National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Holiday Rental

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The international DJ Carl Cox and the veteran music promoter Richie McNeill, who started music festival Stereosonic, are selling their successful holiday rental accomodation in the Victorian Alpine.

They’re seeking for over $2 million for the Myrtleford property which they had built in by the Windsor-based RAID Studio, after the pair paid $210,000 for a vacant two hectare block back in 2009.

Since 2013 it’s been a successful high-end holiday rental, known as Tatoonie, which gets booked at over $700 a night midweek and $2,200 for two nights over Friday and Saturday.

<img alt="" height="789" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cox_3.jpg" width="1200">

Offered fully furnished, the home is split in to an east and west wing to divide the accomodation and living spaces.

The east wing is made up of four bedrooms, including two master bedrooms, a queen bedroom and a bedroom with four king single bunks which allows for rentals up to 13 guests.

The west wing is the living space which has a home office, and the hub of the living space, an open plan main kitchen, living and dining area with polished aggregate floors, created using local stone, with in slab floor heating and an open fireplace with woodbox.

<img alt="" height="783" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cox_2.jpg" width="1200">

The concrete kitchen bench top with wooden breakfast bar matches the hand made wooden table. The space opens to an outdoor deck with in ground salt chlorinated swimming pool, an outdoor shower, toilet, four person sauna and an outdoor barbecue.

In the grounds there’s a custom colorbond grey shed.

Ray White Myrtleford agents Sandra Dondio and Scott McMasters have the listing.

Cox has owned a home on the Mornington Peninsula since 2006 when he bought a home in Frankston South where he has spent his time during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<h2>Properties in Victoria selling now:</h2>

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=29358]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=92985]
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They’re seeking for over $2 million for the Myrtleford property which they had built in by the Windsor-based RAID Studio

International DJ Carl Cox and veteran promoter Richie McNeill list Victorian Alpine holiday let

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The popular ARIA-award winner Tones and I has returned to her roots where she made her name as a singer.

The pop singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, has spent $3.3 million on two holiday rentals on the same block just out of town. The homes, known as Starr Cottage and Skye Lodge, share the 1010 sqm parcel.

She's understood to be honouring rental bookings for the properties, with Starr Cottage still available to book at $880 a night. However, despite bookings coming up, Skye Lodge is no longer available for further bookings.

Skye Lodge (pictured top and below) is the grander of the two homes, comprising six bedrooms and three bathrooms, a media room, games room and its own pool. 

<img alt="" height="796" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/skye_lodge_2.jpg" width="1200">

Starr Cottage has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a private parents retreat upstairs with ensuite. The lounge opens to private backyard with a swimming pool set in established gardens.

On the property is a separate self-contained one bedroom managers quarters with its own private courtyard and entry. 

Marketed as ticking all the boxes for an investor, owner occupier or holiday maker, both homes have been renovated in keeping with their heritage features including tongue and groove VJ walls, double hung timber windows, ceiling roses and hardwood timber floors.

Watson bought the property in a company name, Johnny Run Away, the name of her debut single released last year. The music video depicts her time busking in Byron, with her CD’s available at $10.

Last year Tones spent $5.1 million on a five bedroom mansion in Melbourne Mt Eliza, the suburb where she was born.
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The pop singer, whose real name is Toni Watson, has spent $3.3 million on two holiday rentals on the same block just out of town



Tones and I spends $3.3 million in Byron Bay

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The New South Wales government have released the draft code for the Short-term Rental Accomodation (STRA) industry.
"Compliance with this code is mandatory for all short-term rental accommodation industry participants," the code reads.
One of the biggest changes will be an exclusion register, publicly available online which will list banned hosts and guests.
The bans, that last five years, will be administered on a strike process.
Two strikes in a two year period will put the guest or host on the register.
The commissioner for Fair Trading in the NSW Department of Customer Service is tasked with administering the code.
The STRA industry is estimated to be worth $16 billion to the NSW economy, nearly half of the  $31.3 billion national worth. 
The 16 page draft code put forward four objectives of the new regulations.
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set out the rights and obligations of short-term rental accommodation industry participants
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provide for resolution of disputes and complaints concerning the conduct of short-term rental accommodation industry participants
</li>
<li>
outline the compliance and enforcement approach that applies for contraventions of the code by short-term rental accommodation industry participants
</li>
<li>
facilitate the oversight of the short-term rental accommodation industry.
</li>
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Greg Channer, managing director of Wollongong holiday home property manager <a href="https://www.emeraldaqua.com.au/" target="_blank">Emerald &amp; Aqua</a>, said the company welcome the draft code for the Short-term Rental Accomodation (STRA), having been engaged in the review process which began in 2015.
​“The short term rental accommodation is a key driver of tourism in rural and regional NSW and clearly the impacts on residents amenity resulting from inconsiderate or anti-social behaviour by some short-term rental guests needs to be addressed," Channer said.
"The industry is being held accountable for poor guests’ behaviour, it's these few guests and the culture of party houses that needs addressing. “
Channer suggested the current draft code does not go far enough to protect the amenity of neighbours and residents.
"Booking platforms need to take a greater responsibility for unreasonable disturbance, remove ‘Instant Booking’ features and ensure property managers speak with each guest prior to accepting their booking request and qualify the reason and nature of their stay.”
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Channer estimates the STRA industry in the Illawarra generates around $3.7 million a year to the local economy directly to the area's cafes, restaurants and tour operators.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

