The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Queensland

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Most rental markets in regional Queensland saw a general tightening in the September quarter as more job opportunities arise, while Brisbane LGA and Greater Brisbane eased slightly, according to the REIQ’s latest vacancy rate data.
Overall, Brisbane LGA moved from 3.3 per cent to 3.6 per cent, just crossing into weak territory. The Brisbane inner ring (0-5km) edged over from a healthy 3.5 per cent last quarter to a weak 3.7 per cent this quarter. The middle ring (5-20km) eased from 3.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent, which is still a healthy rental market. 
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the Brisbane LGA rental market was easing slightly, as expected supply levels come online. 
“Brisbane has undergone an incredible transformation, with unprecedented levels of apartment supply coming onto the market in the inner and middle rings over the past few years,” said Mercorella.
“We are starting to see the impact of that supply as it finally catches up to high levels of pent-up demand.
“We are confident that this will be brief because Queensland’s population is continuing to grow, particularly in the southeast corner, and growing population means growing demand for housing.” 
In regional Queensland, the number of weak markets fell to six from 10 in the previous quarter. 
“These markets are showing the green shoots of recovery and there is reason to be optimistic about the future of the property market in regional Queensland,” she said.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/25/REIQ.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/25/REIQ.png" alt="">
Gold Coast’s vacancy rate eased by 0.2 percentage points to 1.9 per cent. This market remains in the tight range with demand for rental accommodation outstripping supply. 
The Sunshine Coast SD (incorporating Noosa and the Sunshine Coast LGA) is a similarly tight market, at 1.4 per cent. Caloundra Coast is the tightest market in the state, with vacancies at just 0.6 per cent. 
“Tenants may struggle to secure rental accommodation in this region and it is fair to say this area would benefit from additional supply being built to help improve market conditions,” she said. 
The Fraser Coast also tightened to 2.2 per cent. 
Regional markets of Mackay and Rockhampton experienced the largest improvements, with vacancies falling 1.7 percentage points each. 
Mackay has moved from the weak range, with vacancies at 4.5 per cent last quarter, into the healthy range this quarter with vacancies at 2.8 per cent. 
“This is a reflection of generally improving conditions in Mackay, and local agents have been telling us all year that this market is on the move. We are seeing evidence of this in rental data and also with the recent quarterly sales data,” Ms Mercorella said. 
“We see confidence returning to the market and this is encouraging. We’re optimistic these improving conditions will continue,” she said. 
Rockhampton has reported its second consecutive quarterly fall to reach 5.5 per cent. This market is still operating in weak conditions, however, the trend is positive. 
“We are hoping to soon see signs that this market is stabilising. It is encouraging to see vacancies falling and local agents reporting improving levels of demand for rental properties,” Mercorella said. 
Livingston is reporting similar vacancy levels, at 5.6 per cent. Apart from Gladstone, which has vacancies of 5.7 per cent, Livingston has the highest vacancy rate in Queensland. 
“The good news is that in one quarter, Livingstone has fallen from 9.3 per cent to 5.6 per cent, which is a remarkable improvement,” Mercorella said. “This market has shown the single biggest improvement this quarter of all the markets we monitor.”
The Townsville market has reported its fourth consecutive fall in vacancies, to reach 4.3 per cent, its lowest level since September 2013.
“Other property experts share our view that the Townsville market is poised to move into recovery phase,” Mercorella said. 
“Technically the rental market is still weak, with vacancies at 4.3 per cent, but there is a clearly established positive trend of four quarterly falls. We are hopeful that the sales market will soon echo the rental market’s positive direction,” she said. 
The tourism-based city of Cairns tightened from 1.8 to 1.7 per cent. This is the tightest this market has been since 2012. 
“Domestic visitor numbers are up in this region, which of course creates jobs and this drives demand for housing, so when the tourism industry is thriving, the property market is doing well also,” Mercorella said. 
“This market attracts workers who will typically stay in rental accommodation before they make a longer term decision about living in Cairns permanently.”
With tourism numbers up and tightening vacancy rates, REIQ expects the Cairns market will benefit from additional housing supply coming online soon. Landlords have a steady level of demand for rental accommodation. 
She added that investors in Cairns benefit from some of the best gross rental yields in the state, which is an added incentive to buying an investment property.
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Brisbane rental markets soften as regional Queensland shines: REIQ

