Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

residential

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Where would you park a lazy half million dollars in the South West of Western Australia? Property valuation firm Herron Todd White explores the options in its July 2016 residential market report. 
A good option for medium to long-term capital growth in the south west is along the coastal strip on the northern side of Bussell Highway traversing the suburbs of Busselton, West Busselton, Broadwater and Abbey. This coastal strip is nearly 500 metres in width and runs for approximately 10 kilometres along the Geographe Bay. 
“As the City of Busselton continues to grow at a strong rate, this well located section of land will continue to grow in desirability and affluence as the urban sprawl continues to be pushed further away from the coast line,” says the HTW report. 
“This consequently will result in good capital growth over the medium to long term as an increase in population will lead to stronger demand for product that has limited scope to increase in supply. As such this well positioned and limited coastal strip would represent a good option for a prospective purchaser looking to invest $500,000.”
Entry point into this market is $500,000, which would secure a very basic residence with the vast majority of the value being in the land. While the rental return of the investment would be weak, purchasing within this coastal strip would provide a strong opportunity for capital growth over the medium to long term. 
Moving 50 kilometres north from the City of Busselton lands the prospective purchaser in Bunbury. Throughout South Bunbury and East Bunbury there have recently been some zoning changes which are encouraging higher development within these areas. Properties of 700 to 900 square metres which were previously single residential now have duplex or triplex potential. As these zoning changes are introduced, now would be a good opportunity to invest $500,000 for medium to long-term capital growth. 
A third option would be to invest in Dunsborough which is a very well sought after and renowned coastal town positioned in the south west. Dunsborough is located within Geographe Bay and attracts a higher number of tourists given its beaches and proximity to the world renowned Margaret River wine region. 
More specifically we see the coastal strip that runs from north of Caves Road to the beach as being a good area to invest. Generally this pocket has residential dwellings positioned on good sized lots of 800 square metres and above and located in very close proximity of the ocean, stimulating demand. Entry point for this market is $500,000 which would secure a very basic residence with the vast majority of the value being in the underlying land. 
“If these properties were to be purchased with a view to being held for the long term, good capital growth could be expected as the area historically has performed well,” say HTW.
The costal strip in the City of Busselton, Dunsborough and development sites within South and East Bunbury are just a number of options among many opportunities within the south west to invest $500,000. 
As a case in point, Property Observer found a three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-busselton-121367426" target="_blank">41 Brown Street, Busselton, WA 6280</a> that recently sold for $440,000.
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

$500,000 in South West WA buys you a three-bedroom place, long-term growth: HTW

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Stockland has lodged a Development Application with Cumberland Council for a mixed use residential apartment and retail development in Merrylands, western Sydney. 
The DA includes plans for more than 500 new apartments, designed by Turner Architects, across five buildings that will range in height from 11 to 17 storeys.
Gavin Tonnet, national head of apartments and mixed use development at Stockland, said it will provide the vital missing link between Merrylands Road and McFarlane Street. 
Andrew Whitson, chief executive officer, residential at Stockland, said Stockland is broadening customer reach through the development of new townhouses and apartments, with an initial focus on opportunities on sites in the existing portfolio.
"By expanding our Residential business strategy to incorporate more medium density and apartment projects within our greenfield communities and at standalone sites, where we’re driving the urban renewal process, we’re able to diversify our earnings and be more responsive to the changing demands of the residential property market,” he said.
The new development will be adjacent Stockland Merrylands Shopping Centre, which was redeveloped and expanded in recent years at a total cost of $395 million. 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Stockland lodges DA for Merrylands development

