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>
The Belivah, Queensland home of the general manager of Plantation Homes Queensland, Paul Roots and his wife, Patricia, remains for sale.
It is in the Mt Tambourine hinterland precinct. 
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home is on 4.84 hectares of land. It has a home cinema, gym, sauna and swimming pool. Outside there is a barbque, teppanyaki grill and pizza oven. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-belivah-119544271" target="_blank">Angela Cholakos of Angela Cholakos Realty</a> initially held the listing with $1.68 million hopes.,which has been amended to $1.5 million plus.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Plantation Homes Queensland boss lists at Belivah

<html><body>
Sydney and Melbourne clearance rates remain strong but continue to trend lower.
But CoreLogic RP Data note Brisbane’s auction market sits at the highest preliminary clearance rate since 2009. 
This week, Brisbane’s preliminary auction clearance rate was 66.0 per cent, compared to 60.2 per cent the previous week and just 44.7 per cent last year. So far, 17 Gold Coast auction results have been reported and the clearance rate for the region is 64.7 per cent. 
<div>
Oaklands, an Ipswich home (below) sold for the first time in a century when <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-tivoli-120113625" target="_blank">100 Mt Crosby Rd </a>at Tivoli fetched $650,000 through Ray White Ipswich.
<img src="https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/0e38edc397d82bc5d745aff40a3e8195d3162e1e574449980e3d9907a0d82cb9/main.jpg" alt="100 Mount Crosby Road, Tivoli" title="100 Mount Crosby Road, Tivoli" data-index="0">
</div>
Prior to this week, the year to date national clearance rate across the combined capital cities was 76.9 per cent, indicating that this week’s preliminary clearance rate of 77.7 per cent is performing above this level. This week, there were 1,998 auctions held across Australia’s capital cities, with 1,307 results reported so far.
Over the previous week, 1,827 residential auctions were held with a clearance rate of 75.4 per cent. In comparison, at the same time last year 67.9 per cent of the 1,705 auctions were sold, indicating the current auction conditions remain stronger than they were one year ago.
The preliminary clearance rate across Melbourne was recorded at 76.5 per cent this week across 638 auction results. There were 845 auctions held across the city this week, up from 759 last week when the final auction clearance rate was recorded at 76.0 per cent and similarly, higher than at the same time last year when there were 736 Melbourne auctions with 68.5 per cent of homes selling. This week, there were 3 sub regions which recorded a clearance rate above 80 per cent; Outer East at 89.0 per cent, North West at 82.5 per cent and North East at 82.2 per cent. The region with the highest volume of auctions this week was the Inner region (141).
For Sydney, the clearance rate across the city this week increased, up to 82.7 per cent from 79.7 per cent last week and 75.4 per cent at the same time last year. Across the city, 841 homes were taken to auction this week, more than last week (794) and significantly higher than one year ago, when 660 Sydney auctions were held. Since mid-August, Sydney’s auction clearance rate has been trending downwards, after the city has seen a record strong performance over the first six months of the year. Despite this, the clearance rate still remains stronger than any other capital city and there are still sub-regions across the city where the clearance rate remains above the 90 per cent mark including Ryde, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and City and Inner South.
There were 80 Adelaide auctions this week, with a clearance rate of 60.6 per cent across the 33 results reported so far. Last week, Adelaide’s final auction clearance rate was 64.3 per cent, while one year ago the city saw 60.3 per cent of homes taken to auction sell.
Across Perth, 10 auctions have been reported so far with a clearance rate of 80.0 per cent, compared to just 18.8 per cent last week and 50.0 per cent at the same time last year. Perth’s clearance rate is often subjected to highs and lows given the low volume of auctions across the city.
Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate was 80.0 per cent this week across 25 results. Last week, 82.1 per cent of Canberra auctions were successful, the second strongest result for the city so far this year.
So far this week, 4 Tasmanian auctions have been reported and of these reported results there has been 1 sale.
</body></html>

Brisbane auction success rate on the rise, but Gold Coast even stronger: CoreLogic RP Data

