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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

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

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

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

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

Victoria

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Northwood Farm, a stud in the making given its location within Victoria’s thoroughbred horse breeding heartland, has been listed for sale.
Northwood Farm, which has been a cattle grazing property, has as its immediate neighbour Eliza Park Northwood, one of the breeding properties of the Eliza Park group owned by Hong Kong based Sun International. Just a short distance away is Darley Stud, which has recently undergone a major development by the Al Maktoum family, the ruling family of Dubai.
A little further north on the same side of Northwood Road are to be found the further acclaimed thoroughbred studs and breeding farms including Yarran and the major Swettenham Stud.
Its impressive stone and timber homestead was designed by French architect Claudine Dublier with granite stone sourced locally from Oak Valley in the nearby Strathbogie Ranges for the vendors Tony and Cathy Blazey who selected the land when it was just vacant farm land in 2000.
With direct frontage to the Goulburn River, the Northwood Farm at 60 Johnsons Lane has been listed for 28 June auction <a href="https://www.prh.com.au/property-details?listing_id=1333" target="_blank">through agent Bart O'Sullivan at Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins</a> with expectations around $2 million.
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Northwood Farm, Seymour farm offering

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Heading to tribunal, or VCAT in Victoria, can unsurprisingly fill tenants, property managers and landlords with dread.

VCAT deputy president, head of review and regulation Heather Lambrick said that the best way, truly, to win at VCAT is not to come in the first place.

"Every case that comes before VCAT has a losing party. Everybody comes in the door thinking that they're going to win the case, that they're going to walk out victorious [and] that they're going to be really happy with the outcome ... Sadly, that's not the case," said Lambrick at a recent Taking it to VCAT information session at the William Cooper Justice Centre.

In fact, settlements are the best way to sort out an issue. Talk to the other side, don't keep secrets and try to resolve the issues prior to taking it to tribunal. Hear are <a href="/expert-insights/buying/four-investor-tips-to-keep-you-out-of-tribunal">four tips for keeping you out of tribunal in the first place</a>.

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If, however, you do end up at tribunal, then she notes there's one thing that lets people down: a lack of preparation.

You might not need legal representation, in fact she notes that many have represented themselves and have won at tribunal, however you must prepare adequately. If the concept of some of the preparation explains below fills you with dread, then it might be time to seek some preliminary assistance.

While some are well-placed to handle their own case, due to their intimate knowledge with it, of course some can't see the woods for the trees. Best to identify which camp you are in early.

"If you haven't prepared your case don't expect to win," she explained.

"You may not be a lawyer, but you're expected to prepare. They can only judge based on what is presented."

So how do you effectively prepare for VCAT?

Here are some fundamental tips.

Understand what it is that you are going to VCAT for.

Answer to yourself the following questions:

<ul>
<li>Why am I coming? 
	 </li>
	<li>Why am I making the application in the first place? 
	 </li>
	<li>What am I hoping to achieve?</li>
</ul>
If you don't really know what it is your hoping to achieve "you're not going to be able to persuade me that I should give you what you're hoping to achieve," she explains.

You need to have the idea clear in your mind and then prepare to get from A, where you are now, to B, what you want to achieve.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24432]

<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Know the relevant law

Lambrick notes that while some believe the tribunal members "make it up as they go along", the truth is that VCAT is a creature of statute. Meaning, for every action they take there is a piece of legislation behind it.

You aren't expected to be a lawyer, or "know every case in the history of the universe". However, you are certainly expected to know the legislation that covers you dispute and, preferably, which section of the legislation specifically.

If there isn't a piece of legislation to cover your dispute, then it's not an issue VCAT can assist with.

Isolate the issues

The majority of parties, surprisingly, agree on the majority of things about the case. For instance, the nature of the relationship, when a lease began, and similar details are often not in dispute.

Find out what it is you're really arguing.

"Don't spend a lot of time preparing what everyone agrees on - that's just background information," she explains.

