set to deepen its presence on one of Brisbane's most tightly held riverfront addresses, lodging revised plans for a luxury apartment development on Oxlade, just a few doors down from The Oxlade, which it completed in 2024.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/70-72-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">new project at 70-72 Oxlade Drive</a>, directly north of The Oxlade, will have 27 apartments across a seven-storey building&nbsp;overlooking the Brisbane River and Merthyr Park. It's a revision from a 2021-approved design.

Designed by bureau^proberts, the project has evolved from the previously approved 26-apartment scheme, introducing an additional penthouse level while maintaining a low-density, boutique character. The development will comprise 26 three-bedroom apartments and a single four-bedroom penthouse, supported by two basement levels with 86 car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces.

The architectural response is centred around two distinct building forms separated by a landscaped open-air atrium.&nbsp;"This dual composition captures and embraces Brisbane’s subtropical environment whilst breaking down built form and scale," the submission to the Brisbane City Council noted.

<img alt="First look: Seymour Group returns to Oxlade Drive with revised riverfront apartment plans in New Farm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12d84d0-bc11-4067-b46f-5bd2d786a34d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/new%20farm%20landscape.png?VersionId=YEPc2k5CAdh6aAPlu4uVpgZadh4MEfRd" />

A defining feature of the design is a deep landscaped void running through the centre of the building, creating what bureau^proberts describes as a "natural ravine" that enhances airflow, daylight penetration and resident amenity. The design report notes that the separation of the two building volumes is intended to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and outlook while strengthening connections to the surrounding riverfront setting.

Curved balcony edges, integrated planting and extensive landscaping throughout the façade reinforce the subtropical design approach. The building's façade is softened by elevated gardens and planter beds, creating a green edge that complements the established landscape character of Oxlade Drive and neighbouring Merthyr Park.

New Farm has become one of Brisbane's most sought-after suburbs for developers delivering premium downsizer-focused apartments.

GRAYA has been particularly active in the precinct, completing both Chalk and York in recent years, while construction of Moray House, being delivered for Spyre, is now nearing completion. Architect-turned-developer Joe Adsett recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/arcilla-new-farm-by-joe-adsett-28-maxwell-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Arcilla on Maxwell Street</a>, an exclusive collection of just nine apartments.

First look: Seymour Group returns to New Farm's Oxlade Drive with riverfront apartment plans

A new residential tower will be the first piece of a broader mixed-use precinct set to reshape a prominent Newcastle West site, with local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> bringing its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cambridge-quarter-newcastle-west-12-denison-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Cambridge Quarter</a> vision to market.

The first release, Tempo, will introduce 87 apartments across a 24-storey tower, marking Stage 1 of the residential component of a larger urban regeneration project planned for the western end of Newcastle's city centre, encompassing the former Cambridge Hotel site.

Positioned on Denison Street, Tempo has been designed as the inaugural building within Cambridge Quarter, a precinct that will ultimately combine apartments, retail activation and revitalised public spaces including the revamping of the Cambridge Hotel.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368856]

The tower will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including layouts with multipurpose rooms, catering to a broad cross-section of owner-occupiers. Apartment sizes range from around 60 sqm to 192 sqm, with a number of residences oriented to capture views across Newcastle Harbour, the city skyline and coastline.

GWH has emphasised liveability in the design, with open-plan layouts extending to generous balconies and terraces. Residents will have a choice of two interior palettes, while specifications include engineered stone benchtops, SMEG appliances, full-height bathroom tiling and secure building access. Premium upgrade packages will also be available

Multiple rooftop resident retreats will provide communal outdoor space overlooking the harbour and city, offering an elevated amenity layer above the activity of the precinct below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368851]

The broader Cambridge Quarter vision extends beyond the residential tower itself. Ground-level retail activation and landscaped public areas are planned throughout the precinct, creating a walkable neighbourhood environment connected to the surrounding renewal of Newcastle West. The Cambridge Hotel is also earmarked for future redevelopment into a family-friendly hospitality venue integrated with the new precinct.

The project is strategically positioned within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange, providing access to light rail, regional rail services and direct connections to Sydney. Residents will also be close to Honeysuckle, Newcastle Harbour and the city's beaches and coastal walkways.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368852]

For GWH, Cambridge Quarter represents one of its most significant Newcastle developments to date. The locally based developer, which has operated in the Hunter region since 1995, describes the project as a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Newcastle West.

GWH Executive Director Jonathan Craig said the project had been shaped by a focus on creating lasting community connections.

"We take pride in creating places that last. Spaces where people feel connected, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging," Craig said.

"Cambridge Quarter is something we are truly proud of, a place shaped by local knowledge, built with care and designed to be part of Newcastle's next chapter."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135876]

GWH unveils first release at landmark Cambridge Quarter precinct in Newcastle West

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a>,&nbsp;Rainbow Bay's busiest developer,&nbsp;has officially lodged plans for the largest development in its booming local portfolio, seeking approval for a further 88 apartments on Boundary Street.

The proposal&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">209–213 Boundary Street, Coolangatta</a>,&nbsp;marks the next chapter in the developer's transformation of the southern Gold Coast beachside precinct. It will be its fifth in the area, having already delivered Flow, Awaken and Esprit, while construction continues on the 38-apartment Radia. The new project would rise 57 metres above a consolidated 1,518 sqm site, on the same street as Radia and Esprit.

&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, the proposed development comprises 88 two and three-bedroom apartments across a contemporary podium-and-tower form that integrates extensive landscaping from street level through to the rooftop.

