Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

Property market

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The prospect of Squiiz becoming a successful property sales portal has been dismissed by estate agent John McGrath at an REB Leadership Series event for network bosses.
“The electronic classified game is over. REA has won and Domain is a strong second competitor,” he said.
“REA is making hundreds of millions of dollars, and they’re reinvesting it in technology, people, branding and marketing," said John McGrath, who is a non-executive director of REA Group.
The evidence from around the world suggested industry-owned portals such as Squiiz were unable to compete with specialist businesses.
"I don’t think Squiiz was ever going to work,” he said.
Century 21 chairman Charles Tarbey told the event it was too early to dismiss Squiiz, which was fighting for recognition in the same way that the two big portals did in their early days.
“We’ve got to remember that we’re the ones who control the data and we’re the ones who feed that data to REA and Domain,” he said.
“It’s a very hard battle, but Squiiz was never designed to compete with REA or Domain.
"It was designed as a platform for us to consolidate our data as an industry.”
Squiiz, which has just released an app, is confident it can capture 100 per cent of national listings by the end of 2016, its chief executive Nick Christian said.
The site was launched last November with the <a href="https://squiiz.com.au/" target="_blank">Squiiz</a> site having almost 200,000 listings on day one.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Squiiz future queried by John McGrath

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As this year’s calendar clicks towards December, the jacaranda season draws to a close with purple trademark trees turning green across Australia’s east coast.
The onset of flowering Jacarandas signifies the peak of the spring property market, and their disappearance indicates Christmas is nigh. 
In Grafton the town is known for its annual Jacaranda Festival and the vibrant coloured flower generally peaks the property market in the NSW north coast town. 
At just under $300,000, the property at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/131-villiers-street-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-8953404" target="_blank">131 Villiers Street</a> shows what the market offers at $300,000. Property Observer looked for recent sales at less that $300,000 on realestateview.com.au.
A short walk from the popular Australian girl trio the McClymont's childhood home, the three bedroom, one bathroom property sold for $299,000 in September. 
Another sold just yesterday for $290,000. The property at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/43-alice-street-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-9121630" target="_blank">43 Alice Street</a> is located within walk distance to the CBD. 
The contemporary three bedroom, three bathroom home features an extra garage room for an office, an open fire place and a large private backyard. 
Another three bedroom property at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/24-breimba-street-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-9524830" target="_blank">24 Briemba Street</a> has recently sold.
The Dovedale home sold for $295,000 last week after being rented for $350 per week prior to the sale. 
It was marketed as an investors dream as it comes with a 6.1% yield.
Just a short walk to Grafton's Jacaranda park, <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/156-arthur-street-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-9531628" target="_blank">156 Arthur Street</a> has it all on it's doorstep.
The two bedroom, one bathroom home is just a short walk to the hospital, the popular Prince street and numerous day care facilities and schools
The property sold for $240,000 in October.
One of the biggest properties sold at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/15-jackschon-avenue-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-9468834" target="_blank">15 Jackschon Avenue</a> in October.
The 728 sqm estate features six bedrooms, one bathroom and ample car parking space.
This property also returns a high yield. The $360 per week rent prior to the $250,000 purchase shows a 7.49 per cent yield.
The renovated <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/68-milton-street-grafton/Property-Details-sold-residential-9440546" target="_blank">68 Milton Street</a> sold for $225,000 in October. 
The three bedroom Westlawn home was bought in February for $142,000 and has seen over $43,000 of extensions including a car port and a verandah.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Grafton homes sold at $300,000 or less this spring on realestateview.com.au

