Abadeen has released the whole-floor penthouse crowning its recently completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/park-residences-cremorne-2-sutherland-street-cremorne-nsw-2090">Park Residences</a> development in Cremorne, bringing the near-300 sqm residence to market for the first time.

Occupying the entire top floor of the boutique Lower North Shore development, the penthouse includes 221 sqm of internal living and a 74 sqm wraparound terrace, with a prized north-facing aspect taking in views across Middle Harbour.

The residence has been completed and fully furnished following a collaboration between Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown and internationally recognised interior designer Jack Freeman, Founder and Managing Director of FREEMAN &amp; CO.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and Freeman approached the penthouse as a finished home, sourcing furniture, artwork, lighting and objects from Australia and overseas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378718]

Pieces from Parisian design house Pierre Augustin Rose sit alongside contemporary artworks and bespoke lighting, with Freeman drawing on recent visits to PAD Paris and Salone del Mobile Milano for the final collection.

Brown said the aim was to create a penthouse that felt more like a large-scale private home than a traditional apartment.

"The experience begins the moment the lift doors open. You're welcomed into an elegant dining room before the home opens into an extraordinary living space framed by sun-drenched harbour views.

"Every time someone walks through the front door they pause. It's not just the view, it's the incredible sense of space, the warmth created by the northern sunlight that fills the interiors, and the way every room connects so effortlessly.

"It has all the proportions of a luxury home, while delivering the effortless lifestyle and personalised experience of living in a world-class six-star hotel, combined with the simplicity and convenience of apartment living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378713]

A secure lift provides exclusive access to the penthouse level, opening to a dedicated arrival foyer and dining area before the residence expands into its main living and entertaining spaces.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing runs across the northern side of the home, connecting the interiors with the terrace and Middle Harbour outlook.

The penthouse also features a fireplace and substantial chef's kitchen, while the wraparound terrace has been designed to accommodate both everyday outdoor living and larger-scale entertaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378720]

Freeman said the interiors had been deliberately kept restrained to complement the scale, natural light and outlook already established by the architecture.

"The penthouse is a serene study in quiet luxury," Freeman said.

"The interior pairs soft, sculptural forms with warm timber, pale stone and a restrained neutral palette. Curated artwork and metallic accents add depth, while abundant natural light creates a calm, effortlessly refined atmosphere. In my world, less is always more."

Freeman said the approach was centred around collecting individual pieces rather than simply decorating the apartment.

"Every material, every object and every piece of furniture has been curated with intention. I am a true believer in collecting versus decorating.

"The architecture already provided extraordinary natural light, remarkable volume and an uninterrupted connection to Middle Harbour. Our role was to complement those qualities with unique one-of-a-kind pieces of fine art and collectible design sourced from recent travels around the world."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=378694]

Among the collection are solid bronze sculptures by Lorenzo Quinn, alongside a curated crystalware collection and pieces sourced from international design fairs.

Park Residences sits opposite Cammeray Golf Club, Cammeray Croquet Club and Grand Slam Tennis Cammeray, around 300 metres from Neutral Bay Village and its established collection of restaurants, cafés and retail.

Brown said the combination of a whole-floor floorplan, northern aspect and proximity to Neutral Bay was becoming increasingly difficult to find on the Lower North Shore.

"Completed whole-floor penthouses with a sun-drenched north-facing aspect and sweeping Middle Harbour views are exceptionally rare," Brown said.

"Add a quiet position opposite golf, croquet and tennis facilities, a level walk to Neutral Bay Village and only minutes to the CBD, and you have a lifestyle that's incredibly difficult to replicate.

"This is a home that offers the privacy and generosity of a luxury residence together with the convenience of one of Sydney's best-connected harbourside locations."

The penthouse will be exclusively marketed by SRM Residential.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=114246]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen unveils penthouse at Park Residences in Cremorne

New Brisbane developer Dalcott has unveiled Marrone, the first of three residential projects it is planning in and around Browning Street in South Brisbane.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marrone-south-brisbane-39-browning-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">Marrone</a> will comprise 97 predominantly two- and three-bedroom apartments, with larger residences aimed squarely at the owner-occupier market.

The project will sit in a quiet pocket of South Brisbane between South Bank and West End, close to the restaurants, cultural attractions and riverfront amenity that have driven the suburb's continued transformation.

Dalcott is targeting buyers looking for more space and amenity than has traditionally been offered in the inner-city apartment market, particularly downsizers and professionals wanting to remain close to the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149951 project_image_fid=377072]

Resident facilities will be concentrated around an extensive rooftop amenity offering, including a swimming pool, spa, infrared sauna, warm and cold magnesium plunge pools, private lounge, dining room and outdoor entertaining areas.

