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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Victoria

<html><body>
Engineering firm Bosch inaugurated its $40 million headquarters and technical centre at Clayton in Victoria this week and said it would invest a further $6.2 million in increasing its diode production capacity.
The investment at its 120,000 square metre campus is its single largest in Australia since it set up the wholly-owned subsidiary in 1954. The company has around 800 employees at the centre.
The centre was inaugurated by the Victorian minister for Industry and Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon Lily D’ambrosia MP.
Bosch's new headquarters will support new businesses, engineering and R&amp;D initiatives, said a media release.
“The new facility is evidence of Bosch’s long-term commitment to diversified activities in this region including sales and distribution, high-tech engineering, advanced manufacturing and further investment into exciting new fields,” said Gavin Smith, Bosch president with responsibility for the region Oceania. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/22/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-22%20at%206.54.24%20PM.png" alt="">
Most recently, the company invested in Australian start-up The Yield, which focuses on micro-climate sensing technology in agriculture and aquaculture.
Bosch is also working in the areas of Highly Automated Driving (HAD), vehicle connectivity and vehicle security (through secure gateway systems) in Australia.
New business activities in Australia have also been introduced in eBike service, motorsport components sales and innovative software solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).
In addition Bosch is investing a further $6.2 million in manufacturing for the global automotive sector. The Clayton facility's Diodes production capacity will be increased to cater to its growing international customers. The federal government has also contributed $1 million from the Automotive Diversification Programme (ADP). 
The new facility incorporates offices, workshops, testing facilities, training rooms and employee amenities. It has a landscaped courtyard with semi-established trees, and an outside terrace with an alternative working space.
</body></html>

prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Bosch's $40 million centre in Victoria inaugurated 

<html><body>
Foreign buyers will have to pay more stamp duty on Victorian residential real estate.
The Victorian government could raise an extra $500 million over four years.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said next week’s budget will increase the stamp duty surcharge for foreign buyers from three to seven per cent.
The land tax surcharge for absentee owners will rise from 0.5 to 1.5 percent.
“Victorians would say we deserve a contribution back into the state services from foreign purchases,” Mr Pallas told radio station 3AW.
The Labor government first introduced the surcharges for overseas property owners in last year’s budget.
Statistics show foreign demand for new properties in Victoria leapt from about 5 percent in 2011 to more than 30 percent in 2014.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Foreign buyers in Victoria to have even higher stamp duty

<html><body>
Residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents has announced the signing of two new franchise offices in the Melbourne. 
The offices will be in bayside suburb of Bentleigh situated in the southeast, and another in the outer-east at Croydon. 
Both offices are due to open in May, bolstering the number of Melbourne offices to four since it first entered Victoria in December last year. 
McGrath Chief Executive John McGrath said he was delighted by the continued momentum in the company’s expansion. 
McGrath Bentleigh will be led by Melissa Ryan and Peter Sinclair. 
The new franchise office will focus on the key suburbs of Ormond, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Oakleigh and Murrumbeena. 
McGrath Croydon will be led by Paul Fenech. The new franchise office will focus on the key suburbs of Croydon, Kilsyth, Mooroolbark, Croydon Hills and Croydon South. 
The two new Melbourne offices will bring the current office count across the East Coast of Australia to 84. 
</body></html>

McGrath to open Croydon and Bentleigh offices

<html><body>
<div>
<div>The head of Victorian real estate’s peak body, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, Enzo Raimondo is set to depart.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>He has served as the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s chief executive for 16 years, after arriving in March 2016 from the Real Estate Institute of South Australia where he was the ceo.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Representing over 2000 Real estate businesses in Victoria who employ over 14,000 people, over 80 per cent of all real estate agencies in Victoria are members of the REIV.</div>
</div>
<div>
Mr Raimondo’s replacement has not been been announced.
"I've had 16 wonderful years," said Enzo who has two sons working in real estate.
REIV President Geoff White will step in as acting CEO from mid-May, working alongside Mr Raimondo.
After 16 years of service, REIV CEO Enzo Raimondo is departing the REIV to take up an undisclosed opportunity in the property industry.
Mr Raimondo is the REIV’s longest-serving CEO, commencing in the role in 2000. 
Mr White acknowledged Mr Raimondo’s significant contribution to the industry – both in Victoria and South Australia where he was previously CEO of the REISA – and said that it provided a solid foundation for the next stage in the REIV’s evolution.
“His efforts are to be commended and have greatly increased the profile of the sector and members’ interests,” he said.
Under Mr Raimondo’s leadership, the REIV has introduced compulsory CPD for members, and launched a range of digital products, including propertydata.com.au and realestateview.com.au.
He added that the REIV “recognises this as a wonderful opportunity to build upon what has been achieved to date, and to ensure continued advancement for the real estate industry’s peak body”.
 