Get the documents to prove your issues

You now have the issues on hand, about which you believe you are correct. The next step is proving it, perhaps with tools, photogrpahs, documents or a person who needs to give evidence. Decide which documents you need, and start to collect them.

Anticipate the other side of the argument

You've now decided on what your issues are and how you will prove your case.

However, she warns, "Cases aren't won on their strengths, they're lost on their weaknesses". Be aware of these weaknesses by preparing for the counter argument.

One way to get this done is to write yourself some lists.

Grab a piece of paper and put a line down the middle. She then recommends putting the 'pros' for your case and the 'cons' on the other side.

On the other piece of paper, you need to write down the evidence you have on your side. Consider the evidence they might also have, and see how it stacks up.

Everything you're planning to say at tribunal needs to be prepared for.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93128]

Ensure you have everything with you

Bring your documents, and all your information in order.

Don't forget a pen and paper - it sounds silly, but it's crucial to bring these with you for noting down important points as they arise.

As this isn't an American TV show court, she laughs, there isn't the opportunity to say 'objection' at every turn. If the counter argument brings up a point you disagree with - write it down and wait your turn.

Ask for help if you need it

"If you're self-represented, we're here to help. We want the best possible case from each side," she explains.

If you don't know when you're supposed to talk, don't hesitate to ask and clarify.

Watch other cases

Sit in on a couple of tribunal cases - you'll find that it may help steady your nerves, she said, noting that it's not uncommon for first timers to be nervous coming to tribunal.

You'll quick learn some of the common customs.

For instance, she notes that the vast majority of hearings are held in rooms that are not as formal as you might expect. However, when the tribunal member comes into the room, the common courtesy is for everyone to stand.

The usual way to address the tribunal member is also "Sir" or "Madam".

You will also learn some lessons for future reference. Here's a<a href="/news/landlords-must-be-aware-of-the-implied-tenancy-agreement-lessons-from-tribunal"> lesson from a previous Tribunal case</a>.

Stay calm and be polite

Throughout the process you may be encouraged to negotiate with the other side, and if you've been rude due to being nervous then you may limit your chances of a more favourable outcome.

For more tips on winning at VCAT, you can <a href="/news/vic/property-management-tips-for-winning-at-vcat">read a property management perspective here</a>.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

How to win your case at tribunal: VCAT deputy president

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A 1960s era modernist home in Melbourne’s eastern hills will go to auction this weekend.
The single storey home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-croydon+north-116962735" target="_blank">90 Richardson Street in Croydon North</a> bears all the hallmarks of 60s era design, with sprawling open plan entertaining areas and a full-length sun terrace. Set on a leafy 1,480 square metre block, the house has views to Mount Macedon and over the Yarra Valley.
Owners Rob Hauser and Ruth Barr are selling the home through PhilipWebb. General manager of sales Anthony Webb describes the home as a contemporary classic.
“Although the home was designed in the 1960s, the qualities of modernist architecture that it features have never been more relevant,” says Webb.
“Modernist homes such as this are all about function and form. This home offers a seamless integration between the indoor and outdoor spaces, and with floor to ceiling sliding doors and windows throughout, it harnesses natural elements such as the sun and the breeze,” he says.
{qtube vid:=OL_GiAA7pQ8}
The house was designed by Australian architect Charles Duncan, a proponent of organic Wrightian architecture, inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The home’s floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors are a classic characteristic of Wrightian architecture, unifying the landscape with the interior. There is also timber flooring, ceilings and timber panelled walls with exposed brick columns throughout.
Duncan was one of a number of young Melbourne architects who designed Wrightian style homes in the 1960s, including David Godsell, David Chancellor and Rex Patrick, Geoffrey Woodfall and Kevin Knight. Their Sydney counterparts included Adrian Snodgrass, who built the 1960s Point Piper home that was later sold to <a href="/news/jon-aisbitt-almost-drops-off-latest-sunday-times-richest-1000-list">former Goldman Sachs Australia boss Jon Aisbitt</a>.
In 1965, Duncan was awarded the Royal Australian Institute of Architect’s Single House award for the Williams House in Heidelberg.
The Croydon North home was built by Melbourne builders Fasham Johnson. It was not the last collaboration between Duncan and Fasham Johnson - Duncan designed two low energy display homes in Mills Parks and Taylors Lake in the 1980s that were constructed by Fasham Johnson.
The Duncan designed home is set to be auctioned on Saturday 14 June.
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Charles Duncan modernist home to go under the hammer

