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.

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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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Employment trends can be a precursor to property market trends.
Having spent much of the last week analysing the latest employment data for locations right across Australia we’ve found some interesting discoveries which might shape property market performance over the next year or two.
At a base level knowledge of becoming an astute property investor is recognising that property is shelter. Wherever there is demand for a job there is demand for shelter. It is thereby logical to expect that wherever there is demand for more jobs in the future there will be demand for more shelter. This simple philosophy is something which is engrained in Propertyology’s research mindset and why we are full-time students of Australia’s economy.
Actual job numbers (as opposed to unemployment rates), drilling down to individual cities (as opposed to generic state data), and observing data trends over a time series provide us with interesting insight in to probable future performance of property markets.
There can often be a lag of 12-18 months before what’s occurring on the jobs front produces a material impact in real property data. In addition to economic development (jobs), the factors which have the biggest influence on property prices are affordability, sentiment, and supply.
At a national jobs level, the data paints a much rosier picture than what the doomsayers elect to report. After creating a meagre 12,849 extra jobs during 2013, a credible 389,518 jobs were created during the 2014 calendar year. This has been backed up this year with 239,765 new jobs for the eight months to August (annualised 359,647). There has been an increase in total Australian jobs over the two years to August 2015 of 3%.
Against this national benchmark, it would surprise few to learn that New South Wales has outperformed with a 4.0% increase in jobs over the last two years. On the back of a raft of positive economic news over the last couple of years, Tasmania was easily the best performed state with a 5.5% increase in jobs growth. Northern Territory (4.1%) was the other state / territory to bat above the average.
<a href="/images/2015/10/07/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-07%20at%208.42.10%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/10/07/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-07%20at%208.42.10%20PM.png" alt="">After a strong job recovery year in 2014, Brisbane had a sluggish start to 2015 however, figures from the last few months suggest that momentum might be back. Propertyology’s forward estimate for Brisbane is for a steady performance although there is nothing suggesting that a boom is on the immediate horizon.
Darwin produced the biggest jobs growth of Australia’s eight capital cities with an 8.3% increase over the last two years. It is worth noting that much of this growth occurred during first half of this period and Propertyology’s research suggests that the trend could be reversed in the next year or so when construction on the Ichthys LNG project finishes. Perth (2.4% growth) and Adelaide (0.8%) were both below the national benchmark while Canberra has 2.2% less jobs now than two years ago.
The truly astute property investors don’t have the blinkers on and they recognise that 8 million Australians elect to live and work in alternative locations to capital cities. There are some really interesting job numbers unfolding in regional cities. Oh, and for those who missed the memo, housing is much more affordable in these locations.
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In New South Wales, Coffs Harbour (13.8%), Central Coast (12%), Illawarra (8.7%), the Mid-North Coast (8.0%), and Richmond / Tweed (5.0%) have all been superior to the State’s capital. And if you think they are impressive numbers, the biggest jobs growth in all of Australia over the last two years was in the Orana region with a 32.6% increase.
<a href="/images/2015/10/07/new_gosford.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/10/07/new_gosford.jpg" alt="" width="942" height="610">
With 5.6% more jobs now than two years ago, the Hume region has been Victoria’s biggest improver. Most of regional Victoria is struggling though, with a decline in total job numbers over the last two years in the North West (19.2%), Bendigo (12.6%), Geelong (10.9%) and Ballarat (2.9%). In Tasmania’s North West zone, which includes Burnie and Devonport, there was a 16.7% increase in jobs while the North East (Launceston) has increased by 4.6%. Go Tassie!
Queensland has produced mixed results. As forecast by Propertyology at the start of this year, the Gold Coast economy is very strong – there’s been a 15% increase in jobs – boom! Ipswich (8.2%), Moreton Bay North and Wide Bay (both 7.7%) have also been solid improvers. A decline in total jobs has occurred in Mackay (9.7%), Logan (9.4%), and Townsville (7.1%).
It won’t surprise anyone that job losses have occurred in Western Australia’s Pilbara and Kimberly regions; Perth (where thousands of mining administration jobs are based) has also felt the brunt. But, WA is a big state and it’s not entirely about iron ore and gas. In the state’s south, tourism and agriculture have been drivers behind 13% jobs growth in Bunbury. 
SIMON PRESSLEY IS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF <a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au/" target="_blank">PROPERTYOLOGY</a>, AN REIA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, PROPERTY MARKET ANALYST, ACCREDITED PROPERTY INVESTMENT ADVISER, AND BUYER’S AGENT. PROPERTYOLOGY WORKS EXCLUSIVELY WITH PROPERTY INVESTORS TO PURCHASE PROPERTIES IN STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN LOCATIONS ALL OVER AUSTRALIA.
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Employment trends a precursor to property market trends: Simon Pressley

