Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

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>.

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

The Block

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Investors have paid $2,375,000 to buy The Block Albert Park apartment caught up in the Australian Federal Police seizure of assets of the former NAB broker Lukas Kamay.
Kamay, who has been accused of using confidential Australian Bureau of Statistics data to make $7 million in profits by trading in fluctuations in the Australian dollar, paid $2,375,000 at The Block auction in April.
But the purchase did not proceed to settlement.
The replacement buyers have <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/3-47-o-grady-street-albert-park/Property-Details-rent-residential-7434337" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">the apartment now advertised for rent at $2,500 a week through </a><a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/3-47-o-grady-street-albert-park/Property-Details-rent-residential-7434337" target="_blank">Dingle Partners</a>.
An Albert Park couple Paul and Susan Hawking now own the apartment decorated by Adelaide twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser.
Following Lakas Kamay’s arrest in May and with settlement yet to occur, The Block’s production company Watercress Productions secured the replacement sale at the same price, $2,375,000.
The runner-up twins, Alisa and Lysandra achieved<a href="https://www.dinglepartners.com.au/index.cfm?pageCall=property&amp;propertyID=2618525" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> a massive $616,000 above the reserve of $1.759 million</a>. 
The three bedroom apartment was marketed for Alisa and Lysandra, the former SA police officers, by the Melbourne CBD agents, Anton Wongtrakun and Rochelle Wilson from Dingle Partners.
The twins were not the overall winners, so it did not affect the final result of the television renovation gameshow, and did not affect their payout as the outcome of the auction night are likely to be honoured by Watercress and Channel 9.
Kamay had secured the apartment as an investment property as Dingle Partners had it listed as available with a $2,500 weekly asking price, reflecting a gross 5.4% rental yield in May. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Investors secure The Block Albert Park resale after sales collapse

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The Block Glasshouse marketing has begun with Buxton's inviting private clients to an early September preview.
The High Street apartment is being offered <a href="/expert-insights/building/karl-gillon-takes-on-his-third-televised-the-block-sales-campaign">through veteran The Block agent Karl Gillon</a>.
<img src="/images/2014/08/15/block%20aug%2015%20one.jpg" alt="">
No public marketing has commenced for the auctions that appear scheduled for October auction.
Nor have $2 million plus price hopes been confirmed.
Buxton estate agent Karl Gillon is set to take on his third sales televised Block auction marketing campaign in the latest The Block Glasshouse series.
He will be marketing the sale of contestants Maxine and Karstan’s Prahan apartment at 3/121-127 High Street.
He's previously auctioned Brad and Dale’s property on last year’s Fans Vs Faves series in the O'Grady Street, Albert Park warehouse.
<a href="/news/at-506-000-above-reserve-brad-and-laras-1-62-million-south-melbourne-sale-secures-the-block-2012-prize-result">He also sold contestants Brad and Lara’s property in 2012</a>, achieving a winning price of $1.62 million in the South Melbourne terraces series.
In recent series contestants have taken to include their estate agent in the design planning stages to ensure the apartment matches the locality demographics.
Estate agent Anton Wongtrakun of Dingle Partners is also returning. Last year he handled twins Alisa and Lysandra’s Albert Park sale.
This time it is Chris and Jenna’s apartment at number 2.
The agent newbies are Matt White of Ray White Port Phillip selling Michael and Carlene’s property at number 3 and Andrew McCann of Jellis Craig Bennison Mackinnon with Simon and Shannon’s apartment at number 4.
The AFL premiership player Darren Jolly and his wife Deanne have gone with Biggin &amp; Scott Richmond.
The High Street Block auctions are likely to take place in October.
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The Block Glasshouse marketing begins in Prahran