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As I finalise the Project Analysis on one of our last development projects for 2016, I've realised we've broken our equity creation record for a dual occupancy project.
We've manufactured just under $200,000 in equity within a year which represents an 18% return on investment (ROI). 
This wonderful client is now onto his third project with Property Bloom and so I'm very happy we've been able to deliver this amazing result for him, it's a fabulous Christmas present for our client but also for us. 
This was one of those projects where financially, things just went right. We started with a build estimate and with every update of our builder's tender the project costs dropped. We ended up with an actual construction cost of just under $40,000 less than we'd originally estimated. This includes Torrens title subdivision costs so that our client ends up with two x three bedroom dwellings each on their own title. 
We secured the development site in Newcastle in an estate that ticked all our  'great location' boxes. It has a high proportion of owner occupiers, strong sales and rental demand, community facilities including primary and high school, sporting fields, bike paths, picnic areas, children's parks and close to the local shopping centre and on the bus route. The location also allows quick drive time into the CBD and onto the major arterial roads.
We were able to prepare plans and other documentation required for the Development Application (DA) quickly and have it lodged with Newcastle City Council even before our client settled on the land. This saved on holding costs. However, the DA processing time was disappointing. It took 16 weeks, although I have to add this included Christmas, so you could say 14 weeks. Still, this is a long time. Our best DA processing time with the same council is two weeks. It all comes down to the town planner we are allocated and how efficient they are.  
The construction time was five months from the site cut date to Handover of a full turnkey product. Again, we've done better but I was happy with this result considering there is a shortage of building trades right now in the Hunter. 
Of course there was a few unexpected hiccups, like two windows that needed to be replaced after the internal linings were finished, we realised they were not centered in the area we wanted them to be. Our builder quickly had them replaced. But this didn't delay the project, just added some extra work for the builder. 
Our client will enjoy strong depreciation benefits from his new properties and a 6.5% gross yield. 
As we move closer to closing the door on 2015, it's nice to finish the year on a high. We'll be back for more fun and games in 2016. I hope you've enjoyed our stories this year, wishing all our readers and the wonderful people at Property Observer  a safe, relaxing and happy Christmas.  May 2016 bring you much joy and happiness, and a maybe a shiny new property development!
Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a>.
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jochivers-wq5Bp59R5a

Finishing the year with a bang: Jo Chivers

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A Pyrmont site has been sold for $22.4 million with potential for development into approximately 50 residential apartments.
Government Property NSW has sold the 1,846sqm site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-pyrmont-501551663" target="_blank">108 Miller Street, Pyrmont</a> to real estate developer, Thirdi Group.
Savills selling agent Stuart Cox said this site combined a remarkable location with exceptional potential for luxury residential apartments which attracted a multitude of enquiries from local and international developers.
“With a current median unit price of $950,000 in Pyrmont and the preference for inner city apartment living prices are expected to achieve over $18,000/sq m of NSA,” he said.
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Pyrmont site sold for $22.4 million

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Building of St Kilda's new 19 level teadrop-shaped residential building Opera will commence in early 2016, with completion anticipated in 2018. 
Designed by local architects Bates Smart, the $190 million building at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/project-opera-vic-melbourne-600008629" target="_blank">450 St Kilda Road</a> will include 228 one, two and three bedroom apartments. One bedrooms have one car space and the two and three bedders get two each.
Some three and four bedroom apartments, ranging from $1.12 to $2.7 million for a three bedroom and $3.1 to $4.88 million for a penthouse or sub-penthouse have already been sold.
The glass curved design requires double curved glazing panels to be installed on site – a process known as cold bending – the first of its type in Australia.
 
 
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St Kilda's Opera residential development to start 2016

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Two homeowners in Glen Iris are the latest example of residential vendors in Melbourne’s suburbs teaming up to sell their properties to a residential property developer.
Colliers International sold two neighbouring properties at 1520 High Street and 65 Erica Avenue in Glen Iris as a 830 square metre residential development site for $3.4 million. 
The campaign received with over 105 enquiries, selling 24 hours after the EOI period closed, at a record land rate for the area of $4,096/sqm.
Both owners received approximately 30% more through the process of selling to a developer than they would have done had they sold their houses individually, agent Ben Baines said.
“The practice is becoming increasingly common following residential zoning reforms which were gazetted in July last year.”
Ben Baines said agents were seeing an increase in activity from Asian buyers in Melbourne’s metropolitan market as this buyer group began to look outside the CBD. He said around 70% of enquiries for this kind of property with development potential was now coming from offshore groups.
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Glen Iris neighbours secure record residential development site price