Dalcott Managing Director Lachlan Cottee said South Brisbane's combination of lifestyle, connectivity and established character had been central to the approach to Marrone.

“South Brisbane offers a combination of lifestyle, connectivity and character that’s difficult to replicate elsewhere in Brisbane,” Cottee said.

“Our focus has been on creating homes that feel connected to that environment while providing the level of design, functionality and quality that today's owner-occupiers expect.”

The residences will feature an expressive material palette. Italian Calacatta Viola marble, known for its deep burgundy veining, will be paired with aged brass tapware, Chestnut engineered timber flooring and Tuscan Oak joinery.

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8d833da-3b30-496a-ae30-07bdff371b50" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=P6DAgOfaQzIXljKKK5j3e5NhWtrHIu9G" />

Bathrooms will feature Nara Japanese ceramics and glass bricks, while clay, walnut and brass lighting will be used throughout the apartments.

Dalcott has appointed Realm Projects, led by Managing Director Shane Foley, to handle sales and marketing following previous sold-out collaborations between the groups.

Foley said the Brisbane apartment buyer had become increasingly focused on the quality of the home itself rather than simply securing an inner-city address.

“We expect to see strong demand from buyers who still want all the advantages of inner-city living but aren’t prepared to compromise on the quality of their home,” Foley said.

“Many will be downsizers looking to leave behind the maintenance of a traditional family home without giving up the space they enjoy, while others are likely to be professionals wanting a residence that reflects the way they live today.”

“Marrone responds directly to that demand, with generous floorplans, exceptional resident amenity and a location that places some of Brisbane’s best dining, entertainment and cultural attractions within walking distance.”

<img alt="Marrone" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61f7b22f-899e-4c0f-940a-7d3ab1bfb93a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%2010.52.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=PvN1JYxBgUpyCB7efKo52WGdSDs9nmim" />

Marrone will be the first project delivered as part of Dalcott's broader investment in the precinct.

It will be followed by La Terra, a boutique project comprising penthouse-style, single-level apartments on a northeast corner site with extensive resident amenity and city views.

Cottee said Marrone represented the first stage of the group's longer-term plans for the area.

Dalcott was established in 2025 by Lachlan Cottee and Ben Dalgliesh, combining development and construction capability under an integrated model and focusing on architecturally considered residential projects.

Marrone will initially be offered through a pre-release registration campaign ahead of its broader public launch.

Dalcott targets owner-occupiers with South Brisbane debut Marrone

Parnell Developments is the latest to seek significant uplift through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority on a Strathfield site previously approved for a much smaller apartment development.

Parnell has sought approval for a 32-storey mixed use tower across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/7-lyons-street-strathfield-nsw-2135">3-7 Lyons Street and 18 Parnell Street</a>, a&nbsp;1,857 sqm site around 400 metres from Strathfield Station. The building would yield 160 apartments, 15 per cent of which will be dedicated affordable as per the government mandate for buildings seeking additional uplift.

Approved previously was a nine-storey building back in 2022 with just over 30 apartments. That approval came prior to the project being&nbsp;progressively reconsidered as planning policy shifted toward greater density around transport hubs.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5af5281-a643-4eb2-b8c4-0081b59c04c7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.16.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=37bd3mI7rHNpThOV_75VO8xsGFwWOi1u" />

Turner has designed the latest building that would replace&nbsp;existing detached homes across the four lots.

The apartment mix comprises 22 one-bedroom apartments, 107 two-bedroom and two-bedroom-plus configurations, and 31 apartments with three or more bedrooms. The scheme also includes 203 car spaces across six basement levels and 58 bicycle spaces.

The proposal has been designed around a three-storey podium addressing Lyons Street, with the tower rising above and stepping toward its upper levels.

Turner said the podium was deliberately scaled to respond to the existing street, while the taller element has been designed as part of the emerging skyline anticipated around Strathfield Town Centre and the wider Homebush transport-oriented development precinct.

The Lyons Street frontage would have a more active, pedestrian-focused character, incorporating the commercial tenancy, landscaping and a brick-framed podium with an awning.

<img alt="Strathfield" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14b20874-b8c3-4ac7-bc03-92be9a69fb78" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=av.9TxtqIRTC6v3PkSuu1rL9rreWoe2h" />

Parnell Street, which faces the railway corridor, has been given a different architectural treatment, with double-height breeze blocks, landscaping and communal areas used to soften the interface with the rail infrastructure.

The tower itself uses curved and recessed facade elements, with wave-like indentations across the northern elevation breaking the building into three vertical forms.

A palette of grey concrete, brick and breeze blocks is complemented by clay and terracotta accents, while the upper tower adopts a lighter expression through articulated slab edges, vertical fins and recessed glazing.