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Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Heidi Victoria has rejected weekend media reports that ­collusive bidding was a problem at weekend auctions.
“Consumer Affairs Victoria is not aware that this practice is currently prevalent ,” she told the Australian Financial Review.
The paper<a href="https://www.afr.com/p/national/buyers_dirty_auction_tricks_exposed_fUcTgsHwP88nAb6vLujfdM" target="_blank"> </a>reported two or more ­bidders representing one buyer at an auction, creating the impression there are multiple buyers, was a common occurrence at Melbourne auctions.
The AFR noted it was more of an issue in Victoria than NSW, where bidders are required to register before auction.
NSW Fair Trading Minister ­Matthew Mason-Cox said collusive bidding was already outlawed, but would consider if new forms of the practice required a legislative update.
The AFR suggested the unscrupulous buyers were working with the help or encouragement of buyer’s agents.
By creating the impression that there are multiple buyers bidding for the same property, one buyer’s agent claimed the tactic worked by reputedly saving their client $300,000 plus at auction to the annoyance of the vendor if they knew. 
“It’s illegal, but very hard to police,” said Rich Harvey, from the Sydney buyer’s agency, propertybuyer.com.au, who slammed the practice in the article.
The ploy also created an impression in the vendor’s mind that there was good activity below the reserve, and so encouraging the vendor to put the property on the market, rather than pass it in.
NSW regulations state that a person must not induce another person to abstain from bidding or do anything in any way which may prevent free and open competition.
Paul Osborne from Melbourne buyer’s agency, The Secret Agent, said he had seen three people representing the same buyer bidding at auction.
"Buyers use all kinds of theatrics that are not transparent,” he said.
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Collusive auction bidding not prevalent: Consumer Affairs Victoria 

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A young Victorian man has been declared ineligible to hold a licence or act as an agent’s representative for seven years after stealing $14,753 in rent and bond money.
James-Paul Moularas, 23, stole the money from the tenants of five properties in <a href="/news">Travancore</a>, <a href="/news">Brunswick</a>, <a href="/news">Brunswick East</a>, <a href="/news">St Kilda East</a> and <a href="/news">Preston</a>.
Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal senior member Robert Davis found that between 11 October and 15 November 2012, Moularas had fraudulently failed to account for, deliver or pay money had received or held as an agent’s representative. He also failed to promptly pay all money he had received in his role to his employer or its specified trust account. The tribunal heard that Moularas had not acted fairly or honestly in relation to his duties as an agent.
Davis said there was “no doubt in his mind” that Moularas’ conduct would be considered unprofessional.
In November 2012, Moularas confessed that he stole the money to his employer, Secure Invest Property Group Pty Ltd, owned by his uncle. His uncle and parents repaid the money that he stole for his own use.
Moularas, who is originally from Adelaide, will be ineligible to hold a licence until 30 April 2021. Davis considered banning Moularas permanently but decided that a seven year ban was appropriate given that this was his first known offence. Moularas did not appear at his tribunal hearing.
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Real estate agent representative who stole nearly $15,000 from tenants banned for seven years

