The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Auctions

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Weekend auction clearance rates remained strong, sitting about 70 percent in both Sydney and Melbourne, underpinned by the past week's policy announcements.
The RBA board lowered the cost of borrowing - with most lending institutions passing it onto home buyers - and the Federal Budget put property investment firmly on the agenda as a byproduct to its mooted superannuation changes. 
Home loan rates are as low as 3.88 per cent for owner-occupiers and 4.04 percent for investors compared with a long-term average of about 7 percent.
Not that the money is free flowing as with stricter loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) being applied by lenders, the capacity of both local and offshore buyers for houses and apartments is being curtailed.
Dr Andrew Wilson, chief economist for Domain Group, says Sydney price growth this year was likely to be around three and four per cent and Melbourne slightly higher at between four and five per cent.
Toorak ought have secured the weekend's top two sales but the interest was not there, with the Chinese influence now just an undercurrent.
There were no bidders when <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-122376458" target="_blank">23 Montalto Avenue, Toorak was offered</a>. The vendor bid was $7.75 million for the Rodney Alsop designed family residence on 1146 sqm with pool and courtyard designed by gardening guru Edna Walling.
Another Toorak offering at 10 Cole Court was passed in on a $6.75 million vendor bid through RT Edgar after rejecting the only buyer bid of $5 million.
The home was converted in the 1950s by Sir Roy Grounds out of stables for the now razed Southdean estate.
It was offered by the Cecil family, the fourth generation owners of menswear retailer Henry Bucks.
Melbourne buyers agent Mal James said the market was missing the Chinese buying interest at prior levels.
He advised that any claims by agents that “we’ve got loads of Chinese interest from overseas” was now "drivel."
"It's not there like it was in most cases," he said.
So the top weekend sale price was instead $4.55 million at Henley in Sydney on the riverfront when <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-henley-122395590" target="_blank">6 Sherwin Street</a> (above) sold through Ray White who suggested it needed renovation.
It narrowly exceeded the $4.5 million sale of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-hackham+west-122429454" target="_blank">389 Barkly Street, Elwood</a>. There were five bidders for the investment opportunity of a block of four, three bedroom apartments.
The cheapest result was $250,000 in Adelaide, at just above the $239,000 price guidance.
It was a deceased estate on Beach Road which had been a recent $300 a week four bedroom rental with mechanic's garaging.
There was a $277,500 sale in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-tullamarine-122299634" target="_blank">Melbourne's Tullamarine</a>, but with little price growth over the five years since sold at $275,000.
It too sold at just above its $250,000 to $275,000 price range.
The single storey one bedroom 1980s villa with courtyard is rented at $265 a week, which also reflected little if any rental price growth over the five year ownership.
This week there were 1,135 auctions in Melbourne, which accounted for 52 percent of all capital city auctions.
CoreLogic RP Data advised the 71 percent Melbourne clearance rate compared to 73 percent last week and 79 per cent one year ago.
Sunshine cracked the $1 million club after a period-style family home sold under the hammer for a record-breaking $1.03 million.
It was the four-bedroom house at 1 Walter St, located on 810 sqm in the coveted Matthews Hill precinct that bettered the $935,000 record set in February this year.
<img src="/images/2016/05/09/main-2.jpg" alt="" width="675" height="506">
In Carlton the former AFL coach Denis Pagan's longtime family home sold with approval for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-sunshine-122361326" target="_blank">three townhouses at $1.8 million</a>.
 
<a id="LPlnk683209" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-carlton-122301798" target="_blank"></a><img src="/images/2016/05/09/main-3.jpg" alt="" width="568" height="426"> 
Co-owned with brother Larry, it had been mostly empty for the past decade.
Melbourne’s inner East was the softest clearance rate at 63 percent across 135 results collected.
By contrast Sydney's east was super strong. Sydney hosted 647 auctions this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 72 percent, sitting as the strongest of any capital city with three Sydney sub-regions recording success rates in the 80 percent range, including its Eastern suburbs at 89 percent.
Anyone doubting the strength can't view the latest celebrity listing as it sold withn six days of offering and weeks before its scheduled auction.
 