<div id="experience-53277017" class="editable-item section-item current-position">
<div id="experience-53277017-view">
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Enzo Raimondo stepping down from REIV

<html><body>
Trust account dealings and rooming house operators came under the microscope of Consumer Affairs Victoria in the second half of 2015.
Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Simon Cohen has released the regulator's Half Year Report, which details hundreds of inspections of estate agents and rooming house operators state-wide – resulting in fines, estate agent licence suspensions and jail sentences.
The state’s 4,370 trust accounts are held by more than 2600 estate agents and are worth nearly $2.1 billion.
During the second half of last year, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued 54 infringements to estate agents for failing to get their trust accounts audited within three months of the end of their reporting cycle or failing to submit a copy of the audit report to Consumer Affairs Victoria within 10 business days of receiving it. Penalties ranged from $948 to $1820.
Court action was taken against 16 estate agents over trust account deficiencies, resulting in penalties including a licence suspension of nine years for an agent who caused trust account deficiencies of $37,000. In February 2016, Huntingdale estate agent Anthony Brancatella was sentenced to a 40-month jail sentence for trust account offences of nearly $2 million.
“Victorians put their trust in estate agents to sell their home. While most estate agents are doing the right thing, those who don’t meet their trust account obligations can expect to be investigated,” Mr Cohen said.
“Buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants rely on estate agents to deal with deposits and bonds honestly and scrupulously. Any deviation from strict probity requirements is a serious matter.”
Rooming house operators also came under scrutiny. Consumer Affairs Victoria will inspect all 1,100 rooming houses this financial year, to ensure compliance with minimum standards and the state’s rental laws.
In the second half of 2015, 376 rooming houses throughout Victoria were inspected, and 48 re-inspections were completed to make sure any problems found were quickly addressed.
“Rooming house standards are there to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents, and these are enforced by Consumer Affairs Victoria inspectors.”
In October, following a Consumer Affairs Victoria prosecution, the Magistrates’ Court awarded $800 compensation to a rooming house resident after SLM Housing Pty Ltd interfered with the resident’s rights by withdrawing a fridge from his room with the aim of causing the resident to leave. SLM Housing Pty Ltd was also fined $3000 by the Court. 
Consumer Affairs Victoria has commenced further proceedings in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court against the same operator, which is facing 158 charges in relation to alleged breaches of the minimum standards at rooming houses it operates.
For more information <a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Property 101: Trust account dealings, rooming house operators under microscope

<html><body>
Horsham, a regional city in the Wimmera wheat growing region in western Victoria, is the new entrant at the top of the April property clock for houses.
The valuation firm Herron Todd White has issued its latest property clock for the residential market - a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are in April - and what direction prices are moving in.
All the other four are from NSW, namely Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Newcastle and Central Coast and have retained their peak of market position from March as well. 
Horsham’s residential real estate market continues to provide a stable investment for both owner-occupiers and investors. The urbanisation of today’s population is bringing senior members of the community to central service hubs such as Horsham and generally increasing the larger centre’s ability to attract and retain the younger generation and continuing its population growth. In turn this brings about expanding outer built up fringe areas and increased prices for inner city property located in close proximity to shops and services.
As real estate in inner city Horsham continues to appreciate, more and more buyers are looking for cheaper alternatives. In larger centres such as Ballarat or Melbourne, this would see buyers moving further out of town into the suburbs and becoming more reliant on the local neighbourhood shopping centre. 
In Horsham, this phenomenon is generally different and sees families moving to smaller nearby town such as Murtoa and Dimboola that are located within a 30 minute drive of Horsham but maintain schools and local shops. House prices in these smaller towns are significantly lower than Horsham. As an example, Horsham’s current median house price sits at $290,000 while Dimboola’s median house price is a far more affordable $120,000. When weighing up size and affordability, regional towns are definitely an option.
Among the others, Gold Coast has climbed one notch from a rising market to approaching the peak. Sydney remains in the 'starting to decline' phase, while Mount Gambier and Townsville continue to stay at the bottom of the market.
<a href="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-07%20at%203.21.47%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-07%20at%203.21.47%20PM.png" alt="">
<div>
 
 </div>
<div> </div>
</body></html>

Victoria's Horsham joins NSW regions at top of house clock: HTW

<html><body>
A one bedroom property in Main Ridge Victoria is on the market.
Set on 26 hectares of grazing bush and sprawling hills, the property offers views to Bass Strait, the Heads, Port Phillip and the Bellarine Peninsula.
A building permit to extend the original, architecturally designed stone dwelling to a four bedroom home exists. 
A stream meanders through the property and a dam supplies water for livestock.
A separate studio is nestled into the hillside further down the estate.
The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-main+ridge-121424642" target="_blank">32 Davos Street</a> is available through Meg Pell of Kay &amp; Burton Flinders.
The home has been on the market for 125 days.
</body></html>

One bedroom retreat at Main Ridge listed

<html><body>
Elwood apartments topped and tailed REIV weekly auction and private treaty results.
The $235,000 Elwood flat at 6/6 Cyril Street (above) had last sold in 2008 at $195,000 and $220,000 in 2001.
It had been a $230 weekly rental when advertised earlier this year, reflecting a five percent rental yield.
Woodards Real Estate had been quoting $195,000 to $210,000 for the 1970s one bedder.
<a href="/images/2016/04/4/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-04%20at%2012.57.47%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/4/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-04%20at%2012.57.47%20PM.png" alt="">
</body></html>

