After inspecting the a mixture of new apartment developments in Sydney's thriving north west corridor, Rouse Hill downsizers Lynne and Dale Kennedy were set to buy a two-bedroom apartment in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ellipse-property-group">Ellipse Property</a>’s Carrington Place development, until they saw the penthouse floorplans.

The retired police officer and her builder husband, aged in their mid-60’s, quickly upsized to a three-bedroom penthouse within the Atrium building, the first stage of the Castle Hill masterplan.

Their luxury apartment is one of eight in Atrium’s exclusive Penthouse Collection and features striking interior design. The penthouses offer flexible open-plan layouts with abundant space and tranquillity. With two living spaces, walk-in wardrobes and butlers’ pantries, Atrium’s penthouses feature large balconies with sweeping views to Cattai Creek and the wider Hills District.&nbsp;

“As soon as we saw the floorplan for this penthouse, we knew it was the one for us," Lynne said.

"It is oversized with abundant storage, so we know we are not going to feel cramped, even though we are downsizing from a large, five-bedroom family home. The open-plan design spills out to a large deck, perfect for entertaining and when the grandchildren visit. The finishes are top-quality and I love the butler’s pantry and integrated appliances in the kitchen – with the steam oven, pyrolytic oven and coffee machine all built in.”

High-quality material finishes and premium appliances are used throughout Atrium’s penthouse collection. Miele appliances in the newly-released Pearl Beige finish, Vintec wine fridges, Parisi tapware and fireplaces are set within luxe finishes including pure wool carpets and statement Caesarstone benchtops. Built-in barbecues, and in some cases bars and skylights, are further signature features of the penthouse design.

Dale Kennedy owns Inspect It FIRST, a building inspection company he has operated for over 25 years. With stringent views on design and build integrity, he was quick to recognise the quality behind the architectural design and iCIRT-rated builder, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>.

“This penthouse sets a new benchmark in terms of quality and attention to detail. The floorplan is well-considered - special features like the skylight are a stand-out and not typical in new builds. The iCIRT-rated builder adds a further level of comfort buying off-the-plan, and we are confident that the finished apartment will be high-quality with no nasty surprises,” said Dale.

The Kennedy’s are excited at the freedom that apartment living will unlock for them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360287]

“We won’t have to maintain a house, swimming pool and gardens anymore, and are looking forward to having more leisure time," Lynne added.

"The low maintenance apartment lifestyle and security of the building means we can travel more and take extended trips. We can simply ‘lock and leave’, something we can’t do with a big house. We also love the location so close to Showground Metro Station and retail precinct, but without being in the thick of it. Everything is literally on our doorstep, just a few minutes’ walk. It will be so convenient being able to access the city so easily and not having to drive to the shops.”

After 11 years in their home on Morrisey Way, Rouse Hill, the couple will sell it before moving into their new penthouse. The expansive five-bedroom family home features a cinema, swimming pool and six-car garage.

There are just six penthouses left in Atrium’s Penthouse Collection in a mix of three- and four-bedroom configurations, ranging from 160 to 334 sqm in size and priced from $3.025 million to $5.4 million.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360286]

According to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, exclusive sales agents at Carrington Place, Atrium’s Penthouse Collection is meeting a groundswell of demand from local downsizers – aligned with broader trends in Metro-connected suburbs across Sydney.

“The Penthouse Collection sets a new standard for apartments in Castle Hill,"&nbsp;said Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at Colliers.

"There is simply nothing else like these penthouses. Downsizers are drawn to their house-like scale and premium finishes. With sought-after views plus access to outstanding new local amenities, the Penthouse Collection unlocks a new lifestyle for buyers.

Schulze says buyers are drawn to Carrington Place’s lifestyle with close proximity to the Showground precinct’s vibrant mix of retail and dining options.

"Being able to walk to the Metro and this rapidly emerging lifestyle hub is of huge appeal to this demographic.”

According to Puja Khanna, Associate Director at Ellipse Property, the carefully curated interiors are proving to be a point of difference.&nbsp;

“Our floorplans have been thoughtfully considered, knowing that many buyers will be downsizing from large homes," Khanna says.

"Smart and abundant storage was an absolute must. And for many of our buyers, entertaining is a priority – with adult children, grandchildren and family visiting and sometimes staying over. We made sure bedrooms are spacious and living spaces are oversized, and kitchens incorporate butler’s pantries alongside the latest appliances."

