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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

Victoria

<html><body>
There were 953 auctions reported to the REIV on the weekend, with a clearance rate of 71% compared to 68% last weekend and 64% the same weekend last year.
The cheapest weekend sale was a <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/7-72-princes-street-flemington/Property-Details-buy-residential-8613316" target="_blank">$250,000 one bedroom apartment in Flemington</a>. It was marketed with conservative $200,000 to $220,000 price guidance through Nathan Robinson at Brad Teal Real Estate.
It last sold at $196,000 in 2005. It had been listed earlier this year with private treaty $270,000 to $290,000 hopes unsuccessfully.
It was last available for rent in 2013 at a $250 a week asking rental.
Sales of other one bedrooms in the Princes Street block hit $306,000 in 2009, with courtyard. The most recent sale was $295,000 in 2013.
The dearest reported sale was in Box Hill.
 
TOP 5 HOUSES
1. 105 Carrington Road, Box Hill $3,630,000 2. 22 North Road, Brighton $3,160,000 3. 75 Gordon Street, Balwyn $2,870,000 4. 2 Bamfield Close, Templestowe $2,800,000 5. 8 Lurnea Road, Glen Iris $2,675,000 TOP 5 BARGAIN HOUSES
1. 27 Candlebark Crescent, Frankston North $305,000 2. 30 Coleman Crescent, Rosebud West $325,000 3. 61 Banbury Crescent, Craigieburn $335,000 4. 44 Baystone Road, Epping $345,000 5. 1 Selby Street, Dallas $350,000
TOP 5 APARTMENTS
1. 38 Through Road, Camberwell $1,542,000 2. 1B Robert Street, Elwood $1,450,000 3. 1/12 Arkaringa Crescent, Black Rock $1,350,000 4. 101B Oakleigh Road, Carnegie $1,256,000 5. 19B Acacia Avenue, Mentone $1,235,000 TOP 5 BARGAIN APARTMENTS
1. 7/72 Princes Street, Flemington $250,000 2. 2/115 Eskdale Road, Caulfield North $272,000 3. 3/24 Jones Road, Dandenong $300,000 4. 8/201 Blyth Street, Brunswick East $310,300 5. 6/307 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East $332,500
Source <a href="/news">REIV</a>
 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Flemington one bedder comes in as Melbourne's cheapest: REIV

<html><body>
Some 1,220 auctions across 320 suburbs are expected across Victoria this weekend with Mount Waverley, Resevoir and Epping tipped as the hot auction locations by the REIV.
Waverley has 23 auctions slated, Reservoir 18 auctions and Epping 17 auctions
According to the REIV, Murrumbeena boasted the highest clearance rate for any Melbourne suburb in October 2015 (95%), followed by three suburbs from inner Melbourne – Kensington, West Footscray and Thornbury, all reporting clearance rates of 94%.
<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Last weekend</td>
<td>527 auctions (exc. 19 postponed and 17 withdrawn) </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>This weekend</td>
<td>1,220 auctions</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>This weekend last year     </td>
<td>64% from 1,143 auctions 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="/images/2015/11/5/Screen%20Shot%202015-11-06%20at%2010.02.58%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/11/5/Screen%20Shot%202015-11-06%20at%2010.02.58%20AM.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au" target="_blank">Source: REIV</a>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Tight weekend auction market for Victoria's Waverley, Epping

<html><body>
A two storey home with a geodesic hexadome design has been listed for sale in Napoleons, Victoria.
The house boasts a distinctive timber feature ceiling under its unusual roofline.
The unconventional nature of the home ensures it comes with an integrated continuous surface.
The unique construction removes the need for material-wasting interior support walls. 
Built in the late 1980's, the two bedroom house features high ceilings and a timber staircase.
There are reportedly more than 400,000 hexadome homes throughout the world adopted extensively in Japan. 
The Rural Activity zoned property features an Olympic size dressage arena with four stables across the 16 hectare land.
Chris Leonard from PRD Nationwide Ballarat has the listing of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-vic-napoleons-7780390" target="_blank">395 Sobeys Road</a> with $460,000 plus hopes.
Currently the median sales price of houses in the area is $255,000, according to CoreLogic RP Data. 
The property was listed late last month.
It was last traded in 2005 for $355,500.
Napoleons is just 15 minutes from Ballarat and just over an hour from Geelong.
There hasn't been a house sale in the quiet town for around a year.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Hexadome house offering in Victoria