<html><body>
Gladstone buyers - home buyers and investors - have been told by the ANZ bank that they will need a 30% deposit given the property market remains quite volatile. 
Other towns reportedly where the higher deposit classification has changed include Roma, Miles, Chinchilla, Blackwater, Rolleston, Cracow and Dysart.
According to mortgage broker Greg Hill, the ANZ in particular has taken a conservative position in funding to towns like Gladstone, and many other smaller towns, "they have classified, for want of a better word, as mining towns."
"The ANZ don't stand alone as Gladstone does also appear on restricted postcode lists with a number of other lenders, and changing policies across the lenders brought on by this increased scrutiny of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not simply limited to lending limits."
A borrower quoted by <a href="https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/gladstone-classed-mining-town-one-big-four/2716668/" target="_blank">the Gladstone Observer</a> in its extensive coverage noted only two of the four major banks were interested in borrowers with 20% deposits - National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank.
With house prices in Gladstone sitting at around $346,000, the average buyer would need a deposit of just over $100,000.
An ANZ spokesperson told the local paper the change reflected the localised downturn in Gladstone because it was dependent on the mining sector.
Gladstone Home Loans mortgage broker Peter Miller said Gladstone was not a mining town.
"Thousands of people work in industry. Gladstone is self-reliant, it doesn't need mining.
"Mackay is more of a mining town and it's not on the list."
In 2011 the central Queensland coastal town of Gladstone, 550 kilometres north of Brisbane, emerged as a property investment hotspot as vacancy rates tumbled in Gladstone, falling from 4.1% in March 2010 to just 1.4% in 2011, and rents have gone up for all categories of housing.
According to the July 2011 Herron Todd White report, “soaring rents [in Gladstone] are still attracting investors into the market, with very good yields currently available”.
“The Gladstone residential market continues to perform strongly with values still climbing, and heightened activity due to the announcement of major LNG projects in October 2010 and January 2011,” the report says.
“Modern properties are still in high demand and are obtaining the best yields, especially when furnished. There are still opportunities to make a profit in the construction of new dwellings, with end values generally exceeding the total of construction and land costs.”
The latest June 2015 vacancy rate data from the REIQ revealed regional Queensland struggles following the resources downturn but with the claim some of the hardest hit towns are entering a stabilisation phase.
"We can see those towns, where employment rates are stronger and opportunities are greater, that the rental market is recovering more quickly. The State Government has announced a range of regional infrastructure projects in its recent budget and these will doubtless impact on the vacancy rates in the coming quarters," REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.
The Gladstone vacancy rates sits at a high 5.2%.
 
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%202.19.13%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%202.19.13%20PM.png" alt="">
The REIQ classifies vacancy rates of 2.5% or below as tight and rates of 2.5% to 3.5% as healthy. Vacancy rates of 3.6 per cent or above is classed as a weak market. 
Banks periodically have flagged Queensland and Western Australian localities as ‘high risk’ due to their single industry basis. 
In 2011 the <a href="/news/qld/moranbah-and-port-hedland-unsustainable-single-industry-mining-boom-hotspots-westpac">suburbs they had placed on the list were</a>:
• Blackwater (4714)
• Moranbah (4744)
• Dysart (4745)
• Middlemount and May Downs in the Isaac region (4746)
And in Western Australia:
• Roebourne (including Karratha, Baynton, Bulgarra and Pegs Creek, 6714)
• Port Hedland (including South Hedland, 6721)
• East Pilbara (6753)
 
</body></html>

Banks insisting on 30% deposit for property buyers in Gladstone and other Queensland mining towns

<html><body>
There is now a $1,999,000 asking price after the scheduled weekend auction of a Port Douglas holding failed to secure a sale.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-qld-port+douglas-119202107" target="_blank">6173R Captain Cook Highway</a> holding is a 37 hectare holding with homestead and cottage.
<img src="https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/ab86bf576e42247b05f06be742d2a8a64b0b4b109043408d45892c2ee4efb513/main.jpg" alt="6173R Captain Cook Highway, Port Douglas" title="6173R Captain Cook Highway, Port Douglas" style="line-height: 1.3em;" data-index="0">
<div id="DSContents" class="featured platinum">
<div id="detailsCont">
<div id="primaryContent" class="primaryCont">
<div id="photoViewer" class="stackItem">
<div id="photoViewerCont">
<div class="thumbs">
<div class="innerCont">
<div class="paginated">
<div class="pages">
<div class="page">
<div class="thumb activeThumb">It was listed through Callum Jones and Tony McGrath at Tony McGrath Real Estate Port Douglas.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="description" class="stackItem">
It was marketed as suitable for up to 100 head of cattle, a registered primary producing property - therefore no land tax. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Port Douglas farm with $1.99 million asking price

<html><body>
An unprecedented level of major projects in the pipeline has the potential to produce significant growth in Queensland property markets. Although, there are some unanswered questions with a new government coming to office.
According to our research, there are thirty seven major infrastructure projects with a combined project value of a staggering $123 billion. If they were all to proceed they would create 142,900 new direct jobs.
There’s been a lot of hype over the last couple of years about the end of the mining construction boom and very little else coming through Australia’s infrastructure pipeline. What has been unfolding behind the scenes in Queensland is quite exciting although few people realise it. I doubt whether any state at any time in Australia’s history has ever had such a big pipeline of projects.
Throughout 2014 there were a lot of approvals of major projects along with various new proposals. Queensland’s jobs growth trend began to show green shoots. By the back end of 2014, Propertyology had become quite bullish in regards to property market outlooks throughout parts of the state.
We place a heavy emphasis on job growth potential with our property market forecasting. Wherever there is a new job there is demand for accommodation.
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/QLD_Projects_Map1.jpg" alt="">
Official statistics from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that Queensland created a total of 11,048 new jobs over the entire last three full calendar years. This puts the 142,900 job potential from Queensland’s project pipeline in to perspective.
Jobs growth has been the biggest driver of Sydney’s remarkable property boom over the last two years. The evidence is in the ABS data.
Australia created an additional 134,408 jobs in 2014. 52,975 of these were in Sydney.
We flag Brisbane, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, and Cairns as property markets with very promising outlooks. 
 