The tower would be delivered above a basement and multi-level podium accommodating resident and visitor parking, with the residential component commencing from level three. The design incorporates cascading planting throughout the façade, landscaped podium edges, and deep planting zones along the Boundary Street frontage.

<img alt="First look: S&amp;S Projects lodges plans for 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="677e6615-b5c0-4b6c-b4f9-efb14fcde1a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ss%20da%20pers.png?VersionId=YOnPKQm7IFXv0M5H326djEpxk80500Hi" />

A key feature of the development is its expansive rooftop wellness and recreation precinct. Plans reveal a resort-style pool deck, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, rooftop terraces, barbecue areas and landscaped relaxation spaces positioned to capture views across the southern Gold Coast coastline.

The rooftop wellness focus builds on the vision S&amp;S Projects first outlined when it acquired the site for $20.25 million last year.

"We are taking every advantage to create a truly unique rooftop wellness experience with a natural feel for residents, offering stone features throughout and an underlying theme that emulates a botanical garden," S&amp;S Projects founder and director Paul Gedoun said at the time.

The proposal seeks a 57-metre building height, representing a 50 per cent uplift on the site's mapped 38-metre height limit. Planning documents argue the additional height is consistent with recently approved and emerging towers in the immediate Boundary Street and Rainbow Bay precinct.

Urbis, acting as planning consultant, said the development would provide "88 dwellings, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, contributing to housing choice and supply within an established medium to high-rise coastal urban neighbourhood."

The scheme has undergone extensive pre-lodgement consultation with the City of Gold Coast, with the design refined following feedback relating to architectural expression, landscaping, traffic access and podium treatment.

<img alt="S&amp;S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a2d70fd-62ac-4b83-97c6-b798fc1243dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%209.16.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yHmghUwKM3IVGpBktQU1mE.0Lpf3WimG" />

The architectural team is led by Brisbane-based Cottee Parker, one of Australia's most active residential design studios, with landscape architecture by Dunn + Moran. The consultant team also includes ADG Engineers, Windtech and Acoustic Works.

S&amp;S Projects has become one of the most influential private developers operating on the southern Gold Coast. Since entering Rainbow Bay in 2022, the company has assembled a portfolio exceeding $1 billion in end value, establishing itself as a key player in the area's evolution into a premium apartment destination. Pezet Matheson will again handle the sales for S&amp;S.

Coolangatta is entering another wave of apartment development, following the delivery of several prominent residential projects in recent years.

John Kearney's Immerse Projects will launch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kaiya-kirra-beach-5-haig-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Kaiya on Haig Street</a>&nbsp;soon, meanwhile, Palm Beach-based Sherpa Property Group is preparing to bring its debut Coolangatta development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-viver-87-griffith-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Flourish Viveré</a>, to market later this year, subject to approvals.

First look: S&S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street

A landmark former orphanage site in Surrey Hills could be transformed into a new residential community under plans lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/antipodean-land-developments">Antipodean Land Developments</a> that would deliver 76 apartments and townhouses while restoring some of the suburb's most significant heritage buildings.

The burgeoninng Melbourne-based developer has submitted plans for the 9,158 sqm site at 1 Kent Road and 24 Durham Road, home to the former St Joseph's Home for Destitute Children, a historic institutional complex dating back to the late 19th century. The proposal seeks to adaptively reuse several heritage buildings while introducing two new four-storey residential buildings set within extensive landscaped grounds.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> and Kerstin Thompson Architects, the project has been conceived as a contemporary residential village embedded within a restored heritage precinct. The development team describes the design approach as "The Village in the Garden," with new buildings positioned among mature landscaping by OCULUS and significant heritage structures.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44ec8c1b-c0b6-44ae-859e-5811b3e6a023" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29.png?VersionId=p.p1_KFh4iQoV4nisdnPfQBAsWNi7m79" />

The proposal would deliver 76 dwellings comprising a mix of apartments and duplex-style residences, significantly increasing housing supply on one of the largest privately held residential landholdings in Surrey Hills. The development includes 127 car spaces, 24 bicycle spaces and more than 1,000 sqm of communal amenity, with the existing chapel building earmarked for conversion into resident facilities.

According to the planning submission, the project centres on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the site's most significant heritage assets, including the original c.1889 St Joseph's building, the chapel designed by architect Augustus Andrew Fritsch, and the historic brick perimeter walls and entry gates. The proposal also incorporates the retention of other contributory buildings including the former infirmary and school building.

Tract Consultants, in the planning report accompanying the application, said the scheme had been shaped through extensive heritage analysis and design development.

"The shared vision for the Site by the project team has culminated in a scheme which successfully breathes life back into a historic site while delivering upon the objectives of Victoria's Housing Statement in a carefully curated and contextually responsive manner."

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7263b7d8-95ea-400f-9531-6ca7d22c3c33" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29.png?VersionId=4cR1tiWOsDpgxEOwZi5vVFcyvvOsYkIE" />

The proposal is being assessed under Victoria's Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway. As part of the application, three per cent of the project's residential development cost would be contributed to the Social Housing Growth Fund. The development would also provide a diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences targeting a broader range of buyers than typically found in Surrey Hills' detached housing market.

Sustainability initiatives include an anticipated 66 per cent BESS score, natural cross-ventilation to 80 per cent of apartments, 28 per cent deep soil landscaping and a canopy cover outcome exceeding local planning requirements. The proposal also sets aside more than 1,083 sqm for communal indoor and outdoor resident amenity spaces.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33fad46f-fe26-4d0a-acfd-6b776e1c6a3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design.png?VersionId=D9F6WVSyYCtGvSUmith35LRp6R7PQkw_" />

Planning documents describe the property as one of the largest underutilised residential sites in Surrey Hills, arguing it presents a rare opportunity to introduce "missing middle" housing in an established inner-eastern suburb while preserving and revitalising a significant heritage precinct.