<html><body>
A newly-designed Toorak trophy home by architect Drew Cole has been sold after being listed with $7.5 million plus hopes.
Scott Patterson and Michael Armstrong from Kay Burton secured the sale of the four bedroom, four bathroom home.
It comes an internal lift which spans the three level house.
There is a 12 seat home cinema at 4 Woorigoleen Road.
It was last traded when the 1950s house on its 616 sqm block was sold in early 2014 by Peter Benison at Marshall White &amp; Co at $3,075,000. 
The latest sale price has gone undisclosed sold at private auction. 
The median house price for a four bedroom house in Toorak stands at just over $4 million.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Drew Cole designed home sells in Toorak

<html><body>
The Portsea boat shed 23 fetched a record $615,000 when auctioned this weekend.
Set at the foot of the track to Shelley Beach it (pictured above) had been tightly held for over four decades.
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8GOUDfCQAEK-XS.jpg" alt="Embedded image permalink" width="100%" style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">
<div>
<div data-card-url="//twitter.com/titletattle/status/558884304105639936/photo/1" data-card-type="photo" data-element-context="platform_photo_card">
The most recent Shelley Beach, Portsea boat shed auction was on the 2015 Australia Day weekend auction (pictured above) which fetched $553,000 for box 28.
Another boatshed on the beach set a record $585,000 in 2011 when five families competed for the box 27 offering.
In 2010 a pair of young families paid $455,000 for boat shed 21 on Shelley Beach.
</div>
</div>
In late 2007 there was a $362,000 sale.
It is one of about 40 bathing boxes on Shelley Beach.
There are about 2000 boatsheds and bathing boxes around Victoria, predominantly on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.
Shelley Beach is considered Victoria's most exclusive holiday locale as its offers cliff top owners uninterrupted northern views over the bay.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/23-boat-shed-shelley-beach-foreshore-portsea/Property-Details-buy-residential-9557544" target="_blank">Box 23 was offered for Sunday auction onsite by Kay &amp; Burton</a> agent Liz Jensen and auctioned by the agency's veteran Gerald Delany who shows no signs of handing in his gavel as he approaches 65 next week.  
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Shelley Beach, Portsea boatshed sells for record $615,000

<html><body>
There were just the 44 Victorian auctions reported to the REIV on the AFL grand final weekend, with 28 selling. 
Sales ranged between $300,000 at Sunbury to $1.96 million at Mount Waverley.
The cheapest at Sunbury, was a two bedroom house (below) last sold at $274,500 in April 2013.
Its sale price reflected 3.6% annual price growth over the two plus years. The REIV had regional Victoria annual growth at 6.3% almost double over the year to June.
The Barry Plant agency was giving $285,000 to $315,000 price guidance. 
The house had been up for rent at $290 a week recently, reflecting a 5% gross rental yield, slightly down on the $300 weekly asking rent in 2013.
 
