Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Victoria

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A proposed move by the Victorian government to abolish a provision allowing for the early release of deposits as part of its review of the Sale of Land Act has been criticised by industry experts.
If the provision is removed, home sellers in Victoria would struggle for early access to house deposits, making it difficult for them to purchase a new home before the sale of their old one is settled.
Industry experts said the current legislation was “working well” and its repeal would only hurt buyers and sellers, said an article in news.com.au.
“Given strong price growth in recent years, many vendors will be unable to relocate without the ability to access the deposit to fund their next home,” Real Estate Institute of Victoria chief executive Gil King was quoted by News as saying.
An options paper by Consumer Affairs Victoria said the provision was contentious and and could “cause considerable stress for buyers and seller” and needed reform.
The paper suggests to either amend Section 27 of the Act to “improve and clarify the operation of these provisions” or scrap it altogether.
The paper said the provision had created a problematic expectation that sellers would be able to access deposits before settlement.
“Real estate agents support this practice. It benefits sellers who depend on the deposit money to put towards securing another property,” the paper said.
“However, most stakeholders, particularly from the legal and conveyancing sectors, expressed concern, (highlighting) the considerable administrative burden associated with this process, and the undue stress it causes for all parties.”
But the paper does mention that scrapping the provision would force sellers to make alternative financial arrangements to secure another property while waiting on the settlement of their current one.
King said the REIV strongly opposed any changes to Section 27, as the early release of deposits allowed sellers seeking a new home to avoid “the significant additional expense” of bridging finance.
The legislation also provided adequate protections for both buyers and sellers, he said, while adding that downsizers would be among the most affected, as majority of their equity was tied up in their home.
CoreLogic state director for Victoria Geoff White said buyers currently had the power to decide whether to release their deposit early or not, meaning the provision could also help them.
“If a buyer is happy, there’s no issue. (Agreeing to release a deposit early) can even make their offer look better,” the fifth-generation agent said.
“It would be stupidity to repeal this.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Industry experts critical of repeal of early access to deposit in Victoria proposal

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/78473/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Australians are some of the biggest producers of waste in the world. Our wasteful ways and “throw away” culture are firmly entrenched. We have a hard time curbing our habits.
To understand why, we might turn our attention to the great social and economic transformation that occurred after the discovery of gold (by Europeans) in Victoria in 1851. Archaeological excavations across Melbourne have uncovered masses of rubbish dating back to the Gold Rush era of the 1850s and 1860s.
Artefacts recovered from sites within Melbourne show that the city’s Gold Rush era occupants were incredibly wasteful. You might think that 150 years ago, Victorians would have been thrifty and mended their belongings or sold them on secondhand. But the evidence suggests otherwise.
Working-class people living in Melbourne’s CBD were throwing out so much stuff that the weekly rubbish collections couldn’t manage all their trash. Residents were stockpiling rubbish under floorboards, in hidden corners of the backyard or digging holes specifically for it.
Cesspits (old-fashioned long drop toilets) were closed across the city in the early 1870s, leaving large empty holes in the ground. Residents took the opportunity to fill them with their surplus rubbish. Many of these rubbish dumps remain under current city buildings and have been found and recorded in cultural heritage management excavations.
 