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The ABS quarterly survey “Building Activity” provides detail on the non-residential building sector. Here we reassess conditions and prospects for the sector, with a greater focus on the private segment, which accounts for 78% of activity. Hereafter ‘building’ refers to ‘non-residential building’.
In summary, the strengthening of private building activity in recent years will be punctuated in 2015 by a relatively modest downturn. Approvals took a step lower in 2014, but have stabilised more recently, with falls in offices, retail and industrial, following a wave of projects and against the backdrop of mixed domestic demand conditions. The looming near-term slowing of building activity will be uneven, with declines greater in the mining states of WA and Qld, where the spill-over effects of the mining investment downturn will be most felt.
Activity: Total building activity advanced by 1.3% in the March quarter, to be 0.7% above the level of a year ago.
Private building activity has been in an upward trend for four years, with gains as follows: +9.9%yr in March 2012; +2.7%yr in March 2013; +3.8% in March 2014; and +9.6%yr in March 2015.
In the March quarter, private work expanded by 3.5%. This rise was supported by the sizeable work pipeline and was despite the recent softening of commencements. Activity is unlikely to be sustained at the current $6.9bn per quarter, which is 12% above the level of commencements.
Public works have eased back to more normal levels in the aftermath of the Federal Government’s 2009/10 fiscal stimulus package. In the March quarter, public works declined by 5.5% to be 22% lower than a year ago.
Total commencements were valued at $7.4bn in the March quarter, continuing the softer tone evident since the second half of 2014.
Private commencements were $6.1bn in the quarter. If there is a similar outcome in the June quarter, then commencements for the 2014/15 financial year will be down 16% on 2013/14. That is broadly in line with the weakening of approvals, which in the six months to May 2015 were 18% lower than at the start of 2014. 
The sizeable pipeline of work outstanding is being gradually reduced. For the private sector, the pipeline declined by $1bn over the past year, to $18.3bn, as work progressed on office, retail, health and industrial projects - partially offset by a lift in the pipeline for social infrastructure, such as entertainment. 
The pipeline of work for public works is currently $4.9bn, down from $6.6bn a year ago.
<a href="/images/2015/07/23/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-23%20at%2012.47.12%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/23/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-23%20at%2012.47.12%20PM.png" alt="" width="800" height="603">
 
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Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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Australia's non-residential building sector 2015 Q1: Andrew Hanlan

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The list of the 10 top residential sales across Australia compiled by CoreLogic RP Data over the past week features half from Melbourne, with two from Kew.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-sunnybank+hills-119891353" target="_blank">But a Queensland sale</a> tops the list. It was an an unusually striking long lowest home that was sold as a development site.
The deceased estate listing was a 10,472 sqm holding in this popular south side suburb. 
 
1. 81 Pinelands Road, Sunnybank Hills, QLD, 4109, four-bedroom house, sold on June 24 by L J Hooker Sunnybank Hills for $5.8 million
2. 126 Sackville Street, Kew, VIC, 3101, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 27 by Rt Edgar Boroondara for $5.56 million
3. 20 Studley Avenue, Kew, VIC, 3101, five-bedroom house, sold on June 27 by Ray White Glen Waverley for $4.58 million
4. 9 Smythe Avenue, Mont Albert, VIC, 3127, five-bedroom house, sold on June 23 by Jellis Craig Real Estate Hawthorn for $4.3 million
5. 21 Iluka Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088, four-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on June 27 by Century 21 Mosman for $4.07 million
6. 5/37 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, QLD, 4567, three-bedroom unit, sold on June 23 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Noosa Heads for $3.9 million
7. 6 Tryon Street, Chatswood, NSW, 2067, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 27 by Shead Property Chatswood for $3.87 million
8. 92 Carrington Road, Wahroonga, NSW, 2076, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 27 by Ray White Gordon/St Ives for $3.675 million
9. 2 Terama Court, Glen Waverley, VIC, 3150, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 27 by Jrw Property International Glen Waverley for $3.625 million
10. 1A Monomeath Avenue, Canterbury, VIC, 3126, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on June 27 by RT Edgar Boroondara for $3.5 million
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Sunnybank Hills top sale for the week