NSW release draft code of conduct for short term rental accomodation

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The New South Wales Government are set to introduced a regulatory framework around short term rental accomodation (STRA).
The industry was estimated to be worth $31.3 billion nationally in 2016.
New South Wales alone made up around half of that figure. Sydney ranks as one of Airbnb’s top ten cities for most properties on the platform. In June 2018 the <a href="/news/nsw-government-puts-cap-on-sydney-airbnb-rentals-with-regional-councils-able-to-follow">NSW government put a 180-day cap</a> on the number of empty days properties can be rented out by Airbnb in Sydney.
It also gave strata corporations the power to ban Airbnb in their buildings if 75 percent of owners seek the ban.
The government are now set to implement a new regulatory framework at some point this year which includes a mandatory code of conduct, new planning instruments and a possible register of all STRA properties.
Kevin Anderson, minister for better regulation, encouraged anyone with an interest in STRA — whether they be hosts, guests, neighbours, industry associations or booking platforms — to <a href="http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">have their say while consultation is open</a> on all elements of the new framework.
“The mandatory Code of Conduct will facilitate oversight of STRA providers, including providing for the resolution of complaints and disputes regarding the conduct of hosts and guests,” Anderson said.
 
<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/2019/8/14/STRA%20framework.jpg" alt="">
The code will establish a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy.
Hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the code within two years will be banned for five years.
Platforms and letting agents will not be permitted to offer services to anyone, or any dwelling, that is listed on the exclusion register.
A strike will include any behaviour which unreasonably interferes with a neighbour’s quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their home.
“Under the Code, all participants will be required to act honestly and in good faith and comply with directions and requests from the Commissioner for Fair Trading," Anderson added.
“Hosts’ obligations relate to holding an appropriate level of public liability insurance and providing neighbours and owners corporations with information such as the host’s contact details, and that they are bound by the Code of Conduct during their stay.
"Guests will have to ensure their behaviour does not unreasonably impact on neighbours and will be required to take reasonable care of the property.
“Our proposal includes making the industry responsible for funding, developing and administering the register – with any registration system applying to all STRA properties, including those let through online booking platforms,” Anderson said.
Stayz has welcomed the registration proposal.
Stayz corporate affairs director, Eacham Curry said that while the details will still have to be worked through, the proposed industry-led registration system is an innovative approach to co-regulating the sector.
“By clarifying the boundaries of our sector, a simple register of all holiday rentals has the potential to ensure that local governments, communities and our industry can work together to improve amenity and make more informed decisions about urban planning," Curry said.
"We look forward to working with the NSW Government and other stakeholders on designing a nation leading registration system."
More information on the Code of Conduct for STRA can be found on the Fair Trading website at <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au</a>.
 
 
 
 
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Airbnb short term rental rules in New South Wales get closer

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With the imminent return of SeaChange to television, Barwon Heads could be back in the spotlight if the Channel Nine series films again in the coastal Victorian location. 
Some property commentators have calculated Barwon Heads prices have outdone Melbourne's during the intervening two decades.
One recent sale was the holiday rental home known as Cottesloe Beach Shack for $900,000 to Northcote buyers, showing sizeable price growth. 
The cute Cottesloe Drive cottage last traded at $500,050 in 2010 when bought by a Richmond couple whose saw its rental income jump to over $50,000 a year.
It sold at $275,000 in 2004 and before that in 1971 at $1100. It once featured on Channel Nine's Postcards, albeit with Glen Moriarty, not Bec Judd, singing its praises.
Nestled within native landscaped garden, the main home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the main eco-ply designed.
An open plan living and dining area that adjoins the galley-style kitchen opens to the front deck and garden.
There is a one bedroom bungalow tucked away in the topiary.
<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/2017/12/15/cott2.jpg" alt="">
The backyard features a fire put, raised veggie patch, fruit trees, sandpit and manicured garden beds. 
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Barwon Heads beach shack sold for $900,000

