One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

New South Wales

<html><body>
A former Sydney real estate agent has plead guilty to stealing over $1 million from her strata clients.
Rachael Jena Kwawegen headed a strata management company that collected levies from about 5,500 property owners in 240 Sydney apartment and commercial buildings.
Fairfax Media Domain revealed last year that the boutique strata company, The Strata Agency, was being investigated by NSW Fair Trading over alleged irregularities in its business dealings.
On 29 January 2014, the NSW Fair Trading cancelled the licence and disqualified Kwawegen from holding a licence or certificate for a period of 15 years and disqualified from being involved in the direction, management and conduct of the business of a licensee for a period of 15 years. 
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
NSW Fair Trading  released a statement saying that: "Licensee Rachael Kwawegen pleaded guilty to breaching section 211 of the Property Stock &amp; Business Agents Act for misappropriating in excess of $1 million of trust fund monies."
</div>
</div>
</div>
She will be sentenced at Parramatta Local Court next month.
But there have been no policy changes from NSW Fair Trading, which operates a property compensation fund to cover any shortfalls in trust funds.
Strata manager David Ferguson, and former president of Strata Community Australia, said the state government should have more controls in place to regulate new strata management companies given new strata management companies are popping up every day at the moment.
“The are new strata management companies popping up every day at the moment,” Ferguson told the Sydney Morning Herald. 
“And there’s nothing to stop another The Strata Agency happening again. The money may have been safe but the disruption to people’s lives and chaos this caused was just terrible.”
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Former agent pleads guilty to $1 million misappropriation as NSW Fair Trading told to better regulate strata management

<html><body>
Rathgar House in South Grafton, the northern NSW town, remains for sale after weekend auction.
The historic restored 1890s residence was listed by restaurateur Tony Karouhanis who paid $302,000 for the unrenovated seven-bedroom house last year. 
He and wife Shai had plans to open a cafe and bed and breakfast. 
Ray White Grafton agent Ben Hottes thought it would attract $450,000 plus bidding. There was a $500,000 vendor bid.
It now comes with a $500,000 plus price guidance.
Rathgar House, located at <a href="https://raywhitegrafton.com/nsw/south-grafton/1164374/">44 Schwinghammer Street, South Grafton</a>, was originally the home of the first Mayor of South Grafton.
The seven bedroom, five bathroom historic building sits on 1,514 square metres.
{qtube vid:=FyreuI7vZoU}
</body></html>