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Last night, Australia was treated to the first round of bathroom reveals on The Block Glasshouse.
In one of the hardest tasks of the series (as host Scott Cam likes to remind us), each team was given one week to create the main bathroom of their office conversion apartment.
The week saw yet more delays, tradies in tears, and a particularly unsavory furniture upcycling challenge featuring a taxidermied deer head (the furniture world's Martin Margielas, our blockheads are not).
But it seems the hard work was worth it in the end, with the judges marveling at the bathrooms this season's  contestants managed to deliver.
Despite being cursed with a severed, taxidermied, hollowed out and illuminated deer head courtesy of Shannon and Simon, Chris and Jenna managed to wash the negativity away with their bathroom offering (pictured above, courtesy of Channel 9).
The Campbelltown couple, characterised as the "newbies" of The Block, earned a perfect score of 30 from judges Neale Whitaker (soon to join Vogue Living as editor-in-chief), Selling Houses Australia's Shaynna Blaze and interior designer Darren Palmer.
Some major tiling miscalculations saw the couple bring in a two metre wide mirror to cover up their error - a blessing in disguise, creating the illusion of an expansive space.
Continuing the theme set with the exposed beams in their guest bedroom, the team ran a metal pole (with a pipe tucked inside) across the entire length of their bathroom, which suspended their shower head (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/block2.jpg" alt="">
Picture courtesy of Channel 9. The second highest score of the night went to Darren and Deanne, whose bathroom was particularly popular with Darren (judge, not Jolly), pictured below.
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/blockd.jpg" alt="">
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
Shaynna Blaze noted that their bathroom had a "provincial feel" translated to an urban setting, while Neale Whittaker said the bathroom held its own against some of the best bathrooms he's seen in his career as a magazine editor. The couple were awarded 28 points out of 30.
Their bathroom featured a medley of materials - with a plain plastered wall, a marble vanity, patterned floor tiles, a paneled wall and a wall covered with large white tiles. Maxine and Karstan redeemed themselves after failing to complete a room last week, scoring 26 points for their glossy grey bathroom, pictured below.
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/blockmax.jpg" alt="">
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
Theirs was a particularly big space and Shaynna appreciated their extensive storage, which allowed access to the bedroom linen closet through the wall. However, the couple lost points for the lack of underfloor heating, which was seen in many of the other bathrooms.
Queensland couple Michael and Carlene coped with their pokey bathroom by building a raised platform with an in-built bathtub and open shower three steps above the floor level, pictured below. The judges all thought the couple's herringbone tile feature wall was worth the trouble (though their tiler who was pulling all-nighters alone for the majority of the week may not agree).
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/block%20michael.jpg" alt="">
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
The raised shower was not so popular, with Shaynna concerned that wet, soapy steps would be unsafe for buyers and their children. Michael maintains that the tiles were fairly porous, and wouldn't be slippery. The couple was awarded 24 points for their effort.
Last week's winners took a tumble in the judges eyes - Simon and Shannon received the lowest score of the week, with 23 points. While their timber vanities were appreciated, there were a number of awkward points in the bathroom, including a hidden-but-not-so-hidden boxed-out cistern which reminded Shaynna of a public toilet (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/blockss2.jpg" alt="">
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
The judges also noticed the absence of a bath in the main bathroom, noting that it felt more like an en suite (which is was, thanks to the door adjoining the bathroom to the guest bedroom, an idea the brothers pinched from Chris and Jenna).
This week, the teams will tackle two rooms - the second bedroom and study.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Block Glasshouse newbies reborn with perfect score

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Buxton estate agent Karl Gillon is set to take on his third sales televised Block auction marketing campaign in the latest The Block Glasshouse series.
He will be marketing the sale of contestants Maxine and Karstan’s Prahan apartment at 3/121-127 High Street.
He's previously auctioned Brad and Dale’s property on last year’s Fans Vs Faves series in the O'Grady Street, Albert Park warehouse.
<a href="/news/at-506-000-above-reserve-brad-and-laras-1-62-million-south-melbourne-sale-secures-the-block-2012-prize-result">He also sold contestants Brad and Lara’s property in 2012</a>, achieving a winning price of $1.62 million in the South Melbourne terraces series.
In recent series contestants have taken to include their estate agent in the design planning stages to ensure the apartment matches the locality demographics.
Estate agent Anton Wongtrakun of Dingle Partners is also returning. Last year he handled twins Alisa and Lysandra’s Albert Park sale.
This time it is Chris and Jenna’s apartment at number 2.
The agent newbies are Matt White of Ray White Port Phillip selling Michael and Carlene’s property at number 3 and Andrew McCann of Jellis Craig Bennison Mackinnon with Simon and Shannon’s apartment at number 4.
The AFL premiership player Darren Jolly and his wife Deanne, who <a href="/news/off-field-top-marks-for-retired-ruck-man-darren-jolly-in-renovated-surrey-hills-cottage">sold their self-renovated Edwardian era Surrey Hills</a> home through Paul Richards from Bekdon Richards on delayed settlement terms, have gone with Biggin &amp; Scott Richmond.
The High Street Block auctions are likely to take place in October.
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Karl Gillon takes on his third televised The Block sales campaign

