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

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

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

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

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

Company Profit

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Specialist investment manager Centuria Capital have announced results for the full year ended June 30 2016 and declared a fully franked final dividend of 3.00 cents per share.
John McBain, Group CEO was pleased with the overall figures. 
“Centuria delivered a record underlying net profit after tax of $10.4 million, which is at the upper end of guidance provided to the market in December.
"We are pleased that the FY16 fully franked dividend of 5.25 cents per share is in line with our aim to provide consistent earnings and distribution growth over the short and long term.”
<a href="/images/2016/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-18%20at%2010.55.38%20am.png" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-18%20at%2010.55.38%20am.png" alt="" width="521" height="161">
 
Operating Highlights during FY16 included:
· Group funds under management increased 21% from $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion.
· Unlisted property fund acquisitions totaled $265 million.
· Centuria Metropolitan REIT portfolio book increased 9.3% to $400 million with distributions on forecast.
· Strengthened balance sheet supports unlisted acquisitions and acquisition of GMF stake.
 
Centuria is target 25 percent growth in Group FUM during FY17.
The acquisition of the $280 million Zenith Tower in partnership with Blackrock in July 2016 will contribute significantly to reaching the FUM target. 
“It has been a very successful year for Centuria and we believe our platform is well positioned to deliver growth in earnings," Group CEO John McBain added.
"We have clear strategies to enhance our business in FY17 and these include expanding and diversifying our distribution channels and a concerted move towards a higher recurring revenue model.
“Centuria will continue to review opportunities to expand the Group by acquisition of fund managers if they are on-strategy and enhance value to shareholders.”
<a href="/images/2016/08/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-18%20at%2010.52.25%20am.png" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Centuria Capital target 25% FUM growth after posting strong profits

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REA Group had another record year for revenues and profitability, as it plays a key role in News Corp's establishment of the world’s leading digital property business.
The real estate website REA Group has posted a full year profit of $214.5 million, up 16 percent on last year.
But the company said uncertainty surrounding the July Federal election outcome contributed to July listings being down 11 per cent compared to July last year. 
The bulk of its revenues came from its two Australian websites - $555 million out of group revenues of $630 million. Its European websites had revenues of $51 million and the Asian websites $24 million.
The result followed a 20 percent growth in revenue, with the company recording revenue of $629.8 million, REA group CEO, Tracey Fellows said indicating its international expansion was a key factor.
<img src="https://d1pet9gxylz2tx.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/08/REA-financial-results-468x89.png" alt="REA financial results" width="468" height="89">
The results followed further global expansion with its acquisition of iProperty Group in South East.
"We also launched the global property network giving consumers access to more than three million listings from 56 countries.
“We have also further cemented our leadership position in Australia on the back of record audience engagement.
"This is particularly pleasing given residential listing volumes were lower in the second half.”
Its international digital real estate websites delivered a 71 percent improvement in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation to $344 million – which included a $US122 million gain from a court settlement against Zillow, a competitor to News Corp's Move business.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/08/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-09%20at%2011.46.32%20am.png" target="_blank">Realestate.com.au's page figures</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/08/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-09%20at%2011.46.32%20am.png" alt="" width="404" height="193">
The News Corporation chief executive Robert Thomson has tipped real estate businesses, led by REA, Move and iProperty, to become the biggest driver of earnings.
Thomson said that digital real estate is "reshaping the growth profile of News Corp." 
REA Group is majority owned by News Corp and operates the realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au websites. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2016/08/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-09%20at%2011.48.27%20am.png" target="_blank">Realestate.com.au offers the most properties</a>.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2016/08/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-09%20at%2011.48.27%20am.png" alt="" width="610" height="260">
The REA Group also owns a 21 per cent stake in iProperty Group, a stake in myfun.com, online real estate websites in France, Italy, Germany and Luxembourg, and equity in two US real estate websites, including a 20 per cent stake in Move Inc.  
Fairfax Media, who recently reorganised its financials so it could details on Domain revenue, reports its update this week too.
It revealed last week Domain revenues were $223 million in 2014-15 and $113 million in 2013-14. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Realestate.com.au revenue up 20 percent despite fewer local listings

