<p data-end="587" data-start="368">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.</p>

<p data-end="778" data-start="589">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.</p>

<p data-end="907" data-start="780"><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.</p>

<p data-end="1052" data-start="909">The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.</p>

<p data-end="1311" data-start="1054">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.</p>

<p data-end="1451" data-start="1313">The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.</p>

<p data-end="1676" data-start="1453">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.</p>

<p data-end="1908" data-start="1678">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.</p>

<p data-end="2142" data-start="1910">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.</p>

<p data-end="2142" data-start="1910"><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" /></p>

<p data-end="2308" data-start="2144">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.</p>

<p data-end="2648" data-start="2310">"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.</p>

<p data-end="2797" data-start="2650">"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."</p>

<p data-end="2938" data-start="2799">The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.</p>

<p data-end="3216" data-start="2940">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.</p>

<p data-end="3325" data-start="3218">Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.</p>

<p data-end="3442" data-start="3327">"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.</p>

<p data-end="3662" data-start="3444">"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."</p>

<p data-end="3818" data-start="3664">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.</p>

<p data-end="4076" data-start="3820">"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.</p>

<p data-end="4375" data-start="4078">"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."</p>

<p data-end="4503" data-start="4377">Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.</p>

<p data-end="4741" data-start="4505">"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."</p>

<p data-end="4910" data-start="4743">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.</p>

<p data-end="4951" data-start="4912">MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.</p>


Joel Robinson

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

<main data-perf-region="main">
<p data-end="600" data-start="394">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.</p>

<p data-end="733" data-start="602">But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.</p>

<p data-end="970" data-start="735">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.</p>

<p data-end="970" data-start="735">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]</p>

<p data-end="1159" data-start="972">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.</p>

<p data-end="1357" data-start="1161">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.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.</p>

<p data-end="1664" data-start="1517">Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.</p>

<p data-end="1826" data-start="1666">Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.</p>

<p data-end="1826" data-start="1666">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]</p>

<p data-end="2045" data-start="1828">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.</p>

<p data-end="2269" data-start="2047">"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.</p>

<p data-end="2430" data-start="2271">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.</p>

<p data-end="2606" data-start="2432">It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.</p>

<p data-end="2724" data-start="2608">At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.</p>

<p data-end="2892" data-start="2726">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.</p>

<p data-end="2892" data-start="2726">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]</p>

<p data-end="3004" data-start="2894">Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.</p>

<p data-end="3214" data-start="3006">"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.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">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.</p>

<p data-end="3400" data-start="3216">More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.</p>

<p data-end="3670" data-start="3538">&nbsp;</p>

<p data-end="3670" data-start="3538">[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]</p>

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>


Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]</p>

<p>Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>“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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]</p>


Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

<p data-end="535" data-start="324">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.</p>

<p data-end="717" data-start="537">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.</p>

<p data-end="918" data-start="719">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.</p>

<p data-end="1131" data-start="920">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.</p>

<p data-end="1131" data-start="920"><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" /></p>

<p data-end="1318" data-start="1133">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.</p>

<p data-end="1433" data-start="1320">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.</p>

<p data-end="1658" data-start="1591">A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.</p>

<p data-end="1864" data-start="1660">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.</p>

<p data-end="2011" data-start="1866">The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.</p>

<p data-end="2011" data-start="1866"><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" /></p>

<p data-end="2191" data-start="2013">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.</p>

<p data-end="2365" data-start="2193">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.</p>

<p data-end="2473" data-start="2367">“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.</p>

<p data-end="2775" data-start="2475">“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.”</p>

<p data-end="2943" data-start="2777">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.</p>

<p data-end="3145" data-start="3001">PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.</p>

<p>While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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>.</p>