Antipodean Land Developments has built a reputation for design-focused residential projects across Melbourne, particularly in the medium-density sector. Previous developments include Neighbourhood in Brunswick East, delivered with Breathe Architecture, and Balfe Park Lane, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

They've been very active in site acquisition as they build out their future development pipeline. They recently launched Thornubury House, 45 apartments above a mix of commercial, retail, and food and beverage tenancies, and have plans for a boutique project in Fitzroy and another <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/antipodean-plan-apartments-for-deepdenes-missing-middle-on-whitehorse-road">"missing middle" project</a> on Deepdene's Whitehorse Road.

First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills

Gardens

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Musk Farm sold at its overcast onsite weekend auction for $1.59 million through the Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins agency.
The late interior designer Stuart Rattle and cattle farmer Michael O'Neill, partners for 16 years, paid $93,000 in 1998 with a $76,000 mortgage, for what was to become their expanded renovated Musk Farm, Daylesford masterpiece.
Selling agent Matt Childs had anticipated the <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-school-road-musk/Property-Details-buy-residential-7025401" target="_blank">cottage</a> on 1.2 hectares would <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-school-road-musk/Property-Details-buy-residential-7025401" target="_blank">fetch $1 million plus</a>, with it announced on the market at $1.14 million.
<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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-two.jpg" alt="">
There were six bidders who pushed the final sale price well above expectation after the $850,000 opening bid by the eventual buyer. Property Observer gathers the East Melbourne buyers will have Musk Farm as their weekender.
The auction attracted 350 plus attendees to the Victorian central highlands offering. The underbidder, standing with glasses (pictured below), congratulated the buyer in the sienna orange jumper.
<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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-four.jpg" alt="">
 <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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-one.jpg" alt="">
A clearance rate of 73% was recorded this weekend compared to 71% last weekend, from the bumper 1,057 auctions reported to the REIV. More than 10,000 homes have been sold at auction so far this year.
The Rattle estate included an adjoining 30 hectare cattle farm lot in the acclaimed Daylesford district expected to fetch $550,000 plus, sold for $660,000 to other buyers. Subject to council approval, the holding could get a residence since it qualified above the 20 hectare minimum block size.
<a href="/news/vic/musk-farm-the-stuart-rattle-michael-oneill-garden-estate-listed-for-auction">The former school property</a> started as a derelict garden overun with blackberries. 
<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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-three.jpg" alt="">
But taking their inspiration from the English Arts and Crafts movement of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, the couple set about its restoration starting with the planting of hydrangeas outside the 1880s old school house.
It comes with chinese tea house and a garden with 16 distinct garden rooms, joined by interconnecting walkways, and separated by large clipped hedges, English Box (Buxus sempervirens) and viburnum (Viburnum spp) and Ligustrum vulgare (Privet).
The garden, especially the pond, was not to its usual amazing high open day standard, looking slightly unkempt given the constraint on funds since the events of last December.
Attendees could partake in scones, iced yo-yos and Lavazza coffee with Peter Rowland catering.
Mossgreen auctioned the contents having set a pre-sale estimate of $299,000, but strong interest from around 600 registered bidders secured a sales tally of $711,000. A portrait of James, Duke of York, sold for $26,840, including buyers' premium. The family will donate a statue called The Thorn Boy from the gardens to the Wombat Botanical Gardens as a memorial for Stuart Rattle.
<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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-five.jpg" alt="">
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Musk Farm sale draws big crowd to Stuart Rattle garden estate auction

