Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Apartment Market

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GUEST OBSERVER
Australia’s capital cities are getting more and more units, that are largely concentrated and come with a hefty price tag, a new report shows. And while these areas also have lots of jobs, the high price for houses means many on low incomes won’t be able to access that employment.
Between 2006 and 2014, more than 50 percent of new units were built in the 20 percent of local government areas with the highest number of jobs. 
When compared internationally, it would seem that Australian housing supply has not been as weak as is widely believed. However, the report points to some stark differences in housing supply patterns, emerging across Australia’s capital cities. 
In Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, new housing supply has lagged slightly behind population growth. In the other capital cities, housing supply actually outpaced population growth between 2006 and 2014. 
<h2>Housing supply and house prices</h2>
The issue of housing affordability has traditionally been pitched in terms of supply failing to keep pace with growing demand, and house prices rising in response to the imbalance.
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Yet, house price inflation has surged even in metropolitan areas where housing supply exceeds population growth. The evidence suggests a complex relationship between supply, population growth and price that is shaped by both supply and demand-side factors. 
As prices and rents rise, housing costs continue to eat up larger shares of household incomes, particularly in moderate and low-income groups. 
The study shows 80 percent of new unit approvals were located in the top 20 percent of local government areas with the highest unit prices. This is while 80 percent of new house approvals were in the top 40 percent of local government areas with the highest house prices. 
There is very little new supply in areas where house prices are lower, where households on low to moderate incomes can afford to live. 
<h2>Affordable housing, cities and productivity</h2>
The lack of affordable housing in the vicinity of employment centres can pose threats to the productivity of our cities. If suburban residents are forced into longer commutes to access employment in the CBD, it can reduce productivity.
A potential consequence is that low-paid workers are deterred from seeking jobs in CBDs. This would then cause certain skills to become unavailable, and businesses to be less efficient, because they cannot quickly fill vacancies with suitable applicants. 
Our data shows new units have grown by 30 percent in areas which have the most jobs, between 2005-06 and 2013-14. In contrast to this new units have only grown by 2.5 percent in areas with less jobs. 
It would appear that unit approvals are concentrated in areas with abundant job opportunities. So productivity could improve, as congestion eases, and commute times lowered, if (and it’s a big if) these dwellings were affordable to those wishing to take advantage of these job opportunities.
New housing supply has grown at a pace that matches population growth rates, at the national level. However, there is plenty of variation across the capital cities. 
The strongest growth in the number of units has been in the territories (though this is from a low base), followed by Melbourne and Brisbane. However, the strongest growth in the number of houses has been in Perth, at around 22 percent. 
Sydney has experienced much lower growth in its number of houses, at less than 10 percent. This reflects the very different patterns of development in the two cities. 
In Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, increases in the supply of housing didn’t keep pace with population growth during, between 2006 and 2014. However, the drivers of this shortfall are varied. 
Perth’s population grew very strongly over the period that we studied. The roughly one-quarter increase in population would stretch the capacity of most housing construction sectors. 
Click to enlarge
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/05/18/Screen%20Shot%202017-05-18%20at%209.00.19%20AM.png" alt="">
However, even though Sydney’s population growth (at 14 percent) is below the average across all capital cities, its housing supply failed to match this growth. These outcomes highlight the different demand and supply side factors operating across states. 
We currently have a national housing policy narrative that is dominated by a consensus view that higher levels of housing supply are the solution to housing affordability problems. While increased supply will always help take steam out of pressured markets, our study suggests a more nuanced approach is needed to the supply side, while not ignoring the demand side pressures. 
It’s important that we identify those barriers to expanding affordable housing supply that have been impeded in the majority of our cities, especially for low income households.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-ong-113482" target="_blank">Rachel Ong</a> is deputy director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, Curtin University.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-phelps-378137" target="_blank">Christopher Phelps</a> is research assistant, Curtin University.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gavin-wood-113723" target="_blank">Gavin Wood</a> is professor of housing, RMIT University.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steven-rowley-201914" target="_blank">Steven Rowley</a> is director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Curtin Research Centre, Curtin University.
All are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Get used to your commute: data confirms houses near jobs are too expensive