Residents would have access to 467 sqm of communal open space spread across three levels. The ground floor would accommodate the more active resident areas, including barbecue and group gathering spaces and an internal communal room capable of being used for working from home.

A more passive viewing deck is proposed at level three, overlooking the ground-level landscaping and neighbouring tennis courts, while a rooftop "sunset deck" at level 30 would provide another social and relaxation space.

<img alt="Parnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3dce401-a80f-4682-8471-4caa01180880" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%209.17.34%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Xyo8JVqbOhSJXNy6Ih.1cHL.O6i0bGR." />

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Strathfield has been earmarked for substantial change through the Strathfield Town Centre planning work and the nearby Homebush TOD precinct.

Turner's report says the project has been designed to act as a transition between the existing low and mid-rise development surrounding the site and the taller built form expected to emerge across the town centre.

The proposal is being assessed as State Significant Development under the HDA pathway, alongside the concurrent request to amend the Burwood Local Environmental Plan.

First look: New apartment tower pitched for Strathfield Town Centre precinct

An $18 million penthouse has hit the market in Main Beach as construction tops out on La Mer, the $155 million apartment development rising just metres from the beach.

Spanning around 600 sqm across the top two levels of the 29-storey tower on Main Beach Parade, the four-bedroom penthouse is one of the latest eight-figure residences to test the upper end of the Gold Coast apartment market.

Its launch comes amid continued activity at the very top of the market, following the $30 million off-the-plan sale of a Burleigh Heads penthouse earlier this year, which surpassed the Gold Coast's previous $24 million apartment record set in 2023.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-mer-main-beach-3580-main-beach-parade-main-beach-qld-4217">La Mer penthouse</a> has been designed as a private residence in the sky, with 360-degree views spanning the ocean, Broadwater, hinterland and Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378731]

All four bedrooms have ensuites, while the ocean-facing master retreat occupies around half of the upper level and includes its own lounge, private balcony, two walk-in wardrobes and an oversized ensuite with a freestanding stone bath positioned to take in the views.

The residence also features a kitchen designed to accommodate a private chef, a 3.6-metre island bench, expansive butler's pantry, wine cellar and integrated bar.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378732]

A rooftop pool and substantial outdoor entertaining area with its own kitchen sit above the residence, while a grand staircase connects the two internal levels. The penthouse also has its own express lift.

OTP Group Director James Elliott, who is marketing La Mer, said the penthouse was expected to appeal to high-net-worth buyers seeking either a permanent Main Beach residence or Gold Coast holiday home.

“The La Mer penthouse represents exceptional value, considering its quality design, size, privacy and location, not to mention the 360-degree views capturing the beach and Gold Coast Broadwater,” Elliott said.

“We’re anticipating interest from high-net-worth individuals and couples seeking a residence or holiday home in the sought-after village enclave of Main Beach, taking advantage of the unprecedented growth underway in the area and neighbouring The Spit.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378736]

La Mer is being developed by developer-builder ODUS and Nazero, in partnership with funder Metrics Credit Partners.

ODUS Director Byron Sakha said topping out the tower had provided the opportunity to release the project's most significant residence.

“We’ve worked with internationally-recognised studio Sici Design on the penthouse interiors, with a focus on ensuring it isn’t luxury for luxury’s sake. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to enhance quality of life for those who call it home,” Sakha said.

“The views are the hero of virtually every space, but we’ve given equal attention to the fittings and finishes, so every detail exudes elegance and refinement.”

Sici Design Founder and Director Maria Papadopoulos said the extensive views became an integral part of the interior design rather than simply something the residence was designed around.

“The views weren't something we designed around, they became part of the design itself, with the true luxury of La Mer in its feeling of peace, calm and wellbeing,” Papadopoulos said.

“Luxury isn't defined by how something looks, but how it makes you feel, and we believe a luxurious home should be beautiful to live in, not stressful to maintain.”

The interiors combine Austral Dream Dolomite natural stone and travertine with timber flooring and a restrained coastal palette.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=378734]

Designed by Plus Studio, La Mer is one of the more boutique additions to the rapidly changing Main Beach apartment market.

The tower comprises just 24 full-floor, three-bedroom plus multipurpose room apartments below the two-level penthouse, giving the project a considerably lower density than many of the larger towers being developed across the Gold Coast.

Residents will have access to a pool and spa, gym, sauna, barbecue facilities, private sun lounges, yoga lawn and outdoor beach shower.

The penthouse has been released as part of the final collection of residences at La Mer, with remaining apartments priced from $4.3 million.