Excavation of a cesspit in Little Lonsdale Street. Green Heritage Compliance and Research
There were also larger rubbish dumps. At Viewbank homestead, on the outskirts of Melbourne, the tip was so big that archaeologists ran out of time to excavate it. Excavations at the Carlton Gardens have also uncovered a substantial amount of household rubbish dumped in the area by opportunistic city residents and night cart men.
Analysing the contents of all these rubbish dumps, it’s clear that people were discarding dinner sets and replacing them with more fashionable designs, buying and chucking out junk jewellery, and throwing out glass bottles in vast numbers in spite of industrial-scale local recycling operations. Sound familiar? They were even using “disposable” clay pipes, a Gold Rush era equivalent of our disposable coffee cups.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/29/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-29%20at%2012.57.20%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/29/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-29%20at%2012.57.20%20PM.png" alt="">
S.Hayes. Artefact is part of Heritage Victoria's collection.
This plate was part of a large set discarded in the tip at Viewbank Homestead, likely because it was no longer in fashion. S.Hayes. Artefact is part of Heritage Victoria's collection.
Another surprising find was a rubbish pit dug in the backyard of a draper shop and filled with piles of seemingly perfectly good clothes and shoes. Perhaps they had gone out of fashion? Excess, it seems, is in Melbourne’s bones.
You are what you own
The discovery of gold brought a massive increase in population, new wealth, unprecedented access to a global network of consumer goods and great opportunities for social mobility. No one could be sure of your social background in the chaos of this rapid change. The old working, middle and upper class hierarchy became less relevant and it was possible to move up the social ladder.
How, then, did people communicate their status? Through stuff. Cultural capital refers to how people play the “culture game”: their accent, their clothes, their possessions, their manners, their interests. The argument goes that status is determined by the expression of cultural values and particular behaviours rather than wealth alone.
Everyday choices of consumer goods became powerful in carving out a new position and a better life in the new city. Your home, your furniture, your tableware, your drinking glasses, your clothes, all became vital markers of your place in society. You were no longer constrained by your situation of birth.
Melbourne society was reinvented and a new, much larger and more diverse middle class emerged. One that had a new system for determining status based largely on what they bought.
Why do we buy and why can’t we stop?
As a globalised world grapples with the problem of fast fashion, fast consumerism and a throw away culture, with massive landfills and climate change, the question of why we consume is more important than ever.
You might want to consume and waste less. But old habits die hard and it’s important to understand why we consume before we are able to make significant changes to our wasteful habits.
Social mobility might not have the currency that it did in the gold rush era, but we are still purchasing to communicate something. What we buy announces our position in the world and our values. Our possessions place us within one group and distance us from another just as they did in the Gold Rush era.
As the slow movement, anti-consumerism and concerns over sustainability gather pace, a new brand of cultural capital may emerge. A cheap polyester jumper and a disposable coffee cup may become a sign of inappropriate excess. A minimal wardrobe of ethically produced clothes and a reusable coffee cup could become the ultimate marker of status.
Sarah Hayes is Research Fellow in Archaeology and History, La Trobe University and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-hayes-380520" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Gold Rush Victoria was as wasteful as we are today

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The Victorian land titles office might go the same way as its counterpart in New South Wales.
Following Premier Daniel Andrews announcement of a $2 billion-odd price target on the state's land titles office, government officials are in the market for scoping study advisers, according to Street Talk in The Australian Financial Review.
The state’s Department of Treasury and Finance has written to major law firms seeking sale ideas, credentials, experience on similar deals, potential costs and the like, according to Street Talk. 
The development might see big firms being pitted against each other. Herbert Smith Freehills will be up against the likes of Allens - which recently advised Hastings Funds Management and First State Super on their acquisition of NSW's land titles registry - Minter Ellison, Baker McKenzie, King &amp; Wood Mallesons, Ashurst and Clayton Utz. 
Infrastructure fund manager Hastings Funds Management and pension fund First State Super signed a $2.6 billion deal to operate NSW's land titles and registry business earlier this year.
Victoria is expected to appoint a legal adviser before looking for investment banks and accounting firms to explore options.
It's likely to need all three for the scoping study and a sale, should the scoping study make findings as expected, Street Talk said.
South Australia is also privatising its land titles office, seeking bids next month. 
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Victoria taps law firms for possible land titles office sale