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Last night marked the first set of room reveals for The Block Glasshouse.
Each of the five teams - Darren and Dee, Maxine and Karstan, Michael and Carlene, Simon and Shannon and Chris and Jenna - unveiled their guest bedrooms to the judges and Australia. While it's no secret that all five of the teams were under an extraordinary amount of pressure, some coped better than others.
Tasmanian brothers Shannon and Simon scored the highest marks for the week, with the judges commenting that their guest bedroom with four and a half metres of storage space tucked behind a timber nib wall displayed strong attention to detail and was fresh and stylish. They were rewarded with $10,000 for their efforts.
But a few of the other teams didn't fare so well. The judges pointed out some dodgy plastering in Chris and Jenna's room, while Darren and Dee were pulled up for leaving their painting unfinished. Maxine and Karstan, however, had the roughest time this week - after all the teams suffered setbacks with asbestos removals and delays putting up steel framing, their blinds came late and their cabinet maker failed to show up, leaving the couple with an unfinished room (and a handy note on the wall explaining their troubles to the judges).
The missing cabinet makes Max and Karstan the only team to have ever failed to complete a room in the history of The Block, and earned them marks as low as 5/10.
Although cabinet maker was due to arrive at 5 am on the morning of judging, he failed to turn up at all, and was uncontactable. Unfortunately, the problem is not as uncommon as it should be.
While the majority of tradespeople and subcontractors are honest, hardworking and helpful, ask around and it won't be long til you uncover a treasure trove of tradies-gone-bad stories. The carpenter who kept revealing hidden cost after hidden cost, the painter whose work peeled off the month after and, of course, the cabinet maker who never turned up. It's a problem that can cost you time and money ($10,000, if you're Max  or Karstan).
So if you happen to be unlucky enough to run into one of the few bad apples when you're renovating, what can you do?
First, you can do your best to ensure the problem doesn't arrive in the first place. Regular observer Jo Chivers considers <a href="/expert-insights/the-most-common-first-time-property-developer-mistakes-team-selection">team selection</a> one of the most vital factors in the success or failure of a development or renovation project. Here are some tips on choosing your reno team:
<ol>
<li>Ask about their past completed projects. You could also ask for referrals from previous clients.</li>
<li>Ask about their financial position. If you're hiring a builder, don't be shy about asking if they can afford to take on the project. The last thing you want is for your builder or contractor to liquidate, leaving you in the lurch. They may not like the questions, and don't have to answer them, but it can help you get an idea of how reliable they are.</li>
<li>Ask other tradies and builders. If your builder recommends using a certain tradesperson, ask other tradies on their team how they work. If you're hiring a builder, Chivers recommends asking for a list of their current contractors or tradies. Chivers advises that you ask them what the builder is like to work for, whether they pay on time and whether the tradesperson is intending to continue working for that builder. She writes: "If a tradie has been crossed, he will tell you all about it!"</li>
<li>Check your department of fair trading or consumer affairs website. If a tradie or builder has been in trouble in the past, you may be able to find out about it before you hire them.</li>
</ol>
Your builder should also be licensed or registered - if they're not willing to show you their license, go with another builder.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
When it comes to working with your chosen builder or tradesperson, open and honest communication is key.
Be clear about your expectations and your timeline from early on, so there's no confusion and can be no excuses if the job fails to get done. Get everything in writing whenever possible - dates, costs, materials and promises - in case you need to refer back to an earlier conversation.
If your builder goes into liquidation and can't complete a job, you may be covered by insurance. All licensed builders require some form of insurance, usually called Home Warranty Insurance or Builders Warranty Insurance, and their obligations will vary from state to state - in Victoria, Domestic Builder's Insurance is required when the works cost over $16,000.
Your building contract should include the details of your warranty rights. In New South Wales, <a href="/expert-insights/buying/what-to-do-when-your-nsw-builder-goes-into-liquidation">Home Warranty Insurance</a> will provide you some cover if your builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. Unfortunately, the process is usually a lengthy one, and may not cover the costs of your project.
Court is the worst case scenario. But if your tradesperson has failed to do a job properly, or at all, you might have to resort to legal action. It's a road that few want to go down - tribunal or court proceedings are costly, lengthy and stressful. As Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) deputy president Heather Lambrick says, "Every case that comes to VCAT has a losing party". 
If you do have to go to tribunal, know what you want to achieve when you're going there. Do you want to recover the costs of contracting a tradesperson? Have them come back and fix their dodgy job? Or are you just blowing of steam?
Here are some of Lambrick's tips for winning your case at tribunal (for more information, see <a href="/expert-insights/how-to-win-your-case-at-tribunal-vcat-deputy-president">How to win your case at tribunal</a>).
<ul>
<li>Know the relevant law. You don't need to be an expert, but you do need to know the relevant piece of information that covers your dispute.</li>
<li>Isolate the issues. Figure out where exactly things went wrong - perhaps your tradie not show up at the agreed time, or did not use the agreed materials.</li>
<li>Get the documents to prove your issues. Have as much evidence as you can on hand - photographs, those conversations you've been documenting, and the relevant contracts.</li>
<li>Anticipate the other side of the argument. Organise yourself and have a good idea of what the other side will argue. Prepare a counter argument before you get to tribunal.</li>
<li>Ask for help if you need it. You don't necessarily need a lawyer, and you're not expected to be an expert. Feel free to ask when you need clarity.</li>
<li>Watch other cases. Try sitting in on a couple of tribunal cases so you have an idea of how the proceedings work.</li>
<li>Stay calm and be polite.</li>
</ul>
But no matter how calm or polite you are, going to tribunal won't guarantee you'll get the outcome you want, or deserve. The best way to avoid Maxine and Karstan's situation is to choose wisely in the first place.
Picture courtesy of Channel 9/Facebook.
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Lessons from The Block: What to do if your tradie disappoints