Construction is expected to complete later this year, with a fully furnished display apartment now open on level four.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95606]

ODUS releases $18 million penthouse crowning La Mer Main Beach

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a> is preparing to commence construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> this October, marking the next milestone for the Melbourne CBD development and its higher-end Eliza Collection.

Spanning levels 44 to 68 of the 68-storey <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed tower, the Eliza Collection has been conceived as a lower-density offering within the broader development, with only five apartments on each floor, dedicated lift access and a collection of resident spaces reserved exclusively for Eliza Collection residents.

The Eliza Collection forms part of Far East Consortium's broader move toward larger-format residences at 640 Bourke Street, where the number of apartments was reduced from earlier plans as apartment sizes increased.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365685]

"What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Far East Consortium Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Sheldon said.

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang said the design process provided an opportunity to create more generous floorplans.

"We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368869]

That thinking carries through to the Eliza Collection, where the residences have been designed around the space and functionality associated with a larger home, but positioned high above the centre of Melbourne.

Kitchens are equipped with Gaggenau appliances, a butler's pantry, temperature-controlled wine cabinet and sculptural pendant lighting, while engineered timber flooring, stone and porcelain finishes and custom cabinetry feature throughout the broader interiors.

Privacy and security are another point of distinction. Eliza Collection residents have dedicated lift access, while 640 Bourke Street will provide concierge services and secure resident parking. Short-stay accommodation, including Airbnb, will not be permitted within the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

Eliza Collection residents will also have exclusive access to selected amenity spaces across levels one and three of the restored Eliza Tinsley building. These include the Salon with grand piano, an art therapy room, private dining rooms and treatment rooms.

They sit within more than 3,000 sqm of amenity planned across 640 Bourke Street, alongside facilities including a pool, gym, whisky lounge and further social and wellness spaces.

The Eliza Tinsley building itself is central to the wider project's identity. Rather than treating the existing Eliza Tinsley façade as a separate element, Rothelowman used it as a starting point for the architecture of the new tower, with the historic building to accommodate the project's gallery and lobby.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=368872]

The tower will rise behind the retained heritage building at 640 Bourke Street, placing residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market and the Docklands waterfront.

With construction scheduled to begin in October, Far East Consortium has established an onsite display gallery at 640 Bourke Street, including fully built apartments that allow the project's layouts, materials and finishes to be inspected at full scale.

A fully built Eliza Collection apartment is also available to view at the display suite by appointment ahead of the planned October construction commencement.

Eligible purchasers who buy before construction commences can secure the full available off-the-plan stamp duty savings, subject to eligibility and applicable conditions.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Far East Consortium brings Eliza Collection to 640 Bourke Street ahead of October construction start

Queensland

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Queensland north and north west may serve as a good source of employment while the hospitality sector struggles, according to the latest rural report from valuation firm Herron Todd White.
“As the pandemic is endured, society is looking to the agricultural sector to continue to produce an abundance of clean and safe foods,” the firm said.
“The low Australian dollar is of benefit to competitiveness for the sale of our safe and nutritious products on the global market”
This does not, however, mean boom time for agricultural property markets.
Unlike urban residential markets, graziers are still pushing ahead with their interest in acquisitions and expansions.
The pandemic has reduced the hot air value talk, which is a healthy thing for the rural property markets.
North and north-west Queensland has a limited supply of rural land on the market.
Demand is moderate to strong in the small to middle scale property sizes.
The pandemic has served to place a head check on purchaser frivolity.
“Vendor prudency is required as the pandemic continues and commodity supply chains redesign themselves. Not only is the pandemic a property market risk checker, so too is the season,” the report continued.
“There are parts of north and north-west Queensland that have not had the best season, and there are districts that have had a cracker of a season.”
Cattle are being sold off accordingly to southern markets where there have been better seasons.
This southern demand has served to mask the market while the supply chain issues around ports and meatworks are sorted.
At this stage, rural property markets in the north and north-west Queensland appear stable. Stakeholders are considering their risks and implementing protocols to protect their health while they continue to grow an abundance of healthy and safe food.
The full “Month-in-Review” Herron Todd White report for April can be found <a href="https://static.htw.com.au/HTW-month-in-review-April-2020-Rural.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a>
Note regarding COVID-19
 
This edition of Month In Review had its topic defined in late February with submissions from our offices collated through to late March. During this period, shifts in the social and economic landscape due to COVID-19 became increasingly dramatic, as demonstrated by the varied information provided by offices over the course of three weeks.
 
This month’s residential theme on baseline property market drivers remains a common thread, and provides an indication of what influences to monitor as the property sector recovers post-crisis.
 