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Musk Farm sold at its overcast onsite weekend auction for $1.59 million through the Pat Rice &amp; Hawkins agency.
The late interior designer Stuart Rattle and cattle farmer Michael O'Neill, partners for 16 years, paid $93,000 in 1998 with a $76,000 mortgage, for what was to become their expanded renovated Musk Farm, Daylesford masterpiece.
Selling agent Matt Childs had anticipated the <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-school-road-musk/Property-Details-buy-residential-7025401" target="_blank">cottage</a> on 1.2 hectares would <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/11-school-road-musk/Property-Details-buy-residential-7025401" target="_blank">fetch $1 million plus</a>, with it announced on the market at $1.14 million.
<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/2014/06/02/musk-june-2-two.jpg" alt="">
There were six bidders who pushed the final sale price well above expectation after the $850,000 opening bid by the eventual buyer. Property Observer gathers the East Melbourne buyers will have Musk Farm as their weekender.
The auction attracted 350 plus attendees to the Victorian central highlands offering. The underbidder, standing with glasses (pictured below), congratulated the buyer in the sienna orange jumper.
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A clearance rate of 73% was recorded this weekend compared to 71% last weekend, from the bumper 1,057 auctions reported to the REIV. More than 10,000 homes have been sold at auction so far this year.
The Rattle estate included an adjoining 30 hectare cattle farm lot in the acclaimed Daylesford district expected to fetch $550,000 plus, sold for $660,000 to other buyers. Subject to council approval, the holding could get a residence since it qualified above the 20 hectare minimum block size.
<a href="/news/vic/musk-farm-the-stuart-rattle-michael-oneill-garden-estate-listed-for-auction">The former school property</a> started as a derelict garden overun with blackberries. 
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But taking their inspiration from the English Arts and Crafts movement of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll, the couple set about its restoration starting with the planting of hydrangeas outside the 1880s old school house.
It comes with chinese tea house and a garden with 16 distinct garden rooms, joined by interconnecting walkways, and separated by large clipped hedges, English Box (Buxus sempervirens) and viburnum (Viburnum spp) and Ligustrum vulgare (Privet).
The garden, especially the pond, was not to its usual amazing high open day standard, looking slightly unkempt given the constraint on funds since the events of last December.
Attendees could partake in scones, iced yo-yos and Lavazza coffee with Peter Rowland catering.
Mossgreen auctioned the contents having set a pre-sale estimate of $299,000, but strong interest from around 600 registered bidders secured a sales tally of $711,000. A portrait of James, Duke of York, sold for $26,840, including buyers' premium. The family will donate a statue called The Thorn Boy from the gardens to the Wombat Botanical Gardens as a memorial for Stuart Rattle.
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Musk Farm sale draws big crowd to Stuart Rattle garden estate auction