<img src="https://i3.au.reastatic.net/800x600/c4b4d58137c24a88d2058138e89a09d6b02556b1a531d61a7ccd2969e3dd90f3/main.jpg" alt="303 Gap Road, Sunbury" title="303 Gap Road, Sunbury" data-index="0"> 
The Mount Waverley top weekend seller was a new house offering, with the nearby three-bedroom home at 52 Lechte Road, Mount Waverley sold for $1,600,000 by Fletchers as second highest price.
Despite the local sporting attraction, it was a weekend when the Chinese were out happy to snap up property. Like all things golden, the Golden Week holiday in China – in the first week of October – is considered a lucky time to buy a property.
This wasn't to deny September didn't see strong sale with a host of top prices paid across Mount Waverley.
A four-bedroom house on 4097-square-metre at 35-37 Regent Street sold at an undisclosed $6 million plus price record for the City of Monash.
The property had passed in at $5.55 million and sold to a developer soon after the auction.
A new townhouse price record for Monash was registered when a newly-built four-bedroom townhouse at 5A Billing Street sold privately for $2.45 million. <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/5b-billing-street-mount-waverley/Property-Details-buy-residential-9428938" target="_blank">The mirror image next door 5B </a>has been scheduled for October 17 Jellis Craig auction.
The second most affordable property reported sold at the weekend was a four-bedroom home at 74 Ballan Road, Werribee sold for $325,000 by LJ Hooker Werribee.
The REIV advised top three auction sales suburbs in the month of September were Reservoir (55 sales), South Yarra (46 sales) and Richmond (42 sales).
TOP 5 HOUSES
 1. 6 Pinewood Drive, Mount Waverley $1,960,000 2. 52 Lechte Road, Mount Waverley $1,600,000 3. 200 Manningham Road, Bulleen $1,280,000 4. 33 Bowen Road, Doncaster East $1,035,000 5. 2 Calrossie Road, Blackburn South $960,000
 TOP 5 BARGAIN HOUSES
 1. 303 Gap Road, Sunbury $300,000 2. 74 Ballan Road, Werribee $325,000 3. 19 Betula Street, Doveton $410,000 4. 8 Simpson Drive, Dandenong North $505,000 5. 13 Brolga Avenue, Chelsea Heights $533,000 TOP 5 APARTMENTS
 1. 2/20 Kerry Parade, Mont Albert North $910,000 2. 3/3 Myrtle Road, Canterbury $837,000 3. 17/135 Brighton Road, Elwood $796,000 4. 215/9 The Arcade, Docklands $590,000 5. 803/8 Marmion Place, Docklands $482,000
Source <a href="/news">REIV</a>
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Slow growth Sunbury, Victoria's cheapest weekend sale

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Mid-range three to four bedroom home builds around Melbourne's western fringe suburbs of Point Cook, Tarneit, Wyndham Vale and Williams Landing on 150sqm are going for around $1,000 to $1,250sqm, according to Herron Todd White.
In the August Month in Review, HTW gave the example of a home in Tarniet, built in 2008 on 162sqm, that sold in June for $365,000 as a recent example.
Construction rates for the high end prestige sector range from $3,500 to $5,500 per square metre and are "a significant rise from the 2009 report figures of $2,500 to $3,000, indicative of the labour intensity of such builds" the report states.
A recent high-end construction in <a href="/news">Balwyn North</a> with five bedrooms, European oak parquetry, and views on a land area of 828 square metres is worth approximately $4,132 per square metre. It sold recently for $4,428,000.
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Balwyn North noted for new Victorian prestige builds: HTW

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A clearance rate of 77% was recorded in Melbourne at weekend auctions, compared to 77% last weekend and 73% this weekend last year.
There were 735 auctions reported to the REIV.
So far this year, there have been over 22,000 auctions held - up 14% from last year.
TOP 5 HOUSES
<img src="/images/2015/08/17/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-17%20at%209.28.13%20AM.png" alt="" width="417" height="294">
1. 95 Rowell Avenue, Camberwell $3,200,000 (pictured above) 2. 37 Lynch Crescent, Brighton $3,000,000 (pictured below) 3. 62 The Highway, Mount Waverley $2,935,000 4. 41 Fisher Parade, Ascot Vale $2,605,000 5. 18 Yeneda Street, Balwyn North $2,600,000
<img src="/images/2015/08/17/700_brighton.jpg" alt="" width="514" height="312">
 TOP 5 BARGAIN HOUSES
1. 6 Warianna Court, Kurunjang $250,000 2. 21 Lionheart Court, Epping $282,000 3. 10 Ewarts Road, Don Valley $301,000 4. 125 Seventh Avenue, Rosebud $320,000 5. 30 Earlston Place, Craigieburn $320,000
 TOP 5 APARTMENTS
1. 1/312 Barkers Road, Hawthorn $1,805,000 2. 2/82 Vale Street, East Melbourne $1,805,000 3. 16.1/193 Domain Road, South Yarra $1,720,000 4. 4 Tanner Street, Richmond $1,505,000 5. 1/270 Balcombe Road, Beaumaris $1,220,000 TOP 5 BARGAIN APARTMENTS
1. 2/8 Walnut Street, Carnegie $235,000 2. 2/1152 Heatherton Road, Noble Park $290,000 3. 8/264 Hope Street, Brunswick West $305,000 4. 5/27 Dwyer Street, Clifton Hill $321,500 5. 3/133 Grange Road, Glen Huntly $325,000
Source<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/PROPERTY-DATA/Auction-Results/Auction-Results" target="_blank"> REIV</a>
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Camberwell edges out Brighton: REIV