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Queensland north and north west markets look towards promising future: HTW rural

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EXPERT OBSERVER
RE/MAX Australia Managing Director Michael Davoren puts his network’s support behind the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s call to the Queensland Premier to reconsider proposed measures relating to tenancy.
Mr Davoren vehemently agrees with the REIQ that a more balanced and fairer framework providing equal protection for renters and owners of investment properties is needed.
The REIQ has taken the fight to the state government because the right of the landlords has been completely eroded – and the pervading perception of landlords as wealthy landowners is false. Fact is that 77 per cent of singe-property landlords are ‘ordinary people’ earning less than $100,000 a year.
Mr Davoren’s concern is that the current ‘protections’ are potentially devastating to a much broad sector of the population.
I have grave concerns about the information the Queensland Government is basing its decisions on.
People in the real estate industry – residential and commercial - have access to possibly more sectors of the population than any other, and certainly at the grass roots level.
This is about shelter… and when you talk about shelter – whether for residential or commercial premises, for owner occupiers, for tenants, for businesses – all roads lead to real estate.
We in the real estate industry are the experts in our field, just as those in the medical profession are the experts. Stop listening to people who are not the experts.
Mr Davoren agrees that governments have to lean towards the tough side when it comes to COVID-19, the virus itself, because it involves saving lives but he suggests what the Queensland government is doing in relation to landlords and tenants goes beyond dealing with the virus.
It’s a short-sighted vision. If the proposed measures go through, large numbers of landlords will divest themselves of their investment property as soon as they can. The tenant becomes the real loser. With fewer properties to rent, rents will go through the roof.
He said leadership particularly now, needed to demonstrate confidence, strength and sensitivity, and such leadership was drawing the real estate industry together, on its own behalf and on that of real estate consumers, to address how COVID-19 affects the population.
REIP (Real Estate Industry Partners), a group of the largest real estate brands and independents in Australia, is across state boundaries and engages all levels of government. At the state level, all the institutes are stepping up.
Chairman Peter Brewer and CEO Antonia Mercorella have stood up as leaders in a time when good leadership is needed like never before.
He said the Palaszczuk Government was quick to respond to the thousands of letters it received in a day from landlords, following the launch of the REIQ’s ‘Everybody Matters’ campaign.
It was pleasing to read that the Queensland government promised to consult more widely on its proposed rental protections but I sincerely hope this happens in time to prevent  the initially proposed measures being passed when Parliament sits on Wednesday 22 Apri.
MICHAEL DAVOREN is the RE/MAX Australia Managing Director 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

RE/MAX head calls for Queensland to rethink COVID-19 rental rules

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There are signs that the Queensland Government's proposed legislation proposed on rental protections is being reviewed.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland has launched a campaign against laws set to be put to parliament next Wednesday which will effect 600,000 landlords.
The Palaszczuk Government has promised to consult more widely on its proposed rental protections after thousands of angry letters to the Premier’s office in just one day.
The government and REIQ will meet today.
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said her organisation was not opposed to a six-month moratorium protecting people from eviction, or from entitled tenants getting a rent reduction.
But she said landlords wanted rent deferrals on the discounted portion of rent, rather than permanent rent waivers.
The REIQ want tenants to provide proof of financial difficulty.
They want a threshold as to how much a tenant must be financially impacted before protection.
“It’s not their fault they can’t make their payments if they’ve lost their job. But it goes too far.
“It throws the property owners to the wolves .... this will break many property investors”.
Ms Mercorella said banks weren’t giving out mortgage pauses as easily as the Government seemed to believe.
Housing Minister Mick de Benni has advised the laws would not be a blanket rent waiver, but allowed property owners and tenants to renegotiate rental agreements for the short term.
“No Queenslander should have to end this lockdown period with no job and an insurmountable debt, through no fault of their own,” he said.
“All of us have a role to play to get through this, including the banks who need to provide mortgage relief for landlords.”
 
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Queensland Government set to ratchet back COVID-19 rental rules