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Buyers are slowly getting back in to the holiday home market after it took a dive post GFC when no one wanted their own holiday home.
Discretionary spending was tight following the global financial crisis and people weren't spending money on holidays.
That was difficult for the many who relied on holiday rental income to keep the escape home.  
Last year it was tipped that the 2016 holiday market will be busy due to the extra wealth that homeowners in Sydney and Melbourne have acquired over the past two years through the housing boom.
A popular haunt for Sydney siders who don't head north for the summer is Hyams Beach, one of the south coasts biggest draw cards.
Offering direct beach access to Hyams Beach from its exclusive position, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-hyams+beach-125796122" target="_blank">94 Cyrus</a> recently sold for a record $3.5 million.
The home was only completed in June and was built and fully landscaped by Tim Clout, one of the best builders in Jervis Bay.
<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/2017/11/28/Hyams2.jpg" alt="">
It last traded for $1.7 million in 2014 as a vacant 880 sqm land parcel.
The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large front deck, covered walkways and a swimming pool.
Comparable homes in Hyams Beach would generate over $110,000 per annum, with a peak weekly rate of around $6,500, according to the marketing.
South Coast Properties agent Craig McIntosh sold the home after $3.5 million hopes.
Cyrus Street is the localities millionaire's row. The top 10 most expensive homes in the area have sold on the street.
94 Cyrus would set the price record that has barely been challenged since 2007 when Elandra, a seven bedroom home seven doors down sold for $3.44 million.
It was bought by former bankrupt Keddies partner Scott Roulstone and wife Kathryn.
Last year another Cyrus Street home fetched $2.86 million. 
This article was first published in The Weekend Australian. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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Cyrus Street home fetches Hyams Beach record

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Sydney is ranked the second highest city to recoup investment on a home using a peer to peer rental service like Homeaway or Airbnb with an expected yearly return of 11.96 percent.
A study by peer-to-peer motorhome rental platform SHAREaCAMPER found Frankfurt, Germany, is the best city to pay off a home using a peer-to-peer rental, with 13.48 percent expected yearly return.
The study ranked 31 cities by analysing the ratio of market to P2P rental prices, including any fees paid by the owner, for more than one thousand homes per city. Cities were ranked by a grand total of the time needed to recoup investments, based on the return of investment percentage, according to the occupancy rate.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/06/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-13%20at%2010.39.12%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-06-13%20at%2010.39.12%20AM.png" alt="">
SHAREaCAMPER CEO Florian Dahlmann said the sharing economy offers great individual experiences as well as flexibility.
"With peer to peer rental, people can make memories in the home they’ve always dreamed of owning," he said.
"Similarly, everyday people can pay off investments simply by renting out underused assets.
“The biggest lesson of our research is that you don’t need to charge exorbitant rental rates to pay off your investment.
"We are huge fans of win-win situations like this and we hope this research encourages development in more hesitant markets."
"Sydney placed second for ROI on P2P home rental with a projected 11.96 percent adjusted rate of yearly return.
"Boston had the lowest ROI followed by Paris and San Francisco."
A Perth accomodation host has lost a court battle to be allowed to let his Rivervale apartment to short-term tenants through Airbnb.
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Sydney, Perth top 10 worldwide to make an income using services like Airbnb

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Despite longingly looking into estate agency window displays for beach shacks whenever we are holidaying up or down the coast, most of us baulk at buying.
Nationally around 560,000 Australians have a holiday home.
Melburnians twice as likely to have a holiday home, data from Roy Morgan Research suggests.
It found five percent Melbourne residents have one compared to 2.8 percent of people in Sydney.
They can, after all, be pricey and problematic.
Over the Easter break, I was weighing up their pros and cons recalling the analysis of Pitcher Partners accountant David Staples cautioning would-be buyers to do the sums as rather than offering sanctuary and status, the reality could be a financial black hole.
“It’s generally a lifestyle choice rather than an investment,” he suggested. 
The much voiced downside owners actually complain about is that all their time is spent fixing up and maintaining their holiday homes and not enough on the leisure side.
Then there's also the daily obligations of cooking, cleaning and laundry. 
Getting the food, booze and other supplies from a local shopping centre amidst hoardes of holidaymakers can be a endurance test.
Rental returns typically can cover most costs - from maybe around eight to 10 weeks a year with renting demand lower during off season when the owner gets to enjoy the cooler conditions in their musty clothes.
Normally you'd expect a net annual yield of no more than 2 percent, even if commanding weekly rents of $2000 plus in peak periods.
Of course there's always the chance of using the income for a quick ski trip to Whistler while the tenants swat away the Christmas holiday blowies.
But the expectations of holiday guests has risen so costly household items once considered extras such as air-conditioning, a dishwasher and a huge gas barbeque are now essential.
The Nepresso machine will soon be mandatory for the vacation crowd.
Being in one location for vacation year after year can be a delight for some, safe and routine with a good book selection to catch up on, along with the scrabble and monopoly board games.
Providing just the necessary break from the hustle and bustle of the city for disconnected families, ideally, its driving distance from Sydney should not be much further than two hours if it's a true weekender.
Senior executives who take their laptop workload can enjoy regular long weekends - and envisage their eventual seamless sea change shift.
For others constantly returning to the same holiday spot is not on.
Especially when inexpensive travel deals offer destinations with hotels and resorts providing high end holiday options and staff that take care of everything.
According to Pitcher Partners, the money spent on an average holiday house could pay for about 90 days a year in a quality hotel.
The owner would need to spend their four week annual holidays, 10 public holidays and 19 weekends at the holiday home to justify the cost.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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