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The Foreign Ownership of Land Register released by the State Government has revealed overseas Chinese buyers purchased over 7600 land parcels over the past 12 months, totalling $1.47 billion, up from $463 million in 2013/14.
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It is the first time China has topped the list, taking over from the United Kingdom as the most prolific buyer of Queensland land.
China’s investment in Queensland totals nearly $1 billion more than any other country in the world over the same time period.
The total amount of foreign investment in Queensland land has risen from $1.6 billion in 2013/14 to over $4.2 billion last year.
The Foreign Ownership of Land Register released by the State Government reveals the United Kingdom maintained its position as the premier buyer of Queensland land when it comes to size.
UK owners purchased 2.2 million hectares over the year, ahead of the Netherlands with 1.9 million hectare and China with 1.6 million hectare.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Chinese buy 7600 properties last year in Queensland 

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The top 150 real estate sales performers across all markets in Brisbane and Queensland regional centres has been released.
The A List initiative was established five years ago by the Ray White Group, with the data is sourced and verified by Pricefinder.
The list of 150 agents uses sales data from the 16,500 registered salespeople based on three criteria; number of sales, value of sales and the number of listings for the previous calendar year.
The data found that one in eight properties in Queensland were sold by an A Lister in 2016, who make up just 2.2 per cent of all active agents.
They sold 12.4 per cent of all Queensland properties in 2016 typically with 45 sales against the average salesperson in Queensland making seven sales.
The average sales person in Queensland had a total sales value of $3.6 million but A-Listers averaged $23 million.
All up the 150 A List salespeople made 6831 sales, worth $3.4 billion in 2016.
Vicki Hodges of PRDnationwide Bundaberg, Jane Doogan of LJ Hooker Nerang, Judy Eddy of Action Realty, Harcourts Kingsberry Townsville agent Julie Mahoney, Nyree Ewings of LJ Hooker at Cleveland, Judi O’Dea of SPACE Property Agents Paddington, Sam Guo of Ray White Broadbeach, Dion Saab of Coronis Bracken Ridge, have all been on the list for five years in a row.
All 150 agents on the A List, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Brisbane, will gather together on 21 November 2017 in Brisbane.
2017 A Listers.
Listed in alphabetical order / not rank.
Aaron Woolard – Place New Farm Adam Cook – Yeppoon Real Estate Aidan Wales – Ray White Ipswich Alex Stassen –  Harcourts M1 Alex Telegin – Coronis Burpengary Alexandra Porter – Coronis Aspley Alli  Paterson – Freemans Residential Allison Gough – Explore Property Townsville Amanda Cepero – First National The Pines Andrew Dobbie – Ray White Beerwah Andrew Weston – Place Projects Andy Hogarth – McGrath Palm Beach Angela Duncan – Ray White Aspley Angela Mastrapostolos – Ray White Paddington Ann Vella – Raine &amp; Horne Beenleigh Barbara Harris – Ray White Rockhampton Ben Leong – LJ Hooker Sunnybank Hills Benjamin Hyrapietian – Kindred Property Group Brad Munro – Position Property Project Marketing Brad Scott – All Properties Group Brad Sissons – Coronis Coorparoo Brett Anderson  – Hillsea Real Estate Paradise Point Cain Scheiwe – Page &amp; Pearce Cameron Cole – Re/Max Excellence Cara Bergmann – Ray White Aspley Carmen Briggs – Harcourts Solutions Catherine White – Harcourts Pinnacle Chris Rhode – Coronis North Lakes Chris Wease – LJ Hooker Woodford Christine McKay – Harcourts Solutions Christopher Hubka – LJ Hooker Algester Clare Dawson – Raine &amp; Horne Tin Can Bay Clare Robins – Ray White Deception Bay Clint Hynes – Ray White Oxenford Clint Smith – McGrath Noosa Heads Craig Johnston – David Deane Real Estate Daniel Burrett – RE/MAX Success Danny Woolbank – Ray White Broadbeach Darrell Johnson – Knobel &amp; Davis Property Services Darren Bonehill – Place