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Over the past two weeks, Property Observer has featured the twin cities of <a href="/expert-insights/buying/suburb-spotlight-albury-market-is-steady-and-strong">Albury</a> and <a href="/expert-insights/buying/suburb-spotlight-will-wodongas-big-spend-pay-off">Wodonga</a> separately. It’s now time to make the two cities share the spotlight, as we compare their property markets.
The local governments of Albury and Wodonga would have you believe that the two cities – one in New South Wales, the other in Victoria, are worlds apart. But with only the Murray River between them, how different can the two markets be?
The major differences between the two cities are a result of their respective governments. With Albury in New South Wales, buyers and sellers in that city have to contend with the state’s stamp duties and land tax rates. The same goes for Wodonga on the other side of the border. But despite Albury’s New South Welsh affiliations, the city is closer to Melbourne than it is Sydney.
ALBURY-WODONGA: THE KEY FIGURES
<ul>
<li>Total population: 82,083 </li>
<li>Total dwellings: 35,831 </li>
<li>Median weekly household income: $1,039 </li>
<li>Median monthly mortgage repayment: $1,452</li>
</ul>
Source: ABS 2011
Council plans may also have an impact, according to founder of Destiny Financial Solutions, television host and Property Observer columnist, Margaret Lomas.
“Wodonga has a sustained and fairly lengthy land release timetable, and to my knowledge, Wodonga seems to have more land available for land release than Albury,” she says.
However, Lomas doesn’t think land release timetables will necessarily make a  difference to investors.
“I don’t think that will ultimately affect land values,” says Lomas. “In reality, you’re not disadvantaged by living in one over the other.”
Albury’s close proximity to Wodonga (or the other way around) means that if one town benefits, so does another.
“I know the councils want to uncouple them, but you can’t really,” she says. “If you live in one or the other, you don’t miss out. The residences get to enjoy the benefits of both towns.
“I think they’re pretty much exposed to almost exactly the same growth drivers.”
As for that growth, Lomas says that it’s likely to be slow and steady for both towns, thanks to improvements from their local governments.
“I think we’ll see sustained growth in both of them. Both local governments are providing far better services to their residents, and are focussed in creating a better lifestyle for their residents,” says Lomas. She cites Wodonga’s town centre developments, the first of their kind in the town, as a move by local government to improve services. Other big spending items in Wodonga include a new saleyard at North Barnawartha and the now completed Logic industrial site.
But despite big spending agendas, Lomas doesn’t believe that we’ll necessarily see rapid growth from the two cities. She echoes the sentiment from Albury real estate agent Peter Drummond of Drummond Real Estate, who told Property Observer late last year that he believed the city’s market was “steady and strong.”
“They both have room for growth,” she says. “But a boom? I don’t think so. And I don’t think we ever see that in any country areas. But over time we could see some excellent returns in a sustained fashion.”
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia. 
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Suburb spotlight: Albury-Wodonga, how do the markets compare across the Murray?

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After looking at the New South Wales border town of Albury last week, Property Observer turns the spotlight to its twin city, Wodonga.
Last year, Observer Terry Ryder <a href="/expert-insights/investing/diversity-is-the-key-to-residential-property-investment-success-terry-ryder">named Albury-Wodonga one of his hotspots</a>, thanks to its diverse economy and location.
“The city's location of the Hume Highway (and the main rail line) between Melbourne and Sydney, with good links also to Canberra, makes it strategically important,” he wrote. “Many transport and logistics businesses are based there.” 
According to the local government, Wodonga has a residential base of 36,629 people. The city recently made headlines after it was revealed to be the fastest growing major regional city in Victoria. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Wodonga’s population grew by 2.1% in the year to June 2013. Wodonga council’s chief executive, Patience Harrington, told the ABC that the population boost largely came from a growing birth rate.
"We're seeing a lot more young children and young families in our city and certainly those older people in our population are also being sustained," Harrington said.
The city’s population is expected to exceed 50,000 by 2026 – roughly the size of New South Wales’ Wagga Wagga. Together with its twin city Albury, the area had a total population of 82,083 as of 2011.
Wodonga's major employers
<ul>
<li>Manufacturing: 16.5%</li>
<li>Health care and social assistance: 14.1%</li>
<li>Public administration and safety: 13.6%</li>
<li>Retail trade: 11.3%</li>
<li>Education &amp; training: 9.2%</li>
</ul>
Source: REMPLAN 2013
To cope with its growing population, a number of infrastructure investments have been made by the local and state governments. Last year, the Victorian government allocated $250,000 to <a href="/news/vic/victorian-government-injects-250-000-into-wodonga-growth-area-planning">assist the city’s plan for the Leneva-Baranduda growth corridor</a>. 
The government stimulus to link the urban areas of Wodonga to Baranduda via Leneva, south of the city, is intended to build houses for an additional 35,000 people, with 14,000 new homes. The infrastructure project is also projected to create 6,000 jobs in the area.
At its announcement, Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the growth corridor would “assist in supporting the commercial development of Wodonga’s CBD, where there is already a major urban renewal project underway”.
The city’s urban renewal projects include a $4.3 million road realignment project. The new saleyard at North Barnawartha, which are due to set the city back $25 million, is another major infrastructure project. The saleyard is set to be completed in December.
The city’s investment in infrastructure has not been without consequences for the area’s budget. The 567 hectare Logic industrial hub in Barnawartha North on the Hume highway has been a big spending point for the city. According to The Border Mail, the site was a major contributing factor to skyrocketing debt for the city. The city of Wodonga’s debt level jumped from less than $10 million in 2000-1 to nearly $33 million in 2006-07.
The city now has almost $31 million in debt, the second highest level of debt of any of the state’s regional centres. The Victorian auditor-general’s office has reportedly deemed the city at medium risk of longer-term financial sustainability since 2007-08.
To pay down debt, the local government has been attempting to sell its assets, including an old police station, park land and industrial land. Land at the Logic industrial site is currently being offered on a lot-by-lot basis.
The total value of construction in Wodonga in the 2012-13 financial year exceeded $145 million, according to local government figures. Manufacturing remains the largest employer in Wodonga, with 16.5% of the workforce devoted to manufacturing, followed by 14.1% in health care and social assistance. For 2008-09, the average annual wage in the city was $40,275, with a labour force of 19,615.
The number of occupied residences in 2012 was 14,480, out of a total 16,786 rateable residential properties.
The median house price for the greater Wodonga area was $215,000 for April this year, according to RP Data. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-wodonga-115851535" target="_blank">This three bedroom, one bedroom house</a> sold in April for $225,000.
<img src="/images/2014/05/22/wodonga.jpg" alt="">
The home in central <a href="/news">Wodonga</a> was previously let at $285 per week. It has polished floorboards throughout and sits on about 575 square metres of land. The owners bought the home for $127,500 in 2003.
Other articles in our suburb spotlight series:
<a href="/expert-insights/buying/suburb-spotlight-albury-market-is-steady-and-strong">Suburb spotlight: Albury market is "steady and strong"</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/buying/suburb-spotlight-melton-council-gearing-up-for-growth">Suburb spotlight: Melton council gearing up for growth</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/buying/suburb-spotlight-joondalup-adjusting-to-moderating-market">Suburb spotlight: Joondalup adjusting to moderating market</a>
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Creative Commons. 
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Suburb spotlight: Will Wodonga's big spend pay off?

