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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

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

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

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

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

Domain

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The new owner of Nine’s regional newspapers, Antony Catalano, has denied suggestions he’s embarking on building up a real estate outfit to eventually take on his former employer, Domain.
The denial came after sources speculated to the media website Mumbrella that the acquisition was part of a wider play for Catalano.
It was suggested he could roll-up his assets to launch a real estate portal to take on Domain, which is majority owned by Nine.
The former CEO of Domain also owns a stake in Domain’s biggest client, media agency Tomorrow.
“Why would I have my own real estate play when I’ve got a clearly defined partnership which includes promotion with the Nine Network for the next three years?,” he said.
“It’s ill-informed speculation without understanding. We’ve clearly done a deal [with Nine]. We clearly want to work together,” he said, noting it would work against him to go up against Nine and Domain.
<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/2019/5/1/Domain-News.jpg" alt="">
“The speculation doesn’t have any basis. It’s actually completely contrary to what’s in front of you.”
Catalano did, however, concede he once had visions of such a roll-up.
“I actually thought at one time that Fairfax should actually buy advertising agencies in the real estate space [to] close the loop,” he told Mumbrella.
Domain has reported a 6 percent dip in revenues in a market update released yesterday.
It comes on the back of a 13% decline in residential sale listings during the March quarter, with Domain CEO Jason Pellegrino adding agent upselling and enhanced consumer products were offsetting the decline in listing volumes.
The result reflect Domain’s performance across the first three months of calendar year 2019.
Despite the listings falls, the company reported double-digit growth in residential digital yield.
Deepening the Domain brand and content integration with Nine including a new Your Domain TV show and other TV integrations are set to occur.
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"Our relationship with Nine provides unparalleled opportunity to expand Domain’s reach and engagement. We have several initiatives underway," Pellegrino said.
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"We are expanding our business model beyond the typical six-month transaction window to service the entirety of the typical 10-year property ownership cycle," he said.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Antony Catalano denies claims he's set to take on Domain

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Sydney house prices have fallen by over 14 per cent since the mid-2017 peak, according to the Domain Q1 House Price Report.
If the pace of quarterly decline continues, the median is likely to dip below $1 million in Q2.
A six figure median house price hasn't been seen in four years.
The median house price currently stands at $1,027,962, as house prices fell 3.1 percent over the quarter, bringing its yearly decline to 11.5 percent.
Domain senior research analyst Dr Nicole Powell said Sydney's current property downturn is the sharpest in more than two decades.
"It is yet to surpass the duration of the 2004 to 2006 slump but it is coming close to being the longest," Powell said.
Powell advised house prices are now back to early 2016 levels and units back to mid 2015 prices.
Powell noted however that many homeowners have seen substantial equity gains with house prices still 30.2% higher than five years ago.
<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/2019/4/domain%20house%20.jpg" alt="">
Median house prices for major capital cities across the March 2019, December 2018 and March 2018 quarters
Source: Domain 
“Sydney remains a buyers’ market, although the year has started in a better place than last year ended," Powell said.
"Despite lower auction volumes, clearance rates have risen from near historic lows.
"Domain also recorded a lift in number of views per listing over the first three months of the year - signalling renewed buyer interest.
"The volume of current listings remains elevated but new listings are shrinking.
"The fall in new listings is not suggestive of buyers ‘fear of not getting out.’ It paints a picture of Sydney homeowners holding tight, only selling if they have to.”
The Domain Q1 House Price Report found good news in Melbourne, where the house price declines eased over the quarter.
Hobart and Adelaide were the only capitals to buck the national downward trends, both recording price growth.  
Melbourne
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House prices fell 2.4 per cent over the quarter and 10.4 per cent over the year to $809,468
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Unit prices fell 2.9 per cent over the quarter and 8.3 per cent over the year to $466,892
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Brisbane
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House prices fell 1.1 per cent over the quarter and 0.3 per cent over the year to $563,666
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Unit prices fell 3.7 per cent over the quarter and 5.2 per cent over the year to $372,852 
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Adelaide
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House prices remained flat over the quarter and grew 2.0 per cent over the year to $542,474
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Unit prices fell 2.1 per cent over the quarter and 1.3 per cent over the year to $312,459
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 Canberra 
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House prices fell 0.9 per cent over the quarter and 2 per cent over the year at $722,440
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Unit prices fell 3.2 per cent over the quarter and 1.7 per cent over the year to $426,719
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Perth
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House prices declined 2.5 per cent over the quarter and 5.2 per cent over the year to $529,997
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Unit prices fell 1.1 per cent over the quarter and 5.6 per cent over the year to $347,596
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 Hobart
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<li>House prices grew 3.1 per cent over the quarter and 7 per cent over the year to $478,247</li>
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Unit prices grew 2.6 per cent over the quarter and 8.4 per cent over the year to $363,418
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Darwin
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House prices fell 0.1 per cent over the quarter and grew 1.5 per cent over the year to $514,546
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Unit prices fell 2.6 per cent over the quarter and 1.7 per cent over the year to $313,462 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Sydney house price median to drop below $1 million: Domain