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Proposed reforms to changes in stamp duty, first home-owners grants, shared equity and clamping down on underquoting by the Victorian government will be compared to the current rules and regulations in the New South Wales jurisdiction according to TressCox lawyers.
In a research note, TressCox said with the Victorian election just over a year away and housing affordability becoming a nation-wide issue of interest, it is of no surprise that the Victorian government is looking to implement major reforms to improve access to the housing market for first home-buyers.
"The proposed changes in Victoria will now be compared to the current rules and regulations in the New South Wales jurisdiction," it said.
"The Victorian government has proposed to completely abolish stamp duty for new and existing properties that are up to $600,000.
"Properties that are between $600,000 and $750,000 will have their stamp duty discounted.
"The current regulations also allow for concessions for pensioners for properties valued at up to $750,000 and for those individuals using the property as the Principal place of Residence for properties valued at up to $550,000.
"The Victorian proposal is subtly, yet critically different to stamp duty exemptions in New South Wales.
"The NSW exemption under the First Home – New Home Scheme only applies to homes which are of a value of up to $550,000.
"Similar to the Victorian proposal, the NSW rules do provide concessions in stamp duty for homes valued between $550,000 and $650,000.
"An exemption also exists for the purchase of a vacant block of land valued at up to $300,000 where the purchaser wishes to build their home.
"Concessions are available for vacant land valued between $300,000 and $450,000.
"It is important to note that unlike the proposed Victorian reforms, the stamp duty exemption and concession for first home buyers in New South Wales only apply to brand new homes and not existing properties.
"Currently, the Victorian rules provide a $10,000 grant for first home owners on new homes valued at up to $750,000.
"The Victorian proposals seek to incentivise purchases of property in regional areas by doubling the First Home Owner Grant to $20,000 from 1 July 2017.
"Prior to 2012 In NSW, the First Home Owner Grant provided a $7,000 grant for eligible transactions. However, for all contracts entered into after 1 October 2012, the grant applies only to new homes which do not exceed a value of $750,000.
"The transaction date of the sale of land is particularly important in NSW as it defines the grant amount a purchaser may be eligible for.
"For instance, transactions for new homes under the NSW scheme dated between 1 October 2012 to 31 December 2015 could be offered a grant of $15,000.
"Transactions from 1 January 2016 may be eligible for a grant of $10,000.
"Changes to Victorian laws provide that the concession will now only be applicable to home buyers who intend for the property to be their principal place of residence and will no longer be available for residential investment or commercial properties.
"NSW provides a $5,000 grant for purchasers of new homes which are either new homes or off the plan which are valued at up to $450,000.
"In a bid to combat vacant properties held by investors, the VRPT will be applied to properties which remain unoccupied for over six months in a calendar year.
"The tax will include some exemptions for properties used as holiday homes, for work purposes, deceased estates and for Victorian owners who are temporarily overseas.
"The tax is slated for implementation on 1 January 2018 and the current rate proposed will be 1 percent of the capital improved value of the property.
"At this stage, the new tax in Victoria does not have an equal counterpart in NSW."
For more information visit <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au/" target="_blank">www.tresscox.com.au</a>.
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First home buyers, stamp duty exemptions and grants: Victoria versus NSW

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A luxurious country estate sitting on 40 hectares in Mia Mia, Victoria has been listed for sale with a price guide of $1.3 million. 
The interior-designed four bedroom main residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-mia+mia-7879978" target="_blank">359 Wild Duck Road</a> and two bedroom guest house have been built to capture the stunning outlook across to Wild Duck Creek.
Mia Mia is a picturesque area located 119 kilometres north of Melbourne and 56 kilometres south of Bendigo. It is largely an area of broadacre farms raising cattle and sheep.
The residence features a glass enclosed hallway, family room, and office with a marble topped chef’s kitchen facing an open plan dining and living room to the Jetmaster fireplace.  Touches of double oak-doors, travertine marble and black butt floors have been included throughout.
A main bathroom is finished in floor to ceiling tiles, under floor heating, double shower, vanity and a bath. The master bedroom offers a walk in robe, Belgian linen curtains, frameless windows leading onto the wooden deck.
The two bedroom guest house showcases lime washed oak floors, marble bathroom with feature shower and underfloor heating, as well as floor to ceiling frameless windows and custom made doors.
Established native gardens are set against the backdrop of the rolling hills and creek frontage.
A three bedroom residence at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-mia+mia-118528219" target="_blank">61 Valley Road</a> sold for $325,000 in December 2016.
The property is offered through Pat Rice and Hawkins agent Bart O'Sullivan. 
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Mia Mia country estate listed 

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Rural sales activity is increasing in south-west Victoria, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
The activity is primarily small to medium size farms purchased by local farmers wishing to expand.
The property valuation firm says there is strong interest in grazing holdings suitable for sheep or beef cattle of between 100 and 175 hectares, as well as larger holdings up to 800 hectares.
“Agents report the enquiry for outpaddocks around Warrnambool is very strong, listings are down and agents’ real estate advertisements are now regularly including a list of wanted property for prospective purchasers,” the report advised.
“We are aware of a large dairy farm in the Mount Gambier district having just been purchased by a private New Zealand syndicate.
“An expression of interest marketing closing on 21 April 2017 for a well developed dairy farm of 160 hectares between Cobden and Simpson will provide a pointer to the current dairy farm market.” 
A rural cropping land at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-cropping-vic-illowa-7869850" target="_blank">35 Settlers Lane</a>, Illowa (above) has been listed for $325,000.
Similarly a 20 hectare rural land at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-warrnambool-7613547" target="_blank">135 Boiling Down Road</a>, Warrnambool (below) has been listed for sale.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/04/26/135%20Boiling%20Down%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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South-west Victorian farm sales increasing: HTW