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Planning Minister Matthew Guy has announced that Victoria’s Hanging Rock has been ‘saved’ from commercial development, with $1 million of government funding to provide ongoing planning protection.
The funding will be provided for ongoing maintenance of public facilities for the next four years, and will stop commercial development at the Eastern Paddock, which was to include a hotel and conference centre.
“This funding over the next four years will ensure the future of this vital community asset,” Guy said.
“More people will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Hanging Rock with proper funding now guaranteed,” he said.
Alternatives to commercial development to manage Hanging Rock will be explored between the Victorian government and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, after Guy visited local representatives Donna Petrovich and Amanda Millar.
Millar, who is Member for Northern Victoria Region, thanked Guy for delivering this outcome, as did Liberal candidate for Macedon, Petrovich.
Planning protections will be strengthened at the site to avoid inappropriate development in the long term, however they noted that any changes would not affect current uses of the site for horse racing and concerts.
The site, which had been committed to commercial and wind farm developments “up to 160 metres tall throughout the Macedon Ranges… taller than Hanging Rock itself,” according to Guy, saw huge opposition to commercial development through the Hanging Rock Action Group.
Upgrades to current facilities have not been opposed.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.
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Hanging Rock “saved” from commercial development

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The Australian Valuation Property Classification Codes assigned to land, as part of a general valuation undertaken every two years, have seen a number of changes to apply from the 2014/2015 levy year.
These changes may alter the required rate of payment under the Fire Services Property Levy Act 2012.
“These include changes which will allow a supplementary valuation to be conducted where a change in occupancy affects the AVPCC allocated to land, and to make provision for the Fire Services Property Levy to be adjusted retrospectively where the allocation of the wrong AVPCC has resulted in the land use classification being incorrectly applied. These amendments will apply from 14 May 2014,” the State Revenue Office explains in their latest General Information Bulletin.
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