<p>Brunswick’s civic heart continues to consolidate around the Merri-bek Arts and Culture Precinct, where a growing cluster of cultural institutions, recreation facilities, and public infrastructure has created one of the inner north’s most defined community hubs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Within this evolving precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/saxon-street-by-milieu-brunswick-31-saxon-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Saxon Street by Milieu</a> introduces new housing directly alongside the civic anchors that shape daily life in the suburb.</p>

<p>At 31 Saxon Street, the project sits immediately beside Brunswick Baths and within moments of Brunswick Library and Town Hall, longstanding institutions that support both community services and everyday amenity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348840]</p>

<p>Next door, the newly delivered Balam Balam Place arts precinct has emerged as a central piece of Merri-bek Council’s cultural strategy, bringing together creative studios, exhibition spaces, maternal and child health services, and community programming in a purpose-built civic facility. Together, these destinations have reinforced the surrounding blocks as a focal point for public life in Brunswick.</p>

<p>This part of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> forms a key pocket within the suburb’s designated Major Activity Centre, where long-term planning has prioritised walkability, civic investment, and increased housing supply close to transport and services. The surrounding street network reflects that strategy, with compact blocks, established retail corridors and active transport links supporting a lifestyle that is largely navigable on foot.</p>

<p>Within a few minutes’ walk, Sydney Road delivers one of Melbourne’s most recognisable streets, known for its long-running mix of independent retailers, international dining venues and everyday convenience. Tram routes along Sydney Road provide frequent connections south toward the CBD and north through Brunswick and Coburg, while Jewell Station on the Upfield line sits within roughly a ten-minute walk, offering direct train access into the city.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348839]</p>

<p>Active transport also plays a significant role locally. The nearby Upfield Bike Path forms a key north–south cycling corridor linking Brunswick through Parkville and into the central city, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s most accessible inner-urban neighbourhoods for cyclists and pedestrians alike.</p>

<p>The surrounding civic cluster extends beyond cultural infrastructure. Siteworks, a nearby creative hub supporting artists and community organisations, adds to the concentration of cultural activity in the immediate area. Educational institutions such as Brunswick North Primary School, Brunswick Secondary College and RMIT’s Brunswick campus are also within easy reach, contributing to the suburb’s diverse resident base spanning families, students and professionals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348841]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-clements-burrows-architects">Jackson Clements Burrows Architects</a> in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> and landscape architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, the nine-level building has been shaped to respond to the surrounding streetscape, with lower levels aligning to the street and upper storeys stepping back to soften its scale and improve solar access.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Curved balcony forms reference nearby heritage architecture, while the development’s public realm improvements include a widened footpath along Saxon Street to strengthen pedestrian connections between the precinct’s civic sites.</p>

<p>Sustainability also underpins the project’s approach. The building is designed to operate entirely on electric infrastructure supported by rooftop solar, with an average 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating and EV-charging readiness across the development. Shared resident amenities will include a landscaped rooftop terrace with barbecue and covered dining areas intended to encourage informal interaction between residents.</p>

<p>Saxon Street marks developer Milieu's fifth project in Brunswick and continues its focus on design-led infill housing across Melbourne’s inner suburbs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Construction has commenced through reputable builder Manresa, who will complete the project in 2027.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136434]</p>


Joel Robinson

Saxon Street by Milieu connects residents to Brunswick’s cultural and civic core

<p>Within <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>&nbsp;takes a different approach to larger residences, moving away from the constraints of a single level.</p>

<p>In Grand Residence 3.05, known as the Lustre, plays out across two levels, with a mezzanine configuration that is uncommon in apartment living.</p>

<p>Lustre is a four-bathroom residence where the layout creates a clear distinction between shared and private zones, with uninterrupted views toward the Dandenong Ranges extending the sense of openness from the main living areas.</p>

<p>Entry is to the primary living level, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are arranged as one continuous space. Timber flooring runs throughout, with a fireplace set within the living zone. Full-height glazing brings in natural light, supported by double glazing that improves thermal performance.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357506]</p>