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/QLD_Projects_Stats.jpg" alt="">
The Abbott Point expansion at Bowen and rail infrastructure must be built in order to open up the biggest coal province in the world, Galilee Basin. High rollers such as Indian billionaires Adani and GVK, Gina Rinehart, Clive Palmer, and Chinese miner Macmines collectively have projects in the pipeline worth $53 billion.
Over the last two years, the city of Mackay has struggled under falling coal prices and property over-supply. But Mackay was placed back on Propertyology’s radar due to the potential 31,500 direct jobs which would be created if the Galilee Basin was officially opened up. Brisbane will benefit from the thousands of CBD administration new jobs that will be created. To a lesser extent, Townsville’s property market would also benefit through the supply of goods and services at the coal face and at Abbott Point.
During the January state election campaign, the Queensland Labor government made it known that they were opposed to expanding port facilities, even though, under former Premier Anna Bligh, Labor had initially approved the port expansion before the Newman government scaled it back to a more sustainable size. Earlier this month, Labor flagged a new proposal for the port dredging.
The new government has officially scrapped the $5.2 billion BaT Brisbane transport infrastructure project and raised questions over the proposed Queens Wharf project – comparable in size and quality to the new Barangaroo precinct in Sydney and the Crown Casino precinct in Melbourne.
Propertyology is still investing in Brisbane however we now place a couple of other locations ahead of Brisbane. The 18,000 extra jobs from the BaT project would have been very positive for Brisbane so too would have been the Herston medical precinct proposed by the Newman government. We had also factored in 10,000 new jobs from Queens Wharf but we just don’t know what will happen there now.
The Gold Coast property market has been described by Propertyology as having potential to be the best performing market in Australia over the next two years. When the Gold Coast Mayor first made mention that the proposed $7.5 billion ASF Resort project had potential for as many as 35,000 new (direct and indirect) jobs our ears certainly pricked up. Since being elected in to office, the new state government has scrapped the project. There’s already a lot of job creating infrastructure projects under way on the Gold Coast. And our outlook for the Australian tourism industry is off the Richter scale.  
Despite several major projects being declared ‘dead’ or doubtful’ over recent months, the job creation potential from within the long list of ‘likely to proceed’ projects is still very exciting. 
Queensland property markets have suffered over recent times from low confidence after the infamous 2011 floods, falling coal prices, and cut backs in the public sector. Pre-GFC, Queensland had previously created around 60,000 new jobs each year however there was actually a net loss of jobs in 2012 and 2013.
 
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/QLD_Projects_JobsTrend-2.jpg" alt="">
Simon Pressley is Managing Director of <a href="https://www.propertyology.com.au" target="_blank">Propertyology</a>, REIA Hall of Fame Inductee, property market analyst, accredited property investment adviser, and Buyer’s Agent. Propertyology works exclusively with property investors to purchase properties in strategically chosen locations all over Australia.
</body></html>

spressley-sBoeMhannA

Queensland's unprecedented infrastructure pipeline: Simon Pressley

<html><body>
Toowoomba vendors secured a profit in 98% of all houses sales in the year ending March 2015, according to the latest REIQ release.
And Cairns has been a standout performer over the past 12 months, with profit-making sales rising from 78% of transactions making a profit to 90%.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the data confirmed the REIQ’s position that Queensland was in "the grip of steady, sustainable growth."
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/woomba_av_days.jpg" alt="">
But those areas that are struggling to recover from the resources downturn are still endeavouring to stabilise, she said.
Brisbane (LGA) median house values have risen by 1.6% over the quarter, and, along with Toowoomba, this was the highest quarterly increase.
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/woomba_an_Sales.jpg" alt="">
 
 
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/woombasales.jpg" alt="">
 
Brisbane (LGA) proportion of profit-making sales increased three percentage points to 96%, compared with a year ago.
Toowoomba is the fastest selling region, with days on market at 63 days, and what they call the Garden City continues to hold the lowest vendor discounting rate of 4.7%.
<img src="/images/2015/05/25/woomba_vendor.png" alt="">
Five of the major regions throughout Queensland are experiencing steady improvements in median house values.
Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Cairns, all showed rising annual median house values of approximately 1.5 to 1.9% on average each quarter over the past year.
Gladstone’s median house values increased by 0.8%, which, although small, is significant because it is the city’s first move into positive territory in five quarters.
The rate of decline in Mackay’s median values appears to be slowing, with a drop of just one per cent to its annual median value in the March quarter.
Townsville’s median house values rose 0.7%, which reflects the small improvements that that have been seen in other economic indicators. 
Townsville’s proportion of profit-making sales continues to remain stable at 74% since August last year.
 