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Greater Brisbane’s rental market is slowly changing to favour landlords, with rents rising and yields improving, according to new data from Domain.
The Domain 2019 Rental report found that the extended period of heightened rental supply from 2012 for roughly half a decade appears to be coming to an end.
Tenants will find the rental market is now entering new territory.
Not only will they start to find competition to secure a lease has increased, the choice of available rental stock will be narrowing.
Median weekly rents have already started to climb while the vacancy rate slides.
This turnaround follows almost four years of stagnant rents.
Domain said landlords may start to hike rents as advertised stock dwindles.
For the March quarter, available rentals are at a three-year low.
<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/2019/4/10/brisbane%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain 2019 Rental report 
A three bedroom Petrie Terrace house has been listed for lease with a price of $400 per week (pictured below).
The house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-petrie+terrace-422931338" target="_blank"> 291 Hale Street</a> comes with high ceilings, polished timber floor, double fireplace in living and kitchen, master bedrooms, two other bedrooms, and alfresco paved area.
It is close to Paddington's shops, cafes, and Suncorp Stadium. 
<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/2019/4/19/petrie%20terrace.jpg" alt="">
A one bedroom Teneriffe apartment has been recently listed for lease with a price of $380 per week (pictured below).
Positioned right on the river, the apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-teneriffe-426367870https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-teneriffe-426367870" target="_blank">92/53 Vernon Terrace </a>comes with one bedroom with built-ins, large living area, secure rooftop car space and riverfront pool.
This building is located in the heart of Teneriffe in a garden setting.
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Brisbane house rents hold at the record high: Domain

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It is now more expensive to rent a house in Hobart than in Canberra, according to Domain's Q1 2019 Rent Report.
House rents in Hobart continued to increase over the quarter, up over 7% to $450, while Melbourne's held firm, showing no increase and remaining at $440.
It's the first time in recorded history house rentals in Hobart have been higher than Melbourne.
Hobart's rental market
<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/2019/4/11/hobart%20.jpg" alt=""> Source: Domain
"Rental stock has hit an all time high," Domain's Nicola Powell said.
In two years, house rents in the Tasmanian capital have gone from the most affordable to surpassing Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.
The drive in rising rents is likely attributed to the bigger rental pool, with house prices in Hobart soaring over the last few years and pricing many out of the buyer market.
The median price for Melbourne units closed to gap to houses, now just $20 between the two.
Melbourne's rental market.
<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/2019/4/11/melbourne%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: Domain
Melbourne's investor activity has retreated, which could tighten the rental market further.
Comparing the two capital's, a Victorian cottage in Hobart (below) is up for rent seeking tenants at $485 a week, just above the median rental price.
The cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-hobart-426194354" target="_blank">99 Warwick Street </a>has two bedrooms and a living room with original period features.
<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/2019/4/10/hobart%20example.jpg" alt="">
In Melbourne an Abbotsford house (below) is asking $410 a week.
The one bedroom bluestone house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-abbotsford-426289890" target="_blank">11 William Street</a> has its own private courtyard. 
<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/2019/4/11/abbotsford.jpg" alt=""> 
Canberra remains the most expensive city to rent a house, having overtaken Sydney last quarter.
The gap has widened, with Canberra's median house rental price seeing nearly 2% growth in Q1 2019, compared to Sydney's stagnant prices.
Canberra's median house rent is now $570 a week, compared to Sydney's $540 a week. 
Sydney defied the national trend of rising rents and became the only capital city to record annual falls for houses and units. 
House rents are now back to late-2016 prices, and unit prices back to early-2017.
 