<p>The kitchen is configured as both a working and social space. A large island bench provides seating, while a walk-in pantry extends storage beyond typical apartment expectations.</p>

<p>Gaggenau appliances, including a 900mm gas cooktop and 600mm oven, are integrated into a layout that connects directly to the adjacent dining and living areas, and outward to the terrace. This balcony includes a built-in BBQ, reinforcing the apartment’s capacity to accommodate larger gatherings without compromising internal space.</p>

<p>A dedicated laundry room, powder room, and a wine cellar area sit discreetly off the main living zone, ensuring that functional requirements are resolved without encroaching on primary living areas. The master suite is also located on this level, designed as a retreat with a walk-through wardrobe and an ensuite that includes double vanities, a bath, and a dedicated dressing table.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]</p>

<p>The mezzanine level introduces a second layer of living, rather than simply additional bedrooms. Two large bedrooms with built-in robes are positioned alongside a central bathroom, while a secondary lounge and study area create a self-contained zone suited to children, guests, or extended family. A large storage room further supports long-term usability, addressing a common shortfall in apartment design.</p>

<p>This separation of levels is central to how the residence functions day-to-day. It allows the lower level to operate as the primary entertaining and living space, while the upper level provides privacy and flexibility. The result is closer in feel to a townhouse or standalone home, but with the benefits of apartment living, security, and low maintenance.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]</p>

<p>Candela is close to 80 per cent complete, with Ironside delivering construction ahead of its expected October 2026 completion. The development comprises 58 residences, with a strong owner-occupier profile and a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments and loft-style townhouses.</p>

<p>Candela has exclusive access to private amenities, including a residential lounge and rooftop terrace. A charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre are located on the ground level, designed to foster community connection and extend the living experience beyond individual apartments without competing with the scale of homes like Lustre.</p>

<p>Candela, positioned in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, reinforces the practicality of the address. With a Walk Score of 90, residents are within immediate reach of cafés, retail, parklands, and Ivanhoe Station, while also benefiting from proximity to established schools and healthcare services.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]</p>


Inside Lustre: Grand Residence 3.05 at Candela Ivanhoe

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a> is being shaped around a simple but increasingly rare premise in apartment development: that the built environment should actively support residents’ wellbeing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Located on the former ABC Studios site on Gordon Street in Melbourne’s south-east, the new neighbourhood sits on an expansive 11,740 sqm site neighbouring the heritage-listed Rippon Lea Estate, whose gardens date back more than 140 years.</p>

<p>Rather than positioning wellness as an add-on amenity, the development integrates it into the physical planning of the site. Architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> is arranged across six low-rise buildings set within extensive landscaping designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, with more than 40 per cent of the land dedicated to gardens and green space. Walking trails, pocket gardens, and mature trees are threaded between buildings, creating a network of green corridors that encourage residents to move through the precinct on foot and spend more time outdoors.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288420]</p>

<p>Milieu has intentionally framed these gardens as an extension of the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. More than 16,000 new plants will be introduced across the site, with species carefully selected to protect and complement the area’s ecological significance. The approach focuses on strengthening existing environmental conditions while establishing new habitats that support native wildlife, reinforcing the role of the landscape as both an active ecosystem and a defining element of daily life.</p>

<p>A private resident gate will provide direct access to the historic grounds during opening hours, allowing residents to move seamlessly between the development’s landscaped gardens and the estate’s expansive lawns, lakes, and mature trees. The project’s gardens will also be maintained by the same gardeners responsible for Rippon Lea, reinforcing the visual and ecological continuity between the two landscapes.</p>

<p>Complementing the landscape is a dedicated wellness hub designed to support everyday health and recovery. Residents will have access to a gym alongside yoga and Pilates studios, while mineral pools and infrared saunas provide spaces for relaxation and restorative wellbeing. Shared lounges, workshop spaces, and pet care facilities expand the concept of wellness beyond fitness, creating opportunities for social connection and community interaction within the precinct.</p>

