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 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
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.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Queensland

<html><body>
Real estate developer and horse enthusiast Jon Haseler has listed his luxury Teneriffe riverfront in the award-winning Catalina development.
Haseler, who owns leading stud Glenlogan and is the managing director of QM Properties, paid $3,785,000 for the home on the exclusive Macquarie Street riverfront in 2014.
The 490 sqm freehold residence with cutting edge design is one of 23 in the Catalina development.
The three level home with four bedrooms, study, games room and multiple living areas has panoramic views of the river framed by floor to ceiling glass.  
<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/2017/08/15/TitleWA2.jpg" alt="">
Ray White New Farm agents Matt Lancashire and Brandon Wortley have set a September 2 auction. 
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
 
 
 
</body></html>

firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Horse enthusiast Jon Haseler lists in Teneriffe

<html><body>
A Woolworths-anchored Beaudesert Central shopping centre has been snapped up by a fund manager for $16.85 million in an off-market deal through Savills.
Beaudesert is a town 70 kilometres south of Brisbane and Beaudesert Central is the dominant centre servicing the region. 
Following this deal, Melbourne-based MPG Funds Management has now added the centre to its open ended MPG Retail Brands Property Trust, which now operates 11 retail assets across Australia with a combined value of more than $100 million. 
The transaction reflected an initial yield of 6.5%.
It was brokered by Savills’ Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson on behalf of a private vendor. 
“The MPG Retail Brands Property Trust had been seeking a suitable Queensland asset for the portfolio for some time. The Beaudesert Central acquisition is the first Queensland asset in the fund,” Tyson said.
The shopping centre comprises a single-level, open neighbourhood shopping centre developed in 2007 and is anchored by a 3,279 sqm Woolworths supermarket with 12 specialty tenants. 
The centre sits on a 14,230 sqm site fronting the Mount Lindesay Highway, adjacent to the central business precinct.
MPG managing director Brett Gorman said the Beaudesert Central is located in an area with strong forecast growth, so “it is a great fit for our business”. 
“The other emerging economic driver of the region is the recent catalyst development of the long-mooted in-land port road–rail hub of the Bromelton State Development Area which is now under development. This major project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities going forward,” added Tyson.  
Other recent transactions brokered by Savills this year include SCA’s acquisition of both Mudgeeraba Market and Worongary Town Centre on the Gold Coast for a combined $82.1 million, the sale of Park Village in Brisbane’s west for $35.2 million, and the sale of Pittsworth Plaza for almost $10 million. 
</body></html>

prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Beaudesert shopping centre sold for $16.85 million through Savills  