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ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against companies associated with Jamie McIntyre and the 21st Century Group in relation to their promotion to investors of five land banking schemes.
<img src="/images/2015/08/10/jamiemcintyre1.png" alt="">
ASIC alleges that the schemes are unregistered managed investment schemes and that the 21st Century Group companies and Mr McIntyre have been unlawfully carrying on an unlicensed financial services business.
The five schemes are promoted and advertised as:
<ul>
<li>Botanica, located at 805 Archer Rd, Kialla, Victoria 3631</li>
<li>Secret Valley Estate, located at  955, Old Sydney Road, Bylands, Victoria 3762</li>
<li>Oak Valley Lakes Estate &amp; Resort, located at  124 Booth Road, Brookhill, Townsville, Qld 4816.</li>
<li>Bendigo Vineyard Estate &amp; Resort, located at  51 Andrews Road, Bendigo, Victoria 3551</li>
<li>Melbourne Grove Estate, located at  1491 Dohertys Road, Mount Cottrell, Victoria 3024</li>
</ul>
ASIC understands that there are over 100 investors in the schemes, which have been promoted to investors, including through seminars, by entities associated with Mr  McIntyre's 21st Century Group.
Companies associated with Mr McIntyre and the 21st Century Group are also the developers of the schemes (development companies). 
ASIC is seeking orders to appoint a provisional liquidator or receiver and manager to each of the five schemes and the development companies in order to take control of any assets and protect the interests of investors.
The development companies are:
<ul>
<li>Archery Road Pty Ltd (ACN 162 921 735)</li>
<li>Bendigo Vineyard Estate Pty Ltd (ACN 600 088 211)</li>
<li>Secret Valley Estate Pty Ltd (ACN 602 817 532)</li>
<li>Kingsway South Holdings Pty Ltd (ACN 159 230 976)</li>
<li>Melbourne Tarniet Estate Pty Ltd (ACN 603 945 393)</li>
</ul>
ASIC is also taking action against the development companies and the following for being involved in an unlicensed financial services business.
<ul>
<li>Mr Jamie Neville McIntyre (Surfers Paradise Qld)</li>
<li>Mr Dennis McIntyre (Surfers Paradise Qld)</li>
<li>Property Tuition Pty Ltd (ACN 129 421 281)</li>
<li>Education Holdings Pty Ltd (ACN 129 551 917)</li>
<li>Sourcing Property Pty Ltd (ACN 602 474 779)</li>
</ul>
ASIC is also seeking orders that each of the defendants, including Mr McIntyre, be restrained from promoting, further promoting or operating any of the schemes and from operating a financial services business.
The matter is set down for a first hearing on Friday 14 August 2015.
ASIC’s proceedings are part of ASIC's wider and ongoing investigation into land banking schemes. 
ASIC last week took proceedings against Midland HWY, which was the developer of a land banking scheme known as, 'Hermitage Bendigo' (formerly, 'Acacia Banks')  located  outside of Bendigo in Victoria.  The 21st Century Group also promoted this development.
Land banking is a real estate investment scheme involving the acquisition of large blocks of land by a promoter or developer of the scheme, often in undeveloped rural areas, who then offer portions of the land to investors. 
Land banking companies typically promote the investment with representations of high potential returns if the land is redeveloped, or if plans for rezoning and development are finalised.
Investors either purchase a lot in the land, or acquire an option to purchase a lot of land in an unregistered plan of subdivision.  The option agreement is triggered at a time that the necessary development is approved by the local council.
While ASIC does not regulate direct property investment, ASIC considers that land banking schemes, depending on the particular scheme, may be a managed investment scheme and/or a financial product and that the promoters of these schemes should therefore hold an Australian financial services licence and register these schemes with ASIC.
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Land banking Jamie McIntyre's 21st Century Group facing ASIC proceedings