<p>Environmental performance is another key component of the project’s wellbeing focus. Elsternwick Gardens will be entirely fossil-fuel-free, with homes designed to operate on renewable electricity rather than gas. Passive design strategies, including cross-flow ventilation, high-performance insulation, and thermally broken double glazing, are intended to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing energy demand. Solar photovoltaic systems will power common building services, while rainwater harvesting will help irrigate the extensive landscaping across the site.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=361030]</p>

<p>Milieu Founder and Managing Director Michael McCormack says the scale and setting of the project allowed the team to take a different approach to urban apartment living.</p>

<p>“This site represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something truly special,” McCormack says.</p>

<p>“Through that process, we arrived at a design that centres on a fully realised natural landscape – a series of private, interconnected gardens that encircle the homes and extend seamlessly from Rippon Lea Estate.”</p>

<p>Elsternwick Gardens will comprise three residential offerings, Gordon Place, Ripponlea Terrace, and The Garden Pavilion, each designed for owner-occupiers and shaped around high-quality interior design by Woods Bagot, K.P.D.O., and Flack Studio. The first stage, Gordon Place, includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed with a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living and sustainability.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288412]</p>

<p>Milieu recently appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/brady-constructions">Brady Constructions</a> to deliver the project, marking a key milestone for the development. The appointment follows the demolition of the former studio buildings on the Gordon Street site, with construction progressing toward the delivery of the nature-led community.</p>

<p>Situated between the established villages of Elsternwick and Ripponlea, the development balances its garden setting with strong urban connectivity. Residents will be within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, and local retail, while nearby train and tram connections provide quick access to Melbourne’s CBD and the beaches of Elwood and St Kilda.</p>

<p>With construction underway and the first residents expected to move in by early 2027, Elsternwick Gardens represents a growing shift in apartment development toward environments that prioritise wellbeing as much as density or location. By placing landscape, sustainability, and shared spaces at the centre of the design, Milieu is positioning the project as a residential neighbourhood where wellness is not just promoted, but built into the structure of everyday life.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136535]</p>


Elsternwick Gardens' wellness-first design strategy

<p>Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a> has made a striking debut on the Gold Coast, officially unveiling its $250 million COMO development in Varsity Lakes, a lifestyle-driven residential project anchored by an extensive rooftop wellness and activity precinct.</p>

<p>Having recently launched to market, construction has already been fast-tracked by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/5point-projects">5Point Projects</a>, ensuring momentum continues on what is set to become a landmark residential address for the growing Varsity Lakes community.</p>

<p>Located at 22 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO</a> will comprise 156 apartments across 16 levels, comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom residences designed for modern living. However, it is the project’s rooftop amenity offering that sets COMO apart.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363510]</p>

<p>Designed as a dedicated wellness and recreation hub, the rooftop will feature a 25-metre lap pool, fully equipped gymnasium, and multiple pickleball and paddleball courts - amenities rarely seen in boutique apartment projects.</p>

<p>Residents will also have access to a sauna and plunge baths, while landscaped gardens and relaxation zones will provide tranquil spaces overlooking sweeping panoramic views across the Gold Coast skyline.</p>

<p>The rooftop precinct has been designed to function as the social and wellness heart of the development, encouraging residents to embrace an active, balanced lifestyle within their own building.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363512]</p>

<p>Red &amp; Co director David Laverty said the amenity offering was central to the project’s design from the outset.</p>

<p>“Amenities were at the forefront of our decisions,” Laverty said.</p>

<p>“Buyers today are looking for more than just an apartment - they want a lifestyle that promotes health, connection and balance.</p>

<p>“The rooftop at COMO has been designed to be the epicentre of that lifestyle, with a suite of wellness and recreation facilities that are quite unique for a boutique development of this scale.”</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363514]</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, the residences prioritise liveability, featuring spacious layouts, 2.7-metre ceilings and high-quality finishes throughout.</p>