<html><body>
When Tropical Cyclone Debbie made landfall in North Queensland early in 2017, it led to nearly A$1 billion in insured losses.
Fortunately, there were no deaths or serious injuries where people sheltered in buildings.
We conducted a detailed study into what sort of damage took place during Cyclone Debbie.
This involved taking direct measurements of winds within communities as the storm came ashore.
We then returned after the storm to assess the damage to buildings caused by wind, wind-driven water entry into buildings (water ingress), and storm tide inundation.
We found that buildings designed and constructed using appropriate codes and standards provided safe refuge from Cyclone Debbie’s winds.
However, these regulations did not stop significant volumes of water entering these buildings and causing major financial loss and community disruption.
Unless the amount of water entering buildings is reduced, the cost of severe storms will continue to rise.
The Bureau of Meteorology operates a network of fixed weather stations around the country.
To supplement these fixed sites, we deployed a network of portable weather stations throughout Proserpine, Bowen, Home Hill and Ayr to measure the wind speeds that hit these areas as Cyclone Debbie made landfall.
After adjusting these measurements for their local site conditions, we then related them to the design wind speed prescribed in the Australian wind loading standard, <a href="https://infostore.saiglobal.com/en-au/Standards/AS-NZS-1170-2-2011-R2016--1458609/" target="_blank">AS/NZS1170.2</a>.
For new residential and commercial buildings in North Queensland this is 250km per hour.
Our analysis found that wind gusts at Hamilton Island approached design strength (that is, 90-100% of 250km per hour, as shown in the figure below), Airlie Beach and Proserpine experienced winds at 80-85% of design strength, Bowen around 70%, and Ayr/Home Hill and Mackay less than 50%.
We do not believe that any community experienced wind speeds greater than the 250km per hour a new home should be designed to withstand.
Communities are made up of a mix of buildings. Newer ones are built to current codes and standards, while older ones are not.
Structural details for wind resistance of housing were introduced to building codes in the mid 1980s in response to damage caused by several severe tropical cyclones in the 1970s.
Echoing similar investigations following <a href="https://www.jcu.edu.au/cyclone-testing-station/publications/technical-reports3" target="_blank">these and more recent tropical cyclones</a>, our survey showed that the majority of wind-related failures occurred in older houses.
It again highlighted known issues with inadequate tie-down between battens, rafters and trusses, or between the roof structure and wall, as well as deterioration of structural elements.
Such damage to older buildings remains a problem that will continue to present a risk to life and property unless coordinated structural upgrading or retrofit programs are implemented.
Few contemporary buildings had significant damage where the measured wind speeds were less than 80% of the design wind speed.
Where damage was observed, this was primarily due to the use of incorrect or poorly installed details.
Overall, however, the low level of structural damage to newly constructed buildings was in line with that expected given measured wind speeds.
This shows that where appropriate codes and standards are applied, structural damage can be controlled.
But cyclones can cause plenty of other damage that can still be a problem for people.
We found that internal linings, ceilings and contents (furniture, clothes, and other items) in many hundreds of contemporary buildings were damaged due to wind-driven water ingress.
This occurred irrespective of wind speeds.
Wind-driven water ingress occurs when differential pressure between the inside and outside of a building forces rainwater through windows, doors, louvres, weepholes, vents and even under flashings nominally designed to keep water out.
This ingress occurs in the absence of any structural or building envelope damage and even occurs when doors or windows are closed.
Many people reported mopping up water in front of windows and glass doors during the cyclone.
This practice puts people at risk of serious injury if the windows or doors are broken by debris or wind pressure.
But no definitive codes, standards or guidelines currently exist to help prevent water ingress during severe tropical cyclones.
It is anticipated that damage due to wind driven water ingress will make up a significant percentage of the total damage cost of this event.
It has led to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-31/cyclone-debbie-airlie-beach-proserpine-locals-pull-together/8403684" target="_blank">significant community disruption</a> during repair and recovery, and is clearly a community resilience issue that must be addressed.
As in previous wind events, from the damage we observed it was clear that wind-driven rainwater ingress was a major cause of loss to modern buildings.
Anecdotally, its contribution to the costs of community recovery is increasing.
But, rightly or wrongly, since water ingress is not generally viewed as a life safety issue, codes and standards do not currently control it.
Manufacturer standards, improved design and installation practice and even insurance pricing are possible alternatives.
But we believe further research is urgently required to determine the most appropriate method to address this problem.
For the most part, newer buildings - with correctly designed and installed structural details - resist severe winds better than older ones.
The structural details of all buildings, regardless of age, should be checked following major wind events.
You service your car to protect your family – why not your home?
Matthew Mason is a lecturer in Civil Engineering at The University of Queensland and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-mason-220221" target="_blank">here</a>.
Daniel Smith is a research fellow at James Cook University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-smith-384423" target="_blank">here</a>.
David Henderson is the Director at CycloneTesting Station at James Cook University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-henderson-384425" target="_blank">here</a>.
Debbie Falck is a assistant researcher at James Cook University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/debbie-falck-385708" target="_blank">here</a>.
Geoffrey Boughton is an adjunct Associate Professor at the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/geoffrey-boughton-384429" target="_blank">here</a>.
All of them are authors for The Conversation.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/79565/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Building codes not enough to protect homes against water damage in severe storms