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The longtime childhood home of the popular country music trio, the McClymont sisters at Grafton, in northern NSW has been sold.
It's been a while since the three bedroom home hosted them all, so hairdresser mother Toni offloaded the property this month.
Peter and Toni McClymont's paid $45,000 in 1985 for the home which had been in the family with their grandmother since the 1970's. 
It fetched $300,000 when sold to a local first home buying couple through <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-grafton-120174573" target="_blank">Ben Hottes of Ray White Grafton</a>.
He never got to meet the girls saying it had been a long while since they'd been around.
The mayor of Clarence Valley Ritchie Williams maintained it was always a privilege to have the girls back in Grafton.
"We at home are very proud of them and everything they have achieved," he said when they launched their album as special guests at a 2012 mayoral reception.
"I know there are only bigger and better things to come for the girls and we always enjoy the atmosphere they bring with them when they come home," he added.
The country music band have have released four albums and won 10 Golden Guitars and two ARIA Awards, a long way from performing at the Gympie Muster music festival in 1997.
Universal Records signed all three of the sisters in 2006.
Recently the girl's mother Toni said to the girls "you’re probably not going to come back and live in Grafton" acknowledging they're making homes for themselves now.
Brooke McClymont and her musician husband Adam Eckersley have lived in the Central Coast since 2009. They bought their three bedroom property for $227,000 and have since spent $130,000 on extensions to their home which is a short walk from Lake Macquarie shores. 
Mollie McClymont and her husband, Aaron Blackburn bought a three-bedroom house in Wollongong in 2014 for $400,000 with a large rear deck with views of Primbee Bay.
Host of Farmer takes a Wife, Samantha McClymont, who is married to pilot Ben Poxon is yet to show up with any property acquisition although is Lilyfield based. 
The McClymont family home, which had been vacanted by the time of the recent marketing, fetched slightly higher than typical town offering. CoreLogic RP Data put the current median house price at $270,000.
And it was among the few without the popular jacaranda purple tree around Grafton which is a hub of infrastructure activity with the construction of a new bridge, new jail and new highway. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
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The McClymont sisters childhood home at Grafton sold

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The Moreton, formerly Moreton Bay Ladies College at Brisbane's Wynnum has been listed for December 13 auction.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/142-airlie-road-pullenvale/Property-Details-buy-residential-9790784" target="_blank">There's a 16 room modern style Queenslander home</a> on 3.4 hectare grounds with tennis court and pool at Pullenvale.
The school was originally built in Wynnum in 1901 before its relocation in 1986. It was designed by English architect John Iley Green.
It has been listed by the Malecky family through Ray White agent Will Bertelsen.
It last sold in 1994 at $1.05 million.
There is around 1000 sqm of internal living space.
Moreton Bay College was founded in 1901 by Miss Alice J. Alison Greene and her sister Anne, in a school specially designed and built by their father.
Its location was in the heart of Wynnum town, on Bay Terrace, bounded by Charlotte and Florence Streets. The school was originally called Moreton Bay Girls' High School.
In 1944, the Greene family handed the school over to the Methodist Church 
Eventually, the Uniting Church assumed responsibility for the college.
The languishing boarding house, down to fifteen in 1980, was closed by the Board, with regret, at the end of 1980.
Current enrolments are at 1200 students at its Manly West holding.
 
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Moreton Bay Ladies College now a Pullenvale Queenslander

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Capital city home value changes for the combined capitals are up 9.3% annually, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
CoreLogic RP Data's Property Market Indicator Summary for the week ending 22 November found Sydney had an annual change of 13.3%, Melbourne 12.1% and Perth fell 3.5%.
Over the past month, Melbourne has fallen back on bridging the gap on Sydney with annual price growth.
 
<a href="/images/2015/11/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-11-24%20at%204.23.26%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/11/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-11-24%20at%204.23.26%20PM.png" alt="">
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Melbourne fallen back on bridging the gap on Sydney with annual price growth: CoreLogic RP Data