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The 2020 north and north-western Queensland grazing property market is certainly primed for a make or break year ahead, according to the recent Herron Todd White (HTW) report. 
The property valuation firm suggests grazing property market commentary has been mixed.
On the one hand, there are some who are looking to expand in these market conditions on the back of low interest rates and confidence in cattle prices in the next five year.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that once it rains down south, the demand that drove the 2018 market pricing will dissipate, values may languish and market demand and pricing may change within weeks. 
It appears that major demand factors in the recent year have been from southern graziers seeking higher rainfall and grassed areas, southern farmers taking a risk to establish northern dry land farming projects, positive producer sentiment as cattle prices are expected to rise, low interest rates, and Commonwealth acquisitions in the Greenvale and Charters Towers area. 
<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/2020/2/10/4_N%20and%20NW%20QLD.jpg" alt="" width="822" height="441">
Source: HTW rural report, North and North West Queensland
HTW's graph "shows a cross section of 2019 sale parameters, excluding cattle and plant and equipment, that shows the contrast in market pricing between downs and forest country. 
"Downs country values increased from 2018 to 2019, however 2019 really was the year for the forest country types. The market for forest country outshone the downs for once."
"Typically, downs country reflects stronger hectare rates to the forest breeding. Given the strong demand and offerings of mixed to top quality basalt country, the forest country has come through and toppled the downs." 
"Sale hectare rates for mixed quality to top quality basalt country in the Charters Towers and Greenvale areas achieved similar hectare rates than the downs last year", except in the cases of Reedybrook and Marionvale which achieved stronger rates.
The report warns that it "is time to be careful and calculating of the risks in buying or selling cattle stations at this stage of the property market cycle."
HTW observes that a few market comments have started to surface which have not been around since about 2006 to 2008. 
"These were bullish comments then and are indicative of confidence rising now. For some, their investments worked. For others, bullish expansions results in unfortunate situations.
"Perhaps the variance in outcomes arose from calculated due diligence processes for the successful manoeuvres as opposed to emotional acquisitions that stretched all available resources."
For example, a classic comment that has recently surfaced is, "We need to buy Johnny a property now because property values are rising. John is old enough for a property now and we will never get the opportunity again!" 
HTW suggests that the resurfacing of such an emotionally driven reason to buy a property is a reasonable indicator that market sentiment is getting up there. 
However, at this stage, emotionally driven buyer transitions have been minimal. 
Strong southern buyer demand influence last year informed potential local buyers what price point reflected their highest bid point.
This indicates "local buyers are doing their homework at this stage of the cycle. They have calculated the price at which they can be profitable and successful."
HTW notes that "should southern buyer demand dissipate in the ensuring months, vendors too will need to be prudent. 
"It may be that in the absence of southern buyers, asking for a price increase on 2018 values may not achieve a successful sale."
HTW advises, "in this stage of the market cycle, both buyers and vendors need to be prudent."
Overall, with cattle prices looking optimistic and interest rates low, graziers are looking to grow and expand their operations. 
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North and North West Queensland grazing property market primed for a make or break 2020: HTW rural 

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
Queensland’s property industry is calling on the State Government to scrap significant increases to land tax, following the Commonwealth Government decision to bring forward $650 million in major project funding for Queensland, and deliver $680 million in new funding. 
The land tax increases announced in June’s State Budget were an attempt to plug a Budget hole that will now no longer exist. 
This is a very welcome announcement by the Federal Government and comes at a critical time for the local economy.
The Queensland Government should use this opportunity to scrap its economically damaging land tax increases in order to further support local jobs growth.
June’s Queensland State Budget introduced a sizeable increase to the general business rate of land tax, and introduced a new surcharge for overseas companies and trusts that will effectively double their land tax liability.
In her Budget speech and subsequent media comments, the Treasurer outlined that the land tax measures were a reluctant result of “Canberra’s cuts” and committed to repeal them if Canberra restored “Queensland’s fair share.
The Federal Government’s new commitment will be a big boost to the State’s balance sheet, and affords Queensland the opportunity to avoid imposing these harmful new taxes.
The Office of State Revenue has been devising an exemption framework from the overseas surcharge for economically significant investments since June’s Budget. While the Government has been working to finalise this framework,<a name="_GoBack" href=""></a> no land tax has been collected from overseas entities. 
The Treasurer could make the decision today to repeal the overseas land tax surcharge and issue these entities with their normal land tax assessments.
If this tax is imposed, Queensland will face a substantial competitive disadvantage against southern jurisdictions for the retention and attraction of investment.
We will also see many Australian investors liable to pay the new foreign surcharge, and rents increasing for many Queensland businesses.
Chris Mountford is the Executive Director of Property Council Queensland.
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Canberra cash should spell the end of Queensland’s land tax grab:  Chris Mountford 