<html><body>
The ABS has for the first time released new information showing changes in land values, use and cover for the state of Queensland.
It showed that total land in Queensland covered approximately 173.0 million hectares.
IT had a total unimproved land value of $721.5 billion as at 30 June 2016, up 16% from $621.4 billion as at 30 June 2011, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.39%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.39%20pm.jpg" alt="">
"The increase in total unimproved land value was largely driven by a 25% increase in the value of Residential land from $415.0 billion in 2011 to $518.7 billion in 2016," said Mike Booth, Director of Environmental Accounts Development at the ABS.
"Similarly Residential land area also increased 18% between 2011 and 2016. This increase in land area was largely at the expense of primary production land use types, including a net increase of 22,087 hectares to Residential land from Livestock Grazing land."
The area of Waterbodies and Wetlands land cover showed an overall decrease of 191,231 hectares (or 18%) and 512,344 hectares (or 48%) between the two intervals 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 respectively.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.48%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.48%20pm.jpg" alt="">
"These decreases in Waterbodies and Wetlands land cover are likely related to an overall decrease in total rainfall across these same accounting periods, as reported by the Bureau of Meteorology," said Mr Booth.
Summary data on land use, land cover and land parcels has been produced for Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2s) within Queensland for this publication.
"This data provides users an opportunity to explore stocks and changes in land for small geographical regions," explained Mr Booth.
The publication also presents a Feature Article which accounts for land changes within the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region.
This information will provide a foundation for the ABS Experimental Environmental-Economic Accounts for the Great Barrier Reef due for release in August 2017.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.57%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/06/15/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-15%20at%2012.09.57%20pm.jpg" alt="">
QUEENSLAND'S LAND AT A GLANCE
<ul>
<li>The State of Queensland covers approximately 173 million hectares.</li>
<li>Total unimproved land value in Queensland increased by around $100 billion from $621.4 billion to $721.5 billion between 2011 and 2016.</li>
<li>'Residential' was the highest valued land use in Queensland with an unimproved land value of $415.0 billion and $518.7 billion in 2011 and 2016.</li>
<li>'Livestock Grazing' was the most dominant land use type by area in Queensland with 144.2 million and 143.8 million hectares in 2011 and 2016.</li>
<li>'Grasslands' was the most dominant broad land cover type by area in Queensland with 84.6 million and 82.3 million hectares in 2010-2011 and 2014-2015.</li>
<li>'Woodland' was the most dominant detailed land cover type by area in Queensland in 2010-2011 with 35.6 million hectares, while 'Spare Vegetation' was the most dominant in 2014-2015 with 53.3 million hectares.</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Forestry lands in decline in residential-focused Queensland

<html><body>
ASIC has applied to the Supreme Court of Queensland for an order that Octaviar IHH Pty Ltd (deregistered) (OIHH) be reinstated as a company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Act).
It also called for orders to wind up OIHH, Octaviar Investment Holdings (No 3) Pty Ltd (OIH3), Erskine House Developments Pty Ltd (EHD) and Sunleisure Pty Ltd (SPL) on just and equitable grounds (companies).
Each of the companies is a member of the Octaviar Group of companies of which the ultimate holding company is Octaviar Limited (in liquidation) (formerly known as MFS Limited).
ASIC is concerned that OIH3, EHD and SPL are contravening provisions of the Act, including the requirement for a proprietary company to have at least one director.
ASIC has applied for the Court to appoint Andrew Fielding and Helen Newman, of BDO Australia, as joint and several liquidators of the companies.
The matter is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court of Queensland on 22 June 2017.
</body></html>

ASIC seeks orders to wind up Octaviar Group companies

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
The REIQ welcomes the State Government’s extension of the First Home Buyer Grant boost until December 2017, however is disappointed that the Government has refused to broaden the grant to include established homes in regional Queensland.
Regional Queensland property markets continued to struggle, with the housing oversupply one of the region’s biggest problems.
We welcome the goal behind the First Home Buyer Grant, which is to stimulate jobs and this measure has been successful in the southeast corner, with the added benefit of additional supply moderating price growth where demand is strong.
However, additional supply in regional Queensland is going to further slow these markets and make any price recovery much longer to come into effect.
The REIQ also welcomes those measures designed to stimulate jobs in regional Queensland, where climbing unemployment is impacting on the community in devastating ways. 
Unemployment destabilises housing tenure and this uncertainty is damaging to the fabric of the community.
The government’s $200 million jobs program, Works for Queensland, delivered over the next two years into regional Queensland, will tackle the need for infrastructure in regional communities and also the unemployment issue head on and we applaud these efforts.
The REIQ was disappointed this government has chosen to ignore advice from a range of experts on abolishing stamp duty.
Stamp duty is an onerous fiscal burden that stifles housing mobility and many experts are in agreement, including the Henry Tax Review, that stamp duty should be replaced.
When the cost of selling your house comes with an additional price tag of tens of thousands of dollars it gives many people pause.
Empty nesters wait longer to downsize and young families wait longer to upsize and this creates inefficiencies in the housing market that are undesirable.
The real estate sector provided a significant revenue stream for the government and employed around 50,000 Queenslanders.
The government should heed the advice of the experts when it comes to the health and well-being of this vital sector in the Queensland economy.
The key pillars that underpin the real estate profession are fragile – jobs figures are soft, wages growth is flat and investors are facing tightened lending criteria.
Real estate is facing considerable head winds and the Government needs to acknowledge these challenges and devise appropriate policy responses to ensure its continued growth,” she said. 
Antonia Mercorella is chief executive officer, REIQ, and can be contacted <a href="https://www.reiq.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Key pillars underpinning real estate profession are fragile: Antonia Mercorella 