Elwood apartments top and tail REIV results

<html><body>
Rules for keeping a pet in a rental property and the rights of landlords to enter rented premises are among topics Victorians are being asked to have a say on, as part of a Victorian Government review of the state’s rental laws.
Public consultation is underway on the third in a series of issues papers as part of the review.
Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants considers how the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (the Act) sets boundaries around what tenants and landlords can and cannot do throughout the tenancy.
Issues up for discussion include all aspects of letting out a property, from the first application and screening process, to moving in and compensation for ending a lease early.
Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Simon Cohen said the review is calling for people’s views on matters such as tenants' rights to keep pets and to sub-let a property, tenant privacy and notices to end tenancies.
“The review forms part of the Victorian Government’s Plan for Fairer Safer Housing, and aims to ensure rental laws strike a fair balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords across all forms of rental accommodation,” Mr Cohen said.
“We want to hear people’s views on the issues raised by landlords and tenants, as they exercise their rights and responsibilities during the various stages of a tenancy.
“Make a submission by sharing your story, participating in polls, blogs and discussions through the Fairer Safer Housing website."
Feedback on these issues will help identify how the needs and preferences of Victorian landlords and tenants have changed since the legislation came into effect almost 20 years ago, and indicate areas that should be a priority for reform.
Three more issues papers are scheduled for release in the first half of 2016.
“We want to hear from renters and rental property owners from all corners of the state,” Mr Cohen said.
Details about how you can have your say, including information for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, are available on the <a href="https://fairersaferhousing.vic.gov.au/renting" target="_blank">Fairer Safer Housing website</a>.
Issues for public consultation include:
<ul>
<li>the tenancy application process and appropriate screening practices</li>
<li>information that should be disclosed to a tenant at the start of a tenancy</li>
<li>digital technology and the form and service of documents and notices</li>
<li>the process to be followed when a landlord or tenant breaches a duty under the Act</li>
<li>enforcing additional terms in the tenancy agreement, including rules about pets</li>
<li>balancing the right of tenants to quiet enjoyment and the right of landlords to enter premises, particularly where the premises are being sold</li>
<li>balancing the interests of landlords and tenants in respect of sub-letting and lease assignments</li>
<li>reasons a landlord or tenant can terminate a lease, and rules around compensation for lease breaking</li>
<li>what arrangements should apply to goods left behind by a tenant at the end of a tenancy</li>
<li>increasing protections for tenants experiencing family violence</li>
<li>the conduct of agents acting on behalf of landlords.</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

Property 101: Victoria reviews rules about pets and tenancy

<html><body>
<div id="GeneralBodyContent">
Consumer Affairs Victoria is undertaking a review of the following consumer property legislation:
<ul>
<li>Estate Agents Act 1980</li>
<li>Owners Corporations Act 2006</li>
<li>Conveyancers Act 2006</li>
<li>Sale of Land Act 1962</li>
</ul>
The review will:
<ul>
<li>identify opportunities to modernise and improve the legislation, taking into account stakeholders’ experiences and industry developments since each Act came into operation</li>
<li>examine whether the legislation efficiently and effectively regulates the conduct of licensed practitioners involved in the sale of land, real estate transactions and management of owners corporations</li>
<li>recommend changes to improve the way the legislation operates. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="GeneralBodyContent">
<h2>Consultation process</h2>
As part of this review, the Minister for Consumer Affairs has approved the release of three issues papers for public consultation. The purpose of these papers is to raise issues for consideration and comment, and draw out evidence and commentary from stakeholders about the nature of the issues and the extent of any problems.
Anyone may make a submission for consideration in response to the issues papers.
Each issues paper includes a series of questions as a guide to writing your submission. We also welcome your suggestions for other issues you believe should be considered in the lead-up to the release of an options paper in mid-2016.
<h3>Making a submission</h3>
You can make a submission until 11 March 2016:
By mail: Consumer Property Law Review Policy and Legislation Branch Consumer Affairs Victoria GPO Box 123 Melbourne VIC 3001 By email: <a href="mailto:consumerpropertylawreview@justice.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">consumerpropertylawreview@justice.vic.gov.au</a>
Unless you label your submission as confidential, your submission or its contents will be made publicly available in this and any subsequent review process. Submissions may be subject to Freedom of Information and other laws. Consumer Affairs Victoria reserves the right to not publish information that could be seen to be defamatory or discriminatory.
Please ensure any documents sent via email do not exceed 5 MB in size. Word documents are preferred, for accessibility reasons.
Your submission must include:
<ul>
<li>your name</li>
<li>organisation name (if applicable)</li>
<li>your email address.</li>
</ul>
Submissions will be made available on our website after 11 March.
If you have any queries, please email <a href="mailto:consumerpropertylawreview@justice.vic.gov.au" target="_blank">consumerpropertylawreview@justice.vic.gov.au</a>
</div>
</body></html>

Victoria

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Victoria

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News