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

Chinese Investment

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<p class="description">Chatswood is the second highest buyer destination of Chinese property investors in Sydney, although Juwai.com’s director Carrie Law says Chinese investors have been turning away from Sydney real estate.</p>
<div class="story-content">
<p>The Golden Week of celebrations, a popular Chinese holiday when China-based buyers have traditionally visited Australia to purchase new housing en masse, proved quieter than normal.</p>
<p>“We still (saw) some transactions, but it’s not the free-for-all of past years,” Ms Law said.</p>
<div class="w650 h365 image media">
<p class="caption">The Sydney CBD has been the most popular area for Chinese buyers.</p>
</div>
<p>Chinese buyers made six per cent fewer inquiries than in the previous quarter and nine per cent fewer inquiries than over the same period last year, according to Juwai data.</p>
<p>The five most popular suburbs for China-based buyers over the past year were the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, Parramatta, Olympic Park and Edmondson Park.</p>
<p>The year before that, north shore suburb Castlecrag was the most popular, followed by the Sydney CBD, Marsden Park, Pyrmont and Ryde.</p>
<p>The Juwai data coincides with a new report that overall Chinese investment into Australia slumped 40 per cent last year, twice the drop worldwide, according the Australian National University, supported by Treasury and with input from the Reserve Bank of Australia.</p>
<p>The report shows Chinese commercial investment peaked in 2016 at $14.9 billion, before falling to $8.9 billion last year.</p>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="9551" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-7770372_137="18556" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">"This is an unusual drop in Chinese investment into Australia," the project's leader Peter Drysdale, who heads the Asian Bureau of Economic Research at ANU told The Australian Financial Review.</p>
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="9551" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-recent-on-screen-7770372_137="18556" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">He noted the decrease was significantly larger than the 19.3 per cent fall in China's worldwide foreign direct investment.</p>
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p>The database shows $40.4 billion of Chinese money made its way into Australia over the past four years, via 262 transactions.</p>
<p>Last year, the mining sector still accounted for the biggest proportion, making up just over half of the total value of transactions. However, its share has fallen since 2014 as other sectors such as health care and financial technology are starting to attract interest from Chinese buyers.</p>
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="11556" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="1900">"There has been a significant diversification of Chinese investment in Australia," said Professor Drysdale.</p>
</div>
</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Sydney apartment suburbs rank as most popular Chinese property investor destinations

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<div><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/3_StockBreakouts/ResizedImages/China-Flag-Optim.jpg" alt=""></div>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

免费电子书：软着陆还是崩盘？接下来的房价会是多少？

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>Australia is closing in on the United States to become the primary destination for Chinese offshore capital as domestic regulation forces Chinese investors diversify their strategies.</p>
<p>Australia is the second largest recipient of Chinese overseas capital after the United States, with US$99 billion since 2008, just lower than the US$138 billion that reached the U.S.</p>
<p>But a change of pace in overall capital allocation in the two markets could see Australia nudge in on its rival.</p>
<p>In line with a slowdown in Chinese outbound investment overall, last year, Chinese investment in Australia declined by 11 percent, while in the U.S. it was 35 percent according to the report Demystifying Chinese Investment in Australia, produced by KPMG and The University of Sydney, in collaboration with JLL.</p>
<p>Overall Chinese investment volumes will continue to fall, but Australia’s position remains strong as it continues to be globally competitive in areas that China wants to grow, including real estate, health and wellbeing, technology and mining resources.</p>
<p>And despite capital controls in their own country, Chinese investors remain bullish, as the sheer size of their economy and GDP, forces them to diversify.</p>
<p>“They are investing with a long-term focus – and this is positive for Australia,” says Ferguson.</p>
<p>Australian real estate continues to hold Chinese interest as volumes remain strong globally, with A$4.4 billion invested in the Australian market last year, equating to 11.5 percent of the country’s total real estate allocation.</p>
<p>In fact, despite the drop in overall outbound investment, the volume of real estate snapped up by Chinese investors globally has held strong. JLL’s 2017 China 12 report shows that its total real estate investment, including land sales, totaled US$32 billion – about 20 percent of total investment – which is close to the US$33 billion invested the previous year.</p>
<p>There has, however, been a noticeable shift away from the trophy assets Chinese investors have been known for, and more towards high quality investments regardless of deal size.</p>
<p>The investor profile has changed, too, with private Chinese companies filling the gap left by state owned enterprises, the number of which dropped for the first time since 2014.</p>
<p>The fundamentals of Australian real estate will ensure it continues to hold its own in the race for Chinese capital, says Michael Zhang, Head of JLL’s China desk in Australia.</p>
<p>“The macroeconomic framework is supportive, while the market is attractive from a global perspective,” Zhang says.</p>
<p>“Economic fundamentals are robust, population growth is solid, market transparency is high, and returns are broadly higher relative to comparable markets globally.”'</p>
<p><em>Doug Ferguson is the Head of Asia and international markets at KPMG Australia</em></p>
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Australia competing for Chinese offshore capital