 
 
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Hobart more expensive to rent a house than Melbourne: Domain

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Jason Chuck, the chief executive officer of Avnu, LJ Hooker’s online real estate startup platform for the past 17 months has quit - and become Domain’s chief customer officer.
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Chuck’s role is a new one for Domain.
It will incorporate the responsibilities of former chief marketing officer, Melina Cruickshank, who joined REA Group last December.
As Domain’s chief customer officer, Chuck will also be responsible for all of the Nine-majority owned real estate platform’s consumer facing functions including revenue generating activities such the company’s Loan Finder, relocation assistance and online price research services as well as editorial and marketing.
Chuck arrived in Australia from Canada via Hong Kong in 2009 where he first worked with Domain boss Jason Pellegrino in marketing for Google.
After leaving Google in 2010, Chuck joined eHarmony as managing director, then roles with Etsy and Houzz.
He became the founding CEO of LJ Hooker’s Avnu in December, 2017.
<a href="/news/what-is-lj-hookers-avnu-the-much-hyped-new-avenue-in-real-estate">Avnu, the much hyped new avenue in real estate</a>, allows agents and customers to manage their sales and properties in real time through digital online software.
“I am delighted that Jason will be joining Domain," Pellegrino said.
In a message to staff, Domain CEO Jason Pellegrino labelled Chuck an "impressive talent" who would bring his experience in marketing, content and scaling new business to the company.
"Chuck is a passionate advocate for technology’s role in transforming how consumers and businesses interact. He has a track record in building technology and digital businesses, leading with real energy and passion.
"Chuck is an incredible leader and business builder and I am confident his diverse skills, passion and industry experience will support Domain’s transition to our next phase of growth."
“It was an extremely difficult decision to move on from LJ Hooker Avnu," Chuck said.
Domain shares slid more than 7 percent on the ASX yesterday, and almost 2 percent in trade this morning.
(This article's opening sentenced has been amended on the timing of Jason Chuck's exit from AVNU.)
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LJH's Avnu CEO chucks in job to become Domain’s chief customer officer

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Nine Entertainment has reported its chief executive Hugh Marks has been in contact with former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano and Thorney Investment Group chairman, Alex Waislitz over the future of the regional Domain property listings platform.
Bidders are currently in the due diligence on Nine's redundant regional news business, Australian Community Media, with the second round of offers due April 24.
The ACM business includes regional and community titles such as Horse Deals, Cotton &amp; Grain Outlook, Lotfeeding, Collie Mail, Wee Waa News, the Goondiwindi Advocate, Queensland Country Life, Macleay Valley Happynings (published every Wednesday) and the Dubbo Mailbox Shopper. There's also The Byron Shire Echo where Catalano has property interests.
The future of the challenged online real estate group Domain outside of Australia's two biggest cities is potentially in play as part of Nine Entertainment Co's desired sell-off of 170 regional and community newspapers.
Nine's Hugh Marks lunched with Catalano (above) and Waslitz at the Sydney CBD restaurant The Bentley last month, Nine Entertainment reported, sans advising what chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt served up.
However the Nine report did note Catalano is "considered loyal" to Domain, the realestate.com.au News Ltd competitor, notwithstanding the extraordinary attack on Catalano's character in the Australian Financial Review after his dramatic rumour-laden exit from Domain in January 2018.
Nine now owns 59 per cent of Domain.
Last November Catalano attempted to block the Fairfax-Nine merger in an eleventh hour folly that might have gained greater traction had he not left his bid until the Sunday evening before the Monday shareholders meeting.
At the time the SMH advised Catalano held about one per cent of Fairfax and Domain shares.
Jason Pellegrino, who replaced Catalano as its chief executive, has presided over a dramatic share slump.
The Domain shares were at $3.22 when he took over, and are now trading at $2.55 million giving rise to speculation, in The Australian, that the highly regarded Greg Elis could assume the top job following his return to Australia.
Domain director Greg Ellis was a guest on the table of investment giant KKR at the Sydney Institute’s 30th black tie dinner, the paper reported this week.
Ellis recently returned to Australia having finished his gig in Germany running digital real estate and car ads business Scout24, which was backed by private equity giant Hellman &amp; Friedman.
Between 2008 and 2013 Ellis was the boss of Australia’s biggest online real estate classifieds REA Group which now has a $9.8 billion capitalisation.
Domain has a current $1.49 billion market capitalisation. It hit the market with a $2.2 billion valuation under Catalano's leadership in late 2017.
 