Coorparoo Dave Cooper – Positive Property People David Brown – LJ Hooker Coomera David Kopelke – Ray White Warner Dean Dank – Explore Property Townsville Dean Hamilton – LJ Hooker Stafford Debbie North – Elders Cairns Deon Calder – Coronis Mooloolaba Dion Saab – Coronis Bracken Ridge Dwight Colbert – Ray White Aspley Ed Hollingworth – Century 21 at the Pier Ela Milne – Ray White Eight Mile Plains (Eddie) Fai Nguyen Ly – Red Rocket Gary Kowaltzke – Ray White Toowoomba Range George Vuong        – RE/MAX Profile Georgia Tritton – Ray White Southport Georgie Haug – Belle Property Samford Heather Murray – Jan Jones Real Estate Ian Cuneo – Ray White Ascot Ilona Barry – LJ Hooker Robina Varsity Jack Harvey – Coronis Bracken Ridge Jacq Hackett – Coronis Springfield Lakes Jacqueline Farag – Elders Hervey Bay Jacqui Walker – RE/MAX Success James Gwynne – Harcourts Solutions Project Marketing Jamie Baker – Ray White Birkdale Jane Doogan – LJ Hooker Nerang Jared Young – Amber Werchon Property Jason Read – LJ Hooker Coomera Jayne Finlay – Page &amp; Pearce Jeanny Boyd – Coronis Burpengary Jess Nguyen – All Properties Group Jo  James – LJ Hooker Ipswich Joan Robb – RE/MAX Real Estate Services John McEwan – Bambling Property John Ryland – Professionals Cairns South Jonathan Wein – LJ Hooker Albany Creek Josie Smith – Crowne Real Estate Judi O’dea – SPACE Property Agents Indooroopilly Judith Crawford – Ray White Clayfield Judy Eddy – Action Realty Julie Mahoney – Harcourts Kingsberry Townsville Julie Munro – Ray White Townsville Justin Hagen – Calibre Real Estate Justine Dill – RE/MAX Success Kate Pade – PRDNationwide Toowoomba Kyle Davies – Henzells Agency Kym Saunders         – LJ Hooker Brisbane West Lee Doyle – LJ Hooker Kallangur Lee Sutherland – RE/MAX Property Sales Liam Booker – LJ Hooker Kallangur Lincoln Tatnall – Coronis North Lakes Lisa Etri – Ray White Rochedale Liz Brown – Ray White Rural Atherton Mal Lucas – Elders Morayfield Mark Daniel – Explore Property Mackay Mark Flinn – Ray White Port Douglas &amp; Mossman Mark Jensen – Ray White Palm Beach Mason Niari – Hillsea Real Estate Paradise Point Matt Boettcher – Yong City West Matthew De Maid – Belle Property Toowoomba Matthew Jabs – Place Newmarket Megs Walker – McGrath Cairns Melita Bell – RE/MAX Success Michael Folkard – LJ Hooker Nerang Michael Loader – Australian National Properties Michael Mills – Denovans Real Estate Michelle McLeod – Ray White Indooroopilly Michelle Wheeler – Harcourts North Lakes Nadine Edwards – LJ Hooker Cairns Edge Hill Narelle Lorensen – Place Nundah Nathan Strudwick – Elders Shailer Park Neil Mundy – Ray White Ipswich Nick Baxter – Ray White Benowa Nicole Devine – SPACE Property Agents Indooroopilly Nicole Plozza – Ray White Douglas Nyree Ewings – LJ Hooker Cleveland Patrick Kenny – Ray White Cairns South Patrick McKinnon – Coronis Hamilton Peter Houliston – LJ Hooker Cleveland Phil Edmunds – One Realty Maryborough Renae Duff – Elders Jimboomba Rob Karaka – All Properties Group Rob Williams – David Millar Real Estate Robbie Witt – Colliers International – Toowoomba Robert Taylor – PRDNationwide Whitsunday Robert Waterson – Hillsea Real Estate Parkwood Rory Wex – Cooke Property Agents Sam Guo – Ray White Broadbeach Sam Hargrave – Hargrave Real Estate Sharee Minnett – First National Toowoomba Shaun Bourke – Harcourts Coastal Shirley Chow – LJ Hooker Sunnybank Hills Shona McKenzie – Coronis Springwood Simon Booker        – LJ Hooker Kallangur Simon Salm – RE/MAX Bayside Properties Sonia Poole – Ray White Cairns Beaches Sonya Treloar – Ray White Bridgeman Downs Steve  Lane – Coolum Beach Realty Steve Venn – Harcourts Caloundra Steven James – LJ Hooker Gladstone Stuart Legg – RE/MAX Agency Stuart Thomas – McGrath Buderim Tait Batton – Coronis Springfield Lakes Todd Gerhardt – RE/MAX Advantage Tracey Child – All Properties Group Vern Gilbert – Plum Property Vicki Hodges – PRDNationwide Bundaberg Will Torres – Place Coorparoo Will West – Lacey West Zora Liu – LJ Hooker Sunnybank Hills
Source: Pricefinder, 2017.
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Eight Queensland estate agents rank on top 150 sales list for five consecutive years