<html><body>
<p>GUEST OBSERVATION</p>
<p>Chinese infrastructure investment in Australia has rarely left the headlines lately. It’s reported that telecommunications giant Huawei will likely be banned from building Australia’s 5G network on national security grounds. Hong Kong-based company CK Infrastructure’s bid to buy APA Group’s gas pipeline network is also proving controversial.</p>
<p>Scrutiny of the national security implications of infrastructure has been upgraded. The new Critical Infrastructure Centre is assisting the Foreign Investment Review Board in this. Though not made explicit, the main focus is China.</p>
<p>Greater scrutiny of investment projects is welcome, especially if community and environmental concerns are also considered. However, Australia could benefit from the availability of Chinese infrastructure financing.</p>
<p>Australia’s north has significant infrastructure needs. And in the major Australian cities, public transport systems are inadequate, leading to ever-longer commuting times. China also possesses world-class expertise in high-speed rail, which could be harnessed to better connect cities on the eastern seaboard.</p>
<p>Given the state of relations with China and Australia’s pressing infrastructure needs, the Australian government must develop a clear strategy for Chinese infrastructure investment. Instead of passively scrutinising bids, the government should proactively identify worthwhile projects and engage Chinese counterparts to finance and implement them.</p>
<p><strong>Belt and Road isn’t just a political ploy</strong></p>
<p>A proactive approach could benefit Australia because Chinese infrastructure investment is not as strategically directed as many assume. This is clear if we examine the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – the centrepiece of China’s global infrastructure financing spree.</p>
<p>The Australian government, on security officials’ advice, has not joined the BRI. However, Belt and Road is not a carefully planned “grand strategy”. It is largely driven by the diverse activities of state-owned enterprises competing for projects and financing.</p>
<p>President Xi Jinping has undoubtedly used the BRI to signal China’s rise to “great power” status. But its main drivers are domestic and commercial. At its core, the BRI is an effort to alleviate China’s industrial overcapacity problem in key sectors, such as steel, glass, cement and aluminium.</p>
<p>Overcapacity has worsened since the global financial crisis, as Beijing sought to maintain growth by encouraging an infrastructure construction boom. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) spearheaded this. After profitable domestic opportunities had dried up, international expansion became attractive, to keep SOEs working and to find more productive outlets for China’s huge foreign currency reserves.</p>
<p>The BRI’s implementation has reflected competition, lobbying and compromises among ministries, provinces and SOEs. Its masterplan document – “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road” – is a case in point. It contains 50 “priority areas”. These cover virtually every governmental and non-governmental activity, showing little actual prioritisation.</p>
<p>Early statements suggested a BRI focus on Central and Southeast Asia. But since 2015 the initiative has been formally opened to all countries. This was again due to intense lobbying from provinces, SOEs and some foreign governments. All are keen to get some of the action, suggesting little strategic direction.</p>
<p>The vague and loose Belt and Road plan has enabled considerable scope for interests within the Chinese party-state to use it for their own, economically motivated, agendas, with little consideration for Beijing’s wider diplomatic objectives. This has generated a rather chaotic, “bottom-up” process for selecting and funding projects.</p>
<p>Belt and Road project ideas usually emerge from state-owned enterprises’ in-country subsidiaries. After spotting an opportunity, they try to build support in the recipient government. Occasionally, this includes bribing officials. They also often seek to obtain the local Chinese embassy’s support to improve lobbying back home.</p>
<p>Once agreement with the recipient government is reached, the SOE or the recipient government applies for financing from China’s policy or commercial banks. The banks determine whether to extend credit after assessing repayment capacity. The central government’s involvement is typically limited to the National Development and Reform Commission’s formal approval.</p>
<p><strong>Australia still needs to manage the risks</strong></p>
<p>Chinese infrastructure projects are not risk-free. The potential for misuse of key infrastructure to serve Chinese strategic agendas is clearly the Australian government’s foremost concern. But there are more immediate issues too.</p>
<p>Chinese banks’ lending standards are well below world “best practice”. They give limited consideration to social, environmental and labour protections when awarding financing to projects.</p>
<p>Tough competition between Chinese companies means they have strong incentives to cut corners and promote projects that recipients do not need. The latter can be saddled with unnecessary infrastructure and potentially unsustainable debt. Furthermore, Chinese central agencies’ capacity to regulate SOEs’ offshore activities is weak, so they cannot be relied upon to manage these problems.</p>
<p>Closer scrutiny of investment proposals is, therefore, clearly necessary. So, too, is tight regulation of project implementation. Australian regulators should also ensure Chinese projects adequately resolve social, environmental and labour concerns.</p>
<p>The fragmented nature of Chinese investments provides opportunities, however, for selective engagement that could serve the wider public interest. This should form part of a clear Australian strategy towards China based on a nuanced analysis of both the threats and opportunities of this multifaceted relationship.</p>
<p><em><strong>Shahar Hameiri</strong>, Associate Professor of International Politics, The University of Queensland</em></p>
<p><em>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-driving-chinese-infrastructure-investment-overseas-and-how-can-we-make-the-most-of-it-98697" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p>
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What's driving Chinese infrastructure investment overseas and how can we make the most of it?