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Brisbane apartment builder CMF Projects has called in administrators in what could be early signs of a cooling market
Seeming renforcing earlier warnings by the RBA about an oversupply of apartments, CMF is the biggest collapse after the recent building spree. 
According to the builder's website, it has constructed major projects for residential developers, commercial and retail developers as well as a number of government contracts, the Australian Financial Review reported.
Its residential book shows it has completed medium rise apartment projects including the Mowbray Apartments, ARIA group's AUSTIN Apartments, Kyabra Street Newstead, Artisan South Brisbane and Vine South Brisbane.
The company and its directors Greg Campbell and Cameron Fidler could not be reached when contacted, the AFR reported.
According to ASIC filings, David Clout and Patricia Talty from David Clout and Associates were appointed as administrators on Wednesday.
It is not known why the builder has had administrators appointed, however some builders have been under pressure with high construction costs and a sudden pull back in new apartment project plans.
Apartment approvals slipped to 110,401 for the 12 months to March this year - the lowest since May 2015, when they stood at 109,141 according to the ABS.
In Queensland, apartment approvals fell 29 per cent in the month of March.
The Reserve Bank of Australia had noted of concerns on the apartment market, warning a flood of new apartments could come onto the market in certain areas, pushing down prices and causing heavy losses for developers.
The decline has been driven by tighter financing from banks, stricter rules on both foreign and domestic investors, and rising costs.
Changing fundamentals in the Brisbane market have also seen the city's inner-ring vacancy rate rise to a new high of 4.4 per cent, following a year in which the city saw a record number of new apartments settled.
Growth in vacancy in the March quarter, from 3.6 per cent in the three months to December, reflected supply outstripping demand according to Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive Antonia Mercorella.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Brisbane builder CMF Projects goes into administration

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Price growth in Darwin's detached housing market is expected to fall 1.3 percent this year, with apartment values to increase by 1 percent, according to the CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australian Home Value Index Forecast, 2017Q1.
The report said the downturn of the mining industry has pushed values down 11 percent from their peak in 2014. 
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"The recent rebound in commodity prices will support incomes over the short term," it said.
"Apartment values rose in the four consecutive months to January, with growth over the previous year averaging around 8.2 percent.
"Meanwhile, detached-home values fell for 23 consecutive months.
"The trough for home values will likely be reached at the end of this year, but overall mining investment will remain sluggish, so Darwin’s property market—both apartments and detached houses—is unlikely to rise sharply over the coming years. 
"Adding to the state’s difficulties is a rapidly ageing population which reduces the working-age population, meaning the average unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in 2016 obscures issues in the labour market.
"The outlook remains downbeat, as the rise in commodity prices is unlikely to boost investment activity."
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Darwin apartment values to increase 1.3 percent in 2017

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NSW apartment buyers will pay higher prices as the prices for services associated with the NSW LPI rise ahead of the new ownership.
The $2.6 billion sell off was announced yesterday.
The LPI service controls land title registration and creating new lots.
Apartment projects with more than 12 apartments or homes are faced with higher pre-development costs.
“The increases which have been implemented are extreme,” NSW Property Council executive director Jane Fitzgerald recently said advising a 150-lot strata plan used to cost about $22,000 to register.
Under the new fees calculated per lot, it will cost $43,050 — almost a 100 percent increase — because of the $287 per lot fee for each lot.
Other examples include a 565-apartment project in Newcastle under construction by the state’s development arm Urban Growth and listed developer GPT, which will be saddled with an extra $347,320 in costs for pre-­examination lodgement and final lodgement and registration of strata and deposited plans.
Under the new fee structure, the developer will pay $473.50 per lot for pre-examination, and then another $287 flat fee, plus $287 per lot for final lodgement or regis­tration of the plans.
There are also fears that home buyers will be needing to take title insurance to safeguard their purchase under the new structure.
Infrastructure fund manager Hastings Funds Management and pension fund First State Super signed a $2.6 billion deal to operate NSW's land titles and registry business.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

NSW LPI paperwork costs rise in advance of $2.6bn sale 

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Melbourne’s property market is tipped to ease in 2018 with the correction hitting harder in the detached housing market rather than apartments.
The CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australian Home Value Index Forecast, 2017Q1 said although the rise of housing supply has been more prolific in apartments—for every house, 1.23 apartments were approved between 2013 and the end of 2016—detached-home values have grown significantly more than unit values.
"House values in the city have increased 47 percent over the past four years, while apartment values have risen a relatively muted 23 percent," it said.
"Home values in Melbourne remain buoyant; prices rose 12.8 percent from January 2016 to January 2017.
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"However, unit prices rose 2.8 percent during the same period. 
"This situation suggests that the coming supply of apartments has already dampened value growth. 
"Apartment values will rise 3.4 percent in 2017, and a period of stagnation will follow through to 2020. 
"Detached-home values are expected to rise 7 percent in 2017, followed by a steady decline through to 2020."
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Melbourne property market correction will hit houses, not apartments: CoreLogic Moody's 