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Victoria will bring into force underquoting laws from May 1 as a measure to bring more transparency into property transactions and crack down on dodgy real estate agents.
The changes to the Estate Agents Act 1980 will require estate agents or agents' representatives selling residential property to set an estimated selling price that is reasonable and takes into account the prices of the three most comparable property sales in the area.
The agents must “consider the standard, condition and location of the property and the date of sale, when selecting the most comparable property sales” says a note on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
They are also required to inform the seller and update the sales authority if the estimated selling price changes.
Potential buyers will receive a statement of information that has an indicative selling price, which must not be less than the estimated selling price or the seller's asking price, or an amount already rejected by the seller, which is essentially underquoting.
The statement must also have details of the three most comparable property sales and the median house or unit price for the suburb.
Agents have also been directed to advertise properties with a single price or a price range that does not exceed 10 per cent.
In addition, they cannot also use qualifying words or symbols, such as 'from', 'offers above', or '+', when advertising a price or price range.
Advertising needs to be updated as soon as the seller rejects a higher written offer to buy the property, says CAV.
The penalties for underquoting can be more than $31,000 (200 penalty units) and loss of sales commission.
The new laws will only apply to properties for which the seller signs a sales authority on or after May 1.
The changes come amid recent action against erring real estate agents by the regulator through its Taskforce Vesta operation.
Hocking Stuart’s Richmond office was fined $330,000 and ordered to pay up to $90,000 in costs in October for underquoting on 11 properties.
Similarly, CAV also lodged claims against Hockingstuart, Doncaster agency for alleged underquoting. Victoria’s consumer watchdog alleges the Hockingstuart agency underquoted on nine properties in legal action launched against the office late last year.
Legal action was launched against Fletcher &amp; Parker, Balwyn, in December for alleged underquoting on 25 properties — the largest amount under the current crackdown.
Manningham Property Group, trading as Hocking Stuart, Doncaster, and its directors Kenneth John Chappell and Anastasios John Adgemis, have also fronted court over nine homes.
Former REIV chief executive officer Geoff White had said earlier that the changes would create a more transparent market, providing clear information to all stakeholders.
“A key objective of the new laws has been to ensure that they are effective in a rising or a falling market, and we believe they have delivered on this objective," he said. 
Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Joseph Walton was cited by www.realestate.com.au as saying that the body had worked with the Victoria government to develop the legislation.
“The REIV and Consumer Affairs Victoria have commenced delivery of detailed information to agents to streamline the introduction for agents across Victoria,” he said.
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Victoria underquoting laws start May 1

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The future existence of Fitzroy’s Spanish Club on Johnston Street has been thrown into jeopardy, after a recent VCAT decision denied a planning permit for the redevelopment of the existing building.
Papers have already been lodged to Supreme Court to appeal VCAT’s decision.
The site’s developer Tim Gurner had agreed to absorb the Club’s substantial debt and transfer ownership of that debt into his company’s name to ensure that the banks could not pursue the Club for costs whilst the redevelopment was ongoing.
Proposed plans by his GURNER firm would have seen the 787 sqm site transformed into a new Spanish bar and restaurant, with clubhouse facilities at ground level and apartments occupying the 5 – 6 levels above.
After successfully mediating with all objectors except for one, the permit was denied on a technicality due to an adjoining property owner’s automotive paint shop, and this landowner’s refusal to negotiate a new location for an exhaust flue on the shared boundary.
The elected president of The Spanish Club, Margarita Ros, explained that unless the decision is overturned the business will have to sell up and close, as without the support of redevelopment its business model cannot remain viable in its current form.
“Tim Gurner had taken on personal liability for the Club’s existing debt and has been paying our interest for over a year to ensure that we could continue trading and operating in the community until the redevelopment had been completed, however now I don’t see how we can repay the debt and continue to function as a community,” Ros said.
“The Club has played a vital role in helping to integrate and promote multiculturalism in Victoria. Over the years, it has also assisted the broader community through fundraisers for various disaster recover appeals. To think that this might be our last year working with the community is too upsetting to contemplate. It’s just devastating.”
The location of the flue fails to meet Environmental Protection Authority guidelines and is also a non-conforming use within the current mixed use zoning, leading the VCAT Member to rule that the flue was in an unacceptable position for the proposed development. 
Commenting on the matter, Tim Gurner said that it was disappointing to see the permit denied on such a small technicality.
“To have a scheme overturned due to a neighbouring land use that is not even allowed in this zone, and from an exhaust flue that is not compliant with EPA guidelines is incredibly disappointing and shortsighted,” he said.
“The Spanish Club has been celebrating the unique culture of Spanish immigrants for the better part of 50 years; it is run by a voluntary committee and all income that is generated is reinvested into the Club.”
Immigrant social clubs all over Australia have been ordered to either adapt or close their doors for good in recent years. The Sydney Spanish Club was forced to shut in 2013, while Melbourne’s Celtic Club has been on the market for many years after failing repeatedly to forge agreements to redevelop the ailing pub.
“We will be challenging the decision at the Supreme Court to attempt to keep the Spanish Club alive and thriving into the future,” Gurner added.
“What doesn’t make sense is that the VCAT Member even stated he was in support of the project in terms of its overall design outcome and height. Why then fail to provide a permit on a technicality, why not instead issue a permit pending the ability to resolve the issue.”
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Spanish Club in jeopardy after VCAT decision