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<p>A Chinese syndicate has paid $39.4 million for Mornington Village as the yield for shopping centres in Victoria approaches 5%.</p>
<p>The syndicate of Chinese investors purchased it on a 5.26% yield.</p>
<p>According to CBRE agent Mark Wizel, the centre was making $2.071 million per annum.</p>
<p>The centre contains holds several large contracts including Woolworths and Aldi.</p>
<p>The two level, 7963 square metre (GLA), neighborhood centre, is the fifth neighbourhood centre to be sold the past two months through CBRE’s Retail Investments team, making a total of just under $180 million at on average 5.09% yield.</p>
<p>Mornington Village last sold in January 2014 for $25.8 million on a yield of 7.47%.</p>
<p>Wizel said vendors were confident of getting a good price for their asset while purchasers were buoyed by strong population growth to various parts of Victoria,</p>
<p>He noted the retail assets in high demand were those that had underlying land value with development upside.</p>
<p>He said the national average trend for neighbourhood centres remained above 6% in the year to March, according to CBRE’s Australia Retail Q1 2018 report.</p>
<p>"Eighteen months ago yields for this retail asset class were approaching 6 to 6.5% and they have now firmly settled on an average of marginally above 5% and that is a reflection of the peculiar characteristics of the Victorian market,’’ Wizel said.</p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/6/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-06%20at%2010.36.35%20am.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></em></p>
<p><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/6/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-06%20at%2010.36.35%20am.png" alt=""></p>
<p>Dowers said the residential population growth factor along with tourism had driven a string of retail investment sales on the Mornington Peninsula in recent years attracting a broad range of purchasers including institutions, syndicates and private investors.</p>
<p>A strip of retail properties sold recently for just over $6 million, exceeding its reserve price of $4.9 million, as seven buyers contested the 2229sq m 671-677 Point Nepean Road, McCrae offering.</p>
<p data-gtm-vis-first-on-screen-7770372_137="4169" data-gtm-vis-total-visible-time-7770372_137="4000" data-gtm-vis-has-fired-7770372_137="1">The three leases to retailers Kobi Jacks, Alatonero and Merchant Maker café were recently renewed for five years.</p>
<p>A local investor bought the property across two titles at a yield of 3.6%.</p>
<p>Recent sales include Hastings Central Shopping Centre purchased by Henkell Brothers for $32.1 million.</p>
<p>Bentons Square half-share purchased by Vicinity Centres for $38.25 million.</p>
<p>Bunnings Warehouse Hastings purchased by a local syndicate for $15.16 million</p>
<p>Somerville Mall purchased by a private investor for $42.05 million.</p>
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Chinese syndicate pays $39.4 million for Mornington Village