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A 2,385 sqm site with a two-bedroom cottage in the Queensland town of Emu Park on the Capricorn Coast is up for auction on October 21.
The mortgagee is exercising the power of sale for two-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-emu+park-126517238" target="_blank">52 William Street</a>, according to its description.
The property settled for $160,000 in 2005, CoreLogic RP Data showed.
Prior to that, it was put on the market in 2004 with expectations of $209,000.
The site has two street frontages of 40 m and 60 m that would allow scope to redevelop the site or renovate the existing house.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/09/29/EmuPark1.jpg" alt="">
Emu Park's CBD is close, as also a primary school.
The listing agent is Lindsay Lodwick of Ray White.
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/finding/location/suburb-data?utm_source=Property+Observer+List&amp;utm_campaign=3fcbe356d1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_28&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-3fcbe356d1-" target="_blank">median house price for Emu Park</a> was $310,000, according to CoreLogic data. 
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Emu Park site with cottage listed for auction as mortgagee sale

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A four-bedroom house at Rural View in Queensland’s Mackay district has been sold for $420,000 under mortgagee conditions.
The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-rural+view-126263814" target="_blank">22 Rural View Drive</a> was marketed as ‘Mortgagee in Possession’.
The selling agent was Mandy Hall of Hall &amp; Co.
The rustic home is spread over 2.4 acres, or 9,880 sqm.
It last changed hands for $550,000 in 2009, according to CoreLogic data.
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Rural View, Queensland mortgagee sale at a loss 

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Some rural property listings in Queensland are being initiated by a lot of door knocking, not always by agents say Herron Todd White.
This additional demand to find an asset at this high point in the market cycle suggests some caution and one hopes that proper due diligence is being considered in these buying decisions.
"Access to water is a key comment this month with the latest Queensland allocations release," HTW said.
"Roger Hill has provided a high level overview on this market relative to the previous three rounds and proves interesting reading.
"The access to, use of and reliability of water continues to be a strong driver for land sales where higher value crops or permanent plantings are replacing traditional land use.
"There is still capital for such new developments but nding the right combinations of land, water, region and supporting infrastructure is proving a challenge for this capital.
"Fingers are crossed for some good spring rains to lead into a better summer season for all broad acre industries and hopefully the continuing of positive on farm returns can be seen again in 2017/18."
Valley View, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-qld-goombungee-7918530" target="_blank">372 Goombungee-Meringandan Rd</a> Goombungee, Qld, is on the market with interest above $799,000.
The property features extensive fencing to suit horses including day paddocks and shelters as well as cattle yards with loading ramp, race and small round yard. 
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Some Queensland rural sales circumventing agents: HTW