<img src="/images/2016/05/09/main-4.jpg" alt="" width="632" height="474">
It was a Bondi semi that performed poorly in The Block All Stars three years ago.
It has now been snapped up for sold for around $2.55 million, an 86 percent hike on the sale price under the television lights in 2013.
Sunnybrae at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bondi-122539826" target="_blank">10 Tasman Street, Bondi</a>, had an initial price guide of $2.2 million having sold last at $1,375,000.
After two long weekends in a row, Brisbane auction volumes picked up this week, with 192 residential properties going under the hammer, with just 43 per cent selling.
Canberra had their mind on other matters with the 54 percent clearance rate down from 59 per cent last week and the 65 percent last year.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Sydney and Melbourne still securing 70 percent plus auction clearance rates

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Preliminary results show a 52.9 percent clearance rate across 17 commercial auctions over the week ending 22 April 2016, a fall in both auction volumes (38) and the clearance rate (71.1 percent) when compared to the previous week, according to latest CoreLogic RP Data.
At the same time last year, 49 commercial auctions were reported and the clearance rate was significantly higher, at 81.6 per cent. Across the commercial auction market, activity has been somewhat subdued over the past four weeks, with just 103 auctions held and 65 sales. Of the 65 sales, 48 have been reported with a sale price, totalling just more than $88.9 million.
<a href="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-30%20at%201.26.06%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-30%20at%201.26.06%20AM.png" alt="">
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Commercial auctions fell in week ending April 22: CoreLogic RP Data

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The nation's cheapest weekend auction result was $202,000 for a West Footscray one bedroom apartment.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-west+footscray-122306818" target="_blank">19/132 Rupert Stree</a>t offering last sold in 1990 at $45,000.
Last listed at $190 a week rental earlier this year, the apartment had auction price guidance of $185,000 plus.
A decade ago the rent was $135 a week.
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West Footscray $202,000 the nation's cheapest weekend result

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Melbourne's auction market saw around 1260 auctions on Saturday which, Domain economist Dr Andrew Wilson noted, exceeded the previous record for any April weekend.
Melbourne reported a strong 74 percent clearance rate, the same as Sydney which hosted its second busiest Saturday so far this year.
But the dead heat between the two auction capitals was of limited interest with media attention on more horrendous matters.
In Melbourne it was the missing millions after six LJ Hooker offices were closed by Victorian Consumer Affairs given trust account irregularities.
And in Sydney it was the listing of the former home of the backpacker killer, Ivan Milat.
It was the Eagle Vale home at the time of his 1994 arrest, in quiet Cinnabar St (above).
The four bedroom brick home with the dark past last sold in 2006 at $386,000.
Ivan Milat bought in 1992 with his sister Shirley Soire for $50,000, with the siblings selling it in 1995 at $160,000.
It is now priced at $685,000 to $715,000 through Century 21 Premier Reality agent Susan Parkes who told The Sunday Telegraph that prospective buyer feedback was that “it’s a lovely home."
In 1996 Milat was convicted of the murders of seven backpackers after their bodies were found in the Belangalo State Forest, near Berrima in 1992 and 1993, and is serving seven consecutive life sentences in Goulburn super-maximum security prison.
There's already talk of jail after millions in deposits are claimed to have gone missing from the trust accounts of six LJ Hooker offices in outer Melbourne. 
There have been varied counter claims of a hacking or an elaborate conspiracy, but it appears no-one is giving them much credence.
Consumer Affairs Minister Jane Garrett said those responsible would feel the full force of the law.
"This is horrendous behaviour," Ms Garrett told reporters on Saturday.
"We changed the locks on these offices as soon as we found out irregularities had occurred."
Some 20 homeowners, along with 80 rental tenants, are caught up in the matter after irregularities were found in a LJ Hooker franchise in Glen Waverley and its associated branches in Keysborough, Mount Waverley, Burwood, Doncaster and Box Hill.
The branches are operated by husband-and-wife, Joseph Ngo and Judy Thanh Truc (also known as Judy Nguyen), who were named LJ Hooker’s Best Team of the Year in 2015.
“Houses around Melbourne, and certainly in these areas, are very expensive,” Ms Garrett said.
Ms Garrett said anyone found to have misused trust money could face very significant charges and jail time.
“We take an absolute zero-tolerance approach to this,” she said.
“This is other people’s money. Like lawyers you hold it on trust … [if you] abuse that trust, you’ll feel the full force of the law.”
CoreLogic RP Data reported Melbourne was host to 1,272 auctions, making it the busiest of any of the capital city markets for auctions by a long run.
The preliminary clearance rate for the city was 74 per cent this week.
There were around 800 Sydney auctions.
Preliminary results for Brisbane show a 49 per cent clearance rate.
The number of Adelaide auctions rose to 129 this week, with agents securing a 64 per cent success.
Perth's clearance rate was 46 per cent. Canberra’s clearance rate fell from 73 per cent last week to 67 per cent. 
The national result sits at 71 per cent, up marginally from a final auction clearance rate of 69 per cent last week, but lower when compared to one year ago at 78 per cent.
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Melbourne weekend auctions break April records