Atrium is under construction by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder Decode Group, with completion scheduled for Q3 2026.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a>, the second stage&nbsp;of Carrington Place, is set to commence construction later this month on the back of Atrium’s significant sales success, with 85 per cent of all apartments now sold.

Carrington Place will be constructed across multiple stages and deliver more than 800 new homes, with the entire precinct set for completion in 2032. It will feature abundant open space with over 20,000 sqm of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to the nearby Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The project is also integrated with the surrounding bushland, with a site boundary that stretches to the edge of Cattai Creek, immersing residents in the beauty of Sydney’s ‘Garden Shire’.

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Joel Robinson

Local downsizers set sights on Carrington Place, Castle Hill penthouses

Lifestyle, residential and wellness developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a>, and joint venture development partner lNT.RE (formerly Icon Developments) have announced the popular SOAK Bathhouse brand will anchor the ground floor of their $160m luxury <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/emerald-place-by-lowe-living-200-clarendon-street-south-melbourne-vic-3205">Emerald Place</a> development at 182-200 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, which is set to open in August 2026.&nbsp;

This will be the second Melbourne outpost for the SOAK Bathhouse brand, after its inaugural Victorian location in South Yarra launched in 2025, which has quickly become a staple in Melbourne’s bathing and wellness scene.&nbsp;

SOAK Bathhouse has signed a 10-year partnership to take out the 459sqm prime corner ground-floor tenancy, which will join the other two retail tenancies, high-end commercial space and 38 ultra-luxury residential apartments and penthouses above.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=365847]

SOAK Bathhouse is renowned for its luxurious and socially-focused mineral pools, cold plunge, sauna, steam room, infrared LED therapies, and massage services. Its arrival at Emerald Place, South Melbourne marks a significant milestone for both brands and for South Melbourne.&nbsp;

While the specific inclusions of the venue are still under wraps, SOAK Bathhouse has confirmed the space will be equipped with a signature SOAK Bathhouse mineral pool, cold plunge, saunas and steam room, alongside a lush dedication to verdant greenery and ferns throughout the tranquil bathing spaces.&nbsp;

SOAK Bathhouse will serve both Emerald Place residents and the broader South Melbourne business community, creating a wellness destination that bridges the gap between work and home. For residents, it's a daily ritual on their doorstep. For the surrounding office workers, it's a place to decompress, recharge and transition between professional and personal life.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=365850]

The partnership has underpinned Lowe Living’s commitment to delivering wellness-led amenities that not only embed physical spaces within the projects but integrate established, renowned wellness brands to anchor and operate these spaces.&nbsp;

Through the partnership with SOAK Bathhouse, penthouse buyers will be granted complimentary memberships, while all other residents of the Emerald Place development will benefit from exclusive discounted access. Together, these privileges deliver a compelling lifestyle enhancement and a lasting investment in wellbeing.&nbsp;

Lowe Living has been steadily carving out a niche in the luxury property market as a wellness-led developer, having a partnership with the Sorrento-based Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse to offer a private, residents-only wellness spaces at its upcoming Camberwell and Brighton projects.&nbsp;

These partnerships with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse and now SOAK Bathhouse, reinforce a broader shift across Lowe Living’s portfolio towards a meaningful commitment to health-focused amenity and wellness offerings.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135816 project_image_fid=231195]

Since its inaugural offering in Mermaid Beach, which has since expanded nationally across Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, SOAK Bathhouse has grown into a leading contemporary bathhouse brand, attracting a dedicated following thanks to its unique social-focused approach to bathing.&nbsp;

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said the Lowe Living team "view our partnerships as an extension of our design philosophy."

"We align with brands that genuinely elevate the everyday experience of our residents and deliver tangible value for our purchasers that enrich their lives.&nbsp;SOAK Bathhouse was a natural fit for Lowe Living and specifically Emerald Place. Their approach to contemporary bathing and social wellness strongly aligns with our vision of creating homes that prioritise long-term health, connection and lifestyle.”&nbsp;

Tim Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said securing Melbourne’s second SOAK Bathhouse for Emerald Place is a significant milestone for Lowe Living, INT.RE and South Melbourne.&nbsp;

“This partnership reflects the continued evolution of luxury residential development," Lowe says.

"Today’s buyers are looking beyond finishes and floorplans and investing in holistic living environments, not just inside their apartments but in the communal and wider local amenity offerings, too."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135816]

Lowe Living secures SOAK Bathhouse on 10-year lease at Emerald Place, South Melbourne development

While the Gold Coast continues to densify around key transport and lifestyle nodes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Mermaid Beach</a> has retained its village-like charm even as demand intensifies for walkable beachside living. It’s a suburb that holds firm to its community feel, while sitting within one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors.