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With the latest season of The Block underway, we already know the contestants are in for a tough 10 weeks.
They'll be competing with junk, budgets and each other to convert a Prahran office block into five luxury apartments.
Here's what each team will be working with:
<ol>
<li>
Karlene and Michael 
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/michael%20and%20carlene.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. Floorspace: 236.8 square metres
Aspect: Southerly Rundown: Though they have an undesirable position, Karlene and Michael have the second largest terrace on The Block. 
</li>
<li>
Chris and Jenna 
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/jenna%20and%20chris.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. Floorspace: 277 square metres
Aspect: No external windows Rundown: To make up for their lack of external windows, Chris and Jenna have been given the biggest of the five apartments. They plan to place a tree in the three-level void of their home. They are also the only team to have a rooftop terrace. 
</li>
<li>
Karsten and Maxine 
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/karstan%20and%20max.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. Floorspace: 237 square metres
Aspect: North-westerly Rundown: Karsten and Maxine's apartment has city views and a desirable aspect. The couple has already locked in real estate agents from Buxton Albert Park, who auctioned Brad and Dale's apartment last season. 
</li>
<li>
Simon and Shannon 
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/shannon%20and%20simon.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. Floorspace: 249 square metres
Aspect: Southerly Rundown: The brothers have the second largest apartment of the bunch, overlooking Prahran's High Street, on the front right side of the building. 
</li>
<li>
Darren and Deanne 
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. Floorspace: 186.7 square metres
Aspect: Northerly  Rundown: Though they have the best aspect of any of the apartments, Darren and Deanne have a lot less floorspace - 90 square metres less than Chris and Jenna, who have the largest apartment.</li>
</ol>
Each apartment will also have 70 square metres of basement storage and two carspaces. The ground level of the building will be devoted to retail space, with the second floor to house the two bathrooms and three bedrooms of each apartment.
The varying sizes of the apartments in The Block Glasshouse will no doubt spur plenty of interesting discussions over whether floorspace or aspect counts most in an inner city apartment, though as we saw in Fans v Faves, auction order could play just as big a role in the final result.
Photo at top of article courtesy of Channel 9.
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The Block Glasshouse: How do the five apartments compare?