<p>The development sits beside Bond University, placing residents within walking distance of education, retail and dining options within the vibrant Varsity Lakes precinct, including Robina Town Centre, Varsity Lakes Train Station and a range of leading schools.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]</p>

<p>Laverty said the location was a key driver behind Red &amp; Co’s decision to bring the project to the Gold Coast.</p>

<p>“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/varsity-lakes-qld-4227">Varsity Lakes</a> was a clear choice for us to invest in as it’s a lifestyle hub that seamlessly blends lakeside living with urbanity,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Como will capitalize on this great location, delivering a project that not only creates premium homes, but a lifestyle defined by community, wellbeing, and connectivity.”</p>

<p>Red &amp; Co has delivered more than 500 apartments and townhouses across 26 projects in Brisbane in recent years, with COMO marking the company’s first major Gold Coast development.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]</p>


Red & Co unveils amenity-rich Como development in Varsity Lakes

<p>Gold Coast developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/big-projects">Big Projects</a> has secured approval for its second Mermaid Beach project.</p>

<p>The developer, currently selling <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-frederick-mermaid-beach-2265-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Frederick in Nobby Beach</a>, has secured approval for its next project just 1.5 kilomnetres up the road.</p>

<p>The new development, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glenelg-residences-2462-2472-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Glenelg Residences</a>, has been designed by BDA Architecture and&nbsp;will have just under 100 apartments across an 11-storey building&nbsp;at 2462–2472 Gold Coast Highway, on the corner of Glenelg Avenue just under 300m from the future Mermaid Beach Light Rail stop.</p>

<p>The apartments, a mix of two- and three-bedrooms, will sit above a retail-focused ground plane and under extensive rooftop resident amenities.</p>

<p><img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.04%20am.png?VersionId=z6NV4izeuvhBSSVlY6vK6TPO1LxrFeaG" /></p>

<p>BDA said in its planning submission that the project is intended to support the area’s transition toward higher-density, mixed-use living. “This project offers the opportunity to generate appropriate higher-intensity development within the future Light Rail corridor of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Mermaid Beach</a>,” the submission noted.</p>

<p>At ground level, Glenelg Residences will include eight retail tenancies designed to activate the street frontage, complemented by a basement bar offering an additional hospitality element. Above, residents will have access to a rooftop amenity deck featuring an infinity pool, hot and cold plunge spas, day beds, and barbecue facilities.</p>

<p>The architectural approach adopts a restrained material palette of brick, textured concrete, and integrated landscaping, with cantilevered concrete frames and cascading planting intended to soften the built form. BDA described the design as aiming to create “a memorable sculptural mid-rise mixed-use building” that responds to both its coastal setting and urban context.</p>

<p><img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.45%20am.png?VersionId=cpjIVBqcT_sujmo2UMWkVyLcQ7WGJHaQ" /></p>

<p>The approval comes as the City of Gold Coast continues to plan for significant population growth, with regional targets requiring more than 100,000 new high-density dwellings by 2046.</p>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-36" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-17" dir="auto">
<p data-end="436" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="244">Big Projects, led by Matthew and John Barrett, is part of a growing cohort of developers that deliver construction in-house, providing a high level of confidence to prospective purchasers.</p>
</section>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150260]</p>


Big Projects secures approval for Glenelg Residences in Mermaid Beach

Echuca

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<p><span>Positive conditions have instilled a high degree of confidence in the Echuca and Deniliquin regions, according to the valuation firm Herron Todd White’s latest rural report.</span></p>
<p><span>A well above average season in regard to crop and fodder is expected due to most of the area receiving around 100 millimetres of rain throughout autumn, plus good follow-up winter rainfall, says HTW director John Henderson.</span></p>
<p><span>“The overall result of this confidence in the seasonal outlook in the area has translated to a rising market”, Henderson said.</span></p>
<p><span>Some degree of uncertainty about the outlook for commodity prices in the short-term remains.</span></p>
<p><span>The report noted recent sales that showed a $1,000 per hectare rise, including a batch of well-developed irrigation properties close-by the Finley district sold for $5,435 to $6,175 per hectare.</span></p>
<p><span>This is compared to similar properties which sold for $4,570 to $5,065 per hectare in December 2018 to February 2019.</span></p>
<p><span>“The rising market is a feature of most of southwest New South Wales and northern Victoria, with agents reporting strong enquiry in the region.”</span></p>
<p><span>The general outlook for the region is for rural values to continue to rise.</span></p>
<p><span>However, the report notes that uncertainty around key commodity prices may start to influence decision-making in the near future.</span></p>
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Rural values continue to rise in the Echuca and Deniliquin regions: HTW Rural