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GUEST OBSERVER
A quarterly survey shows the Barry Plant Group is meeting escalating vendor price expectations in the vast majority of cases, and exceeding it an impressive 40%. 
The average property price achieved by our Group in September was 15.7% higher than for the same time last year. 
Rising property prices throughout Victoria have generally increased sellers’ expectation of sale price. 
Results were particularly strong in Melbourne’s east and southeast across both inner and outer markets, with areas such as Narre Warren reporting that 90% of sales exceeded seller expectation, followed closely by the cities of Monash and Manningham. Areas that have flown largely underneath the media radar, such as Frankston and Sunshine, also reported a figure of 90%, with Gladstone Park, Taylors Lakes and Mill Park recording similarly high numbers. 
The Reserve Bank’s move to curb investors has done little to dampen their enthusiasm, with 40% of Barry Plant’s 80 offices reporting strong investor activity, notably in the median-priced suburbs such as Frankston, Sunbury and Noble Park. Mildura, Rosebud and Geelong enjoyed strong investor interest in the non-metro sector. 
40% of the Group’s offices said that first homebuyer activity was still strong – most prominently in the outer suburbs, but some of the higher-priced areas such as Essendon, Blackburn and Mordialloc also featured. 
Properties in most suburbs are selling faster than they did at the end of the 2015 financial year, with 63% of offices reporting days on the market to be fewer. 
Just over half of the offices (56%) noted a shortfall in stock levels, primarily in the outer west and northern suburbs, while only 3 locations reported an oversupply. 
The results of the survey overall support our data showing that the market in the middle to outer suburbs is still strong and probably has some time to run still. 
 
Mike McCarthy is chief executive officer of the Barry Plant Group and can be contacted <a href="https://www.barryplant.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Results strong in Melbourne’s east, southeast: Barry Plant's Mike McCarthy

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New apartment sales activity on the Gold Coast has spiked by more than 30%, indicating strong demand for new launches, according to the latest data.
The number of transactions in the July to September quarter rose to 416 among 47 projects. 
It was up from 314 in the previous quarter, says the Urbis Gold Coast Apartment Essentials report. 
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom product remained the most popular across all precincts, equating to 69% of total sales.
Urbis senior consultant Lynda Campbell said increased supply coupled with strong buyer demand, had fuelled this quarter's sales activity growth.
“The Gold Coast apartment market is continuing to break records in 2015 with sales in the first three quarters combined (1,041) overtaking the total yearly sales for 2014 (825),” Campbell said.
“The latest report shows that sales this quarter increased by 253 compared to the corresponding quarter for 2014 which recorded a total of 163 sales – an increase of more than 150%.
Seven new projects have launched this quarter with another 22 set to launch over the next six months, bringing another 2,165 new apartments to the market, she said.
“As apartment prices in capital cities become less affordable, the Gold Coast is attracting a greater share of the investor markets, who are seeking value for money, return on investment and lifestyle opportunity,” Campbell said.
The overall LGA Gold Coast median apartment price in June, which includes new and existing apartments, was $360,000 – significantly more affordable than Sydney ($650,000), Melbourne ($470,000) and Brisbane ($429,000).
“The Gold Coast has welcomed 23 new apartment project launches during the past 12 months. This is driving a competitive market for developers who have become more savvy and sophisticated in their designs and amenity offerings - giving buyers more choice.”
The majority of activity was concentrated around the Gold Coast Central* precinct which recorded 206 transactions, or almost 50%, of total sales. This precinct also holds the largest pending supply with a total of 909 apartments in nine towers which are expected to enter the market over the next six to nine months.
The Gold Coast’s new apartment market has reached its highest level of apartment sales in seven years with five consecutive quarters of increased sales volumes.
The 416 sales during Q3 2015 compared to 163 sales in Q3 2014 and 314 in Q2 2015.
The weighted average sales price of apartments on the Gold Coast is $553,245 - decreasing by $5,593 compared to Q2 2015.
The Gold Coast Central precinct recorded 206 sales or 52% of total apartment sales with an average weighted sale price of $579,854.
Based on surveyed data, the Coastal Fringe* remains the most affordable precinct on the Gold Coast to buy a new apartment with an average weighted sale price of $455,000.
The Southern Beaches* remains the highest priced precinct on the Gold Coast to buy a new apartment with an average weighted sale price of $924,038.
*Coastal Fringe suburbs include Arundel, Parkwood, Molendinar, Ashmore, Benowa, Bundall, Carrara, Robina, Clear Island Waters, Merrimac and Varsity Lakes.
*Gold Coast Central suburbs include Labrador, Southport, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters.
*Southern Beaches suburbs include Bilinga, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Casuarina, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Kingscliff, Kirra, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Palm Beach, Tugun and Tweed Heads.
 
