The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

House And Land

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Once you’ve made the decision to build a new home, and that itself is an exciting decision, the next choice is finding the right home design.
With many builders and designs out there, it can become overwhelming and confusing.
<ol>
<li>
How long do you plan to live there? The first question you need to identify is the timeframe; how long do you plan to live in the home? If your plan is short-term, you’ll learn very quickly what works well, what you like, and what you don’t like, so next time you can learn from the experience and make the design better to suit your requirements. If you’re designing your forever home, you’ll want to establish the following points. 
</li>
<li>
Children  The age and number of children will determine many factors. In addition to the number of bedrooms, parents of young children might want a rumpus room for the kids to play in, while teenage children might require a quiet space away from living areas to study. You can ‘zone’ the kids are of the home, or have a ‘kids wing’. This enables you to close doors to hide the mess or dull the noise. <img src="/images/2014/05/23/Kids%20wing.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> 
</li>
<li>
Location of bedrooms  Do you want the master bedroom at the front of the home or at the rear? Do you want your room to be close to the kids? You’ll need to think about the proximity of bedrooms to the bathroom, laundry noise, living room noise and access to your room. 
</li>
<li>
Versatile design  This is a home that will adapt as you need it to. Using the above example, a spare room can be used as a rumpus and converted into a study as the kids get older. By the time your children are young adults (being realistic, kids are staying at home a lot longer these days) it can be set up as a separate living room. 
</li>
<li>
Lifestyle  Depending on your lifestyle to what features you have in the home. If you’re avid movie fans, you might consider a home theatre, or if you love entertaining, an alfresco or formal lounge could be ideal. If you run a business from home, a home office located near the entry would be perfect. <img src="/images/2014/05/23/Alfresco.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> 
</li>
<li>
Kitchen  Something you need to consider before finalising your kitchen is the infamous kitchen work triangle. The triangle is made up of the distance between the cooktop, sink and refrigerator. These three elements need to be close together, but not too close. Another thing you need to consider with your kitchen design is where you will store everything. A good way to work through it is to imaging dishing up dinner, unloading the dishwasher and baking a cake.  <img src="/images/2014/05/23/Kitchen.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> 
</li>
<li>
Block of land Your house must be suited to the block of land. If you have a narrow inner city allotment, your options are more restricted compared to a rural acreage block. In addition, if the land has a slope, you may need a split-level design. Every land estate has different design requirements; in some areas your front door must be set in front of your garage. 
</li>
<li>
Backyard  Depending on what you would like to achieve with a backyard will impact the size of the block of land you need and the size of the home. Keen gardeners, entertainers or people with pets may want a larger backyard than those who don’t spend much time outdoors. 
</li>
<li>
Think about the furniture you currently own  Many people like the look of a home, however when it comes to moving they realise there isn’t a place for their antique hall table or the room configuration doesn’t allow room for their couch. Imagine where everything you currently own will go. <img src="/images/2014/05/23/Furniture.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> 
</li>
<li>
Storage Builders and designers are very savvy when it comes to incorporating storage into your home. There is no wasted space with every nook and cranny being used wisely. You may consider extending the garage to allow extra room for storing bicycles or a boat. You also may want to add extra storage inside your home for toys, linen or coats. 
</li>
<li>
Study/computer nook  If you don’t want a complete study, but you still want somewhere to store your computer or charge your laptop, a study/computer nook is a great compromise. It is efficient use of space and provides the perfect place to store all your electronic devices and mail.  <img src="/images/2014/05/23/Study%20nook.jpg" alt="" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> 
</li>
<li>Don’t lose sight of the goal</li>
</ol>
Keep referring back to why you’re moving in the first place. If your reason for moving was to downsize, make sure you don’t get caught up in the design process and end up with a bigger home than you started with.
Similarly, if it’s an investment, consider the versatility of the home to suit a wide audience, so remember your audience and don’t take over with ‘this is what I would want’.
Natalie O’Shea is a designer at <a href="https://hotondo.com.au/" target="_blank">Hotondo Homes </a>and has been designing homes for over 15 years. Hotondo Homes is an Australian owned family business that was established in 1979.
Images courtesy of Hotondo Homes.
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jake-cSmGT7VXVf