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The weekend's top sale was pre-auction in Sydney's Gladesville  for 65 Wharf Road, a six bedroom riverfront (above).
It sold for at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-gladesville-122231894" target="_blank"> $7,095,000</a> through McGrath agent John Paranchi.
Melbourne's highest was when 16 Barnsbury Road, Balwyn (below) sold for $6.36 million, a five bedroom house on 1760 sqm with tennis court.
<img src="/images/2016/05/02/image2.jpg" alt="" width="653" height="490">
A Chinese buyer on a significant investor visa secured the Balwyn home.
There was a $4.29 million Brighton strata sale at 2/21 Birdwood Avenue (below), with a three bedroom, three bathroom Edgard Pirotta-designed beachfront townhouse.
<img src="/images/2016/05/02/main-1.jpg" alt="" width="641" height="481">
It last sold in 1999 at $1.54 million.
Melbourne held 1,272 auctions this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 74 percent this week. 
Some 803 Sydney auctions were held, up from 643 last week and lower than last year when 914 were held. Sydney’s clearance rate fell over the week to 74 per cent, from 77.4 per cent last week.
Preliminary results for Brisbane show a 49.5 per cent clearance rate, up from 37.6 per cent last week, which was the weakest result so far this year. 
<a href="/images/2016/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-02%20at%2012.04.19%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/05/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-02%20at%2012.04.19%20PM.png" alt="">
 
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Gladesville secures weekend top sale with Balwyn next priciest, then Brighton

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Melbourne's auction market sees around 1260 auctions on Saturday, which Domain economist Dr Andrew Wilson says will likely exceed the previous record for an April day of 1247 set on the pre-Easter Super Saturday earlier this month.
The inner south will host the highest number of regional auctions this weekend with 206 followed by the west 196.
Bentleigh East is the busiest suburb for auctions this weekend with 28 followed by a number of suburbs with 18 auctions scheduled including Reservoir, Craigieburn, St Kilda, East Malvern and Brighton. 
Melbourne reported a clearance rate of 74 per cent last Saturday which was just under the 76 per cent recorded the previous weekend but well below last year’s peak rate of 86 per cent result recorded over the same holiday weekend.
Domain indicate Sydney will host its second highest Saturday of auctions this year, which will fully test the local market that bounced back last weekend.
Almost 700 homes will go under the hammer this weekend, well ahead of last weekend’s Anzac Day total of 426 and similar to the 697 auctioned over the same weekend last year.
Sydney’s inner west is set to host the most number of auctions with 109, followed by the city and east with 93.
Mosman is the most popular suburb for auctions in Sydney on Saturday with 13, the next highest is Surry Hills at 10, followed by Blacktown with nine.
Sydney reported a clearance rate of 71 percent last Saturday, higher than the year-low 67 percent recorded the previous weekend.
Sydney’s average weekend auction clearance rate since Easter of 70 percent remains well below this year’s pre-Easter average of 75 percent.
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Record Melbourne April auctions this weekend, with Sydney busy too

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This week will be the busiest for capital city auction markets since the week prior to Easter, with 2,419 auctions currently being monitored by CoreLogic.
 Compared to last week, auction volumes are higher in each individual capital city market and have almost doubled in Melbourne, up from 602 last week to the current scheduled number of 1,233. 
This week is set to be the busiest for auctions in six weeks for Adelaide, Canberra and Perth, while the number of homes being taken to auction across Brisbane remains relatively steady. Sydney, the nation’s second busiest auction market has 763 auctions scheduled this week. 
 Capital City Auctions this week: 
• Sydney: 763 
• Melbourne: 1,233 
• Brisbane: 141 
• Adelaide: 129 
• Perth: 44 
• Canberra: 101  
The busiest individual suburb for auctions this week is Bentleigh East in Melbourne, with 28 auctions to be held. The second busiest suburb is St Kilda (21), followed by Craigieburn, Malvern East and Reservoir, each with 18 auctions. All five suburbs are located in Melbourne. 
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 Summary of last week’s results
While auction volumes fell slightly last week with 1,565 capital city auctions held, the final auction clearance rate rose slightly, from 67.4 per cent the previous week to 69.7 per cent last week. Sydney was the best performing capital city auction market last week, with both the highest volume of auctions (643) and the strongest clearance rate, at 77.4 per cent, having risen substantially from 69.8 per cent the previous week when auction volumes were lower. Of the 15 individual sub-regions of Sydney, five regions recorded a clearance rate in excess of 80 per cent this week.
In Melbourne, 602 auctions took place and the clearance rate remained steady, at 71.5 per cent over the week. Unlike Sydney, no Melbourne sub-regions recorded a clearance rate above 80 per cent. Across the non-capital city auction markets monitored by CoreLogic, the Hunter region was the strongest performer, with 73.9 per cent of reported auctions successful, up substantially from 44.4 per cent the previous week. Clearance rates improved in each individual regional auction market on a week-on-week basis, with the exclusion of the Gold Coast, where the clearance rate fell from 45.5 per cent the previous week to 40 per cent last week.
 