<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/ex-domain-boss-antony-catalano-secures-new-role-20180530-p4zic0" data-track-relatedarticle="inarticlelink"></a>
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Antony Catalano seeking small-time backdoor Domain return

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The now not so hip activist investor Nick Bolton has emerged as a backer of Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger.
The former Domain CEO has confirmed he will mount a court challenge to the merger between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment.
Catalano says he has a superior proposal to the Fairfax-Nine merger, which was given shareholder approval last week.
He will ask the Federal Court to reject or defer the deal as he has support from shareholders.
"I have heard from a number of shareholders that would like to consider an alternative proposal," Catalano says.
Catalano says his court submission would outline a "range of concerns" with the Fairfax-Nine merger.
Controversial greenmailer Nick Bolton's investment vehicle Aurora Funds Management was set to appear before Judge Jacqueline Gleeson.
On the evening before the shareholder vote last Monday week, Catalano launched a dramatic eleventh hour bid to stall the merger by revealing he had a plan to implement a range of asset sales to deliver value to shareholders.
Catalano sent a letter to the Fairfax board at 8pm Sunday, with the board meeting to reject the proposal ahead of the 10am Monday shareholders' meeting.
The Fairfax board rejected the approach and proceeded with the long-scheduled vote of the merger.
Nine and Fairfax sources expect Catalano's court action to be unsuccessful.
And Herald Sun columnist Terry McCrann wrote Catalano was "not the 2018 version of the 1980s corporate raider and master manipulator Robert Holmes a Court. Not even close.'
"If Holmes a Court had pulled a stunt like the one you tried on Fairfax Media on Sunday night, it would have been an elegant combination of real financial substance, loaded with menace, and actually committing him to nothing."
"To call it an inept and rather embarrassing joke would be to give it more credibility than it deserved," McCrann wrote.
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Antony Catalano’s 11th-hour plan to derail the Fairfax-Nine merger hits Federal Court

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The former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano failed in his eleventh-hour, air headed attempt to block Nine’s bid for Fairfax Media.
Some 81 percent of the Fairfax shareholders voted for the merger.
There was no appearance by the Melbourne-based former chief executive at the Sydney meeting Monday morning.
There was just one question from the floor as to whether the chairman Nick Falloon had given consideration to the request to postpone the vote to give greater consideration to Catalano's Sunday night missive.
The 81 percent vote included the use of some 16 percent open proxy votes which were voted in favour of the merger by the chairman.
Catalano had <a href="/news/antony-catalano-eyes-domain-return">indicated he would buy up to 19.9 per cent of Fairfax</a> to then implement a Domain-led turnaround strategy for the ailing media group from a board seat.
Fairfax shareholders voted to push ahead with the $4 billion merger, which would mark the end of the 177-year-old publisher as a stand-alone company. 
The Fairfax board met early Monday and unanimously urged a vote for the merger.
The merger needed 75 percent of total votes cast, so Catalano may have succeeded with more time.
Overnight Catalano hit out at the Fairfax Nine merge plan, saying the current proposal did not apply a sufficient premium for control of Fairfax’s majority-owned digital real estate arm, Domain.
He said $740 million in value in the share takeover had been lost since the planned merger was announced in July.
Catalano's friend, the billionaire investor Alex Waislitz said he planned to vote his Fairfax shares against the merger. 
Share market activist Stephen Mayne tweeted the 11.4 percent of voted shares and 18.51 percent of voting shareholders was "more resistance than usual" in these scheme merger deals.
The combination of Nine and Fairfax's publishing assets will create a business with around $500 million in revenue.
Over the weekend a prominent member of the Fairfax family, John B Fairfax attacked the Nine takeover of Fairfax, saying the Fairfax newspaper company and name has more credibility than the commercial network associated with media moguls Kerry Packer and Alan Bond.
Last week the former prime minister Paul Keating said the ACCC’s approval of the Nine-Fairfax merger was a "truly appalling decision."
Catalano has flagged he could challenge the merger deal in court next week, Fairfax Media has reported.
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Antony Catalano fails in his air headed Domain return