Developer DANKAV put the neighbourhood and its residents first when drawing up the plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-alfred-residences-mermaid-beach-2375-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Alfred Residences</a>, which will replace the former Mermaid Beach Shopping Village near Nobby Beach. The project marks a rare example of precinct renewal at a truly local scale.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-alfred-residences-mermaid-beach-2375-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Alfred Residences</a>&nbsp;comprises a wide variety of one- and two-bedroom apartments, set above a new ground plane of curated hospitality and boutique retailers, all framed by generous laneways, shaded plazas, and garden paths designed to enhance pedestrian flow and public interaction.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149942 project_image_fid=355148]

The site’s configuration reflects both a respect for the area's established rhythm and a recognition of its future trajectory, particularly with the planned Mermaid Beach South light rail station directly across the road.

Residents will find immediate access to both everyday needs and broader connectivity. A Woolworths Metro and local cafés are already operating nearby, while the beach sits just 100 metres from The Alfred’s front door. Pacific Fair, the region’s flagship retail centre, is also close by, with an extensive mix of dining, fashion and entertainment.&nbsp;

For those commuting or exploring beyond Mermaid Beach, the upcoming light rail link promises seamless movement north through Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and into Southport, expanding access without the need for a car.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149942 project_image_fid=355150]

Neighbouring locales such as Miami and Nobby Beach further enrich the lifestyle offering. These established precincts contribute everything from surf clubs and oceanfront parks to laid-back dining venues and independent retailers, all within a short walk or bike ride.&nbsp;

The Alfred effectively places residents within one of the Gold Coast’s most liveable pockets, where the essentials of daily life converge with long-term infrastructure planning and timeless natural appeal.

Predominantly local buyers jumped at the first release at The Alfred Residences, transacting the majority of the release in a matter of weeks. Demolition of the former shopping village is now underway, and Dankav expects completion of the first collection of residences in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149942]

The Alfred Residences brings village-style living to the heart of Mermaid Beach

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chermside-qld-4032">Chermside</a> is better known for bus interchanges and Westfield than for high-end apartment towers. Kabbalah, on Playfield Street, is a deliberate push against that reputation.

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/playfield-developments">Playfield Developments</a>, the building holds 64 apartments, all three and four bedrooms, across its 13 storeys. The apartments are generous by any measure: lower-floor three-bedrooms start at 164 sqm, each with a multi-purpose room and private balcony, while the north-facing penthouse stretches to 382 sqm. Every residence comes with two car spaces.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ana-architects">ANA Architects</a>, the Brisbane firm behind the 25-storey Willahra Tower on Queen Street and the 45-storey Mantra on Mary in the CBD, shaped the building around curved forms drawn from the natural landscape. Balcony gardens run throughout, with planter boxes worked into the private outdoor spaces of each apartment, giving residents greenery at the threshold rather than just at the rooftop.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149578 project_image_fid=354319]

That rooftop carries its own weight: a pool, landscaped gardens, and outdoor entertaining areas sit above the city, designed as much for quiet evenings as for hosting. The wellness offering continues at ground level, where a centre with pool, sauna, and communal lounge zones anchors the building's other end. Together they give the building a rhythm, somewhere to arrive at the top and somewhere to retreat to below.

The site itself is part of the pitch. "One of the last available sites to develop in an established precinct," is how Playfield Developments describes the Playfield Street address, and the surrounding context backs that up. Westfield Chermside, the second largest Westfield in Australia, is within a few minutes on foot, along with its dining precinct and cinema complex.&nbsp;

The Chermside bus interchange connects directly to the Brisbane CBD and across the northern suburbs via more than 20 Translink routes, with the CBD roughly 15 minutes away by road. The Prince Charles Hospital, one of Queensland's major teaching hospitals and the state's leading cardiac centre, is roughly a kilometre up the road on Rode Road.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149578 project_image_fid=354321]

Place Projects is handling sales, bringing a track record across some of Queensland's largest residential developments. Early buyer response has centred on the finishes and scale, "buyers consistently comment on the high-quality finishes throughout the apartments," the sales team notes, pointing to craftsmanship and considered design as the recurring draw.&nbsp;

"They're looking for generously sized apartments that offer both space and functionality, combined with a strong lifestyle offering," Place Projects says.