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On the debut of The Block Glasshouse, host Scott Cam described the series' Prahran office block as "the worst house on the best street".
While that would be a good position to be in for most renovators, the five teams will be in a tough spot this season.
With 3,300 square metres of floor space over five floors, the building is almost double the size of Dux House, the site of The Block Fans v Faves.
The television show is milking the offbeat location for all it's worth, with contestants entering the building to meet Scott Cam, apparently believing the site to be Channel 9's headquarters. While the ruse was less than convincing, given the location was known by the media fairly early on, the show's set designers were certainly earning their keep, dressing the space as a sad but still functioning office.
After the true nature of their location was revealed, contestants went about choosing their respective apartments at random.
Queensland couple Karlene and Michael, a communications manager and construction manager, picked Apartment 1. Though stuck with a lesser position, with a southerly aspect, the apartment has one of the largest terraces. Their pick has a total of 236.8 square metres of floor space.
Chris and Jenna have Apartment 2, the only apartment of the five with no external windows. To make up for the significant setback, the apartment is the biggest on The Block, with 277 square metres of floor space. Theirs is also the only apartment with a rooftop terrace, a secret Jenna spilled but quickly downplayed.
Karsten and Maxine of Newcastle, who met online and are now engaged, have put their own renovations on hold to take on The Block Glasshouse. They picked Apartment 3, the third largest in the building with 237 square metres of floor space. The apartment has a northwesterly aspect, with city views.
Tasmanian brothers Simon and Shannon have Apartment 4, the second largest of the bunch. Located on the front right side of the building, looking over High Street, the apartment has 249 square metres of floor space.
Former AFL footballer Darren and his wife Deanne picked Apartment 5, which has the most desirable aspect, facing north. Unfortunately, it's the smallest apartment of the bunch, with just 186.7 square metres of space.
Each apartment will also have 70 square metres of private storage and two car spaces.
However, armed with just floor plans with no orientation details, the contestants struggled to figure out where their apartments would sit in the space. They also were treated to junk and debris all across the top level of the building, and rippling metal sheets on the roof coupled with strong winds kept them awake in their new accommodation in the office space downstairs.
With free cars, vouchers to sponsor-suppliers and $100,000 in their bank accounts, each team is tasked with renovating their apartment, to sell at the end of the season. Their first task was to find a builder, with each team but Chris and Jenna somehow finding a builder within a single day.
The first episode of The Block Glasshouse <a href="/expert-insights/building/kevins-devon-snail-shell-house-sneaks-up-behind-the-block-glasshouse-in-ratings">attracted 1.37 million viewers</a>  - however, much as been made of Channel 9's "roadblocking" strategy, with the network airing the premier across its flagship 9 platform, Gem and GO! simultaneously, despite previously advertising different shows for that slot on GO! and Gem.
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
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Contestants in for a challenge on The Block Glasshouse 