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GUEST OBSERVATION
As the demand for greener and cooler cities increases, new “green infrastructure” technologies, such as green roofs and walls, are coming to the fore. But what are they?
Put simply, green roofs and walls are landscaped building surfaces. Australia has been relatively slow on the uptake of this movement, with much of the available expertise, systems and materials based in the northern hemisphere.
Earlier this year saw the release of <a href="https://www.growinggreenguide.org/" target="_blank">Growing Green Guide</a>: a free guide to green roofs, walls and facades in Victoria – a collaborative local and state government project, which I contributed to.
And at the <a href="https://melbflowershow.com.au/" target="_blank">Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show</a> there was a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.683709495010102.1073741855.230588870322169&amp;type=1" target="_blank">pop-up garden display</a> by the <a href="https://www.land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/" target="_blank">Melbourne School of Land and Environment</a> demonstrating many of the ideas and techniques behind green infrastructure.
Here’s a snapshot and some important design factors.
The impact of green infrastructure
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43706/area14mp/cjsp4wft-1394603337.jpg"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43706/width237/cjsp4wft-1394603337.jpg" alt=""></a>
A trellis-based facade in Copenhagen, Denmark. John Rayner
Green roofs, as mentioned already, are a landscape constructed on a roof and include a range of different types. They can be a small, container beds two metres deep supporting trees and shrubs, or lightweight configurations of only a few centimetres in depth and more than a hectare in size covered in succulent and herbaceous vegetation.
Green walls fall into two very different types. Living walls support plants through irrigated, vertical containers or felt-based structures fixed to a wall surface. Green facades use climbing plants to provide green coverage over a wall, either directly on the building surface or more commonly using a steel trellis or cable system, with plants grown in-ground or in containers that are supported across the building facade.
The evidence of benefits associated with green roofs and walls is increasing as research efforts (from the <a href="https://www.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof/" target="_blank">US</a>, <a href="https://www.thegreenroofcentre.co.uk/" target="_blank">UK</a> and <a href="https://land-environment.unimelb.edu.au/research/research-groups/green-infrastructure-research-group/" target="_blank">Australia</a>) expand across the globe. Green roofs have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778810001453" target="_blank">been shown</a> in a number of studies to reduce building energy budgets, slightly reducing winter heating costs but providing more significant reductions to summer cooling.
A <a href="https://www1.toronto.ca/city_of_toronto/city_planning/zoning__environment/files/pdf/chapter4_2_6.pdf" target="_blank">modelling study</a> in Toronto on the implementation of green roofs across low-rise, flat roofs greater than 350 square-metres concluded that ambient air temperatures across the city could be reduced by up to 2C.
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/44246/area14mp/m3tnm6h5-1395194065.jpg"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/44246/width668/m3tnm6h5-1395194065.jpg" alt=""></a>
Millenium Park, Chicago. John Rayner
The benefits of retaining stormwater on green roofs are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204605000496">well established</a> and tend to form the basis of many city <a href="https://myplantconnection.com/green-roofs-legislation.php">green roofs tax</a> or incentive schemes, particularly in North America.
Green roofs act like a sponge on a roof, absorbing and storing rainfall and allowing re-use form plants, in turn reducing urban water run-off. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/34/3/1036">One study</a> involving a green roof with a 60mm deep substrate (soil substitute) showed rainfall retention of almost 83%.
Green roofs and walls have been shown to increase property values, partly because people like to view them, but more because they provide more recreational and amenity uses. In one <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12076-010-0046-4">New York study</a> rentals were shown to be 16% higher in buildings with green roofs compared to those without.
The <a href="https://www.greenroofs.org/index.php/resources/2012-green-roof-industry-survey">dramatic growth</a> in green roofs and walls across the US over recent years, despite generally poor economic conditions, suggests demand for these installations will continue.
Why not try this at home?
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43707/area14mp/2rdj5fd7-1394603510.jpg"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/43707/width237/2rdj5fd7-1394603510.jpg" alt=""></a>
Chicago Cultural Centre extensive green roof. John Raynor
Naturally, green roofs and walls need to be planned and designed properly to ensure they are successful. The most significant issue to consider is weight loading. A roof or wall must have the structural capacity for the mass of a green roof, wall or facade installation – both at construction and over time.
Not all plants will succeed on the sometimes hostile and elevated environment of a roof or wall; and vegetation growth is strongly limited by the depth, available volume, air, water, nutrition and environmental conditions present at the site.
Low growing succulents, such as <a href="https://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/images/2012_05/sedum-laconicum-northeast-4.jpg">sedums</a>, and drought-tolerant perennials including many Australian plants, are widely used because of these constraints.
Waterproofing is another key issue and most structures will require additional specialised treatments to ensure the integrity of the structure is not compromised by the installation. Excess water will need to be drained away, particularly from green roofs.
Most modern systems, such as those produced by German green-roof company <a href="https://www.zinco-greenroof.com/EN/greenroof_systems/index.php">Zinco</a>, incorporate lightweight plastic drainage cells to provide this outcome.
<a href="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/44344/area14mp/s34t4mbm-1395270896.jpg"><img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/44344/width668/s34t4mbm-1395270896.jpg" alt=""></a>
The High Line in Manhattan, New York City at West 20th Street. Wikimedia Commons
While the <a href="https://www.growinggreenguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/growing_green_guide_ebook_130214.pdf" target="_blank">Growing Green Guide</a> was written to increase local understanding and skills amongst architectural and design professionals in Melbourne, it is also relevant to a wider Australian audience.
Who knows? Australia might even have its own version of New York’s aerial greenway <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Line_(New_York_City">High Line</a> one day.
John Rayner is senior lecturer in urban horticulture at the University of Melbourne.
John Rayner receives funding from the Australian and Victorian governments, the City of Melbourne and Melbourne Water and is affiliated with Green Roofs Australasia. He helped to write the 'Growing Green Guide' and is involved in the green infrastrucure display at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>.
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jake-cSmGT7VXVf

Green roofs and walls – a growth area in urban design

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The historic Mount Macedon estate, Alton was passed in on a $5 million vendor bid at its weekend auction.
The property known for its botanic gardens, was offered by vendors mining executive Eduard Eshuys and his wife, Marjorie who restored its 1870s-built Venetian Gothic house.
Gardens make up four hectares of<a href="https://www.alton-mountmacedon.com" target="_blank"> the 10.5-hectare holding</a>.
It also has a small farm and an 1870s-built Venetian Gothic home, known as the gingerbread house.
Established by Sir George Verdon, at various times Victoria’s treasurer and Agent General, it was subsequently owned by Judge Hood and then by George Nicholas, the co-founder of ASPRO, this property has been always been prominent in the minds of Victorians.
The Eshuys' bought the estate in 1997 from Coles Myer-owned ­company Silver Meadows.
Its listing agent Jock Langley of Abercromby, who had the property in conjunction with Lindsay Hill Real Estate, Mount Macedon, had been issuing price guidance that other sales in the area had averaged about $380,000 per acre.
The property at 239 Alton Road, Mount Macedon, Alton was marketed as among the finest hill station estates. The hill stations concept comes from are high-altitude towns in India used, especially by European colonialists, as a place of refuge from the summer heat.
The garden includes 24 National Trust recognised trees.
The road's last sale was $3.25 million when the seven hectare estate, the 1870s <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+macedon-112416011" target="_blank">Duncraggan</a> sold last June.
The highest sale for the district was when Fosters brewery group secured $8.17 million in 2005 when the Gribbles Group director, Wallace Cameron bought the 8.8 hectare Sefton estate at Mount Macedon.
Built by <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/baillieu-william-lawrence-willie-5099" target="_blank">William (Willie) Lawrence Baillieu as a summer retreat early in the century</a>, the property included a nine-tee golf course, tennis court and croquet lawn.
It was offered at $12 million without success in 2010. 
It has an <a href="https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictoria/gid/slv-pic-aab45596" target="_blank">English garden</a> influenced by noted Royal Botanic Gardens directors Baron von Mueller and W. R. Guilfoyle.
<a href="https://www.fionabarkerdesign.com.au/folio/residential/sefton/" target="_blank">The Sefton interiors were done by Fiona Barker Design</a>.
Mount Macedon's first $1 million plus acreage sold in the late 1980s.
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Alton, 1870s Mount Macedon garden estate passed in