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The rural property market in central western Queensland has strengthened significantly in 2019 as drought affected producers from the Northern Territory, central Queensland and New South Wales have competed to secure the limited numbers of well grassed properties for sale, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) report. 
The report suggests sales activity has generally been confined to areas from Longreach to west of Winton, with values increasing by up to 25% on levels seen from 2010 to 2018.
The Blackall and Barcaldine area had its run in 2018, but dry conditions in this region have seen the market focused further west, where good rainfall totals have seen a large number of well grassed properties hit the market.
Sales data has seen nearly 40 properties sell in 2019 to date, up from around 20 in 2018.
"While the majority of purchasers have been chasing grass, in some cases they are bringing forward expansion plans due to current drought pressures," the valuation firm said. 
"Most are looking at a longer-term investment, not a short-term quick fix."
Sheep producers, principally from New South Wales, have also been active in the region for the first time in nearly 30 years.
"The increase in values has been due to the strong demand and limited properties for sale, but is also riding on the back of significant land value increases in the eastern half of Queensland, coupled with low interest rates," the valuation firm added. 
Some producers are also securing land rather than pay very high agistment rates which is extremely limited, preferring to pay off their own property rather than someone else’s.
Demand is still evident, at this late stage of the year, with two properties in the Winton district recently going under contract and market attention now focused on the smaller scale, reportedly well grassed Aramac property, Caber Feidh (pictured below), which sold in early November at auction. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/11/13/Caber%20Feidh%202%20.jpeg" alt="">
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Central Western Queensland rural property market strengthened significantly: HTW rural

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Dual commercial assets in Cleveland have been sold in one line to a private Queensland-based family-owned development company.
The two assets, at Cleveland’s 74-80 Shore Street West, come with 3,098 square metre and 3,164 square metre site areas, offering a combined 1,528 square metre building area plus 500 square metre awning.
The properties were marketed and sold by Ray White Commercial Bayside Director Nathan Moore.
Mr Moore said it was the first time the properties had been offered to the market in over 40 years and they appealed to investors, developers and owner-occupiers.
There were more than 35 enquiries and seven offers made
Me Moore said, "it came down to two very close bidders, with the private Queensland-based family-owned development company coming out on top, and they already have plans sitting with Council."
“The interested parties were attracted to the properties primarily because of the tightly-held Cleveland retail showroom and services precinct location," he said.
The buyer paid $4,260,000 for the assets.
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Dual Cleveland commercial assets sold after 40 years

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Noosa-based Altum Property Group has exchanged contracts to acquire the leasehold for Great Keppel Island from Terry Agnew's Tower Holdings.
It is subject to approval from the Queensland government.
The real estate developer made the move after a previous $50 million sale, to Wei Chao Pty Ltd in October last year, did not proceed to settlement.
It is understood the new buyers have negotiated an extended settlement period.
The island, which lies 12 kilometres from coast of Yeppoon, has approval for a $400 million major development including a hotel, eco-tourism villas, apartments, a marina, and a ferry terminal.
The previous decaying resort on the island was demolished last year.
The Queensland government has reportedly committed $30 million for common-user power and water infrastructure connections to Great Keppel Island, in the interest of boosting tourism.
Altum's group has no track-record of delivering tourism projects.
During the 1990s, Great Keppel was a famed party destination known by the slogan "Get Wrecked on Keppel".
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Great Keppel Island set to be sold again

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Last year saw some high quality basalt country sell, creating the perception of a general increase in the market, however this does not tell the full story according to the latest report from Herron Todd White.
The property valuation firm found that this trend was fuelled by some stronger priced transactions whereby southern graziers were seeking grassed country for drought relief. 
This year has seen some lighter Desert Uplands and Croydon forest sell in the mix, and the report found that last years index average is relatively high is due to a lack of Desert Uplands and Croydon country selling in 2019. Meanwhile, the lack of the good basalt sales this year created the perception that values were noticeably down. 
The current Forest country (Other NQ) average is actually somewhere towards the centre of the 2017 and 2018 index results. The Northern Central Downs had a spike of higher priced sales in late February and into March this year. 
Graziers from the Northern Territory, Central Queensland and Southern Queensland drought affected areas anxiously purchased downs country amid the perception that there was going be a substantial body of grass following the monsoonal flood event (this was not the case). 
The report concludes that "the evidence since March does indicate a general strengthening on last years sales."
Once the transactions settle that are currently under negotiation, it is expected that the full year average index will be slightly lower than it is now.
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North West Queensland rural market saw spike in drought relief buyers: HTW Rural