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<div class="column"><span>A good autumn with most of the area receiving around 100 millimetres of rain during March and early April has instilled early confidence in a reasonable season in the Echuca and Deniliquin markets, according to the June Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report. </span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>The valuation firm looked at the influence of trade wars, pandemic outcomes and commodity prices on the rural sector, and provided an update of how rural real estate is performing across locations and industries. </span></div>
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<span>Combined with the long term forecast of good rains for the 2020 winter season, the general outlook for the rural sector is good, the report noted. </span>
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<div class="column"><span>Locally, farmers are quite confident of a good season and reasonable commodity prices despite the obvious impact of COVID-19.</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>Agents are reporting a gradual increase in enquiry for rural property over the past month or so that will no doubt translate into a gradual improvement in sales activity.</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>"We are aware of two sales contracted in late March that are at levels similar to pre COVID-19."</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>A significant influence in the market has been the low interest rates and the perception that interest rates will remain at or around this level for the foreseeable future," the valuation firm said. </span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>A mixed irrigation and dryland holding to the south of Deniliquin contracted for sale in April 2020 for about $10 million, showing around $2450 per hectare excluding water. </span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>The purchasers were local farmers, indicating plenty of confidence and strength in the market place, the report notes. </span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>"At this point in time, the general outlook for rural values in the area is for values to steady or see a slight rise," the valuation firm said. </span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>A Carag Carag farm has recently been sold for $335,000.</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>The property at 662 Blamey Road (pictured below) features four bedroom homestead, colorbond shed, internal fencing and native garden. 'Currently the farm is used for grazing stock.</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>A current listing is Yallum Vale, a 422ha Dairy farm in Echuca priced at $3.8 million.</span></div>
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<div class="column"><span>The 1151 McKenzie Road property (pictured below) includes two homes on separate titles, 50-stand rotary dairy and machinery shed. </span></div>
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<span>It is located just 10 minutes south east of Echuca. </span>
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Echuca and Deniliquin rural markets remains steady: HTW rural