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Brisbane, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast continue to drive the property market growth in Queensland, according to a new report from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland.
The Brisbane LGA median house price grew 3.6 per cent in the 12 months to June, to reach a new high of $655,000, which demonstrates that affordability and amenity deliver consistent growth, says the latest REIQ Queensland Market Monitor.
In comparison, prices in Gold Coast surged 6.8 per cent over the 12 months to June, reaching an annual median house price of $595,000.
The Sunshine Coast SD grew 6.2 per cent over the year to June, to a median house price of $550,000.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said Queensland’s southeast corner once again stood out as the ideal housing market, delivering steady, sustainable growth.
“There is no denying the consistency of Greater Brisbane’s yearly median house price growth – we have grown steadily for about four years – which is proof that affordability combined with jobs and lifestyle are the recipe for a pretty close to perfect house market,” said Mercorella.
Capital city data, which looks at house prices to 31 May 2017, also clearly supports the case for Greater Brisbane compared with Greater Melbourne and Greater Sydney, according to the REIQ.
“Looking at Greater Brisbane compared with Greater Melbourne and Greater Sydney our median house price has grown 4 per cent to Melbourne’s 9 per cent and Sydney’s 6 per cent (for 12 months to 31 May) but as those markets start to cool people are naturally growing concerned about a potential correction.
“However, throughout the southeast corner, our growth is based on an improving value proposition, which means it is reliable, sustainable capital growth” she said.
The number of million-dollar suburbs held steady at 14 suburbs, with Auchenflower joining the club and replacing Paddington, which fell out of the club with a median of $994,050:
<ul>
<li>Ascot ($1,520,000)</li>
<li>Auchenflower ($1,055,000)</li>
<li>Bulimba ($1,110,000)</li>
<li>Chelmer ($1,035,000)</li>
<li>Clayfield ($1,075,000)</li>
<li>Fig Tree Pocket ($1,028,000)</li>
<li>Hamilton ($1,065,000)</li>
<li>Hawthorne ($1,200,000)</li>
<li>Highgate Hill ($1,141,119)</li>
<li>New Farm ($1,600,000)</li>
<li>Robertson ($1,078,000)</li>
<li>St Lucia ($1,255,000)</li>
<li>West End ($1,100,000)</li>
<li>Wilston ($1,200,000)</li>
</ul>
According to Corelogic RP Data, more than half (almost 56 per cent) of Sydney suburbs have a median house price of $1 million or more. By comparison, just 5.9 per cent of Brisbane suburbs have a median house price of more than $1 million.
Teneriffe remains Brisbane’s only $2 million suburb.
Brisbane LGA’s top five suburbs for annual median house price growth in the 12 months to June were:
 
<ol>
<li>Wilston (18.8%)</li>
<li>Auchenflower (19.2%)</li>
<li>Gaythorne (21.6%)</li>
<li>Ascot (21.6%)</li>
<li>St Lucia (21.8%)</li>
</ol>
 
Queensland’s top five suburbs for annual median house price growth in the 12 months to June were:
 
<ol>
<li>Woodend in Ipswich LGA (34.5%)</li>
<li>Murgon in South Burnett LGA (26.0%)</li>
<li>Clear Island Waters in Gold Coast LGA (24.0%)</li>
<li>Oonoonba in Townsville LGA (23.6%)</li>
<li>Sunshine Beach in Noosa Shire (23.1%)</li>
</ol>
 