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Share market volatility along with strong government support for one of the nation’s most rapidly growing industries is driving increasing demand for childcare centre investments, according to Savills Australia director, Julian Heatherich.
He noted recent deals - sold off-market, off-the-plan, prior to auction and at hotly contested auctions - with yields in Melbourne falling as low as 3.89%.
One China based investor paid $2.3 million on a 5.1% yield for a centre at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-rowville-501701601" target="_blank">2 Bernard Hamilton Way, Rowville</a> in Melbourne’s outer east, sold within six days of the campaign start. 
The purpose built centre sold subject to a ten year lease at $118,110 per annum net with 100% occupancy and an extensive waiting list. 
At an earlier auction a Melbourne based private investor outbid five other potential purchasers for a Thornbury childcare centre with a final bid of $1.83 million on what is believed to be a record low 3.89% yield.
Savills agents Tim McIntosh, said the marketing campaign for the 200 Smith Street property attracted more than 100 enquiries, 20 inspections, then 15 requests for the contract.
The tenant on a 10 year lease was the national operator Guardian Early Learning Group which owns or manages up to 90 centres.
In other sales an emerging childcare investment trust paid $4.35 million, in an off-market deal, for a former Hungry Jacks outlet at Coburg, with plans for a childcare centre conversion.
A local private investor paid $3.25 million for an off-the-plan childcare centre in Vantage Avenue, Clyde North, subject to a pre-lease to childcare centre operator Eclipse Early Education Group on a 10-year term.
Mr Heatherich said the average initial yield of childcare centres in metropolitan Melbourne in 2014 had been around 6.75% and that yields this year had, until recently been in the 6 to 7% range. 
"Small investors have traditionally been buyers of retail strip and residential assets and more recently that list has extended to childcare properties and there are a number of reasons for that including the negative performance of share market investments."
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Investors take to Melbourne childcare: Savills

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A UK-based student accommodation group has purchased two adjoining Melbourne development sites at 221 Pelham Street and 81-85 Barry Street.
Combined, the sites have more than 1,000 square metre area and were bought by from vendor Vaughan Construction Group through Daniel Wolman, Oliver Hay and Guy Wells at Colliers International.
221 Pelham Street, a former Reece Plumbing building, has a recently approved permit for 55 apartments.
“Located directly opposite Melbourne University, these sites combined are one of the last big parcels of land in this popular precinct,” Mr Hay said.
“The property was purchased off market by a prominent UK-based student accommodation group, who fought off fierce competition to acquire the site. The sale represents the group’s first foray into the Melbourne market.”
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Pelham St Melbourne sites make way for student accommodation

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The residential property developer and builder, Sekisui House has formally signed an exclusive deal with international golf champion and entrepreneur, Greg Norman, to design and build a premium golf course at its award-winning masterplanned estate, The Hermitage in Gledswood Hills.
The 9-hole, Par 3 course will be the only golf course in Sydney to be designed and constructed by the Norman group.
The new golf course is a collaboration between Sekisui House, Greg Norman Golf Course Design and club operator, Wests Campbelltown, to design and construct a brand new 9-hole course and driving range within the 300 hectare estate in Sydney’s south-west.
Greg Norman executed the agreement with Sekisui House Limited Executive Vice President, Sumio Wada, Sekisui House managing director, Toru Abe.
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Greg Norman golf course design teeing off soon at The Hermitage, Gledswood Hills