Rathgar House, 1890s Grafton district home for sale at $500,000 plus

<html><body>
Rental yields are an important aspect to the investment equation.
While some investors are strict ‘yield chasers’ and others consider it the cherry on top of their capital gain, it’s worth remembering that yield does affect holding cost.
The yield is affected by many things and it’s crucial to be aware of what it is recording before diving in. Here’s a quick refresher on <a href="/expert-insights/your-weekly-how-to-calculating-rental-yield">what the rental yield is</a>, and <a href="/expert-insights/how-to-use-the-rental-yield-statistic">how to use it</a>.
If you think your current property could do with a boost – here are <a href="/expert-insights/investing/how-to-boost-your-rental-yield">some ways to up this figure</a>.
The following statistics were taken from the most recently available RP Data information.
For this article, we’re focusing on the lowest yielding suburbs based on house data for New South Wales.
THE LOWEST 10 RENTAL YIELDS
Firstly, looking at the lowest yields across Australia it’s not surprising that they’re present in our multi-million dollar suburbs, mainly near to Sydney CBD.
Narrowly missing the top 10 list included <a href="/news">Rodd Point</a>, <a href="/news">Sandringham </a>and <a href="/news">McMahons Point</a>, where yields were recorded under 2.50%, as well as <a href="/news">Bellevue Hill</a>, <a href="/news">Blakehurst </a>and <a href="/news">Hurstville </a>where yields were recorded under 2.75%.
<ol>
<li>
1.74% <a href="/news">Palm Beach </a>Median price: $2,535,000 
</li>
<li>
1.97% <a href="/news">Austral </a>Median price: $1,080,000 
</li>
<li>
2.00% <a href="/news">Box Hill </a>Median price: $1,625,000 
</li>
<li>
2.05% <a href="/news">Chiswick </a>Median price: $1,749,000 
</li>
<li>
2.23% <a href="/news">Glenorie </a>Median price: $1,095,000 
</li>
<li>
2.25% <a href="/news">Balmain East </a>Median price: $2,020,000 
</li>
<li>
2.27% <a href="/news">Waverton </a>Median price: $2,200,000 
</li>
<li>
2.27% <a href="/news">Strathfield </a>Median price: $1,558,000 
</li>
<li>
2.32% <a href="/news">Kenthurst </a>Median price: $1,343,000 
</li>
<li>
2.38% <a href="/news">Longueville </a>Median price: $2,510,000
</li>
</ol>
Turn page for the highest yielding house suburbs across New South Wales.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
THE HIGHEST 10 RENTAL YIELDS
Again using RP Data’s statistics, we collected the 10 highest yielding house suburbs. These presented a fascinating list of mixed results – from higher priced suburbs just under the $1 million mark to just over $110,000, it’s understandable that some will be confused.
As explained in this <a href="/news/minings-clean-sweep-on-rp-datas-10-top-rental-yield-locations">top 10 rental yield areas around the country</a>, previously supplied by RP Data, mining towns are often present on these sorts of lists – as are country towns and very regional areas.
For this reason, and the common saying that high returns come from high risk, it’s understandable that there’s a mix of opportunities in the market. You would be wise to treat these suburbs with the utmost diligence.
<ol>
<li>
16.40% <a href="/news">Killcare</a> Median price: $825,000  
</li>
<li>
11.57% <a href="/news">Mossy Point</a> Median price: $580,000  
</li>
<li>
11.56% <a href="/news">Broulee</a> Median price: $371,000  
</li>
<li>
10.89% <a href="/news">Hardys Bay</a> Median price: $955,000  
</li>
<li>
10.49% <a href="/news">Coonamble</a> Median price: $114,000  
</li>
<li>
10.40% <a href="/news">Condobolin</a> Median price: $115,000  
</li>
<li>
10.26% <a href="/news">Malua Bay</a> Median price: $380,000  
</li>
<li>
9.75% <a href="/news">Broken Hill</a> Median price: $120,000  
</li>
<li>
9.53% <a href="/news">Manyana</a> Median price: $328,000  
</li>
<li>
8.79% <a href="/news">Berrara</a> Median price: $340,000
</li>
</ol>
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ:
<a href="/news/property-rental-yields-fall-across-all-capital-cities">Property rental yields fall across all capital cities</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/commercial-property-offers-yields-as-high-as-11-but-comes-with-risk-colliers">Commercial property offers yields as high as 11% but comes with risk: Colliers</a>
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

The 10 lowest and highest rental yield suburbs across New South Wales

<html><body>
Warrangunyah, the 1,200 hectare Mudgee farm with 1910 homestead, has been sold for $2.75 million through Peter Druitt &amp; co - Mudgee.
It is a substantial and productive grazing property located only two and a half hours from Sydney.  
It is estimated Warrangunyah could run 400 breeding cows plus followers, in addition to 2,000 sheep.
It features 4.5 kilometres double frontage to the Warrangunia Creek with 300 acres of alluvial flats, an 88 meg irrigation license with 80 acres laid out to irrigation, and the remainder cleared, productive rolling grazing country. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-mudgee-7631475" target="_blank"></a>
The homestead has seven bedrooms.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-mudgee-7631475" target="_blank">The 10 Warrangunia Road property</a>, some 54 kilometres south of Mudgee at Ilford, was listed for sale in March at $3.3 million.
It sold around a week after auction to a buyer who owned an adjoining rural holding.
 
"The property had attracted good interest prior to inspection, having attracted eight inspections, which is quite a lot for a large rural holding," Peter Druitt told Property Observer.
 
Its earliest occupants were the Suttor family, Walter Sydney Suttor, a prominent grazier in New South Wales lived their after it was built by his father William Henry Suttor.
</body></html>