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<p dir="ltr"><span>The Churches of Christ has offloaded a major corner site in Glen Iris for $9.5 million, demonstrating the ongoing demand for boutique development sites in Melbourne’s east.</span> </p>
<p dir="ltr">A Chinese developer was the buyer of <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/1536-1542-malvern-road-glen-iris-vic-3146-2014139482" target="_blank">1536 Malvern Road</a>, a 1,850 sqm corner site close to Burke Road.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The luxury apartment development site was sold by Savills Australia’s Clinton Baxter, Jesse Radisich, Nick Peden and Benson Zhou.</p>
<p>“The sale price reflects a land rate of $5,135 per sqm, which is a huge result for a site of this nature,” Mr Baxter said.</p>
<p><span><span> <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/2018/3/8/45688_markup%20signboard.jpg" alt=""></span></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Mr Baxter said 2018 had commenced with “a clear sense of optimism and confidence” throughout the development market.</span> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>“The sale campaign generated widespread interest and a 50/50 split of local and Chinese buyers,” he said.</span></p>
<p>“We received 12 separate bids which ultimately resulted in the sale price of $9.5million – well in excess of the $8 million expectations.”</p>
<p>Baxter said that despite media reports of a withdrawal of Chinese money from Melbourne’s commercial property market, Savills was witnessing the opposite.</p>
<p>“That has not been the case for us at all,” he said.</p>
<p>“We are actually experiencing a surge in Chinese interest in the sub-$20million price range right across the market.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span>Peden said that with “interest rates effectively on hold for most or all of 2018”, the market was likely to accelerate as the year unfolded and buyer confidence continued to grow.</span></p>
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Chinese buyer swoops on Glen Iris church

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<p>Wandin Valley, the Hunter Valley winery named after a fictional village in the 1980s hit TV series A Country Practice, has been listed for sale.</p>
<p>It last sold for $7 million, less than two years ago when bought by a director of one of China's largest animation studios, Lap Tung Tsoi.</p>
<p>The Lovedale property was originally known as Millstone Vineyard.</p>
<p>The 40-hectare property was renamed Wandin Valley by the creator of A Country Practice, James Davern, and his wife Philippa following their purchase in 1990 for $900,000.</p>
<p>The Davern's redeveloped the property into a winery, building the cricket pavilion-style main residence, manager's cottage, modern cellar, function rooms for weddings, and adding the tourist accommodation.</p>
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<p>It was sold by the couple in 2010 for $4.75 millio to the Mosman couple Katrina and Russell Leslie, who once worked as a Macquarie investment banker.</p>
<p>The estate’s wine history dates back to 1973 when potter-winemaker Peter Dobinson planted a vineyard, calling it Millstone.</p>
<p><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/2018/2/27/wanding%20valley%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>"It is Australian country, blending with Southern European architecture, nestled amongst 35 year old vines and olive groves creates an inspiring setting which ensures customer visitation," Jurds agent Cain Beckett said.</p>
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<p>Tsoi is a director in his family's international animation and toy manufacturing empire Alpha Group which was founded by his billionaire brother, Cai Dongqing, who was a co-producer of China's all-time highest box office grossing movie The Mermaid.</p>
<p>Tsoi owns an $11.7 million mansion in Vaucluse.</p>
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<p><em>This article first appeared in</em><span> The Sunday Telegraph. </span></p>
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Chinese list Wandin Valley vineyard