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Gold Coast new apartment surge to seven year high in sales activity: Urbis research

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<div>Residential land values soared by more than $1 trillion dollars in Australia over the three years to June, and by more than half a trillion dollars (+15%) in the last year alone. </div>
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<div>Since 1989 the total value of land in Australia has surged by well over $4 trillion, with residential use accounting for nearly $3.5 trillion or more than 85 per cent of the increase.</div>
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<div><a href="/images/2015/11/24/Land.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
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<div>Since dwelling prices over the long run are ultimately a derivative of the land value which sits underneath, I always recommend capital city properties as those with the greatest potential for price growth.</div>
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<div>Particularly I look at those located within easy commuting distance of the Central Business District and with a high percentage land value content, which typically means steering well clear of high rise tower blocks.</div>
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<div>Since 2012, the biggest paper gains for property speculators have been seen in Sydney, with the total value of residential land in New South Wales spiralling by more than 53% in just three financial years. </div>
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<div>Victoria has also seen land values increase by 35% over the same time period, with broadly similar gains in land values across the next three most populous states in the 20 -22% range.</div>
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<div>Of course, population growth accounts for some of the increase in residential land values, and so too does the prosperity of the local economy, the lower cost of capital, and the relative scarcity or availability of the land in question. </div>
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PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>. 
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
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Residential land values soar: Pete Wargent

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Ben Genser, director of architecture firms Genser and Associates, is selling his contemporary Richmond home.
It is a new three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse at <a href="https://kayburton.com.au/properties/view/336494-10-huckerby-street-richmond-3121-sale" target="_blank">10 Huckerby Street</a>.
With large living spaces, home office, kitchen with European appliances, rooftop entertaining terrace, and views of the suburb, Monique Depierre of Kay &amp; Burton expects $1.65 million plus.
The townhouse is set within the Cremorne precinct of the inner Melbourne suburb with its views taking in icons, the AKM building, Nylex clock and Dimmey's Ball.
There is access to nearby 381 Cremorne's concierge. 
The average house price in Cremorne is $945,000, <a href="/news">according to CoreLogic RP Data</a>.
The property goes to auction November 28.
Genser is the director of architecture firm Genser &amp; Associates. 
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Architect Ben Genser lists Richmond townhouse

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Mount Druitt and Silverdale were the two identified affordable rental suburbs closest to the Sydney central business district, according to Australia's first rental affordability index.
These involve a commute of more than 50km, with the index naming the most affordable area in the greater Sydney region as Black Springs, almost 200km from the central business district near Oberon.
The index is a joint project between peak housing advocate National Shelter, Community Sector Banking and SGS Economics &amp; Planning.
NSW households on average weekly earnings of $1474 have to spend 28% of their income to rent in Sydney, the report found, or close to the inner city more than 60% of their income towards rent,
The report concluded they faced severe housing stress which is defined as spending more than 30% of total income on housing.
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<div>Melbourne is the most affordable capital city in Australia for average income households looking to rent, according the report.</div>
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The average household in Greater Melbourne would have to outlay 24 per cent of their income if they were to rent. Caldermeade and Melton West were ranked the most affordable.
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While most attention on home ownership, the index seeks to show renters face a greater challenge than homeowners when it comes to keeping a roof over their heads.
Adrian Pisarski, executive officer of housing affordability organisation Shelter Australia, said a low income family on $500 a week faces spending 65% of their income on rent in NSW, the most unaffordable state.
Mr Pisarski told the ABC almost all renters in Sydney were "on the threshold" of housing stress.
"Effectively, the only affordable rental [for low-income earners] in Sydney is west of Blacktown," he said.
"The inner-city, as people would imagine, is completely unaffordable.
"That [unaffordable area] spreads right up and down the coast and even to most of the coastal regions of New South Wales, and even places like Orange and Dubbo are not very affordable either."
The situation is marginally better elsewhere, with Queensland and Tasmania taking up 54%, South Australia 59% and Western Australia 57%.
Louise Pratt, from Shelter WA said maps of rental affordability across the State showed the North West, Broome, parts of the South West and most of Perth was unaffordable.
The report found the most affordable areas in greater Hobart to be Collinsvale, Derwent Park and Clarendon Vale, with the least affordable areas listed as Clifton Beach, Taroona and Old Beach.
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