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The listed Western Australia developer Finbar will report its lowest full-year profit result in almost a decade, after revealing $13 million of impairments to commercial and residential investment property it owns in Perth and Karratha.
Finbar, which has a $1.84 billion pipeline of apartment projects mainly in Perth, anticipates a 23 per cent slump in operating profit in the year to June, down to $21 million compared with $27.4 million last year. 
After writedowns, Finbar's after-tax net profit will be $8 million, its lowest result since 2007.
While off-the-plan apartment sales remained strong – with the company finishing the year with a record $451 million of pre-sales, up 11 per cent on the previous fiscal year – the investment portfolio bore the brunt of the weaker office rental market in Perth and the collapse in rents and property values in the Pilbara mining region.
Western Australia’s leading apartment development company during FY16 settled 453 apartments with a combined sales value of $318 million across all wholly owned and joint venture projects.
The company has also finished the year with record presales of $451 million, an increase of 11 per cent from the previous year, and the largest year-end pre-sale contract level in the Company’s history.
Finbar Managing Director, Darren Pateman said the year had been a more subdued year with respect to property market activity in Western Australia however our projected result reflects a solid operating performance.
“Notwithstanding the softer local economic and market conditions, we expect to deliver a respectable operating profit finishing the year with a strong balance sheet with no residual debt on stock completed and held for sale.
"The biggest anticipated negative impact on our reported net profit will be the non-cash effects of the revaluations of Finbar property held for investment income purposes.
"Whilst our property occupancy rates are high and rents achieved are above market, the impact of a reduction in prevailing market rents State wide have had a negative impact on external valuations,” Mr Pateman said.
The portfolio, valued at about $120 million in February, comprises more than 7000 square metres of office space in East Perth and nearly 3000 sq m of office and about 8000 sq m of rental apartments at its Pelago complex in Karratha.
The company reported a "distinctly active market for completed stock" as Finbar anticipates good cash flow from the sale of completed stock held for sale and is earmarked for redeployment into FY2017 project commencements at Aire Apartments in West Perth and Civic Heart in South Perth.
Finbar has a $1.84 billion project pipeline with projects currently under construction including, Aurelia in South Perth, Concerto in East Perth, and Motive in West Leederville.
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Western Australia developer Finbar to report lowest full-year profit in decade

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Stockland has reported positive results across its business.
Its CEO, Mark Steinert said all of its core businesses continue to make such strong contributions.
“We’ve maintained high sales volumes across our residential business.”
Stockland’s residential business secured 1,706 net deposits in the quarter, with new projects and new townhouse sales helping to generate 279 more sales than the corresponding period in FY15.
<a href="/images/2016/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-28%20at%2010.34.29%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/04/28/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-28%20at%2010.34.29%20AM.png" alt="">
Stockland is on track to achieve full year settlements slightly above its target range of 5,000 – 6,000 lots.
“In residential, we’ve seen strong market conditions continue in New South Wales; Queensland is strengthening, generating good demand and strong sales on our new projects; Victoria remains robust and we had a good response to the campaign we ran in Western Australia,” Mr Steinert said.
“Around 90 percent of our residential capital is now employed in projects where sales are underway, up from 60 percent two years ago.
"We’re progressing well with all of the new projects we’ve launched over the last six months.
"We are actively selling lots at Aura and Newport in south east Queensland; Altrove in north west Sydney and we will soon commence sales at Pallara, south west of Brisbane.”
For more information on Altrove, <a href="https://www.stockland.com.au/residential/nsw/altrove-living-at-altrove.aspx" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Stockland lots selling well at Altrove in north west Sydney

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Industry super fund-owned bank ME reported a rise of 8 percent in underlying net profit for the six months ended December 31, 2015 at $30.2 million on the previous corresponding period and forecast further profit growth in the second half. 
“Net interest margin in the next six months will benefit from recent rate increases following regulatory capital changes imposed on the banking sector, although this will be partially offset by the increased cost of funding that is putting current margins under pressure,” ME CEO Jamie McPhee said in a media release. 
ME’s statutory profit after tax, which includes gains on hedging instruments, was $34.5 million (HY15:$39.1 million). Net interest income rose 9 percent to $149.3 million.
But the bank's total operating expenses were up 7 percent to $133.2 million due to its investments in technology and the brand.
It said brand awareness rose 11 points to 51 percent since the bank rebranded in July 2015, resulting in customer numbers growing to 347,000.
ME’s new mobile app, launched in July 2015, has increased mobile-based transactions threefold.
The bank is close to finalising the technical infrastructure to display industry super member balances on its online and mobile banking platforms through a joint partnership with Link Group, it said.
The bank launched co-branded low-rate credit cards with AustralianSuper, Hostplus, and Cbus in late 2015, which are being marketed directly through the funds. 
McPhee said more regulatory changes were required in 2016 to further level the playing field between the regional and major banks, including the amount of capital held by the advanced model banks.
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ME Bank says mid-year profit up 8 percent, forecasts further growth

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GUEST OBSERVER
It’s reporting season, and over the past few weeks some of Australia’s biggest companies have been releasing information on how they’re travelling.
These reports reflect key themes of how things are going in key sectors of the economy. Over coming days we’re going to report on the results a handful of major companies in key sectors, transport, construction, retail, mining, insurance and banking. Today we look at the retail sector.
Dominant retail giants Wesfarmers - owner of Coles supermarkets - and Woolworths hold a 70 percent of market share of Australia’s fresh food grocery market, but have had contrasting fortunes over the past few years. Half-year results for Wesfarmers and Woolworths for 2016 show very different outlooks.
 