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Preliminary auction results for Sydney for the week ending 4 October show a clearance rate of 71.4% across 448 results, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
Standout regions include Sydney's inner west with a preliminary clearance rate of 90.6% with the inner south at 79.4% and the Hornsby and North Sydney region recording 78.2%.
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Parramatta dips to 42% as Sydney nets clearance rate of 71.4%: CoreLogic RP Data

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The top sale of the week was a four bedroom home in the Sydney suburb of Mosman, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
CoreLogic RP Data's top ten sales for the week ending 4 October noted the home, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mosman-120771653" target="_blank">42 Euryalus Street, Mosman</a>, sold for $5,600,000 through Ray White Lower North Shore.
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Top ten sales:
42 Euryalus Street, Mosman, NSW, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $5,600,000, Ray White Lower North Shore 
17 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills, NSW, 6 bed, 5 bath, 4 car house $4,325,000, Sydney Country Living Terrey Hills 
17 Berrillee Street, Turramurra, NSW, 5 bed, 4 bath, 2 car house $4,220,000, LJ Hooker Pymble 
503/14 Macleay Street, Elizabeth Bay, NSW, 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car unit $4,000,000, Richardson &amp; Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point 
4 Tutus Street, Balgowlah Heights, NSW 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $3,875,000, McGrath Estate Agents 
294 Military Road, Dover Heights, NSW, 6 bed, 4 bath, 2 car house $3,750,000, Position Realty, Rose Bay
2332 Cressbrook Drive, Hope Island, Qld 4 bed, 5 bath, 10 car house $3,700,000 Ray White Hope Island 
28 Carcoola Road, St Ives, NSW, 5 bed, 4 bath, 2 car house $3,550,000, Chadwick Real Estate St Ives 
17 Kingston Avenue, Concord, NSW 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $2,900,000 Raine &amp; Horne Concord 
64 Alt Street, Queens Park, NSW 4 bed, 1 bath, 3 car house $2,780,000 Wills Bro Estate Agents Bronte
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Mosman trophy sale leads CoreLogic RP Data top ten

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Caydon Property Group has welcomed the City of Banyule’s decision to agree to a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) consent order on its Ivanhoe development site.
It will enable a $150 million, 14-storey residential, office and retail development at 443 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe to proceed.
Banyule councillors this week supported the council officer’s recommendation to agree to the consent order for development at the 3360 square metre Burgundy Hill site, one of Melbourne’s highest points.
It followed collaboration between Caydon, council officers, residents and the community at a compulsory conference at VCAT in August which led to Caydon resolving key height, built form and mass, and vehicle access concerns through an amended proposal.
Caydon principal Joe Russo said the conference provided constructive feedback that "helped us land on a design that is a better fit with the surrounding area in terms of the height, appearance and amenity of the proposed building.” 
The approved plans will see the construction of 211 one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as 48 serviced apartments and 1590 square metres of office and retail space. These will be serviced by 296 car parks and storage for up to 156 bicycles.
The Burgundy Hill site is earmarked as a strategic redevelopment site in the Heidelberg Precinct Structure Plan.
<img src="/images/2015/10/07/700_caydon2.jpg" alt="">
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Caydon set to proceed with Burgundy Hill, Ivanhoe project