12 tips to help choose the perfect home design

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Devine’s second-largest shareholder Lyn Brazil has criticised the national property development company for not taking advantage of Australia’s booming property markets.
Lyn Brazil, who owns 9% of the listed residential developer, voted against Devine’s remuneration report at the company’s annual meeting in Brisbane on Wednesday.
But some of the most pointed criticism was directed at the largest shareholder, the contractor Leighton Holdings.
“As we all know with Leighton as majority shareholder they pull the strings, but they have been asleep at the wheel and let all this happen,” Mr Brazil reportedly said.
The company sells new homes mostly in South East Queensland, but is little known for its Victorian, South Australia and NSW ventures, having only had the one press release highlighting buyer opportunities this year, and three since last May on its website.
The Devine masterplanned communities across Melbourne include Eden Brook at <a href="/news">Pakenham</a>, Parks Edge at <a href="/news">Cranbourne</a>, Stonehill at <a href="/news">Bacchus Marsh</a> and Pennyroyal at <a href="/news">Kurunjang</a>. In Adelaide there is Orleana Waters, at<a href="/news"> Evanston Gardens</a>. 
Founded in 1983, Devine's apartment projects in Brisbane have seen 3,000 apartments valued at more than $1 billion sold since 1993, after its prior ownership and management by David Devine who left Devine Limited, which still bears his name, in 2010.
Sales at the 111-apartment project, DoubleOne3 located in the prestigious riverside suburb of Teneriffe, are due to be settled by in June. 
Devine announced in late 2012 that it would re-enter the NSW market, after securing an option on an 86 dwelling, 5,900 square mete site in <a href="/news">Turramurra</a>, heralded as possibly its first project in NSW for nine years. But it was subsequently sold off as a development site. They have since bobbed up exchanging contracts on a 2.25 hectare site in Parramatta, expected to yield over 350 apartments. 
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Devine is proposing to build a $180 million staged development with several multi-storey buildings on Morton Street, Parramatta with an existing joint venture party. The project is expected to launch in January 2015 with construction to commence the following year. 
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</div>
</div>
As at 30 June 2013, Devine’s land and apartment development pipeline included the equivalent of 13,700 future dwellings.
Leighton, which owns 50.6%of Devine, had to provide a $50 million partial guarantee of Devine’s debt ­facility last year, after the Brisbane-based developer booked a loss and downgraded guidance.
“If we look at the opposing property development companies they are ­getting good profits,” the Australian Financial Review reported Brazil telling the annual general meeting
He said Devine's results that were “disappointing, dismal and damning”.
“I don’t have any inspiration or any confidence in the team, so from my point of view you should sell the company or sell the assets and give the ­capital back to shareholders,” Mr Brazil said.
Shares in <a href="https://www.devine.com.au" target="_blank">Devine</a> are tracing at 72¢, less than half its net tangible assets.
Devine chairman Peter Dransfield said he understood Mr Brazil’s views.
The company was now on track to deliver a profit before tax of between $7 million and $10 million for the full year ending December 2014.
The company had sold off $110 million in development sites, mostly in Brisbane, the Devine chief executive David Keir said. It sold a parcel of undeveloped land in North Brisbane for $14 million to private developer QM Properties this month. Last December Queensland property developer Sir John Pidgeon acquired Devine Limited’s Camelot site on Albert Street in the Brisbane central business district.
“Some challenges still remain in selected markets, with uncertain job security impacting on consumer confidence, and some regional markets currently enduring cyclical lows,” David Keir explained.
“We are carefully monitoring these areas and continuing investment is based on appropriate levels of pre-sales before construction commitment is made.”
Last year Morningstar’s Tony Sherlock blame the postcodes of Devine's property projects along with the difficulty of clearing backlogs, especially in stubborn pockets of negative equity, for its dire status.
Peter Dransfield has only been on the Devine board since April 2010 having previously held senior positions with Australand, Walker Corporation, Multiplex Group along with being the director of housing for the NSW Government.
Kier joined Devine as chief executive officer in March 2010 and was appointed managing director in April 2010 having previously been CEO of Delfin Lend Lease where he joined in 1994.
Devine’s board includes former Queensland Treasurer Terry Mackenroth who has been on the board since 2005..
The board saw two Leighton directors retire at the annual meeting, after seven years, replaced by another two Leighton directors, Ian Frost and Jeff Cummings.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