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GUEST OBSERVATION
In February, about 600,000 cattle were killed by catastrophic flooding across north Queensland’s Carpentaria Gulf plains.
The flood waters rose suddenly, forming a wall of water up to 70 kilometres wide. Record depths were reached along 500 kilometres of the Flinders River, submerging 25,000 square kilometres of country. Cattle were stranded. Many drowned.
Even though cattleman Harry Batt lost 70% of his herd, he was <a href="https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5906068/queensland-floods-decimate-native-wildlife/?cs=10229" target="_blank">more concerned about the wildlife</a>. He said, “all the kangaroos, and bloody little marsupial mice and birds, they couldn’t handle it”.
Harry was right to be concerned. As our research, published today in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aec.12803" target="_blank">Austral Ecology</a>, reveals, floods sweeping Australia’s plains have disrupted native species for millions of years. Now, as climate change drives <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-016-1689-y" target="_blank">more intense flooding</a>, we will see this effect intensify.
Flooding causes major disruptions to gene flow
February’s flood came ten years to the day after a <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_reports/gulf_floods_jan_mar_2009.pdf" target="_blank">far bigger flood</a> on the adjoining river systems that submerged an area larger than Ireland. It was this flood that first drew our attention to the plight of native species.
Noel was asked by <a href="https://mynortherngulf.org/" target="_blank">Northern Gulf Resource Management Group</a> to survey wildlife in areas affected by the 2009 flood. Over the following four years, he found almost no ground-dwelling reptiles, despite them occurring elsewhere in the region. They appeared to have been washed away or drowned.
Biologists have long known that many species’ ranges are interrupted by the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1071/MU9870158" target="_blank">Gulf Plains</a>. Hence, these floodplains are considered one of Australia’s most important biogeographic barriers: the Carpentarian Gap.
Many closely related species with a common ancestor are separated by this Gap, including the Golden-shouldered Parrot of Cape York Peninsula and the Hooded Parrot of the Northern Territory. They are thought to have separated around <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1463-6409.2012.00561.x" target="_blank">7 million years ago</a>. 
The Gap also separates many other species, including birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies, at the subspecies or genetic level. Even more species found on either side are just absent from the Gulf Plains.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/285075/original/file-20190722-134095-gtpfir.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/285075/original/file-20190722-134095-gtpfir.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a> 
Huge flooding across the Gulf Plains, including the Norman and Flinders Rivers, in February 2009. <a href="https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov%20under%20Info/About" target="_blank">NASA Worldview</a>, <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA</a>
Flood impacts are immense and under-appreciated
When biologists first tried to find a reason for these patterns, they only considered aridity. They proposed <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1071/MU9870158" target="_blank">Australia’s arid zone expanded</a> to the Gulf of Carpentaria during ice ages.
There is no evidence for this, but the misunderstanding is completely understandable.
Any dry-season visitor to the Gulf Plains will find a dry, inhospitable environment with few trees or shrubs for shade, cracked clay soils, and lots of flies. European explorers described the region as “God-forsaken”.
But it can be quite a different place in the wet season.
Rains in the Gulf are caused by the summer monsoonal troughs or cyclones. About once a decade, these generate massive downpours. <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/index.shtml" target="_blank">Historical records</a> show at least 14 major floods since 1870.
So, to us, it seemed floods rather than aridity could be the cause of the odd distributions of plants and animals.
We set out to see whether Noel’s findings could have been caused by flooding or whether other factors such as soil, vegetation or climate were more important.
We also wanted to know what other effects floods might have on the region’s ecosystem. Could floods, by eliminating trees and shrubs, be responsible for the hostile appearance of the region? Could ground-dwelling reptiles and birds be underrepresented, not just at Noel’s sites, but on floodplains across the area?
To find out, we divided the area into floodplains and higher-altitude land, and generated 10,000 random sites across the Gulf Plains. We extracted soil, vegetation and rainfall data from national information sources, and examined the patterns.
We found trees and shrubs were significantly less common on floodplains than on land above the flood zone, regardless of soil or rainfall, and tree cover was further reduced on cracking clays. We concluded the plain’s open, hostile appearance is caused by a combination of soils and flooding.
We then examined all gecko, skink and bird records from the <a href="https://www.ala.org.au/" target="_blank">Atlas of Living Australia</a>.
We found ground-living reptiles and birds were much less common on the floodplains, regardless of vegetation or soil. As expected, reptiles were more sensitive to flooding than birds, which can fly to safety during floods.
Finally, we found the sites affected by the 2009 flood had significantly fewer geckos and skinks than other sites across the Gulf Plains.
Increased flooding from climate change could have major consequences
Our findings have evolutionary significance that extends into the future. Repeated disruption of species across their distributions affects gene flow and ultimately produces new species. If <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-016-1689-y" target="_blank">floods become more frequent</a>, as expected under climate change, so might the rates at which new species form.
They also have serious land management implications. Climate change planning emphasises conserving river corridors as safe refuges from arid conditions. However, periodic scouring of many of the nation’s floodplains – expected to increase under climate change – means that this approach needs rethinking.
We conclude that on the most arid occupied continent on Earth, unpredictable floods may cause the most disruption to the Australian plant and animal life.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/120753/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
Gabriel Crowley, Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, James Cook University.
Noel D Preece, Adjunct Asssociate Professor, James Cook University.
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/catastrophic-queensland-floods-killed-600-000-cattle-and-devastated-native-species-120753" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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