<html><body>
Businessman Michael King, who was recently penalised by Queensland’s top court for what happened to his investors, says he will contest the ruling all the way to the highest court.
The former MFS chief executive has been ordered to pay $177 million in compensation to investors.
In spite of the court’s ruling, King has a job with Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung retaining him to advise on his property plans, The Australian Financial Review reported.
The Supreme Court of Queensland last week disqualified former officers and the funds manager of MFS Investment Management Limited (MFSIM) from managing corporations for, ranging from a permanent ban down to five years, and imposed total penalties ranging from $90,000 to $650,000.
The court found Michael King along with Craig Robert White, David Mark Anderson, Guy Hutchings and Marilyn Anne Watts to have breached the Corporations Act.
The breaches were committed in relation to their involvement in the misappropriation of $147.5 million of funds that had been held by the managed investment scheme known as the Premium Income Fund (PIF) on behalf of unitholders. The misappropriated funds were used to pay debts owed by other related entities in the MFS Group (which was subsequently known as Octaviar). The MFS Group collapsed in 2008 owing $2.5 billion.
But King was defiant. “This has a very long way to run," King was quoted as saying by the AFR. "I will take this to the highest court in the country."
About his role with Fung,  King said he was “doing advisory work… when and where I am able to, and when I can add value to the process”.
King has helped Fung buy about $100 million in property mainly on the Gold Coast, including the former MFS-owned properties that were sold to Nathan Tinkler, which became part of Patinack Farms.
An Aquis spokesman defended Fung's selection of King. 
"Fung will use who he wants when he wants as advisers," the spokesman said.
Fung, who also owns the Canberra Casino, joined Chinese developer Tandellen and CCCC International Holding to buy a development site at Surfers Paradise last year for $40 million.
He signed a contract to buy the 11,800 sqm, currently owned by Orix, with King's help.
MFS Ltd was a publicly listed company with interests in financial services, travel and leisure and childcare businesses that was based on the Gold Coast.
The listed company quickly rose to become one of Queensland’s largest corporate giants before its collapse. 
Corporate watchdog Australian Securities and Investments Commission launched proceedings against the former MFS company officeholders and a funds manager in 2009.
In late 2009, the securities watchdog started its civil penalty proceeding against MFSM and the four former officers and a funds manager.
The Supreme Court of Queensland held last year that the four former executives and the funds manager of MFSIM had acted dishonestly in their roles.
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Former MFS boss Michael King to contest court order of $177 million compensation  

<html><body>
The south east of Queensland has received good but patchy rain with parts having received up to 100 millimetres recently, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The property valuation firm says that the band of rain has extended as far west as St George and Roma however these areas have only seen grass rain and not the high volume harvesting rain that so many had hoped for.
“Most irrigators in the St George region appear to have come up about one watering short, even on reduced plantings.
"It will therefore be interesting to see what effect this will have on yields.
"Picking is now underway, so all have their fingers crossed that it will stay dry for the next couple of weeks or so in order to allow picking to be completed,” the report stated.
It noted recent months have seen some very solid sales particularly within the Condamine region.
"Three that spring to mind that we feel are consistent with the market are the holdings of No. 4 approximately 75 kilometres to the west of Condamine and the aggregation of Woodlands and Karreel, approximately 40 kilometres south west of Condamine.
"Both comprise mixed farming and grazing holdings with the cultivation on each reflecting in the order of $2,200 to $2,250 per hectare.
"We would view this as broadly consistent with the market today; a market that has seen sound to good quality cultivation strengthen by upwards of $500 per hectare over the past 12 to 18 months,” the report commented.
HTW has also noted the mid to late 2016 sale of Cotswold in the same region.
It sold for $14.1 million including approximately $500,000 worth of plant.
It comprises 7,410 hectares of country including some 640 hectares of centre pivot country underpinned by a 1,600 megalitre storage.
Water rights include two unsupplemented entitlements as well as overland flow.
The sale reflected approximately $6,175 per hectare for the irrigation country and around $1,750 per hectare for the dryland cultivation.
This sale is also viewed to be broadly consistent with the market,” the report stated.
In very recent times, market activity appears to have come right off HTW says.
“We anticipate that this is not because the market is lacking confidence, rather it is more to do with a poor start to the season broadly felt by everyone.
"We feel that many potential vendors are holding off until more favourable weather conditions arrive.
"The cattle market is still strong and it will only take a couple of good falls within the farming belt in the next month or two in order for things to turn around,” the report commented.
</body></html>