The unit market performed with less strength this quarter, as weakening demand and continued supply issues deliver flat to negative growth throughout the state.
The standout suburbs where units performed well in Brisbane LGA were:
<ul>
<li>Norman Park (15.6%)</li>
<li>Highgate Hill (15.3%)</li>
<li>Mount Gravatt (14.4%)</li>
<li>East Brisbane (13.0%)</li>
<li>Annerley (10.1%)</li>
</ul>
However, regional Queensland did not perform as strongly this quarter, although Mackay was the stand-out as it delivered strong quarterly growth of 7.4 per cent and second consecutive fall in vacancy rates.
“This market is finally showing the positive impact that we have been seeing in other parts of the local economy,” Mercorella said.
“Mackay is a really positive town, with the housing market finally reaping some small uplift of what has been promising economic activity earlier this year.
“To be clear, however, the annual median house price eased by 5.6 per cent compared with this time last year, so we don’t want to overstate this result. There is still some way to go before this challenged market recovers its position.
“But, we are encouraged to see good quarterly growth and we are keenly awaiting next quarter’s results to see if this represents the green shoots of recovery,” Mercorella said.
The data revealed that Gladstone is Queensland’s most affordable unit market, with a median unit price of $218,750, while Rockhampton was the most affordable house market with a median house price of $270,500.
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Brisbane house prices hit new high, Gold Coast surges in growth: REIQ

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Citrus and grape producers in Far North Queensland are looking for farms to development into table grape and lime orchards, with strong sales activity in the Mareeba Dimbulah area according to Herron Todd White.
HTW said there is also activity from sandalwood producers with two farms on good quality granite soils recently acquired at premium values. 
"An irrigation water shortage remains the main worry for farmers in the Mareeba Dimbulah irrigation area," HTW said.
"Two consecutive failed wet seasons is now likely to result in irrigators receiving only 60% of their nominated allocation, down from 75% the year before.
"Growers in the Atherton locality who rely on groundwater are likely to fare better on remain, on 75% of their nominated allocation. 
"Values of good quality red soil country continue to rise in the Atherton, Tolga and Kairi localities with a number of sales now over the $50,000 per irrigated hectare excluding structures.
"An avocado farm on good red soils at Atherton has sold for over $100,000 per irrigated and planted hectare excluding structures.
"The farm was planted to Hass variety avocadoes, which are currently in strong demand on the back of high fruit prices.
"Strong prices has led to a large increase in new Hass avocado tree plantings throughout all growing areas from Dimbulah through to Atherton."
A property in Dimbulah featuring <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/dimbulah-qld-4872-2013282307" target="_blank">146 acres of fenced boundary</a> is on the market for $3.4 million.
It features 2464 producing lime trees, a 4 Bedroom home plus 2 bed worker's quarters and new packing and machinery sheds.
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Market ripe for citrus and grape producers in Far North Queensland

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GUEST OBSERVER
The Property and Construction sector has rightly been identified by the Queensland Government as one of the four pillars of the economy, alongside Tourism, Agriculture and Resources.
The sector consistently contributes approximately 11% of Queensland’s gross state product. After Health and Retail, it is the third largest employer. 
Worryingly, of the $42.75 billion allocated to infrastructure over the next four years, only $4.8 billion will be invested in regional Queensland. Historically, on average, less than 12% of infrastructure spending is invested into regional infrastructure development.
The question then is: is that distribution equitable and can our budgets be brave enough to significantly shift the historical balance in favour of regional over metropolitan infrastructure and development? The arguments in favour of being brave are compelling.
For their contribution and according to Regional Australia Institute (RAI), regional cities will have added $375 billion to the national economy by 2031. With the Queensland economy in a transitional phase and on a continued downward slide from the resource boom, taking advantage of the opportunities that regional cities provide has never been more important.
Regional cities north of Brisbane are optimistically investing in long rather than short term strategies. Geographic opportunities in the agri-foods and freight logistics sub-sectors offer possibilities that the north is able to yoke through harnessing untapped water supplies and developing agricultural potential in its vast plains. A northern food bowl would help sustain the emerging and ever increasing demographic realities that the likes of China and Singapore face. 
The resultant logistic hubs could in parallel, sustain other economic stimulators. Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport for example has had a significant impact on local food and horticultural production for which commercial freight flights have commenced. Further north, Mount Isa Regional Council predicts that the new Mount Isa to Tennant Creek rail link will be the stimulus for an economic corridor that will boost local economies along its route and diversify that particular region’s mining focused economies into other sectors. 
Airports could unlock the two-stop long-haul flights to Europe and therefore lure large carriers who currently use Dubai or Hong Kong as a preferred international stopover. How? Qantas, for example, has already commenced direct flights from Perth to London. By making Broome or Mackay the first stopover for a long range ‘Dreamliner’ or similar flight to London, Australia’s regional tourist hubs could be the next mega transit hubs in their own right. Bernard Salt suggests that this will help create new secondary cities equitably spread (geographically) across Australia.
Regional cities are recognising that the knowledge worker can work from anywhere as long as they have access to their tools and technology. Sunshine Coast Council for example plans to link its region directly to global communications systems in Asia, the Pacific and the United States by encouraging the private sector to deliver an international submarine broadband cable connection that would land at Maroochydore. Initial economic modelling indicates that this initiative will generate an additional $700 million to the Sunshine Coast economy every year and $1.1 billion annually to the state’s economy.
The Commonwealth Government’s embracing of the UK’s City Deals, Growth Deals and Smart specialisation concepts is a step in the right direction to managing regional infrastructure growth and investment. City Deals are agreements between the Commonwealth Government, a state or territory government, and local governments to enhance economic activity and liveability. They work by developing collective plans for growth and commitments to action, investment, reforms and governance from the associated stakeholders. Already, the first city deal agreements have been signed this year for Townsville and Launceston. 
It is demonstrably evident that regional cities are now starting to think bigger than ever and making their own luck in the process. However it is only with sound equitable funding of infrastructure initiatives with strong leadership that sustainable and long term success can be achieved. Are our leaders brave enough to push for a strong catalytic stimulus to regional infrastructure development and fundamentally shift the balance of growth, population, economic benefit and employment?  
Lawson Katiza is Project Director, Savills, and can be contacted <a href="https://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Being brave in budgeting for regional infrastructure: Lawson Katiza