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ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Victorian Federal Court against land banker company administrators, David Anthony Ross, Richard Albarran and the landbanking company, Midland HWY Pty Ltd (Midland HWY) (administrators appointed).
Messrs Ross and Albarran, of Hall Chadwick Chartered Accountants, are the current appointed administrators of the controversial land bankers, Midland HWY.
But the administrator appointment on July 14 has become the subject of ASIC's proceeding in which ASIC seeks their removal as administrators or to invalidate the first meeting of its creditors held on July 14.
Midland HWY had previously appointed Messrs Nicholas John Martin and Craig David Crosbie of PPB Advisory as joint and several administrators, just two weeks earlier.
Prior to being placed into voluntary administration on 2 July 2015, Midland HWY was the developer of a land banking scheme known as, Hermitage Bendigo (formerly, 'Acacia Banks'), located just outside of Bendigo, Victoria.
"ASIC is concerned that the appointment of Messrs Ross and Albarran, as replacement administrators to Midland HWY, occurred in circumstances where many investors in Hermitage Bendigo, who may also be creditors, were not given notice of the first meeting of creditors," ASIC advised.
The matter is set down for hearing on August 3, 2015.
The financial advisor Scott Pape, known as the Barefoot Investor, <a href="/news/scott-pape-warns-about-central-victoria-land-banking-paddock-speculation">warned investors last year not to lured by spruikers into speculatively buying rural zoned land his central Victorian district</a>.
The land banking process involves paying a $40,000 option on a portion of a larger rural parcel of land in anticipation of residential zoning.
In seven to 10 years' time the buyer has the option to buy or sell it, and supposedly make capital gains after rezoning success by the property spruiking investment firms.
"The mob behind this have reportedly been selling options on paddocks around my home town of Bendigo," Pape told his Herald Sun readers.
"I think it’s a giant, steaming, dog turd of a deal," he advised.
Last year the Urban Development Institute of Australia chief executive Tony De Domenico warned buyers to be careful about paying for options or reservation fees on land that ultimately may or may not be developed.
Hermitage Bendigo has been loosely aligned with longtime notorious property spruikers.
Last month the Australian Securities and Investment Commission told members of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee they were "making inquiries" into land-banking schemes involving millions of dollars from mum and dad investors.
Land banking spruiking has been also marketed in outer western Melbourne, Ballarat and Wallan.
Buying land, not houses was pushed as the most suitable investment strategy by the marketeering companies for the mum ands dad investors.
It used options to buy land as opposed to borrowing money and paying interest on the land for a decade or more waiting for it to rise.
“Especially if you can use ‘property options’ to avoid borrowing, it means you get all the upside of capital growth without any interest repayments or holding costs or the need to beg a bank to loan you money,” was the pitch.
Buyers were told that if they were able to secure an option over a future lot of land worth $150,000 today, in ten years time they could expect the land to be worth $300,000 or more of in a fast growing area.
“A great idea to action now, for children to lock in property at today’s prices. 
"Or you can resell the option for a handsome profit and never need to buy the land as it has intrinsic value.
“The best thing about property options means you aren’t obligated to buy i.e. as they are simply call options, you have no risk and can walk away at any time.
“Plus if the option is by a legitimate supplier, they will offer a 100% money back guarantee if the worse should happen and the development doesn’t proceed, secured by the land development itself.
“These quality 100% money back property options secured by real estate are becoming highly sought after products for savvy investors."
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