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<div class="column">Changing local market and regulatory conditions resulted in a dramatic slowdown in outbound Chinese investment in Australian commercial property during 2017, falling further from its 2015 peak.</div>
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<div class="column">But despite these weaker investment levels, Australia remains a firm favourite among Mainland Chinese investors, ranking second for the third consecutive year behind the United States, the Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s annual investor intentions research noted.</div>
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<div class="column">Australia ranked as the 7th most popular global destination for Chinese CRE investment in 2017</div>
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<div class="column">The investment challenges are driven by supply constraints and regulatory changes.</div>
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<div class="column">The report noted sentiment among Chinese investors towards Australian CRE ranks 2nd globally, although its has decreased from 2016.</div>
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<div class="column">Inbound investment from Hong Kong rises by $200m year-on-year to $1.1Bn with NSW offices accounting for almost 50% of Chinese CRE investment into Australia (excluding development sites).</div>
<div class="column">It reported 73% of deals transacted by Chinese investors during 2017 were in the sub-$50m category.</div>
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<div class="column">Total Chinese outbound investment into Australian commercial property has fallen from $6.97bn in 2016 to $2.83bn in 2017, a 60% decline overall, and ranking as the 7th most popular destination for China investment worldwide. Total 2017 investment comprised $1.97bn invested into standing assets and $853m in developments sites, a decline of 60% and 72% respectively.</div>
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<br>While mainland Chinese investment has decreased, investment from Hong Kong Kong has increased by 20% last year, rising from $918m to $1.1Bn in 2017. This is expected to increase further during 2018 as Mainland Chinese investors seek to reallocate capital via Hong Kong.</div>
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<p><span>A recent survey of top Mainland Chinese Real Estate Investors Overseas (‘MCREIO’) conducted by the Cushman &amp; Wakefield Research team also shows that MCREIO’s sentiment towards Australian commercial property had dropped from 22% in 2016 to 17% in 2017. This was in line with the decrease in overall investment, however it still placed Australia in second position overall - behind the 31% of investors that intend to invest in the United States (also down from 44% in 2016). </span></p>
<p><span>From the survey, the most significant declines in sentiment were experienced in Canada, Singapore and Japan where allocations fell to 1% or less of the available MCREIO global real estate capital as investors backed away from expensive markets and stabilised assets. </span></p>
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<p><span>While there is expected to be greater scrutiny of offshore investment by the Chinese Government, Cushman &amp; Wakefield Research also shows that only 50% of mainland investors have been significantly impacted by the latest guidelines. The remaining half felt limited or no impact. </span></p>
<p><span>Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Head of Capital Markets Australia and New Zealand, James Quigley, said while there had been a significant drop in China outbound investment into Australian real estate over the past year, Australia remains as one of the top global destinations of choice for Chinese investors. </span></p>
<p><span>“Top Chinese investors are telling us that they still greatly favour the Australian market, but with regulatory changes and fierce competition for top assets, deal activity is expected to weaker. That said, we are seeing rising investment volumes from Hong Kong with further growth expected as Mainland Chinese investors look at alternative avenues to invest. </span></p>
<p><span>“Nonetheless, some investors are likely to be less impacted by recent policy changes, and so are expected to remain active purchasers. As investors change strategies and potentially lower volumes, this also presents near term opportunity for local capital partnering,” Mr Quigley said. </span></p>
<p><span>While Chinese investment into larger Australian assets with sale prices of $200m+ have transacted, they have only accounted for just 4% of deals by number since 2013 (and 37% of dollar value). Conversely, 73% of deals by number have been completed in the sub-$50m range, accounting for 25% of total deal value. </span></p>
<p><span>Outside the development site market, Chinese investors have a sharp focus on the Australian office market, and New South Wales offices in particular, which have averaged 48% and 45% of total investment by value respectively since 2011, and 40% during 2017. </span></p>
<p><span>With many of Sydney’s largest transactions in 2017 undertaken by domestic entities, this is in part contributing to the decline in investment, but also driving greater diversification into other sectors such as retail and mixed use and geographically into metropolitan Sydney and Victoria. </span></p>
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<p>Since 2015, there have been three major policy developments that have impacted Chinese investment into the Australian real estate sector. The China Australia Free Trade Agreement (CHAFTA, the Belt and Road Initiative, and most recently, the updated guidance on foreign investment (Circular 74). While the CHAFTA is designed to make trade more efficient, the Belt and Road and Circular 74 are expected to have broader reaching implications for commercial real estate.</p>
<p><span>According to Cushman &amp; Wakefield research, the expected impact of these policy frameworks will include lower investment volumes and fewer Chinese investors in the market, also driving opportunities for capital </span>partnering and local asset management services.</p>
<p>Realignment of real estate strategies to Belt and Road criteria is likely to benefit the development and industrial sector, especially logistics, production space and R&amp;D sites. Over the longer term, there is an anticipated uplift in demand for space as Chinese occupiers continue to expand into international markets. </p>
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Chinese investment into Australian commercial property falls further from its 2015 peak