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The premiere of Nine Network's increasingly cruel reality renovation series The Block attracted 1.374 million viewers.
Host Scott Cam toyed with the constantant teams who got a first look inside the massive 1980s office block conversion project in Prahran.
At times the lack of hard hats - especially when hastily ripping down the office bock ceiling - almost appeared close to downright dangerous.
Sunday night's Nine News sat in second place with MasterChef in third place after drawing an audience of 1.261 million, according OzTAM's figures.
The Block was possibly the highest rating program of Sunday night due to the network’s decision to simulcast the show across its multi-channel, Go! and Gem in the 6.30pm time slot against Seven’s X Factor which had an audience of 1.14 million.
Meanwhile the ABC's architectural show Grand Designs <a href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/articles/all/east-devon-suppliers" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">featuring East Devon cob-style home</a> sat strongly in sixth spot with 988,000 viewers, beating both 60 Minutes and Sunday Night.
Host Kevin McCloud was tracking the process of a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8knaVoipcGc" target="_blank">snail-shell shaped cob house </a>which used ancient building material and 21st century technology. Its made from mud, straw, water, clay and sand.
Kevin McCabe was the owner builder, wrestling houses out of mud using his bare hands for his proposed house formed of two vast curved cob roundhouses - the largest of which is inspired by the natural geometry of a snail shell.
The latest Block Glasshouse ratings sit within prior Block premiere audiences which included The Block Sky High premiere in South Melbourne of 1.312 million.
The Block All Stars at Bondi premiered with just 959,000 viewers tuning in, and the first-night set in South Melbourne with four adjoining Dorcas Street terraces rated an average 1.4 million viewers.
The Block's 2011’s Melbourne debut had 1,342,000 viewers for the Richmond cottage renovation.
The most recent Albert Park series, The Block Fans v Faves  secured a 1.14 million opening night five capital city audience.
 
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Kevin's Devon snail shell house sneaks up behind The Block Glasshouse in ratings

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The producers of The Block certainly know that if it ain't broke, you don't fix it.
The show's blend of drama, deadlines and dollars is a winning formula for the series (if the huge ratings and the turnout for last year's open for inspections are anything to go by), and the characters are the most essential part of the process. For the upcoming The Block Glasshouse, it seems the producers have been busy mining the past to recreate their success.
We've been <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-block-glasshouse-promos-released-series-coming-soon">introduced to the contestants of this series</a> in a number of promotions, and Property Observer thought some of the couples looked eerily familar.
Maxine and Karstan
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/karstan%20and%20max.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
We aren't the first to think that this season's young loved up New South Wales contestants reminded us of another season's young loved up New South Wales contestants.
Host Scott Cam spoke to The Herald Sun about Maxine and Karstan, saying:
"We had the super Ks ... (Kyal and Kara), this year we've got the supermodels.
"She (Maxine) is beautiful, he is this good looking bloke and they are just this perfect couple."
Kyal and Kara (pictured below) were the fan favourites last year - will Maxine and Karstan be just as popular?
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/kk.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Darren and Deanne
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Maxine and Karstan aren't the only ones who have been compared to last season's contestants. It seems The Block Glasshouse's producers push to market Dee as reality TV shrew of the year is working. Before the series has even aired, News.com.au has published an article headlined: "Is The Block: Glasshouse contestant Deanne Jolly the most volatile Blockhead yet?"
Josh and Jenna (pictured below) of the 2011 incarnation of The Block also proved a reliable source of tantrums.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/l_joshandjenna.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Carlene and Michael
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/michael%20and%20carlene.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9. The promo material released do their best to paint Carlene as a witch (complete with cackle), while both Carlene and Michael admit that it's the man of the couple that has trouble controlling his temper. Like Darren and Deanne, the young parents could turn out like Josh and Jenna.
Then again, they could turn out like any of the 14 (at our last count) blonde-woman-and-man couples that have already appeared on the series. Simon and Shannon
 <img src="/images/2014/07/18/shannon%20and%20simon.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Will the two-Aussie-larakin-blokes-who-are-a-bit-cheeky-but-still-good-natured-and-very-loveable trope work for The Block Glasshouse?
The producers are clearly hoping so with Simon and Shannon, but it's unclear whether the Brad and Dale combo (pictured below) will be quite as successful with double Dales and no Brad.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/721372-51cabcea-9454-11e3-8d43-e004d36a6c9a.jpg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Chris and Jenna
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/jenna%20and%20chris.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly where Chris and Jenna will fit in The Block universe. To our knowledge, the show has never featured an Asian Australian contestant before, nor a Maltese-Indigenous Australian.
So far, they're being marketed as the quirky renovation rookies as Steve and Chantelle were (pictured below) - let's hope they do as well out of the deal as last season's winners.
<img src="/images/2014/07/25/steve-chantelle.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
The Block Glasshouse starts this Sunday on Channel 9 at 6:30pm.
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The Block Glasshouse draws on the past for inspiration