</body></html>

Toowoomba tops Queensland's 2015 property market recovery

<html><body>
Noosa Heads has become a bright spot for apartment prices, according to data from Knight Frank/Residex.
Especially by contrast with March quarter price declines in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Click chart to open in new window:
<img src="/images/2015/03/23/bris-mar-23-one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2015/03/23/bris-mar-23-two.jpg" alt="">
<a href="/images/2015/03/23/bris-mar-23-three.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/03/23/bris-mar-23-three.jpg" alt=""></a>
</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Noosa Heads becomes a bright spot for apartment prices: Knight Frank/Residex

<html><body>
One of the Queensland Gold Coast glitter strip’s last remaining 1950s beach shacks fetched $870,000 at recent auction.
Yellow Cottage, the three bedroom Surfers Paradise shack on 405 square metres at 15 Thornton Street, sits surrounded by highrise residential buildings, including Thornton Towers.
Ray White Broadbeach selling agent Stuart Reeder sold it to a builder after he outbid three other registered parties, with plans to renovate but not rebuild the site by Hammer Brothers Construction.
The shack was sold after four decades in the same family.
It was last available for rent in 2013 at a $450 weekly asking price.
</body></html>

1950s Surfers Paradise glitter strip auction relic

<html><body>
Dear Margaret,
While Kingston in Logan, Queensland still offers good returns, I have dealt with a number of real estate agents in the area (I have four properties there) and I've noticed they tend to accept the first offer if it is close to the asking price even, if it is the first listing day and the market is hot. I think that potentially they could get more for the vendor by waiting a little longer for multiple offers to come in. 
Each property I own I have bought through a different real estate agent and they all do the same thing. Is my fear founded that this keeps a lid on property price growth in the area?
Cheers,
Helen
Dear Helen.
One of the things that all investors must know is that the process of listing, taking offers and then conveying property from one party to another is very different in every state.  For example, in Victoria, where there is a lot of interest in a property, a vendor may call for multiple written offers from buyers and then decide on one, but this is not necessarily the case in other states.
In QLD, a real estate agent appointed to sell property for a client must keep the client informed of any significant development or issue in relation to the property(and) must immediately communicate to the client each expression of interest, whether written or oral(unless) the client has directed otherwise in writing.
This means that, as soon as an offer comes in, agents are obliged by law to present this offer to the vendor, and the vendor then decides if they will take it.  And so, it is not the agent who is 'taking' the first offer - they are merely presenting all offers to the vendor, and it is the vendor accepting them.
As all agents also have an obligation to achieve the best sales price possible for their vendor, then if you know of agents who are indeed convincing the vendor to take the first offer on the table when there is clearly the potential for further interest (as indicated by a hot market) then they are not satisfying their obligations under the terms of their contract with the vendor.  Where you have evidence that this is indeed happening with a particular agent, I advise you to approach the Department of Fair Trading in that state, with the evidence, so that it can be acted upon.  
On another note, I am a little concerned that you already own four properties in that area and seem to be seeking a fifth.  It can be common for an investor, having successfully invested in an area, to want to repeat that positive experience.  But I caution you to realise that if you own too many properties in a single market, when that market cools, as it will, everything you own will stagnate. You will also face a looming land tax bill, as once your land values in any one state exceed a certain threshold, land tax becomes payable on all other properties acquired in that state, and this can be expensive.  Diversification is a critical component of all investing strategies, and I urge you to look around for areas in other states which have future growth drivers, so that you can add some geographical diversity and also minimise your exposure to land tax as well.
Kind regards,
Margaret
Have a property question?  <a href="mailto:askmargaret@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
Please not that due to the number of requests, Margaret may not be able to answer every question.
Picture: Wikimedia Commons.
</body></html>

mlomas-KC9MUPZ6Ca

Logan, Queensland investment overload is a concern: Ask Margaret

<html><body>
The Bargara Beach Plaza Shopping Centre, located east of the key regional Queensland city of Bundaberg, has been listed in the circa $4 million price category.
The well-established Bargara Beach Plaza Shopping Centre is being marketed by Jon Tyson and Michael Harcourt of Savills Retail Sales.
The property comprises two detached single-level buildings on a 3,048 square metre site with a total gross lettable area of 997 square metres split over 13 tenancy areas.
Tenants include Wide Bay Australia Bank and the Queensland Government Electorate Office.
</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