Construction has been awarded to Clearcon, with completion slated for late 2027. Pricing runs from $1.5 million for a lower-floor three-bedroom up to $3.65 million for the penthouse.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149578]

Playfield Developments brings 64 apartments to Chermside with Kabbalah

More than 3,000 dwellings are currently selling or gearing up to launch across Surfers Paradise, the suburb’s most concentrated apartment pipeline in years. At least eight projects are already in market, with more moving through registration and presale, creating a meaningful wave of new supply.

This isn’t happening in a vacuum. Strong interstate migration into Queensland, particularly the Gold Coast, continues to underpin demand, with the local population expected to push past 800,000 in the early 2030s.

We’re also seeing solid early-stage buyer activity. As usual, the earliest phases tend to offer the best mix of pricing and choice, before the more popular layouts get snapped up.

Comparing Surfers Paradise projects? Browse all listings → <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">View all Surfers Paradise apartments</a>

<hr data-end="1189" data-start="1186" />
<h2 data-end="1218" data-section-id="tdhbfr" data-start="1191">How to Read the Pipeline</h2>

Apartment projects in Surfers Paradise are at various stages of their project lifecycle, from pre-launch, selling now, construction commenced, or construction complete.

Where you buy in that cycle matters.

<ul data-end="1674" data-start="1409">
	<li data-end="1542" data-section-id="d5c11p" data-start="1409">Registration and&nbsp;presale: Typically the lowest price points and best choice, but with longer wait times to completion</li>
	<li data-end="1608" data-section-id="plnjqp" data-start="1543">Under construction: Greater certainty, shorter timelines.</li>
	<li data-end="1674" data-section-id="13k7yl8" data-start="1609">Completed: No construction risk, but pricing reflects that.</li>
</ul>

The projects below are grouped by stage to help buyers understand where they sit in the buying window.

<hr data-end="1942" data-start="1939" />
<h2 data-end="1967" data-section-id="zj5dj7" data-start="1944">Projects Now Selling</h2>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a> is the newest apartment development to launch in Surfers Paradise.

Exhale, being developed by SIERA, comprises just 54 apartments, a density not often seen in Surfers. It sits on the corner of Enderley Avenue and Garfield Terrace, just off Northcliffe Beach. SIERA Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson spent over a year trying to secure the rare beachside site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

SIERA engaged BDA Architecture to design the building, with a striking glass curtain wall&nbsp;façade.

Offering two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, Exhale will also offer its residents a two-level wellness podium with a heated magnesium pool, spa, sauna, Nordic&nbsp;cold shower, and biophilic designed landscaped gardens.

There's also a dedicated Pilates and yoga studio, library and reading retreat, cinema lounge, and private dining room with a private bar and wine cellar.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Exhale →</a>

<hr data-end="2500" data-start="2497" />
Paradiso Place is the largest project currently in market in Surfers Paradise. Developer SPG Land recently begun construction on its 845-unit development they are bringing to 103 Ferny Avenue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185858]

At this scale, it’s effectively its own sub-market, offering a wide mix of configurations across multiple price points, from entry-level investor stock through to larger owner-occupier product. Amenities include a pool, gym, and outdoor spaces.

With projects of this size, early buyers typically benefit most from the broader selection before key layouts are taken up.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Paradiso Place →</a>

<hr data-end="2500" data-start="2497" />
Jewel Residences is the only completed development on this list. The three towers, which drastically altered the Surfers Paradise skyline when they were complete in 2020 from their dress circle position&nbsp;at 36 Old Burleigh Road, home 512 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8843 project_image_fid=264503]

With the six-star The Langham within the middle tower, Jewel offers&nbsp;​​​​​​significant hospitality venues including&nbsp;signature restaurants, a bar, cafe, and a resort pool with a swim-up bar

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/jewel-residences-surfers-paradise-36-old-burleigh-road-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Jewel Residences </a>

<hr data-end="2938" data-start="2935" />
Andrews Projects recently commenced construction at South Beach, just shy of 400 apartments at 3006–3016 Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Prices start from $1.08 million for the one-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887 project_image_fid=358399]

Central to the South Beach offering is a 5,500m sqm wellness and lifestyle precinct designed around the concept of renewal as a daily ritual.