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With one of the country’s biggest lenders announcing lending restrictions to certain suburbs, could this signal changes which could have a much broader impact to the property market? 
Tiered pricing 
It’s not unrealistic for banks to change pricing structures and cap LVR’s based on suburbs. This could take the form of higher rates and/or low LVR caps for certain ‘high risk’ suburbs and lower rates and higher LVRs for what lenders consider a ‘safer’ suburb. A recent example was ING DIRECT’s decision in June to restrict investment lending in NSW to a maximum LVR of 80% (usually 90%), but this has since been restricted to 80% in all other states as well. If this becomes a market-wide issue, this could impact existing owners if they decided to refinance under new rules by making such a move to the goalposts.
Specific apartment developments under the spotlight 
If lenders start to put a red flag on suburbs, specific apartment developments which are deemed high risk or where there’s a glut of development, might be next. This could squeeze a huge percentage of investors out of the market,  reducing the affordability and ‘entry point’ for many first time buyers and see them locked out of certain developments but leave the gate open for overseas investors. 
These two changes could see a big shift in the way people buy property altogether by changing buying habits, upping rates and lowering accessibility for new buyers. 
Change buying habits
If either of these changes occur, we’ll see a shift in the market. Investors will flood certain suburbs because it’s the only places they can buy and owner occupiers will be locked out of certain suburbs due to LVR restrictions. This could have a big impact on property prices - and that of surrounding suburbs - and at a higher level, the demographic make-up of a city. 
Increase in number of declined loans 
Being knocked back for finance based on a building type or suburb could have a residual impact on a borrower’s ability to apply for loans. This could also impact a borrowers credit score more broadly. 
Higher rates across the board 
If tiering and capping presents too much of a logistical challenge for lenders combined with a backlash from borrowers, lenders may choose to cover their credit risk by simply increasing interest rates across the board. 
Lenders withdrawing from some areas altogether 
Mining towns have already been mentioned as high risk areas and if we see large lenders withdraw form these areas, smaller lenders will likely follow suit. This trend tends to apply for most high level changes like pricing or lending criteria – when the big guys move, the smaller lenders follow.
STEVE JOVCEVSKI is property expert at Mozo.com.au.
FOR MORE INSIDER INFORMATION ON PROPERTY LOANS, RATES AND MORE: DOWNLOAD THE<a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/tools/ebooks-and-webinars/42368-get-loan-savvy-expert-tips-for-a-first-time-investment-or-refinancing-loan-in-a-free-ebook" target="_blank"> FREE MOZO EBOOK</a>.
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Lending criteria changes have potential to lock owner-occupiers out of market: Mozo's Steve Jovcevski

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Over the past year a record 953,200 tourists came to Australia from China, up 19.6% over the year.
Tourists from China and Hong Kong rose to a record 1,165,600 over the past year.
Australia's number one tourist group remains New Zealand who totalled 1,286,900 visitors over the past year, but that was up just 4.9%.
The figures come as a Sydney estate agency mooted a summer rental stunt that would see 20 Chinese millionaires "trying" Sydney mansions before buying them. 
The Chinese property and lifestyle concierge Monika Tu claimed she will place these Chinese nationals from five Shanghai high-net worth families into palatial homes around Sydney at the start of the Chinese New Year celebrations in early February 2016.
They will stay initially for between one month and six months. 
She suggested with each having at least $10 million to spare, the group will bring more than $200 million into Australia to spend on property and other investments. 
"These high-net worth Chinese individuals are looking for a real life experience of what life would be like in Australia. They want to be introduced to schools for their children... even put their children into some kind of holiday school program as an initial try-out," Ms Tu told the Australian Financial Review. 
"They also want to find investment advisers and find out how to set up a business here."
These are not your average Chinese rich people, Ms Tu added. 
"Our new neighbours are not simply relocating just for our beaches," Ms Tu suggested.
"Many Chinese parents are becoming more open-minded and believe their own system [is] possibly corrupt and at times dehumanising, hence many of them look to the West for answers."
The plans are to house the 20 within walking distance in expensive Sydney suburbs such as Bellevue Hill in the east and Palm Beach on the northern beaches.
Some have expressed interest in the more affordable northern Sydney suburb of Frenchs Forest. 
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Chinese to try-before-buy prestige home packages to escape dehumanising homeland