 
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Busiest auction week since before Easter: CoreLogic RP Data's Shana Miller

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Victoria had a clearance rate of 77 percent for the weekend ending April 24 down from 73 percent last weekend and 82 percent this weekend last year.
There were 472 auctions reported to the REIV, with 365 selling and 107 being passed in, 58 of those on a vendor bid. 
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Victoria's combined clearance rate at 77 percent: REIV

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Some 70 percent of combined capital city auctions were successful for the week ending 24 April according to CoreLogic RP Data, who reported Sydney with a preliminary clearance rate of 78.4 percent.
Preliminary results show nationally the strongest clearance rate for the past month, although down from the 82.3 percent recorded this time last year. 
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Melbourne has a preliminary clearance rate of 71 percent with the inner sub-region of Melbourne a 70.3 percent clearance rate from 91 results. 
Sydney’s preliminary clearance rate rate rose from last week's 69.8 percent to 78.4 percent this week, with the Eastern Suburbs being the most successful region for auctions with a clearance rate of 91.4 percent. 
Brisbane clearance rates fell to 40.9 percent, from 47 percent last week with the Gold Coasta preliminary clearance rate of 41.4 percent. 
Adelaide’sclearance rate fell to 59.7 percent this week, Perth a clearance rate of 30.4 percent and Canberra at 69.4 percent, the strongest in six weeks.
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Sydney leads capital city clearance rates: CoreLogic RP Data

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Given the ANZAC day long weekend, auction volumes are expected to dip this week, with 1,372 scheduled, down from almost 1,700 last week.
The amount of auction activity in Melbourne and Sydney this week is virtually the same, with 535 Sydney auctions scheduled and 546 in Melbourne.
On a week-on-week basis, auction activity will be quieter in all cities with the exclusion of Sydney, where volumes are 12 per cent higher and Canberra, where the number of auctions scheduled to take place this week is 6 per cent higher than the previous week.
Capital City Auctions this week:
<ul>
<li>Sydney: 535</li>
<li>Melbourne: 546</li>
<li>Brisbane: 114</li>
<li>Adelaide: 92</li>
<li>Perth: 27</li>
<li>Canberra: 52</li>
</ul>
The two busiest individual suburbs for auctions this week are Mount Waverley (14) and Craigieburn (12), both located in Melbourne. The third busiest suburb, Reservoir, also in Melbourne, was last week’s busiest suburb with 18 auctions, while this week just 11 will be held.
Summary of last week’s results:
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The capital city clearance rate remained stable last week, at 67.4 per cent, up just slightly from 67.1 per cent the previous week. The week-on-week results were also relatively flat across each of the individual capital cities, with only Canberra (up to 68.9 per cent from 61.9 per cent the previous week) and Perth (down to 23.1 per cent from 33.3 per cent the previous week), where clearance rates often move around substantially, seeing any significant changes.
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Last week, Melbourne was the strongest performing capital city auction market, with 71.5 per cent of auctions clearing, followed by Sydney, where 69.8 per cent of auctions were successful. Across Melbourne’s Outer East the clearance rate was the strongest (82.1 per cent), and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs (86.5 per cent) and Sutherland (86.4 per cent) were the stand out performers last week. In fact, so far this year, the Eastern Suburbs clearance rate has only dipped below 79 per cent once.
Outside of the capital cities, auction markets were somewhat lacklustre this week with vendors more likely to not sell at auction than to sell at auction.
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