The wellness facilities include sunrise and sunset pools, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, plunge baths, a Hammam, traditional and infrared saunas, red-light therapy and dedicated treatment rooms. A Technogym gym,&nbsp;cinema, co-working lounge and a range of indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining spaces, including BBQ terraces, complete the amenity.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/south-beach-surfers-paradise-3006-3016-surfers-paradise-boulevard-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about South Beach →</a>

<hr data-end="3316" data-start="3313" />
Another new entry to the market is Palmera Residences, developed by Central Equity at 18 Garfield Terrace. That majority of the 347 residences are large three-bedroom apartments, priced from just shy of $3 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=361247]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>&nbsp;is being constructed in the prestigious Northcliffe residential neighbourhood on an expansive 3,239 sqm site. It is located at 18 Garfield Terrace near the Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club and the patrolled Northcliffe surf beach, situated between&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a>.

Residents will have private access to extensive, state-of-the-art amenities, featuring two large pools including a generously scaled, family-friendly pool with safe shallow zones, and a 25-metre lap pool facing the western side, ensuring maximum sunlight all day.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-surfers-paradise-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Palmera Residences →</a>

<hr data-end="3711" data-start="3708" />
26 Vista has benefitted from the boom in Surfers Paradise over the last few years. Over 70 per cent of the 280 apartments have sold, with the remaining priced from $1.86 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=365605]

26 Vista, being developed by MRCB, is scheduled to complete in late 2030 and has attracted strong interest from locals and interstate buyers, Matt George, from project marketer Urban Activation, says.

“The diverse mix of buyers we’ve seen investing in this development stands as a testament to the superior product that is being offered. 26 Vista is truly the gold standard for coastal living, with its thoughtfully considered design and its commitment to providing residents with five-star luxury in sub-tropical surrounds.”

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-surfers-paradise-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about 26 Vista →</a>

<hr data-end="3711" data-start="3708" />
Away from the beach and closer to the Budds Beach area of Surfers Paradise is Homecorp's new tower, Florence Residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=357950]

The Monte Carlo building has 116 apartments amid a suite of wellness spaces including&nbsp;a private residents’ only wellness club including a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217" style="text-decoration:none">Enquire about Florence Residences →</a>

<hr data-end="4321" data-start="4318" />
<h2 data-end="4364" data-section-id="1bj0450" data-start="4323">The Broader Pipeline</h2>

There's a lot more to come in Surfers Paradise in the coming years. The most interest is likely the two-tower beachfront project proposed by Winx billionaire John Camilleri. The two towers, which will comprise 275 apartments, are to be connected by a 45-storey skybridge.

On the more boutique end, Cavella, by SEYAH, will have <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-seyah-to-launch-cavella-in-emerging-sunrise-boulevard-surfers-paradise-pocket-following-density-rethink">just 18 residences</a> across a more modestly-sized 12-level building, also nearer the river than the beach.

For a broader view, see our breakdown of the top 10 new apartment projects launching on the Gold Coast in 2026, covering key opportunities suburb by suburb.

<hr data-end="5185" data-start="5182" />
<h2 data-end="5234" data-section-id="1kp72fk" data-start="5187">What Buyers Should Weigh Up Before Enquiring</h2>

Where a project sits in the development cycle matters just as much, if not more than, the price.

An off-the-plan apartment at registration stage may offer the lowest entry point, but it typically comes with a 24–36 month settlement timeline.

Later-stage projects trade some of that upside for greater certainty, so the right choice ultimately depends on your timeframe, risk appetite, and what you’re prioritising: price, selection, or delivery.