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<p>The auction of the Moama district farming property, Kinrara has been listed for auction.</p>
<p>Set at 118 Ripper Road, about 30 kilometres north of Moama-Echuca, the property is 280 hectares (693 acres).</p>
<p>Agents expect it will attract interest because it has been certified organic by the accredited NASAA (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia) whose standard ensures organic integrity from paddock to plate.</p>
<p>Currently, organically accredited products such as hay, grains or pulse crops are selling for double normal market rates and there is also significant supply chain demand for sheep or cattle that are organically produced.</p>
<p>The Kinrara property will be auctioned by Rodwells Ruralco Property on February 22.</p>
<p>Rodwells Ruralco selling agent Andrew Miller says that the property is being offered on behalf of the Hehir family who have held the property since 1998, but had leased it for eight years prior to purchase.</p>
<p>They undertook the three-year long process to secure the NASAA organic accreditation.</p>
<p>“The vendors have dairy farming interests in northern Victoria and have principally been using the Kinrara property to produce supplementary pasture products under irrigation to support their organic milk dairy production, as well as rearing young stock and wintering dairy cows,” said Miller. </p>
<p>“But they have recently secured another holding that adjoins their home farm, so that Kinrara has become surplus to their needs, hence its offer for auction sale.”</p>
<p>Miller says that the formalisation of organic production of both dairy products and livestock confers significant value to an accredited farm like Kinrara.</p>
<p>As well this property is suitable for cropping and would also support sheep or cattle production as it has significant infrastructure in place.</p>
<p>Kinrara will be offered with the successful purchaser having the first option to purchase at market rates the significant water right of 666 megalitres of NSW General Security water which is sourced from the Moira channel which adjoins a boundary of the holding. </p>
<p>The water entitlement is considered double the normal district farm entitlements and resulted from the consolidation of two local property entitlements many years ago.</p>
<p>In addition, there is also an 8 megalitre Stock &amp; Domestic water right.</p>
<p>During their ownership the vendors have developed a high capacity and high flow flood irrigation system over about 211 hectares. </p>
<p>The further land area of 60 hectares is used for dryland grazing and is mostly suitable for cropping.</p>
<p>The holding is subdivided into nineteen paddocks, all electric fenced, with an internal gravel laneway system that facilitates year-round access and enables operational efficiency even in the wettest winters.</p>
<p>The property has a 40 megalitre capacity turkey nest dam which can be gravity filled from the Moira channel system with all runoff from irrigation recycled back to the sumps at the dam m where it can be reused.</p>
<p>The water resources are also used effectively with two-inch poly pipe mains to concrete troughs in every paddock served by an electric pressure pump. </p>
<p>There are dams in 10 of the paddocks while numerous box trees were retained for stock shelter and to enhance the presentation of the farm.</p>
<p>The property benefits from all-weather access while there are stock handling facilities of a shearing shed, new cattle yards and loading ramp beneath a very large Moreton Bay fig tree.</p>
<p>Buildings include an original unused homestead, with a transportable two bedroom living unit with appropriate services on the holding.</p>
<p>Three phase power is on the property which makes it attractive to intensely irrigated horticultural pursuits such as tomatoes or alternative tree crops.</p>
<p>The property is rectangular in shape with good road frontages on two boundaries.</p>
<p>Prior to outright acquisition in 1998 by the Hehir family the property was owned for many decades by the late Stan Jasper who with his wife lived modestly on the property and conducted a low impact farming regime, principally sheep and later to agist dairy cattle.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/10/RURALCO%20KINRARA%20MOIRA%20CHANNEL.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>With an aversion to cultivation or chemical use, this historic approach facilitated the conversion to organic. </p>
<p>Miller notes that: “strong swards of sub clover and ryegrass have been managed over the last twenty years with a small cropping area, most recently of high yield vetch that was harvested in the 2018 spring. </p>
<p>“Lucerne has also been established on the irrigated pastures after cropping and grown as summer green feed without irrigation to supply a large flush of autumn feed following the seasonal break or after further irrigation.</p>
<p>“The success of the lucerne is put down to roots beyond three metres reflecting the high value of the soils under the organic regime.”</p>
<p>The Hehir family has typically run 300 to 450 head of dairy cattle on Kinrara over the winter and cut 2,000 bales of clover dominant hay in most years. </p>
<p>Surveys have established the organic matter of Kinrara’s soils in the range of 3.17 to 4.65% that is approximately double that of district farms. </p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/10/RURALCO%20KINRARA%20PASTURES.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Miller adds he has assessed the land value as in the region of $1,350 per acre.</p>
<p>“Nothing like this holding has come on to the market in this district in recent years nor is there anything of similar productivity expected to become available.”</p>
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Organic Echuca-Moama region farm listed for auction