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A report has found land values in the Gold Coast region have seen strong growth with Mermaid Waters, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach Waters all seeing an increase in land values from between 25% to 30% through June 2015.
According to the Herron Todd White June 2015 update, official land values on the Gold Coast are reported to have increased by 10.7% over the past year, marking an upward swing in the local property market with prices "well off the bottom across all residential property categories".
The report cited the recent resale of 145 Allambi Avenue, Broadbeach Waters for $1,015,000 which sold for $760,000 in August 2013, with no additional improvements to the property made.
According to its data, purchasers still favour the sub $500,000 price bracket which accounts for 71.5% of transactions, compared to 23.5% for $500,000 to $1 million and 5% over $1 million. 
The HTW report noted the Gold Coast was one of the hardest hit regions of Australia following the GFC, with mortgagee in possession sale rates running above 6%. 
"However, that all seems to be well behind us now as the property market has recovered and turned upwards.
"Prices are well off the bottom across all residential property categories."
It nominated six reasons underpinning the recovery in positive economic changes driving the property market on the Gold Coast:
• Increasing population. Current Gold Coast population is now at 535,000 (source: Gold Coast City Council web site) with projections of a population of circa 680,000 by 2021 (source: Queensland Office of Economy and Statistical Research Population Prediction Report dated 2011).
• Tourism is back stimulated by the lower Australian dollar and strengthened by new international flights direct to China and other parts of Asia.
• Increase in building development and infrastructure projects.
• Increase in number of new homes being built and apparent increase in number of substantial renovations of dwellings.
• Increased international investors including the very influential and growing Chinese investment market and cashed up Auckland based Kiwis.
• Increased interstate buyers with many cashed up investors from the very buoyant Melbourne and Sydney markets.
• Predictions of improving employment in the tourism sector and also boosted by the impending 2018 Commonwealth Games. 
 
<a href="/images/2015/06/26/gc1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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The prestige market was on the improve with overseas investors, locals and those from interstate preferring waterfront property and the limited luxury units are on the market.
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 Examples of sales in 2015 include: 
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HTW notes strong growth in Gold Coast land values

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There are 2,050 capital city auctions expected across the capital cities this week, similar to the number held last week (2,076) when the final auction clearance rate was recorded at 75.9%, the softest result across the combined capital cities since March this year. At the same time last year, 2,040 residential auctions were held and the clearance rate over the week was recorded at 65.4%.
Melbourne is expecting 959 auctions this week, an increase from 947 last week and higher than the 946 at the same time last year. Last week, Melbourne’s final auction clearance rate was recorded at 77.7%, which is much higher than one year ago (69.1%), however it is the lowest clearance rate for the city in 9 weeks.
This week, there are 799 Sydney homes scheduled for auction, compared to 816 last week and 785 over the previous week. Sydney’s clearance rate was down last week, from 88.7% the previous week to 83.4%, while in comparison, the clearance rate for the city last year was 70.1%. Sydney’s year to date clearance rate is 84.9%, while over the same period last year, the clearance rate for the city was tracking at 75.0%. On the other hand, auction volumes this year are slightly lower than they were last year.
Across Brisbane, CoreLogic RP Data is currently expecting 114 auctions this week, compared with 135 last week and 141 last year. Brisbane’s clearance rate last week was 45.5 per cent, while one year ago, 32.2% of homes taken to auction were sold.
There are currently 76 Adelaide homes scheduled for auction this week, slightly lower than the 87 last week and tracking at a similar level as the same time last year when 74 auctions were held across the city. Adelaide’s clearance rate last week was 58.7%, having fallen from 71.2% the previous week.
Canberra has 51 scheduled auctions this week, compared to 53 last week and 35 at the same time last year.
Across Perth, 40 homes are set for auction over the current week, increasing from 32 last week and slightly lower than one year ago (45).
Across Australia’s individual suburbs, the highest volume of auctions this week will be held in Balwyn North, Glen Waverley and Richmond (Vic).
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