South East Queensland rural property sales begin to improve: HTW

<html><body>
Lateral Properties have finalised the construction of its residential development Teviot Downs, an acreage estate in Greenbank, Queensland.
Built over a decade, this last release completes the 1200 lot community. 
Lateral Properties bought the partially developed 900ha Greenbank site in 2002.
It started selling blocks in July 2003. The estate has been sold over 34 stages, with the last remaining stage selling now.  
The final stage features a total of 47 lots ranging in size from 2,500sqm to 7,000sqm which are selling from $285,000 to $500,000. Over 30 per cent of the stage has already been sold.
“This is the last chance you will get to build a new home in one of Australia’s great acreage estates only 40 minutes to the Brisbane CBD,” commented Clinton Trezise, associate director of residential at Colliers International.
“The introduction of the SEQ Regional Plan in 2005 restricted the further release of acreage homesites, so these types of communities close to Brisbane will soon be a thing of the past,” he said.
Land values at Teviot Downs have recorded strong growth with an average of 10 per cent annual price growth over the last 10 years, due to the scarcity of acreage estates within the greater Brisbane region. 
“In recent years 10 per cent of the sales have been to existing residents of Teviot Downs who are upgrading their homes and re-purchasing in the estate. This is a huge testament to the quality of the development and the friendly established community it is,” Trezise added.
According to Trezise, the majority of buyers in the estate have been 3rd or 4th homeowner occupiers that live within the 10km radius, and are moving from densely populated, growing urban centres for a bigger house and more open space.
In 2005, the project was awarded Queensland’s UDIA Award of Excellence for the Best Parkland Residential Estate.
He noted due to the scarcity of acreage land, this award no longer exists, leaving Teviot Downs as the final recipient.
</body></html>

Teviot Downs development final release

<html><body>
New land prices in the south-east corner of Queensland have increased nearly 80 percent over the last 10 years, with the average square metre of new land now costing about $523, according to research from property services group Oliver Hume.
The analysis of new land prices from 2006 to 2016 shows the average block of land has shrunk from 632 sqm to 466 sqm, while average prices have increased from $184,000 to $244,000.
The combination of growing prices and shrinking lots means the average price of a square metre of land in the south east has increased from $291 to $523, or 79.7 percent.
Brinton Keath, Oliver Hume Queensland Joint Managing Director said the increase represented some of the strongest returns from any investment class over the last 10 years.
“If you had acquired an average block of land at a new development in 2006 the same block of land now would probably fetch more than $330,000,” he said.
“The large blocks that were being sold back then are extremely rare these days and would probably attract a healthy premium on top of that.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-16%20at%2010.17.31%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<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/2017/05/16/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-16%20at%2010.17.31%20am.jpg" alt="">
Source: Oliver Hume
“As the cost of development has increased over the last 10 years because of things like infrastructure charges, englobo land price increases, construction costs and red and green tape the size of lots have had to come down to maintain affordability.
"There is also increasing demand for smaller blocks which are lower maintenance.
"The research also showed prices for residential land in the south east increased about 6 percent throughout 2016.
"The pace of growth over the last 12 months reflected continued low levels of supply, with limited new land coming on to the market.
“Prices will continue to rise while there is such a shortage of new land coming on to the market.
“Unless governments at all levels can find ways to release more land for sale, prices will continue to rise at above inflation.”
“We expect similar levels of growth in 2017 with the Gold Coast, which is experiencing a major shortfall in new land, set to experience the strongest growth."
</body></html>

Queensland

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Queensland

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News