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<p>A section of the old Echuca Post Office in northern Victoria is set to go to auction mid December.</p>
<p>The part for sale is a ground floor cafe, currently leased to the Café 3564 Wine Bar &amp; Tapa, as well as upstairs accomodation with two ensuited bedrooms. There's a third ensuited bedroom on the ground floor.</p>
<p>The ground floor comprises an atrium-style function room with an outdoor paved dining space with its own bar area.</p>
<p>Other parts of the building may also be for sale subject to private negotiations, and first right to negotiate will be offered to the successful purchaser.</p>
<p>Making up the other part of the building is a cafe with outdoor seating at the front, four more residences, as well as a ground floor retail space.</p>
<p>On the <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-echuca-503014302" target="_blank">corner of Hare Street and Anstruther Street</a>, the Echuca Post Office dates back to the 1870s, when the two storey building with a clock tower over the entrance door was built.</p>
<p><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/20/echuha2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The ground floor features a formal entry hallway, a master bedroom with full ensuite, a dressing room and a study/office.<br> <br>There's a large lounge/dining room with atrium and a timber ceiling design that was formerly the sorting room for the post office. There's also a more modern extension with open kitchen/dining/lounge room with separate laundry/toilet.</p>
<p>Ray White Commercial Oakleigh agent Ryan Amler and Joshua Colosimo are handling the marketing in conjunction with Ray White Echuca's Stephen Morgan for a December 14 auction.</p>
<p>Amler said potential buyers will be blown away by how rare the opportunity is and the income returns that are on offer.<br> <br>"Put simply, buildings of this calibre and location don't come around very often," he said.<br> <br>"The Old Echuca Post office, complete with its own clocktower, was constructed circa 1875 and underwent a full refurbishment by the current owners for which they received recognition through the Victorian building awards.<br> <br>“The 429 sqm part of the building has Commercial 1 Zoning and provides a combined rental return of $60,480 p.a. net with 10 per cent annual increases." </p>
<p>The current freehold premises of the Echuca Post Office has recently sold through Teska Carson.</p>
<p>The property at <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/227-pakenham-street-echuca-vic-3564-2014623155" target="_blank">227 Pakenham Street</a> is currently leased to Australia Post and is part of Echuca's retail and business precinct.</p>
<p>It comprises a single-storey, double fronted building of nearly 300 sqm on a 440 sqm site zoned Commercial 1.</p>
<p>The property was sold sibject to a five year lease, with a five year option, from July 2015 to Australia Post at $88,056 per annum, with annual three percent rent reviews.</p>
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Part of the old Echuca Post Office set to go under the hammer

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<p>A near-new petrol station in Echuca has sold for $7.5million on a 6.5% yield.</p>
<p>Property industry players Peter Spargo and Bill Guest were the vendors of the 161-189 Ogilvie Avenue property.</p>
<p>It is leased to United Petroleum and Hungry Jacks until 2028 with options to extend.</p>
<p>The site contains a 1,191 square metre building on a 5,240 square metre site.</p>
<p>Colliers International’s Daniel Wolman, Anthony Kirwan and Harry Bui in conjunction with Melcorp Commercial’s Paul Jones and Tim Spargo sold the property via an expression of interest campaign.</p>
<p>“The collaborative approach to the sales campaign for this regionally located property proved to be highly successful, with multiple offers received at the conclusion of the EOI process,” Wolman said.  </p>
<p>“The successful purchaser, a private investor from Victoria, acquired the property for $7.5million, a sale price which reflects a tight regional yield of 6.7%. </p>
<p>“The sale, which has set a new benchmark for the local property market, is another sign that despite a reported cooling in market conditions and funding concerns, the market is still awash with cash buyers and is highly competitive.” </p>
<p>Kirwan said buyers were increasingly looking for alternative investment options. </p>
<p>“The major appeal of this asset was the high calibre tenant covenant, fixed income growth and the fact that having been so recently developed, an astute buyer could reap the rewards of newly constructed improvements and great depreciation benefits,” he said. </p>
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Near-new Echuca service station sold for $7.5 million

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<p>The season is precariously placed along the border region with many requiring significant falls to guarantee crops, according to the latest Herron Todd White rural report.</p>
<p>The valuation firm stated, historical management and resulting soil condition has never been more evident than the current season with paddocks either side of some roads showing substantially different vigour and harvest potential reflecting the organic matter content, sowing times and general management practices.</p>
<p>As one farmer in the Riverina said in the second week of August “if we don’t get rain in the next two weeks, the crop will be finished”.</p>
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<p>Valuer David Leeds concludes by noting "a sharp rise in allocation water prices will be likewise creating some difficult decisions for those with irrigation development weighing up the likely final commodity prices with the opportunity cost of irrigating versus selling their allocation on the market."</p>
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Echuca precariously rainfall reliant: HTW rural