<html><body>
Channel 9 has revealed more information about the contestants of the latest offering from its renovation franchise.
In a series of videos introducing us to this season's would-be Steve and Chantelles, we get to know a little more about The Block Glasshouse's contestants and the "shock twist" of the season - the five teams will be judging each other.
The competitors-as-judges trope is a quick and dirty way to force the contestants to play to their assigned roles as heroes or villains, if the endless stream of criticism of Brooke and Grant's scoring in the recent House Rules is anything to go by.
Not that the producers need any help figuring out where everyone will fit - from the promos released, it looks like they have that all sorted.
<ul>
<li>Carlene and Michael </li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/michael%20and%20carlene.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Carlene and Michael (pictured above), the first of three blonde-woman-and-brunette-buff-guy couples this season, have been married for seven years, and have two young children. Michael certainly knows his way around a worksite, given his job as a construction manager. Carlene is a part time communications manager for Griffith University. 
The Gold Coast couple have renovated two houses in their 12 years together. Despite Michael's admission that he has a "short temper" and Carlene saying he can be "very snappy" and "has no patience and no tolerance", The Block Glasshouse producers have decided on a different story. 
In a two minute promotional video, host Scott Cam tells us that Carlene "always knows what she wants, and Michael knows she's always right". We're then treated to a laugh from Carlene, echoed to sound like a cackle. Chilling stuff.
<ul>
<li>Maxine and Karstan</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/karstan%20and%20max.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Second in the blonde-and-brunette lineup are Maxine and Karstan, from Newcastle (pictured above).
The engaged couple, who are currently renovating their house, have been together for nine years without a single argument, we're told.
The greatest grievance they can come up with for their talking heads segment is something about laundry on the floor.
<ul>
<li>Darren and Dee</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
There's also Darren and Dee Jolly, from Melbourne, pictured above. Former AFL ruckman Darren won premierships with the Sydney Swans and Collingwood and has been studying to be a builder for the past two years, while Dee "loves interiors" and has a background in fashion.
"Australia will feel the full force of hurricane Dee", Cam tells us, forgetting that the producers have already designated a shrew for the season.
<ul>
<li>Simon and Shannon</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/shannon%20and%20simon.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Simon and Shannon Voss, the apparent larrikins of the Glasshouse, run around shirtless on the sand for a bit before telling us that they're brothers and born in Tasmania in their introduction video.
"Cheeky brothers Simon and Shannon from Tasmania," says Cam. "Both good Aussie blokes, and both definitely trouble."
Despite the show's best efforts to paint the brothers as a bit of cheeky fun, in all their promo time so far they haven't managed to come up with more than a bit of car dancing - easily eclipsed in charisma and comedy by the final team, Chris and Jenna (pictured below).
<ul>
<li>Chris and Jenna</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/07/18/jenna%20and%20chris.jpeg" alt="">
Image courtesy of Channel 9.
Jenna, a 26 year old video editor, describes herself as "half Maltese, a quarter Aussie and a quarter Aboriginal", while cabinet maker Chris is Chinese-Indonesian. Chris says: "I want to put it out there - I'm Asian, and I want to break that stereotype, the Asians being dodgy and don't know how to drive, and stuff like that."
The married Campbelltown couple are certainly a change from the four brunette-and-blonde white teams. Even Cam's surprised.
"And...the biggest surprise of all..." says Cam.
But it turns out he's talking about their renovation skills. "...Glasshouse newbies, Chris and Jenna," he continues. "No experience, but they might just pack the biggest punch."
We'll have to wait and see. As the promo tells us: "THERE WILL BE GENIUS MADNESS TEARS TRIUMPH AND WOW"
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