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Medium density housing approvals in the 12 months to March fell by the greatest margin in Queensland, more than in any other state or territory in Australia.
That is one of the key findings of the new Bankwest Housing Density report which analysed approvals in medium density and low density housing over both the long and the short term.
The report reveals the amount of medium density housing approvals in Queensland dropped by over a quarter (25.6%), down 6,789 approvals to just 19,693.
Bankwest General Manager Broker Sales Stewart Saunders says the state’s surplus of apartment style accommodation was the likely driver behind the drop.
“This sharp fall in medium density housing approvals in Queensland can be attributed to a high number of vacant properties, contributing to weaker investor expectations in the state’s hot property markets,” said Mr Saunders.
The drop is mirrored in the report’s findings that the proportion of medium density housing as a percentage of all approvals in Queensland fell by almost a half (45.3%) in the 12 months to March.
Despite this fall, the state’s medium density approvals in this period accounted for almost a fifth (17.8%) of all the approvals in the country over that period.
“The report also shows what’s happening at a more local level with pronounced decline in approvals in inner Brisbane City (down by 54.5% in the 12 months to March) but also a really healthy growth – the second highest in the whole country – in the Nerang area.
The report reveals the top ten fastest growing areas in the country for medium density housing, topped by Cottesloe-Claremont in Perth.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-16%20at%201.05.45%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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“The increased demand for medium density housing in Nerang in Queensland is also seen in other Gold Coast areas such as a Surfer’s Paradise, Robina and Southport where virtually all of the approvals in the year to March were for medium density housing,” said Mr Saunders.
On a national level, the report paints a picture of a country experiencing a continuing, long term trend towards apartment style living.
“What is noticeable in the short term analysis of the whole country is that we see that over the 12 months to March the country has experienced its biggest decline in the proportion of medium density approvals for four years,” Mr Saunders added.
Medium density approvals declined by 6.5% in the 12 months to March to 110,471, down from 118,156 the previous year.
This national decline was largely driven by declines at a state level in Queensland (down 25.6%), and Western Australia (down 27.1%).
Mr Saunders said the annual Housing Density Report had been produced as part of Bankwest’s ongoing commitment to offer insights on economic data, trends and issues of value to its customers, businesses, communities and policy makers.
“Bankwest is committed to helping customers and local businesses achieve what matters, contributing to the development of our communities and being a positive voice in the debate on the future of the economy.”
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