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<p><span>Buoyed by the rising value of water, irrigated cropping and grazing holdings continue to be strong performers with agents reporting good demand and prices regularly exceeding vendor expectations, <span>according to the latest Herron Todd White rural </span><span>report.</span></span></p>
<p>This has been a continuing trend for nearly 12 months, the valuation firm advised.</p>
<p>:As one vendor recently noted, they anticipated to realize in excess of $1.1 million when the property was offered to market.</p>
<p>"After 24 hours, the property sold to several neighbours for an amount in excess of $2 million."</p>
<p>Discussions with an agent indicated a selling price 10% to 15% in excess of the initial list price (three months ago) albeit with a significant water component.</p>
<p>Recent sales include a Lockington mixed farming enterprise situated between Echuca and Lockington in Northern Victoria.</p>
<p>It was sold for $1 million in May.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-mixed+farming-vic-lockington-7543867" target="_blank">Located at 2361 Whinfield Rd</a> (pictured above), the property comprises 144 hectares on three separate titles. </p>
<p>The home block on 32 hectares has three bedrooms, and Lot 2 has a brick home on 64 hectares.</p>
<p>The third Lot is 47 acres of lasered cropping and grazing country. </p>
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Echuca market exceeding vendor expectations: HTW

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<p>Echuca has been buoyed by the rising value of water, irrigated cropping and grazing holdings, according to the latest report from Herron Todd White (HTW).</p>
<p>The valuation firm found that this has been a continuing trend for nearly 12 months with agents reporting good demand and prices regularly exceeding vendor expectations.</p>
<p>"As one vendor interviewed recently noted, they anticipated to realize in excess of $1.1 million when the property was offered to market," the HTW valuers stated.</p>
<p>After 24 hours, the property sold to several neighbours for an amount in excess of $2 million.</p>
<p>The report noted agents indicating a selling price 10% to 15% in excess of the initial list price (three months ago) albeit with a significant water component.</p>
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Echuca agents indicating selling prices 10% to 15% above initial listing: HTW

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<p>The Echuca residential market has shown no signs of slowing down after a year of further tightening and an increase in off market sales as agents have multiple buyers interested in property before it hits the market.</p>
<p>In many instances this resulted in the asking price or a touch stronger being achieved, HTW's latest report noted.</p>
<p>The valuation firm advised it was consistent across almost all Eucuca market segments with tightening market conditions spreading into rural residential holdings which historically required marginally longer selling periods.</p>
<p>Land sales west of Echuca have been well received amid limited competing supply while Moama has continued to see significant development.</p>
<p>"Nevertheless there is still an imperative to having properties listed correctly with older stock at secondary locations probably being the only slight drag on the market," the HTW report advised.</p>
<p>"Builders are busy and the market is likely to stay tight for some time, particularly the rental market on the back of commencement of the second bridge." </p>
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New bridge boost for Echuca residential rental market: HTW

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<p>Sales rates for medium sized irrigation properties at between $500,000 to $1.5 million around irrigation has had strong improvement in the Echuca region, according to Herron Todd White.</p>
<p>HTW said value levels appear to be edging higher for irrigation holdings and it will be interesting to see how this progresses under the current water resource position across the irrigation districts.</p>
<p>"An improved forecast for farm gate milk price may spurn some interest though it is likely that most producers will have work to do to regain ground lost in the 2016/17 season," HTW said.</p>
<p>A 7.1 acre property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-echuca-126115282" target="_blank">133 Pianta Road Echuca</a> is on the market for between $499,000 and $548,000.</p>
<p><span>The property features two lockable sheds, a work shop or tack shed and a 3/4 meg Dam, with 4meg of high-security water.</span></p>
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