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A recent suggestion from Turf Australia president Anthony Muscat is for developers to offer a landscaping package or rebate to their home buyers. Is this something that you would look for?
Following the lead of large-scale developers Lend Lease, Peet and Newland Developers, who offer rebates for the inclusion of turf in their home developments, Muscat said that a high return on investment for the environment and as a purchase is the driving factor behind the inclusion of lawn.
Mirvac and Stockland are among those who encourage the installation of lawn.
While<a href="/news/vic/analysis-can-laying-turf-really-increase-your-property-s-value-by-75-000"> Property Observer has previously examined the questionable added value achievable by adding turf</a>, the concept of a rebate may make the idea more attractive to home buyers.
“More people should be taking advantage of these landscaping rebates. The value of turf is starting to be reflected more in the home development and real estate industry – and rightly so, when you consider how much it gives back to the environment, not to mention the value it can add to your home,” Muscat said.
“The natural benefits of turf are exceptional – it helps reduce soil erosion; improves drainage assistance; helps reduce ambient noise, heat and pollution, including a reduction of the ‘heat island’ effect around built up urban areas. Turf also adds aesthetic value, quality of living and provides a great space for family."
According to the director of national landscaping company The Gardenmakers, David Bambridge, those who offer this rebate can save homebuyers 30% to 40% in landscaping fees.
"I’ve found that there is an increasing demand by consumers for well designed and installed turf and green spaces in larger developments - particularly in commercial and civil projects. This demand is also at a high level in medium and high-density residential projects that I’ve worked on,” Bambridge said.
Developers can minimise the price and the effort required, due to the nature of buying in bulk for lawn and turf, and the requirement of bringing in a landscaper individually.
Landscape NSW &amp; ACT Association representative Joanne Auilina noted that they also encourage home and landscaping developers to incorporate appropriate lawns for the climate - something that individual home owners don't always consider.
“We’re seeing that more developers are recognising the wide range of landscaping benefits that turf offers and it’s becoming more of a front-of-mind consideration, especially with residential property developers. Landscapers at the LNA are strong advocates of the movement,” she said.
{module Do you think developers should offer a rebate for landscaping?}
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Do you think developers should offer a rebate for landscaping?

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Property owners with green thumbs will be out in full force over the Anzac Day break. With a long weekend up your sleeve, here are 10 tips to beautify your garden and add value to your property.
<ol>
<li>
Get weeding The least glamorous part of gardening is also the first task you need to tackle this weekend. Prise the plants from the paving and cull the clover before you get to the fun parts. Weed seeds often inhabit the ground beneath existing plants, so you’ll have to regularly dig out weed sprouts in addition to applying weed killer for a fair few months. If you are tempted to let things get a bit wild, make sure you tend to the weeds before they go to seed. 
</li>
<li>
Purge the pests Slaters, snails, bugs and birds will all take a bite out of your garden if you give them a chance. If you have fruit plants which you’re planning to harvest, try throwing some nylon netting over to keep birds away. You can take the netting off once harvest season is over to let the birds get at any spoiled or unused fruit, and they’ll also take care of lots of the bugs that plague your crop. Good planning can also keep the nasties away, with some plants deterring insects. If you’re going to try to kill some bugs, try to use natural pesticides where possible. 
</li>
<li>
Super soil Now’s the time to get the fundamentals right. This weekend, you can set up a worm farm to aerate your soil. A starter kit will set you back about $50. You can also start a compost heap that will fertilise your soil in the months to come. Commitment is the key to good compost. Make sure you have a designated scrap bucket to contribute to the heap every day, and turn your compost regularly. 
</li>
<li>
Feed and fertilise Most plants enjoy a good feed, but with seasonal demands, timing is everything. Research what your plants need coming into winter. Azaleas and Camellias will benefit from a small dose of watered in cow manure, but other plants will need less food before the cold season. 
</li>
<li>
Prune those plants Now’s the time to lop off any rosehips and dead flowers. Trim back spent flower heads, and remove any branches that are clearly dead to the world. In between plants, rinse of your secateurs to prevent spreading any disease. 
</li>
<li>
Go shopping Had big plans for al fresco dining that never quite materialised? Now’s the time to pick up some garden furniture, with demand (and prices) dipping after the summer rush. Before you head out, make sure you measure the available space and have a clear idea of what you want and can afford. 
</li>
<li>
Plan and plant Here’s the fun part: planting. If you’re set on laying down some new plants this autumn, make sure they’ll survive the winter. What’s best will depend on your climate, so take the time to check out one of the many autumn planting guides online. For much of the country, beetroots, silverbeet and lettuce will all do well if you’re after an edible garden. 
</li>
<li>
Be water wise Australian buyers are increasingly becoming aware of <a href="/expert-insights/building/buyers-want-water-wise-gardens-for-hot-and-dry-summers">the need to conserve water</a>.  Now is the perfect time to buy and install a rainwater tank if your property has the room. With the winter rains on their way, a rainwater tank installed now will collect plenty of water for the dry summer months. 
</li>
<li>
Sweep Once you’ve done all the fun stuff, it’s time to clean up. Clear the garden paths, the footpath in front of your house and the driveway. You’ll be surprised what a quick tidy up can do for your home. Now that autumn leaves are starting to fall, a quick regular sweep once a week will save you a lot of time further down the track. 
</li>
<li>
Fix up that fence Side fence sagging? Perhaps that picket fence that looked so friendly when you first moved in is starting to rot. Replace and repair any rotted or broken sections of your front fence, and collaborate with your neighbours to fix the boundary that’s been falling down for the past ten months. While you’re at it, oiling the squeaky gate will only take 30 seconds.
</li>
</ol>
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