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GUEST OBSERVER
Every year the spring market attracts massive attention. September is seen as a litmus test for the rest of the year and a stern assessment of how resilient the property market really is. It’s the AFL Grand Finals of real estate – which, oddly enough, is on at the same time.
This year’s been no different. After a very strong winter, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, the pressure on the September markets has been huge. This has been exacerbated by the stringent restrictions brought in on investment loans by the major banks. Also, cautionary warnings of apartment oversupply have meant that investors are studying the market with high-beamed intensity.
But how much can we really read into September? Is it really just a snapshot in time or is it indicative of long-term market trends?
Let’s start with the clearance rates. Sydney’s clearance rates have slightly dropped as have Melbourne’s. Last year Sydney was hitting the 80% clearance mark regularly, whereas this year it’s been around the mid 70s. The so called “Super Saturday”, the last Saturday of September saw clearance rates in Sydney slip a fraction below 70 percent for the first time this year.  Melbourne has also lost a few points, from around the high 70s to mid 70s this month. However, it’s crucial to remember two important things: this year has seen a record number of properties come onto the market. This has been because such a buoyant winter has caused many owners to try and cash in quickly. So the market has been absorbing a flood of properties and the increased competition has led to a slight drop in clearances. A result in the 70% region for September is still very strong.
The second thing worth noting is that while clearance rates have dropped, prices really haven’t. So while various media outlets have been quick to prophesy doom and gloom there’s absolutely no evidence of falling prices. In the same article in Sydney Morning Herald’s Domain about the drop in clearance rates there was news of a Darling Point property going for almost $3 million above reserve. Auction results generally have shown that sales prices are still strong. The market is robust enough to cope.
There is a clear confidence in the local markets as shown by the numbers of investors going to auction. The markets have themselves repaid this confidence with still strong auction results and relatively short turnarounds.
To get a handle on the national figures you need to delve deeper. There is a clear disparity between cities like Sydney and Melbourne which have been relentlessly driving the property markets upward and that of cities like Darwin, Perth and Canberra which are all experiencing negative growth and sliding clearance rates. This then averages out the national sales figures. 
The media has also been a big factor. Every week there’s been warnings of an imminent burst in the property bubble or a collapse in prices. This can cause a flow on panic factor, with investors rushing to sell before doomsday arrives. So far doomsday is still running late.
It’s important to remember that since 2009 Sydney has recorded a phenomenal growth of 76 percent according to Core Data figures. If you bought a property back then, on average, you would have seen this jump by around $300K in the last six years. Sydney and Melbourne remain highly desirable cities to live in. They’ve shown their resilience and ability to absorb wild property price swings in the past. They’re both international cities highly attractive to overseas investors. Whilst an oversupply of apartments in both cities may slow down parts of the market in the short term - it will inevitably catch up again. 
Beyond the two big cities, outlying regional centers such as Wollongong in NSW and Geelong in Victoria have been experiencing record property price booms as investors start to look outwards.  In the Illawarra region, for instance, auction clearances are going over 80%, a truly remarkable outcome.
To understand the clearance rates each city has to be broken down into its geographic areas. These can wildly differ. For example, Sydney’s North Shore has been having very good clearance rates and the eastern suburb properties are firing yet the south western suburbs are identifiably weaker. In fact clearance rates in the south west have fallen in the last year from around 69.8% to 54.9%. This is a pretty dramatic drop. But does it speak for the rest of the heated Sydney market? Probably not.
So ultimately it comes down to picking the right long term growth suburb and choosing the ideal property type. A good long-term investment property will not be affected by the vagaries of the spring market. This is why it’s always an excellent idea to chat to a professional who can offer solid research and help create a strategy that bypasses the flurry of the market.
SAM KHALIL is founder and director of <a href="https://www.dpn.com.au/" target="_blank">Direct Property Network</a>.
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