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<p>Chinese property investors are choosing Bangkok over Sydney and London, according to UBS.</p>
<p>Chinese buyers of property abroad tend to fade or pick up depending on key factors, UBS head of global real estate Kim Wright said.</p>
<p>“What we have found is that Chinese buying of property abroad tends to be very price and currency-aware,” Wright told The Australian.</p>
<p>“Their focus on specific markets will fade or pick up, depending on their view of currency. Over the last two years we have seen Asian buying of Australian property, specifically Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, that’s been very strong. It looks like that has started to fade over the past six months.</p>
<p>“I think it’s the combination of factors. Prices have been very strong in Australia so there is now a discussion that the cycle has started to peak and there’s the tax changes that have come through along with the tax controls.”</p>
<p>Wright suggested the decline in demand for property in Australia among Chinese buyers was similar to a loss of interest in London property in late 2015 when buyers felt the market had peaked, while tax changes and tighter capital controls further put them off.</p>
<p>Wright told the recent UBS Greater China conference in Shanghai that their research suggested tighter capital controls were just one factor.</p>
<p>Half those said the controls had encouraged them to bring forward purchases while the other half said it would slow their buying.</p>
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<div>The UBS research also found that two thirds of property purchases were cash settled.</div>
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<div>Wright suggested that Chinese property investors were now looking to Bangkok, Thailand, as a new market.</div>
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<p>"I am not sure if that's a function of the One Belt One Road initiative and people are seeing the infrastructure spend and the co-operation, but also the price point is pretty attractive."</p>
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<p>The Shanghai conference addressed efforts by Chinese authorities to reduce private sector debt levels and put the economy on a sounder footing without severely impacting growth, or triggering a financial crisis.</p>
<p>"A Minksy moment will not come in China. The debt problem is not going to result in a sudden collapse," said UBS head of Asian economic research Wang Tao.</p>
<p>Dr Wang said data that showed that China's foreign exchange reserves had actually increased was a "pleasant surprise" particularly in the context of fears last year that sustained outflows would deplete reserves and weigh on the currency</p>
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<p>She is forecasting slower economic growth of 6.4 per cent in 2018 and 6.3 per cent in 2019 compared with the 6.8 per cent achieved in 2017.</p>
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Chinese cooling on Australia property sees cash heading to Thailand: UBS

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<div>The Horsham Gateway shopping centre in Victoria’s Wimmera region has been sold to a Chinese investor for $14.55 million. </div>
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<div>The centre located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-horsham-502568898" target="_blank">120-124 Wilson Street</a>, was sold by a local private developer at Horsham, a regional town halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide.</div>
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<div>The centre is anchored by Target on a new 15 year lease.</div>
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<div>There are six non-discretionary specialty shops, including "a bustling Snap Fitness." </div>
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<div>It was advised has having a fully leased net income of $1,205,000pa.</div>
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<div>The 1.21ha site comprises additional Commercial 2 zoned land that provides scope for future development.</div>
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<div>The $12-million development created more than 250 jobs during its construction phase. Target opened in May 2013.</div>
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<div>The quality of the Target lease covenant remains just as strong as a Woolworths or Coles supermarket, however the rent per square metre is generally substantially less, the CBRE selling agency advised.</div>
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<div>Other recent regional retail transactions include the IGA, Nagambie at $7,800,000 reflecting a 6.11 % yield and Bunnings, Yarrawonga at $11,500,000 reflecting a 4.9% yield.</div>
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