10 tips to beautify your garden this weekend

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Renowned Musk Farm has been listed for sale by May 31 onsite auction through the Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins agency.
Selling agent Matt Childs anticipates the Musk Farm cottage on 1.2 hectares will <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-school-road-musk/Property-Details-buy-residential-7025401" target="_blank">fetch $1 million plus</a>.
A 30 hectare farm lot in the acclaimed Daylesford, central Victoria district is also expected to fetch $550,000 plus.
Interior designer Stuart Rattle and cattle farmer Michael O'Neill, partners for 16 years, paid $93,000 in 1998 with a $76,000 mortgage, for what was to become their expanded renovated Musk Farm masterpiece.
The 32 hectare property started as a derelict garden overun with blackberries. 
But taking their inspiration from the English Arts and Crafts movement of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, the couple set about its restoration starting with the planting of hydrangeas outside the 1880s old school house.
It would end with the garden divided into 14 distinct garden rooms, joined by interconnecting walkways, and separated by large clipped hedges, English Box (Buxus sempervirens) and viburnum (Viburnum spp) and Ligustrum vulgare (Privet). It shone even in winter.
<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/2014/04/17/musk-farm-april-17-eight.jpg" alt="">
Source: Facebook
Title Tattle gleans Stuart Rattle had been reluctant to buy the property when he and good mate, Paul Bangay undertook their first inspection drive-by.
It looked like a municipal park with too much asphalt, but returning at twlight Rattle sensed the opportunity and he was always of the later opinion that the home was best in late afternoons. 
It was a compact cottage after installing lower ceilings and its paintwork created the rich, moody and broody feel that he had once seen at florist Kevin O'Neill's Mount Macedon retreat.  
The English kitchen comes with oak cabinetry made by craftsman Kim Moir.
The cottage had the potential of the nearby pastures acquired for Michael O'Neill's passion, a herd of British White cattle he set about to save when the once common breed shrunk to only 400 breeding cows in Australia.
With their white coats, black noses and long black eyelashes, the cows stood out on the green hill that dominates the expanding holding, which was bought in 2003. The beef was sold to top restaurants, such as the Lake House in Daylesford, and through farmers' markets. Michael came from a long line of vets in Ireland's County Cork. The farm lot comes with pine plantation, a character filled barn, hay shed, cattle yards, chicken coop, small orchid and a terraced vegetable garden. 
Visitors were very welcome at Musk's regular garden open days. Title Tattle recalls Pixie Skase was a devotee. There was the reminder of her in the pair of Hermes ashtrays with Islamic motifs. Susan Bittar, the Arthur Anderson accountant, had Rattle decorate her Georgian home among the many commissions by Melbourne's prominent families.
But before the hydrangeas were at their peak last year, Stuart Rattle was found dead in his burnt-out two storey Malvern Road, South Yarra apartment on December 9, 2013.
It was in his abode at the back of his shop, an infill concrete box with mansard roof which Nerida Piggin once described as a soothing spacious retreat. It had been built by his builder father, Ken with intricate coffered ceiling. Rattle often said he was following in the footsteps of other designers, like Nancy Lancaster from Colefax and Fowler and Coco Chanel who also lived above their shops.  
Within four days police charged his partner, Michael O'Neill, with his murder after a suspicious fire, alleging that he killed him through asphyxiation five days prior at the city apartment.
O'Neill remains remanded in custody due to return to court on June 5 for a committal mention hearing.
Stuart Rattle, who grew up on a farm at Wakool, saw himself as one of Australia’s leading interior designers, the sole designer within his company supported by skilled artisans who transformed inspiration into reality.
But he maintained he was not there to impart his own style – "my focus is always to bring out my clients."
"A home should represent who lives there," he believed. And at Musk the whole house certainly evolved around the Aga stove.
"Interiors are above all sophisticated and highly attuned to each client’s lifestyle and personality."
But for Rattle scale, proportion and elegance transcended the current trends as he endeavoured to construct timeless spaces with an emphasis on comfort and restraint. In July 2012, a custom-designed furniture range was launched by Rattle in collaboration with Mortice &amp; Tenon.
Before his death he'd just finished refurbishing the drawing room at Musk Farm, after the ornate plaster ceiling arrived in four large panels. Then there was the Watts of Westminister birds wallpaper. The antique fire mantel was sourced in London. The Mulberry Floral Bouquet fabric on the sofa and some antique Persian blanket cushions. Brunschwig &amp; Fils 'Argonne Lampas' fabric on the Gainsborough Chair.
<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/2014/04/17/musk-farm-april-17-one.jpg" alt="">
<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/2014/04/17/musk-farm-april-17-five.jpg" alt="">
<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/2014/04/17/musk-farm-april-17-six.jpg" alt="">
<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/2014/04/17/musk-farm-april-17-seven.jpg" alt="">
Source: Facebook
In May last year the Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, and Mrs Chernov, on an official visit to Hepburn Shire, popped in to see the farm. (pictured below) Only last November the late interior designer and his partner proudly opened Musk Farm to the public to raise money for further restoration of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in nearby Daylesford. Stuart had been a very active supporter of the Botanic Gardens, repairing and restoring its rustic cascade, the Victorian Fernery and its irrigation works.
<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/2014/04/17/chernov%20april%2017%20one.jpg" alt="">
 