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<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/113819/width754/image-20160304-9463-1cuzyw1.png" alt=""><a class="license" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>
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Meanwhile, the major retail players are continuing to feel the disruptive impact of smaller players such as Aldi and highly competitive market conditions; both will have employ new strategies away from the tried and true defensiveness that has worked in the past.
Wesfarmers reported a net profit after tax of $1.4 billion, up 1.2% since the same time last year, while Woolworths reported a net loss of $973 million after a profit of $1.3 billion. Over the last few years Coles has seen stronger sales growth and comparatively better market share.
By contrast, Woolworth’s strategy problems with its home improvement business, Masters, has been widely ventilated. The company attributed $1.8 billion loss to the costs related to its exit from Masters.
Woolworths' underlying profit was $925 million, still down 33 percent on prior year. Woolworths would hope that its exit from the ultimately costly Masters endeavour will serve as a boost to investor confidence.
Woolworths has also struggled with branding and has seen advertising agency changes over the last few years the most recent being the dropping of Leo Burnett and a return to M&amp;C Saatachi.
Perhaps more revealing to the outlook of the industry are some of the underlying similarities in strategy. Both Woolworths and Wesfarmers emphasised price deflation, cost reduction and further price cutting, as key strategies.
The companies expect highly competitive market conditions and consumers to remain price sensitive, and will largely focus on improving supply chain productivity, through cost reduction. Woolworths is reducing its spending on activities such as marketing, property acquisition and rent as part of $500 million in cost savings during the 2016 financial year (July 2015 to July 2016).
Likewise, Wesfarmers has highlighted similar measures, with cost cutting objectives, the company hopes will allow them to lower their prices in the supermarket even further.
In an industry where profit margins are already low, such intense competition would carry significant risk. If sales don’t meet expectations, the retailers have little room to lower prices when margins are low. As a consequence, covering fixed costs like maintenance and rent of stores becomes increasingly difficult and the likelihood of making a loss is higher.
To some extent these price wars reflect the two retail giants directly competing against each other, but another factor is the disruption caused by new entrant Aldi. The supermarket chain has gained 11% of the market since it came onto the scene in 2002, using its streamlined, low cost supply chain to undercut Woolworths and Wesfarmers on price.
Aldi is a unique player in this space. In the past Coles and Woolworths could exercise their market share and size to squeeze out small producers; but Aldi is a different beast, a global company with a presence in both Europe and the USA.
Aldi may not even be the biggest problem facing the locals, if reports that European retailers such as German retailer LIDL are sizing up the Australian market prove true. LIDL is the fourth biggest retailer in the world, with $128 billion in annual sales. Whatever hold true for Aldi is doubly true for LIDL. Other hypotheticals floated around Danish discounter Netto and UK grovery giant, Tesco.
The traditional defensive strategy against competitors employed by the Aussie giants relies on economies of scale, being larger than your rival and being able leverage this efficiency to deliver a cheaper end product or more controversially to loss lead and force your opponent out of business maintain your market share and eventually maximise your profit.
Woolworths and Coles are falling back on their old ways to try and beat Aldi, the companies' corporate strategy for the most part is focused on a doubling down on the traditional squeeze out all newcomers approach. However Aldi brings global resources to the table that Woolworths and Coles don’t have access to.
In the retail sector Aldi will continue to steal market share from Wesfarmers and Woolworths more so if the companies continue with old strategies and don’t think of a way to innovate the retail space.
 
Shumi Akhtar is senior lecturer, University of Sydney, and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shumi-akhtar-228494" target="_blank">here</a>.
Farida Akhtar is lecturer, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/farida-akhtar-228499" target="_blank">here</a>.
Both are authors for The Conversation.
 
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Big retailers feel the pressure of the new challengers