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Australia's robust housing market helped the economy weather the effects from the transition away from mining, according to the CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics Australian Home Value Index Forecast, 2017Q1.
The report said growth in mining exports should support a housing recovery in Perth and Darwin with potential apartment oversupply in Sydney and Melbourne.
"Sydney and Melbourne are leading the market thanks to their stable local economies, although a large number of apartments completed in those cities could create oversupply issues," it said.
"Housing market strength is prompting the RBA, which lowered the overnight cash rate by 50 basis points in 2016, to keep rates steady.
Although the official monetary policy rate will remain on hold, this does not mean that mortgage rates will also stay low.
"The major banks have increased lending rates out of step with the central bank. Some of this action is being driven by regulatory tightening and will encourage a slowdown in market activity this year and next."
 
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Growth in mining exports should support a housing recovery in Perth, Darwin: Moody's

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The Brisbane apartment market has been self-correcting and unlikely to suffer any great supply-demand imbalance, Urbis have tipped. 
The report comes Greater Brisbane faces an oversupply of 8000 new dwellings this year as scheduled completions outstrip population-driven growth in demand, research group SQM has estimated.
However, figures from planning consultancy Urbis suggested that the number of units under construction in Brisbane was dropping sharply.
The Urbis report shows that only 1812 units are under construction in the CBD across four projects. 
In 2017, some 666 units will complete, with 810 units completing in 2018, and 336 in 2019.
A drop-off in settlements next calendar year would also improve the balance, it said.
"The market will be crying out for new product in 2019. We certainly don't see any oversupply issues in the CBD," developer Consolidated Properties executive chairman Don O'Rorke said. 
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Brisbane apartment market supply-demand imbalance unlikely

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Often referred to as the brown snake, the Brisbane River is home to some of the city’s most prestigious riverfront residences, according to Place Project’s latest report.
Place Advisory’s annual riverfront apartment report has analysed all riverfront apartments that have transacted over the past ten years and they have outlined how the market has performed in comparison to non-riverfront apartments.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.24.15%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.24.15%20am.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.24.45%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.24.45%20am.jpg" alt="">
Due to the limited amount of available stock, Brisbane’s riverfront apartment market has seen substantially lower sales volumes in comparison to non-riverfront apartments.
The most recent six month period ending June 2016 saw the riverfront apartment market record 162 transactions, representing just 8.4 percent of all apartment transactions in Inner Brisbane.
This result is in line with the long term ten year average, in which riverfront apartments have represented just 8.7 percent of total sales, portraying its limited nature.
As shown in the ten year apartment sales cycle graph above, the median sale price for an apartment located on the Brisbane River is significantly higher in comparison to non-riverfront apartments.
The most recent six month period ending June 2016 saw riverfront apartments record a median sale price of $763,500.
This is 68% more expensive than non-riverfront apartments, which recorded a median sale price of $455,000 for the same six month period.
Over the past ten years, riverfront apartments have been, on average, 69 percent more expensive than non-riverfront apartments.
The six month period ending June 2008 (pre GFC) saw the largest price difference when apartments on the river were 110 percent more expensive, sitting at a median sale price of $850,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.25.34%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.25.34%20am.jpg" alt="">
Riverfront apartments in Inner Brisbane have generally achieved higher capital growth than non-riverfront apartments.
As shown in the graph above, riverfront apartments achieved 2.7 percent capital growth during the June 2016 six month period, down from 3.1 percent in the previous six month period, whereas non-riverfront apartments achieved 2.4 percent capital growth.
Apartments located on the Brisbane River, have achieved, on average, 5.7 percent capital growth per annum over the past ten years.
The six month period ending June 2008 saw the riverfront apartment market peak at 11.4 percent, which was then followed by several periods of consistent decline.
The effects of the 2011 floods strongly impacted the riverfront apartment market, which saw capital growth fall to its lowest point in ten years, recording just 1.7 percent growth following this event.
There was however a quick recovery in the following months.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.26.50%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.26.50%20am.jpg" alt="">
The map above shows the number of riverfront apartment transactions that have occurred in Inner Brisbane, categorised by suburb, over the past ten years ending June 2016.
The map is colour coded, with the darker green representing the highest number of sales.
Accounting for one quarter of Inner Brisbane’s riverfront apartments, Kangaroo Point achieved the highest volume of transactions, recording a total of 1,149 riverfront sales over the past ten years.
This was followed by New Farm, which recorded 717 riverfront apartment transactions over the past ten years.
In recent years, West End has seen increasing volumes of riverfront apartment transactions as the area undergoes significant rejuvenation.
As the suburb continues to be redeveloped, it has now established itself as a market with a strong riverfront apartment presence.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.27.39%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/03/12/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-12%20at%2011.27.39%20am.jpg" alt="">
The chart above shows the top 20 most expensive riverfront apartment buildings in Brisbane over the past ten years.
Scott Street apartments, located in Kangaroo Point recorded the highest average apartment price of $4.9 million over the past ten year period.
New Farm’s Aquila Moray apartments came in second, recording an average sale price of $4.5 million.
The majority of Brisbane’s top 20 riverfront apartment buildings are located in the North of the River precinct, with all except two buildings being located in New Farm.
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Brisbane's riverfront apartment price growth put at 9 percent over past year