Source: Facebook
But within three weeks he was dead. His partner Michael O'Neill awaiting trial for his alleged murder. Their assets were subsequently frozen, by Supreme Court of Victoria order, and only able to be sold with the court's approval. Katrina Lewin, one of Rattle's sisters, has been appointed interim administrator of his estimated $4.2 million estate.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/stories/2014/02/21/crop-feb-21.png" alt="crop-feb-21" width="470" height="291">
  School Road at Musk has just the six properties. All up Musk has around 130 properties, once described by The Age as a sleepy blip on the map.
Barcaldine House, at 238 Dairy Flat Road with 15 hectares and a 60-square-metre homestead, was perhaps the most known given its cellar door operations. 
The hamlet's last celebrity sale was in 2006 when the television personality and interior designer Tonia Todman sold the four hectare farm which she bought in 1998 to use as a weekender with partner Michael Dowding. They refurbished in a style that Todman described as "French provincial meets New Hampton via Daylesford". 
Todman's four-bedroom house with Castlemaine stone fireplace was surrounded by a stone-fruit orchard and a small olive grove plus nut trees, a vegetable garden and plantings of herbs, roses, lavender and bulbs on soil classed as chemical-free. The Todman property at 90 Currys Road was listed with Morley Real Estate who were quoting $730,000-plus, and secured $660,000.
 
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Musk Farm, the Stuart Rattle, Michael O'Neill garden estate listed for auction

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First impressions are crucial for properties, particularly when it comes to selling or renting them out. If you have an ugly facade, then you're shooting yourself in the foot.
That initial photo that goes onto the listings website, and the way that prospective buyers see your home as they drive past or come for an inspection, will really affect your ability to sell or lease the home. 1) A clear pathway If you don't already have a path to the front door of your property then it's time to put one in. A pathway provides the eye somewhere to go, helps bring in a sense of welcome to a property and draws the buyer in. It also assists homes where the front door isn't in the middle of the home, or where the property is turned sideways on a block. Minimise confusion and give them less to think about when they view your home. While this could be done with cement, a quick fix is to use nice pavers, that can be picked up from Bunnings or a local garden centre, to provide the suggestion of a path. This will save you time, and money, and can be done in a way that suits the house. Plain, square pavers will look appropriate for a modern house, while circular or off-sized pavers can work well for something a little more rustic. If you already have a path, it might just be in need of paving paint or a thorough tidying up, which brings us to point two. 2) Clean, clean and more cleaning A lot of problems can be solved with a really thorough cleaning. While this isn't anyone's favourite task, cleaning properly can save you a lot in money that you might otherwise have spent sprucing the place up. Get yourself a pressure hose cleaner and set about thoroughly washing down paths, driveways and even the walls of your property. Be sure to check the instructions to make sure the pressure will not do damage to any specific materials you have on your property, but the majority of the time it will do marvellous things for your home. Get out a bucket and make sure to clean the windows and the front door. Leave it sparkling. 3) Garden furniture A lot can be done with a simple bit of furniture. If you have a lot of space in your front, or even a nice cosy area, a few pieces of garden furniture could show a buyer or renter how they might use the space. It may be a bench on the porch or a table and chairs tucked away, but anything that shows the space as functional is worthwhile. Also don't forget solar lights that can help provide a bit of an uptick for the property for buyers who will drive past in the evening (and keen buyers certainly will), or lights that can provide a bit extra for an overcast showing. Lastly, some shiny new features can also do well. A gleaming house number, knocker, door mat, and perhaps a new handle can help show off your home. Consider a new mailbox as well - a small investment that can provide a major boost. These can be purchased fairly cheaply, without looking it.
Remember to consider who is purchasing or likely to rent. A dog kennel, or children's play equipment, may also show how an area is useable, but it must suit your target demographic. 4) Gardening Less is more for your front yard. If you have overgrown shrubbery, weeds and lawn - it's time to cut it back. Reducing bushes in the front garden may also open up the front windows, and thus the inside of the house, to some natural light. You should be able to do much of the manual labour in this respect yourself - mainly requiring pulling out the uglier plants. Some of your nicer plants may, however, just need moving. If you haven't got green thumbs, then it might be worth handing over a few hundred dollars to a landscaper for some expertise in planting and placement. Getting a couple of pot plants for your front door, or to plant around focal areas - as well as to inject colour - can be the boost you need. This is worth doing a few weeks, if not a month or so, in advance to provide the plants time to grow in to their new surroundings and for any lawn issues - such as bare patches - to be attended to. Ensure regular watering over this time. 5) Fencing If you haven't got an exterior fence, or if yours is fairly worn, it may be the last thing on your list to focus on - however, it isn't the last thing potential buyers look at. Families with children and pets, or who may want them in the future, look very kindly on fencing. Similarly, they give a sense of security to homes that is also desirable. If you're offering your property to renters with pets, this is also worth a look. Fix your fencing, or look to install some, for an added tick on buyers' and renters' lists.
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Five ways to spruce up your property's exterior for added value