Warrangunyah, 1910 Mudgee homestead sells

<html><body>
The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales is lending its voice to warnings from the New South Wales Minister for Fair Trading about the risk of property fraud. After an <a href="/news/act/absentee-macgregor-landlord-loses-act-home-to-south-african-fraudster">ACT landlord's home was sold</a> without his consent while he was overseas, NSW minister Matthew Mason-Cox advised real estate agents to remain aware of the risks of fraud. “Identity fraud and scams are increasingly common throughout the community and the property industry is not immune to this criminal activity," said Mason-Cox. “Once a fraudster has a target they will contact the managing agent, pretending to be the property owner, and request their address and contact details be changed, cutting the real owner out of future correspondence.
“Soon after this, the fraudsters are back in touch with the agent requesting the property be sold. The intention is that once the property is sold, the fraudsters intercept the settlement paperwork, steal even more of their victim’s identity and ultimately take the proceeds of the sale.”
NSW Fair Trading introduced guidelines for preventing fraud in real estate in 2012, including a proof of identity checklist for vendors.
Malcolm Gunning, president of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW), said the group supports NSW Fair Trading's guidelines. “We take matters of fraud and fraud prevention very seriously,” said Gunning.   “At our recent roadshow events across NSW we spoke to over 1,000 members about possible identity fraud and the key signs to watch for, including requests for contact details to be changed.”   “We have instructed our members to be vigilant and take the guidelines seriously," Gunning said.   “We need co-operation from the public who should be aware that Real Estate professionals will ask them for identification, they should not be offended if an agent seeks extra documentation.     “The NSW Police or NSW Fair Trading should be contacted if identity fraud is suspected," he advised.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: 
<a href="/news/14-anti-fraud-tips-for-investment-property-owners-and-vendors">14 anti-fraud tips for investment property vendors</a>
</body></html>

jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

REINSW lends support to minister's fraud warning

<html><body>
Riva Vue, a masterplanned development in New South Wales’ Murwillumbah has reduced the price of 15 of the elevated blocks in the estate.
The 24.5 hectare estate includes new residential land located off Barnby Street. Within states one and two, there were 15 sloping view blocks with a range of degrees of site-fall that have views over the Rous River and out to Mount Warning. They have been reduced in price.
The blocks range from 683 square metres to 1,420 square metres and are ranged in price from $120,000 to $160,000.
General manager for Newland Developers, Stuart Campbell, said that they are trying to move existing stock to begin new stages that are planned.
“They are speciality view blocks, providing the perfect base to build a large, elevated designer home – each of which can be architecturally designed to showcase the magnificent tree-scape backdrop on offer at Riva Vue.”
“Our decision to reduce the price of these premium view lots is to appeal specifically to both builders and home buyers that understand the potential and value of building on elevated blocks.”
Meanwhile, Oliver Hume general manager Jilliam Sheridan said that buyers could choose a builder with a speciality in elevated home construction.
“We have seen interest come from local-based home designers, especially those with an architectural flair for creating a unique home that maximises the property’s idyllic outlook and positioning,” Sheridan said.
“This really is the sale of all sales and is a unique opportunity for buyers, who are able to take advantage of current pricing and secure one of the last remaining view blocks available in Riva Vue at reduced prices, to build their dream home.”
</body></html>

Masterplanned Riva Vue, Murwillumbah, New South Wales, prices reduced on 15 blocks

<html><body>
Wingham Plaza Shopping Centre, on the NSW mid north coast, near Taree, has been sold for $10.8 million.
Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson of Savills Retail Sales secured the sale to an Australian-based Taiwanese investor.
Coles makes up close to 70 per cent of the centre's total income of the single-level neighbourhood shopping centre.
It included a freestanding Caltex fuel station. 
The complex was extensively redeveloped and extended in 2009 occupying a one hectare corner site at 113-123 Isabella Street bordering the main commercial precinct of Wingham.
It has a gross lettable floor area of approximately 4,366 square metre, grade level car parking for 137 vehicles.
The sale of Wingham Plaza is the latest in a number of shopping centre sales transacted by Savills on the NSW mid north coast, including the sale of Manning Mall sub-regional shopping centre in nearby Taree for $32.6 million in 2013.
</body></html>

NSW mid north coast's Wingham Plaza sold for $10.8 million

<html><body>
The NSW Premier Mike Baird has appointed Carolyn McNally to the new role of secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment. 
It was created in April when the Minister Pru Goward took over the planning ministry and announced a restructure.
The prior role was filled by Sam Haddad.
It is the state department's fifth reorganisation in eight years and its third in the three years under the Coalition government.
The long-serving planning director-general Sam Haddad was given his marching orders in April within hours of Pru Goward being made Planning Ministerr when the new Baird government created a Department of Planning and Environment, replacing the planning and infrastructure department.
It will include the Office of Local Government as well as the Office of Environment and Heritage.
Carolyn McNally was previously the head of planning in Transport for NSW and before that head of the infrastructure investment division in the federal Infrastructure Department.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
"The appointment of Carolyn McNally as the secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment opens the potential for a fresh look at the planning system in NSW,"  the Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson said.
“With the planning reforms, local government reform and the Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney all on hold, the property industry is looking for leadership.”
“The initial challenge will be to ensure that the proposed Greater Sydney Commission has real teeth and is not just another layer over existing structures. The Urban Taskforce believes the Commission must have strategic planning responsibility, infrastructure co-ordination and approval authority roles for major projects across Metropolitan Sydney.” 
“The difficult balancing act for the new Secretary will be in establishing the commission without undermining her department while also keeping Sydney’s 43 councils feeling empowered.” 
“While the supply of housing in NSW and particularly in Sydney is currently robust there are concerns that key urban sites are getting harder to find and that strong leadership will be needed to housing Sydney’s growing population. 
"An important role for the Secretary will be in communicating to the broader community the necessity of urban growth at affordable prices.”
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Carolyn McNally appointed NSW Department of Planning boss