The 3,000 apartments to reshape Surfers Paradise skyline

Financial System

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Australians have A$2.6 trillion in superannuation assets. We conducted a study of Australian women who influence or make decisions about how these assets are invested. Research shows gender-diverse investment teams lead to better investment returns. Yet women report being subject to sexist and unequal treatment in their industry.
While women are now the majority of finance graduates at some Australian universities, they remain a minority at all levels of investment management. They comprise 17% of Australian investment managers. On average they experience a 33% gender pay gap. This is almost 10 percentage points bigger than the gap across all industries.
The gender pay gap is particularly pronounced because discretionary bonuses make up a substantial portion of pay packets in investment management. Women are less likely to be in roles that are paid bonuses. The also report being paid lower bonuses than male equivalents.
Our survey and interview data from 127 women show investment management remains a “boys’ club”. Our findings mirror those of studies of women in Australian finance conducted since 1991. Little has changed over 30 years.
The women in our study were ambitious and passionate about working in investment management. They talked about the strong sense of purpose their jobs provided. They wanted more women making career decisions to be aware of the financial and intellectual rewards.
Most study participants were relatively senior, and most agreed they were treated with respect and had sufficient flexibility over work hours. But only half agreed their workplace treated men and women equally. A significant minority had experienced sexual harassment, offensive remarks or behaviours, and exclusion from important work-related events.
Working mothers have it hardest
Lack of accommodation of working mothers was the key problem identified.
More than half agreed working flexibly or part-time compromised career opportunities. Women described only limited access to flexibility and maternity leave, and stalled careers as a result. Women who took extended leave or “downshifted” were paid less than men in their cohort. This led to a widening pay gap over the course of their careers.
Other problems were identified:
<ul>
<li>
an “ingrained” culture of sexism and gender discrimination; this included stereotyped views of women being best suited to administrative roles, and that their primary role was that of family carer
</li>
<li>
unconscious and conscious biases screening women out of recruitment processes and preventing their advancement
</li>
<li>
disillusionment that men across the industry were only paying “lip service” to gender equality
</li>
<li>
an absence of support, sponsorship and mentoring from direct managers throughout their careers.
</li>
</ul>
Diversity promotes accountability
Finance-sector organisations are under pressure to improve their accountability and performance following the banking royal commission. Having more diverse decision-making is key to this. Cognitively diverse teams are less likely to engage in group think or risky behaviours.
It’s important the leaders of investment management organisations show genuine commitment to improving diversity. It’s equally important this commitment is enacted by managers at all levels.
At the team level, managers should provide support and equal opportunities for women to “stretch” themselves and build their potential for promotion. We found women given the same career-advancing assignments as male colleagues advanced to senior levels and recruited more women at levels below.
One catalyst for change might be to link managers’ pay, bonuses or promotion prospects to achieving key performance indicators for supportive and equitable management practices.
At an industry level, superannuation funds such as HESTA are measuring gender diversity in the firms that manage their assets.
The research points to a need for organisations to “de-bias” all people management processes to ensure gender-equal outcomes in recruitment, allocation of assignments, development opportunities, promotions and remuneration.
To accommodate working parents, organisations should redesign jobs to allow for reduced workloads and career advancement. They need to develop strategies that minimise the impact of maternity leave on career trajectories. They should also encourage men to work flexibly and take extended parental leave, so this becomes a cultural norm.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/103319/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Sarah Oxenbridge, Research Fellow, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney
Rae Cooper, Associate Dean, University of Sydney Business School, co-Director Women, Work and Leadership Research Group, University of Sydney, University of Sydney
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-the-sake-of-our-retirement-savings-its-time-to-reform-the-investment-management-boys-club-103319" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

For the sake of our retirement savings, it’s time to reform the investment management boys’ club

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GUEST OBSERVATION
In the 2017 budget lockup - when then-Treasurer Scott Morrison announced his outrageous bank tax/heist - I heard one well-known journo remark to another “Boy, it’s a f…ing bad day to be a banker”.
And so one might say today that it’s a bad time to be a central banker.
The big debate going on at the moment is whether the “inflation-targeting” framework followed by the United States Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Australia and other central banks, is up to the job in a post-2008 world.
Inflation targeting is where central banks try and keep inflation within a certain range. But they have recently been struggling to achieve their targets.
It’s pretty clear the real interest rate consistent with financial stability in advanced economies is lower than it has been in the past. This means GDP growth rates with a two in front of them are the new normal.
How should monetary policy change - if at all - in light of this?
Inflation targeting in both the United States and Australia dates to the (early/mid) 1990s. Central banks saw a tradeoff between inflation that was either too high or too low. The US Federal Reserve (to this day) summarises it as follows (emphasis added)
"Over time a higher inflation rate would reduce the public’s ability to make accurate economic and financial decisions. On the other hand, a lower inflation rate would be associated with an elevated probability of falling into deflation… a phenomenon associated with very weak economic conditions. Having at least a small level of inflation makes it less likely that the economy will experience harmful deflation if economic conditions weaken."
At the time the Fed settled on a 2% target and the RBA on a 2-3% band.
The question is, are these useful targets today?
As former US Treasury Secretary and NEC Chair Larry Summers put it when commenting on the tradeoff and how it might have changed (emphasis added):
"I do not see much that has changed that bears on the cost of higher inflation in making it harder for economic agents to plan. On the other hand there are compelling reasons to believe that the risks of deflation have increased. First, the world has seen a substantial amount of deflation or very low inflation over the last 20 years. In Japan and significant parts of Europe, deflation has taken place over several year periods. And there were moments during the financial crisis when deflation appeared a real risk for the United States. Second, deflation scenarios occur when the economy falls into the liquidity trap where short term safe nominal rates cannot be reduced any further even though there is economic slack and inflation rates are declining. On any reasonable calculation this is a much greater risk than it could have appeared in the mid-1990s."
The risk is these frameworks are beneficial precisely because they provide certainty to markets and economic actors, and anchor inflation expectations. If one changes the framework too readily or too often then disaster looms.
Changing the mandate
Having said that, there’s a good case to be made for a nominal GDP target rather than the kind of inflation target we currently have. A number of distinguished scholars have advocated this position.
Whatever the new framework is - and there surely needs to be a new one - should almost surely involve nominal interest rates around 5% in normal times. This would permit monetary policy to respond to sharp economic downturns.
How that is achieved is a tactical, not a strategic question. And I say that with all due chiding.
To me, the deep and hard question is how we transition to such a framework without a large loss of credibility. That surely involves making the case - in a compelling fashion - that the world has changed.
US Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell and RBA governor Phil Lowe need to have this discussion very publicly.
Thus far the RBA has not really been on the field, but it pulled out its strongest intellectual weapon on Wednesday, with deputy governor Guy Debelle delivering a detailed speech on inflation in Brisbane.
He offered some suggestions about why inflation has been low - perhaps unusually so - of late, and then concluded with something that sounded an awful lot like the party line (emphasis added):
"Our current forecast for inflation is broadly unchanged from earlier forecasts. We did revise down our expectation for inflation in the current quarter for reasons I have just discussed. Beyond the September quarter, we continue to expect inflation to be around 2¼% over the next couple of years as above-trend GDP growth reduces spare capacity in the labour market and there is an associated pick-up in wages growth. We expect most of these other forces that have contributed to the recent low rate of inflation to abate but there is uncertainty about how much longer they will persist. We would like to be more confident that inflation will be sustained at a rate consistent with the target."
The RBA can call it their “house view”, and we observers can call it other things. But one thing is for sure, the RBA cannot duck the question of what the appropriate monetary-policy framework is for a secular-stagnation world much longer.