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Credit union CUA announced a nine percent rise in its group net profit after tax (NPAT) in its first-half ended December 31, driven by strong loan growth and net interest income.
The CUA Group – which includes its banking operations (the ADI) and CUA subsidiaries and insurance businesses – also recorded asset growth of more than $500 million over the six months to 31 December 2015, taking consolidated assets to a record $12.5 billion, it said. 
Loans grew 4.2 percent to $10.83 billion, with $1.5 billion in new loans. 
NPAT was $28.05 million, while net interest income was up 5.7 percent or $6.17 million for the period to $113.75 million, boosted by strong lending in FY15, new products and interest rate changes, it said. CUA said it was on track to improve its net interest margin during the second half. 
CUA’s banking business (or ADI) posted a first-half NPAT of $30.85 million, up 12.5 percent on the previous first-half result of $27.43 million.
“This is another solid financial result for CUA which reflects our focus this year on sustainable growth, investing in our future capability and building capital to enable us to lend to more customers,” CUA chief executive officer Rob Goudswaard said. 
Since launching CUA’s updated mobile banking app in October, online banking has attracted 9,500 new mobile users and the number of new registrations each month is up by 46 percent. CUA recently launched a new website.
Goudswaard said he was pleased with the continued high quality and low risk of CUA’s lending growth. Home loans with a Loan to Valuation Ratio (LVR) above 90 per cent account for less than 8 percent of CUA’s total home loan portfolio. Impairment charges were down 9.6 percent on the same period last year and CUA’s loan arrears are around half the rate being reported at industry level. 
“We also launched two new home loan products in July 2015, giving borrowers a greater choice of rates and features, depending on the size of their deposit and whether the customer is buying the property to live in or as an investment. In addition, we implemented different rates for investors across variable and fixed home loans, in response to the regulators’ focus on managing growth in investor lending.
Last year, Goudswaard had said new loan growth would not be as strong in 2016 as it needed to peg back growth in its investor loans, which is at 16 percent, were above the banking regulator's 10 percent growth cap. 
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CUA first-half profit up nine percent on net interest margin, loan growth 

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Hassad Australia, the $469 million agricultural land company owned by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, has delivered a $3.46 million loss.
The Australian Financial Review reported it was yet to make a profit since arriving in Australia in 2010 with a combined loss of $27 million.
Hassad owns 14 agricultural property aggregations in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, totalling about 300,000 hectares of pastoral and cropping land. 
The Hassad board is chaired by Nasser Mohamed Al Hajri, who chaired the delegation of the state of Qatar at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
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Hassad Australia make another farming loss

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East coast residential developer Sunland reported a dip in net profit to $3.2 million but has reconfirmed full-year earnings of up to $29 million, given anticipated second-half property settlements.
Sunland managing director Sahba Abedian said he had also noticed a cyclical pull-back in bank lending for new properties.
"I do feel there is some adjustment taking place where banks are becoming more stringent on their lending, and that is in respect to lending to developers as well," Mr Abedian said. 
"I think it is partly regulation, but I also feel they have a view to the cycle," the Australian Financial Review reported.
"Despite the prevailing headwinds, we continue to see opportunities in specific market segments in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney's northern beaches, and our recent acquisitions in these locations are expected to contribute to earnings growth in the short to medium term."
Sunland has a total of 855 contracts on hand with a combined value of $663 million, with an estimated 380 settlements during the second half of the year.
He said a sustained focus on operational efficiencies enabled the group to achieve an average return on development of 25 per cent, above a target of 20 per cent.
 
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Sunland secures 25 percent returns on its residential development

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Residential developer Peet Group announced an operating profit after tax for the half-year ended 31 December 2015 of $18.5 million – an 8% increase over the the previous corresponding period.
The national group’s managing director and chief executive officer, Brendan Gore, said the Group had achieved a good half-year performance that reflected the supportive conditions across the group’s key east coast markets, in particular Victoria and ACT/ New South Wales.
“The strong result was driven by price growth across the Victorian land portfolio as well as the group’s continued focus on operational efficiencies.
“It confirms that the ongoing disciplined implementation of our strategy is delivering improved operating performance, and underlines the benefits of Peet’s diverse national portfolio.has a record number of contracts in hand as the buoyant east coast markets helped it to an 8 per cent lift in its 2016 interim profit."
Headquartered in Perth, the listed developer's strength is its national portfolio with weakness still in WA. 
By the end of December last year, the developer had 2,318 contracts on hand with a gross value of $523 million.
That stockpile compares with the 2,061 contracts Peet had accumulated by the end of June last year, with a gross value of $441 million.
Peet has progressed preparations for the launch of sales at Flagstone in South East Queensland, and is also currently preparing to launch its next retail syndicate opportunity in Victoria.
As at 31 December 2015, the group’s gearing was 30.6%, following the acquisition of a 123-hectare developing residential estate in Tarneit (Vic) in December 2015, with settlement to occur over three years.
This acquisition followed the Group’s sale of its Arena residential estate in Greenvale (Vic) for $93.1 million with the settlement of that property also to occur in instalments over three years.
Part of the proceeds from this sale have been redeployed to fund the acquisition of Tarneit at a substantially lower cost base than the Greenvale land.
"“Conditions across Victoria, New South Wales/ ACT and South Australia are expected to remain supportive, while Western Australia and Northern Territory are expected to remain subdued through the 2016 calendar year,” said Mr Gore.
“Activity in the Queensland residential market continues to improve due to its relative affordability, which has seen a recovery in interstate migration.
"This market recovery is expected to support the launch of the Group’s 12,000-lot Flagstone project in 2H16.
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