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The former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano has launched an eleventh-hour attempt to block Nine’s bid for Fairfax Media, indicating he would buy up to 19.9 per cent of Fairfax to then implement a Domain-led turnaround strategy for the ailing media group from a board seat.
Fairfax shareholders meet today to vote on whether to push ahead with the $4 billion merger, which would mark the end of the 177-year-old publisher as a stand-alone company. 
The Fairfax board met early Monday and unanimously urged a vote for the merger.
The merger needs 75 percent of total votes cast.
Catalano hit out at the Fairfax plan, saying the current proposal did not apply a sufficient premium for control of Fairfax’s majority-owned digital real estate arm, Domain.
He said $740 million in value in the share takeover had been lost since the planned merger was announced in July.
Catalano's friend, the billionaire investor Alex Waislitz has said he planned to vote his Fairfax shares against the merger. 
“I’m not going to back the merger ... even though I can see there is some structural and ­strategic benefits to having the wider platform for products to be sold across, and also there are a lot of synergy benefits to it,” he told The Australian.
Mr Waislitz’s listed fund Thorney Opportunities and private fund Thorney Investment Group combined own more than 50 million Fairfax shares., about two per cent of the company.
“(Nine’s) Hugh Marks and the team there have done a good a job at Nine. However, I do think they have been clever at buying Fairfax at a very good price and with the recent fall in the share price Fairfax shareholders are missing out on a lot of value with the scheme going ahead,” he said.
The merged Fairfax will consist of Nine’s free-to-air television network, home to reality shows such as Married At First Sight and The Block, and digital business 9Now, plus Fairfax’s Australian and New Zealand mastheads, including the The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review. 
In a letter sent to Fairfax Media chairman Nick Falloon last night, and obtained by The Australian, Catalano proposed acquiring an interest of up to 19.9 per cent in Fairfax Media “at a price superior to the intrinsic market-to-market value of (Nine’s proposal) of up to 65c per share”.
Shares in Fairfax closed on Friday at 61.6c.
“As the former CEO of ­Domain, I have a unique knowledge of that business, and accordingly believe that I could provide significant assistance in optimising its value for Fairfax shareholders, along with providing a strategy for the balance of Fairfax’s valuable assets,” Mr Catalano said.
He asked Mr Falloon to ­adjourn the shareholder meeting for at least two weeks to allow shareholders and the Fairfax board to properly consider his ­alternative proposal. 
“Through my inquiries, I understand that the general sentiment of Fairfax major shareholders is that the merger scheme (at current prices) is a disappointing outcome and that an alternative outcome is an option that could find considerable support that could see Fairfax shareholders achieve full value for their holding,” he said.
“I intend to then have Fairfax pursue a multi-pronged strategy to build and realise value for Fairfax shareholders. This strategy ­includes the divestiture of non-core assets, building the Domain franchises and pursuing asset sales with a suitable control premium not presently factored into the (Nine) scheme, with all proceeds to be returned to Fairfax shareholders as cash distributions or by way of share buybacks.’’ 
The former property reporter Catalano spent more than four years at the helm of Domain, but just two months fronting the publicly listed Domain company, quitting the digital real estate group in January.
Nine Entertainment has left the door open to sweeping up minority stakes in Domain after any merger with Fairfax Media.
 
 
 
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Antony Catalano eyes Domain return

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<div>Moves by banks and their regulators to curb investor lending, combined with a drop in overseas buyers, has seen national capital city house prices decrease 2.9 per cent over the year to $781,787, according to the latest Domain Home Price Report.</div>
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<div>The report found unit prices have fallen by 1.4 per cent over the year to $549,163.</div>
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<div>Over the quarter, houses in Hobart and units in Adelaide have been the only market segments to buck the national downward trend. Domain senior research analyst, Dr Nicola Powell said "it’s a development that will no doubt be welcomed by Australia’s first-home buyers - property prices across almost all capitals continue to fall.</div>
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<div>"In many markets throughout Australia, gaining entry has become a greater possibility."</div>
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<div>Key findings concerning houses were that Sydney house prices are now at late-2016 levels, while Melbourne house prices haven't fallen as far and are now at 2017 levels.</div>
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<div>Canberra house prices increased over the year but were flat over the quarter, similarly Brisbane and Adelaide were also up over the year, but down slightly over the quarter.</div>
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<div>Hobart was the standout and continued to grow strongly, recording double-digit annual growth.</div>
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<div>Key findings concerning units were that units in Sydney and Melbourne continued to outperform houses, while in all other capital cities houses outperformed units.</div>
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<div>Unit prices fell over the September quarter and year across all capital cities, apart from a minor quarterly improvement in Adelaide, and annual growth in Melbourne and Hobart. As a result all capital cities are now under performing relative to last year, except for Perth and Darwin.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>National unit prices have continued to weaken, with annual growth declining for two consecutive quarters.</div>
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<div>“There are opportunities for buyers in all property cycles — the key is to be ready when opportunities arise,” Dr Nicola Powell concluded.</div>
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