They may be able to keep the cash rate on hold, but this debate cannot be kept on hold.
Richard Holden, Professor of Economics and PLuS Alliance Fellow, UNSW<a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414"></a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vital-signs-its-time-to-discuss-a-new-framework-for-central-banking-101978">original article</a>.
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rh-YsoTT2xMuQ

 It’s time to discuss a new framework for central banking: Richard Holden

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Comparison website RateCity has welcomed the federal government’s decision to hold a Royal Commission into Australia’s financial sector.
RateCity CEO Paul Marshall said the only way to restore public trust in our financial sector was through a Royal Commission.
“Australians rely on financial products every single day," Marshall said.
"They hold the keys to our homes. They are the keepers of our retirement.
“We all agree banks are a fundamental to our economy but they are also fundamental to our society. We expect our banks to lend responsibility and help us manage our finances.
“Every Australian is entitled to financial products that are honest and fair. The government is right to focus on this point.
“We would like to see changes that make financial services more transparent and easy-to-understand. Any recommendations should focus on increasing competition and reducing costs for consumers, not the reverse.
“Australia’s big banks have been at the forefront of a long list of scandals and wrongdoings for too long. We’re well past the mea cupla stage.
“It’s time to look at the culture inside our banks and make sure it is in line with community values,” Marshall said.
Mr Turnbull’s announcement comes after the chief executives of the big banks, the Commonwealth, Westpac, National Australia and ANZ banks requested the government step in to  aunch an inquiry.
It was in an email sent to Treasurer Scott Morrison yesterday.
Treasurer Scott Morrison dubbed the Royal Commission a “regrettable but necessary action”.
Leader of the opposition Bill Shorten took to Twitter to take a dig at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
He tweeted "Is Malcolm Turnbull the last person in Australia who doesn't see the need for a Banking Royal Commission?"
Heritage Bank welcomed the Royal Commission into the banking sector, however Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said that the customer-owned banking sector, which included Heritage, should not be dragged into an inquiry based on the alleged wrong doings of the big banks. 
“The whole issue of the need for an inquiry into the banking sector has been used as political football for far too long,” Mr Lock said. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Banking royal commission should focus on an honest and fair financial system