<html><body>
The Starship Enterprise-inspired Elanora Heights home has returned to the market.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-elanora+heights-112818759" target="_blank">The home with six bedrooms and six bathrooms </a>was built for the vendor Peter Chedid, a lifelong fan of Star Trek.
There is even a 15 velvet seat home cinema decorated with a space image taken from the Hubble telescope.
Chedid listed it initially in 2011 when thinking of moving to Europe with $15 million hopes.
Then the Caladenia Close property was listed again with Anthony Walls of Max Walls International with a $10.5 million  asking price in mid-2012 with the Italian furniture included in the price.
The 500 square metres home is located in Elanora Heights, some 27 kilometres from Sydney, on a two hectare holding adjoining Garigal National Park
Chedid, an investor and property developer, purchased the land in 2002 for $1.22 million and spent $5 million on the design and construction of the 2008 futuristic house.  
Max Walls International has it again for sale by negotiation.
</body></html>

Starship Enterprise, Elanora Heights trophy home listing returns

<html><body>
About 18 months ago I started including Wollongong in some of the Hotspotting reports which identify markets expected to out-perform in the future.
This was at a time when the <a href="/news">Illawarra</a> was generally expected to be a non-performer. Indeed, some had predicted recession and a collapse in the property market there, because of recent economic bad news.
But <a href="/news">Wollongong</a> is a quality regional centre and I’ve been charting real estate markets long enough to know that good regional centres always fight back.
<a href="/news">Newcastle </a>did so after BHP shut down operations in the 1990s, reinventing itself and coming back stronger than before. I expected Wollongong to do likewise (just as I am confident <a href="/news">Geelong</a> will survive industry shutdowns and thrive in the future).
<a href="/expert-insights/investing/too-late-to-buy-sydney-try-wollongong-or-dubbo-tamworth-and-gunnedah-and-newcastle">Earlier this year I wrote</a> on Property Observer: “Wollongong has defied predictions that it would lapse into recession following economic reversals such as downsizing by Bluescope Steel. One hysterical headline suggested property values would fall 50%.
“But the Illawarra is the latest example of a regional community fighting back from adverse circumstances. A lot of infrastructure and property development money is pumping into Wollongong and real estate markets are rising.”
<blockquote>
Much of Wollongong’s improvement is due to its inherent qualities as a regional centre and the extent of new investment there.
</blockquote>
Now we have seen price data published which confirms that Wollongong has defied the dire forecasts made a couple of years ago.
Australian Property Monitors’ quarterly housing report credits Wollongong with a 7.5% rise in its median house price in the June quarter and an annual rise of 14%. The median has risen from $439,000 to $500,000 in 12 months.
Nearby markets also delivered solid annual increases, including <a href="/news">Shellharbour</a> (7%) and <a href="/news">Kiama</a> (12%).
I attribute part of the increases to a ripple effect from Sydney. As expected, regional centres close to the state capital have caught the Sydney wave.
But much of Wollongong’s improvement is due to its inherent qualities as a regional centre and the extent of new investment there.
The place has a lot going for it. There’s a substantial and growing population (the Illawarra region has around 275,000 residents), the proximity to Sydney, the seaside location, the strength of spending on infrastructure (including $1 billion on hospital facilities and $500 million at Wollongong University), and the significant investment in new property projects by national development entities like Lend Lease and Australand.
Australand’s Shell Cove is a $1.5 billion project. The total value of all the infrastructure and property developments on our lists for Wollongong is almost $5 billion.
Nothing drives property values like infrastructure spending, which generates economic activity, jobs growth and ultimately demand for accommodation.
The Wollongong has that factor working for it on overdrive.
You can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
</body></html>

New South Wales

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

New South Wales

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News