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One of the loveliest highlights of late spring are the Jacarandas which are now fully in flower across Sydney, even in its back laneways. Highlighted ofcourse in Brett Whiteley's winning entry in the Wynne Prize of 1977. Brisbane's season started earlier being warmer, and there are reports from Perth of their flowering. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/01/jacaranda-nov-1-one.jpg" alt="jacaranda-nov-1-one" width="470" height="309">
Photo courtesy of Pedro Vizcaino Pina<a id="yui_3_11_0_3_1383263603194_841" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrovizcainopina/"></a>/flickr.
But these purple canopies which look superb against the November sky are certainly high maintenance. Our He Said/She Said commentators Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok bicker over the garden fence.
HE SAID<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/jc-silhouette-5.jpg" alt="jc-silhouette-5" width="150" height="225" style="float: right;">
I adore jacarandas from a distance. It makes flying into Sydney so special at this time of year.
But in the front garden I'd happily settle for a row of gardenias, a grand magnolia and even a good old gum tree in the corner.
I am no jacaranda grouch but the beauty of jacarandas, especially after rain, inevitably becomes the sodden fallen flowers. Not quite as adorable and only tolerable so long as I only have to rake them up the once.
Of course gardening guru Shirley Stackhouse is on my side urging all not to rush out and rake up the spoils - relax and enjoy the double image, she suggested. But easier said than done, especially if the open for inspection crowd are coming through at 10am, and then the mess becomes just another chore. 
Anyway be sure to photograph your property for future listing while jacarandas are in flower as any pictures taken now can be stored ready for future marketing campaigns. Rather than delay any auction listing until the garden looks right, the photos will ensure buyers see the place in full bloom, even if it's not the season.
 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/mb-silhouette-4.jpg" alt="mb-silhouette-4" width="150" height="225" style="float: left;">SHE SAID
The jacaranda flowering - in something like 49 variations including white - produce such a beautiful uplifting effect across Sydney they ought be forgiven for making a mess.
As Shirley Stackhouse says surely part of the beauty of jacarandas in bloom is the marvellous mauve-blue pool of fallen flowers at the foot of the tree, like a reflection in water.
More robust than normal, the very dry weather seemingly brought them out into an earlier bloom this year. Like nature's clock, they signify shifting into the peak of the spring property market, though I do recall the unseasonably 1992 cold spell  when they were a couple of weeks later than the final week of October. 
Whenever they flower, memories arise of Sister Irene Haxton who ran Sydney's Jacaranda Hospital from 1948 to 1961. She, more than anyone since the first truly successful propagator, pioneer Double Bay nurseryman Michael Guilfoyle, saw to it that the suburbs are ablaze. Mostly down in the Sutherland Shire as the Jacaranda was a maternity hospital at Cronulla where every one of the thousands of babies born were sent home with a jacaranda seedling.
Of course the Hunters Hill peninsula must top the list of jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia) suburbs which is why I always enjoy jacaranda cruises on the Lane Cove River - this year there's three rivals - <a href="https://www.macleaycruises.com.au/page1.php" target="_blank">MV Macleay cruises</a>; the <a href="https://www.emeraldstar.com.au/Documents/2013/Jacaranda%20Cruises%20Nov%202013.pdf" target="_blank">Emerald Star</a> or <a href="https://buy.shf.org.au/eventListing2?filterMonth=null&amp;filterType=Jacaranda+Cruise" target="_blank">the Harman</a> but sadly none hosted by the horticulturalists Graham and Sandra Ross. I haven't ever spotted the white jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia alba) that Dr George Hewitt imported in 1960 from Brazil, but Jonathan claims he's seen one at Grafton and Bellingen.
Sydneysiders have been busy installing pools, spas, tennis courts and paving into their front and rear gardens with their contractors putting down a long-lasting herbicides to stop the weeds. But be warned these herbicides, carried by the seepage of water under the soil, can be quite damaging to  jacarandas which have fairly shallow roots.
Jacaranda Hill, the 60 hectare Brisbane Valley property at Coal Creek, is the standout current listing - and the marketing shows the splendor of the tree and the 1885 Queenslander homestead. Its for sale through LJ Hooker Esk agent Helen Granzien at $1.5 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/01/coal-creek-nov-1-one.jpg" alt="coal-creek-nov-1-one" width="470" height="353">
Photo: Coal Creek, Queensland
With no great 2013 listing imagery as yet, dipping back into the late 2012 offerings with jacarandas, I spotted a 1904 Federation cottage at Epping that sold after being listed for December 15 auction through NNW agent Kate Seehusen at $1.06 million. Its photograph (below) truly highlights the importance of taking pics now, for next year, rather than waiting until late spring before the delayed, same season, auction marketing opportunity.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/01/epping-nov-1-one.jpg" alt="epping-nov-1-one" width="470" height="262">
Photo: 18 High Street, Epping
Also in Sydney, the Fraser's development at Putney Hill have low rise apartments surrounded by nature, with the buildings named, Jacara, Figtree and Palmera Apartments, designed by Cox Richardson Architects. 
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We would like readers to email and tell us where their favourite jacaranda or group of jacarandas is. Maybe it's a tree in your own garden, or a street or park planting. Maybe you are selling it! Let us know. 
 
 
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