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GUEST OBSERVER
The government’s response to the Financial System Inquiry is good news for consumers and will help promote a competitive and diverse banking and financial landscape and we congratulate the government on accepting the majority of Inquiry Chair David Murray’s recommendations, which were handed down in late 2014.
The recent announcement by the government is good news for customers and will continue to enhance the integrity, competition and transparency in our financial system in Australia. 
I’m pleased to see there will be a stronger focus on competition in the sector, through the inclusion of competition in ASIC’s mandate and also through the commitment to review competition in the financial system by the end of 2017. 
CUA hopes this is just the beginning, and that we will see a continued focus on competition going forward, including regular rolling reviews of competition within the financial system.
We welcome the requirement for transparency around vertically integrated financial advice and mortgage broking businesses, owned by larger banks, and for higher standards in financial advice and acknowledge the steps the government and regulators, including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), have already taken in recent months in response to recommendations which came out of the Inquiry.
The government’s decision earlier this year to not proceed with a levy on deposits was a sensible outcome which was in the best interests of Australians and customer-owned institutions like CUA. 
Likewise, I’m pleased to see the government has endorsed the steps already taken by APRA towards requiring the majors to hold more capital against home loans and the release of a discussion paper on capital levels for ADIs. Both of these are positive outcomes for consumers and customer-owned lenders like CUA. 
CUA looks forward to APRA implementing the broader international work on risk weights for mortgages - the so called Basel 4 approach - which could enable our sector to allocate more appropriate levels of capital to customers with lower loan to valuation ratios. This tailored approach has been missing from our repertoire and will be a major step forward for mutuals given our focus on the customer.
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The CUA would seek further details on some of the proposed actions and how they would impact CUA, including changes to the definitions around term deposits. 
We look forward to continuing to work closely with industry stakeholders, regulators and the Government on implementing these measures so Australians can continue to enjoy a strong, secure and competitive financial services landscape. 
 
Rob Goudswaard is Chief Executive Officer, CUA and can be contacted <a href="https://www.cua.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

CUA applauds measures to promote competition in financial services

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February 29s are a relatively unusual occurrence given the rules that decide leap years: every year divisible by four is a leap year, but every year divisible by 100 is not a leap year, unless the year is also divisible by 400, then it is still a leap year.
As amusing as they are, much can rest on the incidence of the leap year.
Indeed, bankruptcy notices have been set aside because banks didn’t correctly calculate the 366th day in their claims.
The much-feted Sydney developer Andrew Clubb avoided Westpac’s bankruptcy application in a fascinating 1990 Supreme Court ruling – the story still resonates around lower north shore drinking holes.
And a look at the judgement is quite colourful too … for a Federal Court ruling.
“When Julius Caesar decreed that from the year now known as 45 BC onwards there should be adopted the Julian calendar, with its provision for recurring bissextile or leap years, he not only set the scene for a well-known Gilbertian jest; he also set the scene for the problem posed by the present case,” his honour Justice James Burchett said in his 1990 judgement.
“For the basic question is whether, in calculating a proportionate amount of interest due at a yearly rate, the year in question being a leap year, is it permissible to convert the yearly sum to a daily rate by dividing by 365, or whether it is essential to include the intercalary day, thus making the divisor 366.”
Clubb’s bankruptcy notice claimed the sum of $427,938.29, together with $311,000 interest on the balance of the judgment with the obligation to pay interest at a rate, which is stated as a percentage "yearly". There were different daily rates of interest – ranging from 15% to 19.5% - relating to  particular time periods within the period of indebtedness.
The period included a leap year 1988, which had the extra day.
After doing his sums, his honour ruled the total error was $213.
And so given the long precedent that bankruptcy notices are invalid if the sum specified exceeds the amount for which the creditor was entitled, Clubb’s lawyer secured victory.
The bank failed in its contention that the word "yearly" had reference to a common year of 365 days after counsel for the bank cited Halsbury fourth edition volume 45 para.1102, where the expression "common year" referred to a year that consists of 365 days.
His honour suggested it would be a curious anomaly, if applied to a portion of a leap year consisting of 365 days, that the interest for that portion of the leap year would be identical to the interest that could lawfully be exacted for the full year.
“For these reasons, I have concluded that the bankruptcy notice is invalid and must be set aside,” he ruled.
There was another judgement in 1991 where a debt exceeding $100,000 was overstated by $33.19 and the bankruptcy application against the The New York Deli, Double Bay restaurateur Henry Saade was similarly invalid.
None since then that I am aware of, which suggests the banks are alert to the loophole. And there have been two cases – Shaddock and Hodgson – where it’s been ruled in the financier’s favour after the court calculator ran a check over the amounts claimed.
Oh and that bit of Gilbertian jest was The Pirates of Penzance and its character Frederic the pirate apprentice, who was indentured to remain with the pirates until his 21st birthday, but technically going by birthdays was only five, and so  must serve for another 63 years.
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