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Stalled apartment projects because of tougher lending conditions are pushing up prices of units again in Sydney, says Australia’s richest man Harry Triguboff.
“Less projects are going ahead,” Triguboff, founder of Australia’s largest apartment developer Meriton, told The Australian.
The issues around offshore and local buyers having difficulties settling apartments as Chinese authorities curbed capital outflows and Australian banks tightened lending criteria had not prevented a new wave of buyers — particularly from China — from signing contracts and ­settling their unit purchases, Triguboff said.
“The new buyers are finding other ways to fund the unit,” he said.
Meriton, which expects to build 3000 units this year, which grew its mortgage book last year for buyers of its apartments in the wake of tougher lending criteria by banks, said in the article in The Australian.
“This year, they are paying me back,” Triguboff said, noting buyers were able to get alternative funding.
Sydney’s apartment market would continue to flourish in 2017, he said despite threats of oversupply and chances of more regulatory intervention to squeeze investor lending.
Earlier this week, RBA assistant governor Michele Bullock said regulators were prepared to do more if the housing market poses risks to the economy.
“You can’t produce units with a magic wand,” Triguboff said, noting it could take years from gaining an approval for a project to apartment buyers moving in.
Unit rents had risen about 3-4 per cent over the past year, in a sign that demand remained strong, he said.
The monthly CoreLogic Hedonic Home Value Index reported a further rise in the value of capital city homes in February, led by Sydney where home values grew 2.6 percent over the month, with head researcher Tim Lawless saying “growth conditions have been rebounding since the middle of last year when, on two separate occasions, interest rates were cut, and investor demand commenced trending higher”.
Triguboff said as projects failed to find funding, new development would take a hit and rents would rise, worsening Sydney’s affordability.
“You can buy off the plan, but you can’t live in it for years, so rents will go up,” he said.
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Tougher lending rules pushing up apartment prices: Triguboff

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Brisbane’s office market has crossed the low point in the cycle and is starting to show signs of a recovery, according to the latest office market report by Cushman &amp; Wakefield.
Queensland’s economic growth suggests tenant demand should continue to gather momentum, in spite of the fact that H2 2016 net absorption is estimated to be lower than the surprise H1 2016 result, the commercial real estate firm adds in its Q4 office market outlook.
Brisbane saw 190,000 sqm of new supply in 2016. Most recently 1 William Street (75,000 sqm) was completed in Q4, which is fully occupied by the Queensland government and largely represents the end of the current supply cycle with only the refurbished 310 Ann Street (18,400 sqm) scheduled for 2017. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4BrisbaneEffectiveRent.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4BrisbaneEffectiveRent.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4Brisbane-NetAbsorption.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4Brisbane-NetAbsorption.png" alt="">
There will be stock withdrawals of nearly 130,000 sim in 2017 leading to net-negative supply of 112,000 sqm over the year, says the report. In line with this, prime gross effective office rents are trending sideways. Following a 5.2 percent decline in 2015, rent decline moderated to 0.8 percent in 2016. 
Cushman &amp; Wakefield says its base case scenario of a U-shaped recovery in Brisbane looks set to continue, a view further bolstered by the results in its “Office leasing trends and outlook” survey in which respondents expected vacancy to decline to 14 percent over the next year. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4Brisbane-KeyDeals.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4Brisbane-KeyDeals.png" alt=""> <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/11/Q4BrisbaneProjects.png" alt="">
Improvements to Queensland’s State Final Demand and strengthening commodity pricing provides upside potential for tenant demand. Queensland’s State Final Demand rose a modest 0.1 percent in the quarter ended September. “However, given the high level of vacancy, the market will continue to favour tenants over the near-term,” the outlook concludes. 
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