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Rooming house operators in Victoria will have to comply with a brand new licensing scheme, which will determine whether each applicant is deemed to be a “fit and proper person”, as defined in the Rooming House Operators Act 2016.
Current registered operators have until 24 August 2017 to apply to the Business Licensing Authority for a licence in order to continue to legally operate.
Only housing associations and housing providers registered under the Housing Act 1983 will be exempt from this requirement.
After submitting a licence application, operators can continue to run their rooming house until the BLA makes its decision about their application. Those who are uncertain about their eligibility for a licence have been advised to seek independent legal advice.
The licensing requirement is in addition to existing legal obligations, including to register a rooming house with the local council and to comply with minimum standards for rooming houses.
Meanwhile, individual rooming house managers will not need to be licensed, but will be assessed as part of the operator’s licence application. Managers will need to meet the same ‘fit and proper person’ requirements as operators.
Operators and managers will also be considered ‘relevant persons’ under the Rooming House Operators Act, in addition to any officers of the body corporate, or real estate agency directly engaged to manage their rooming house.
There is a fee for each ‘relevant person’ nominated in a licence application. Because of this, operators have been advised to ensure their estate agent limits the number of people who take part in management of their rooming house. All relevant persons will be required to provide certified copies of identity documents and a signed consent form, authorising Consumer Affairs Victoria to conduct the required checks to enable the BLA to assess whether the applicant is a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence.
More information about licence eligibility and the disqualification criteria is available on the Rooming house operators section of the <a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/roominghouseoperators" target="_blank">Consumer Affairs Victoria website</a>.
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Victorian rooming house operators licensing scheme commences  

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Portfolio sales of Victorian industrial property have dominated a record year for the year to March, seeing a near $600 million increase on the long term average, according to Savills research.
The industrial property sales, which totalled more than $2.145 billion, was heavily up on the long term average with the $970 million worth of national portfolio sales.
Savills Associate Director Research, Monica Mondkar cited the likes of Altis, Blackstone, Charter Hall, Duestche Australia, Mapletree and Propertylink were some of the major sales.
44 percent of reported stock sold went to funds, while owner-occupiers record the most transactions with 28 purchases.
Owner-occupiers were also the most active vendors with 35 per cent of stock reported sold.
The North West region had the most transactions by value with around $845 million in sales or 18 per cent more than the five year average of $715 million.
In the South East sales of $657 million were also up with a 21 per cent rise on the five year average of $517 million.
Two of the biggest transactions came from Charter Hall, who spent $215 million on the Woolworths’ Distribution Centre at Portlink Industrial Estate and a further $102.5 million of Coles Distribution Centre in Truganina.
Lynton Williams, Victorian Industrial Director, said he expected the industrial investment market to continue to provide strong results over the next 12 months and that sustained competition would continue to put downward pressure on yields.
"The industrial investment market is very much a story about yield.
"Why would you not consider a prime industrial asset which is going to deliver you a six to seven per cent plus yield?"
 
 
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