"Dismal" Devine Limited attacked by shareholder for missing the housing boom

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Mossvale on Manly, an award-winning East Brisbane masterplanned development from Mirvac, has sold out with almost 500 homes developed.
However, the development was launched in 2003 and has taken more than 10 years to completely sell out, with almost $24 million in sales over 2013 and releases staggered over the past decade.
<a href="https://www.mossvale.mirvac.com/vision" target="_blank">Mossvale on Manly</a> is located in Wakerley, 14 kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, and is bordered by Manly Road and Tilley Road. 
The median house price for Queensland's <a href="/news">Wakerley</a> is $664,000, with median asking rent sitting at $540 per week.
The 64 hectare site includes more than 10 hectares of green open space and 4.3 hectares of waterway corridor in its centre.
<img src="/images/2014/05/26/mossvale-may-26-one.jpg" alt="">
The past 12 months in particular have seen strong sales, explained Mirvac Queensland masterplanned communities development director Russell Berlee.
"As the community neared the finish line, we only had a limited number of properties left to sell with the majority of the homes released in the past year selling prior to construction being completed," said Berlee.
"There was sustained interest right up to the very last sale and, in many cases, we had a number of purchasers wanting the same property, with a wait list in case the sale fell through."
A wide demographic of buyers had been attracted, however those with interest were predominantly young families, downsizers and professional executives. Those living in surrounding suburbs, including <a href="/news">Carindale</a>, <a href="/news">Manly West</a> and <a href="/news">Wynnum</a>, dominated sales as they looked to upgrade into their second or third homes.
Properties were being offered from $650,000. In <a href="/news/mirvacs-mossvale-on-manly-community-a-near-sell-out">December, the only properties remaining were those from $705,000</a>.
The project included significantly sized blocks, and houses spanning up to five bedrooms.
Click here for other house and land developments and news.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Mirvac’s Mossvale on Manly sells out more than 10 years after launch

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The next time you look at buying a piece of land within a land estate, spare a thought for the land developer.
A few discussions this week with different large scale land developers reminded me of the number of layers they need to work through when developing raw land. Raw land is land that remains in its natural state and has had no development improvements, service connections, road works or other developments done to it so that you can build a dwelling there.
I certainly don’t envy the job of a large scale land developer as it takes literally years of work before they see any profits.
One developer told me that they’d been working with council for several years to get their development application (DA) for the land subdivision approved...and that was the easy bit.
Once a subdivision plan is approved the land developer then starts the real work in meeting the conditions of the DA consent so that they can apply for the construction certificate and then finally the subdivision certificate.  Then the final step is to have the individual lots that have been created, registered.
Once registered the purchaser can buy their piece of land and commence their own development journey. For Property Bloom it’s usually an application for a dual occupancy or a multi villa development.
Another land developer explained the stage they were at in one of their current subdivisions. After waiting longer than ever anticipated for the land to be rezoned there other major hurdle was seemingly simple.  
After obtaining the DA consent and in order to commence their civil works, drainage, sewer connections, road and other service connections, they needed permission to put down a 20 metre access crossover.
The owner of the land they needed to use to access their subdivision is the Catholic Church. The levels they had to work through to obtain this small 20 metre access gave the impression it was going all the way to the Pope for approval. Of course it wasn’t, but it was just an example used to convey the time some things can take.
It’s a great thing for us to work with these developers and our established relationships mean Property Bloom gets the low down on land that will be coming up in the near to medium term. We get a sneak preview of the subdivision plans before others so we can choose the lots most suited to our type of development. It gives us time to prepare our DA whilst waiting for the final registration of the land saving on valuable holding costs.
<a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">www.propertybloom.com.au</a>
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The long road to large scale land development

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The Northern Territory’s Ilpeye Ilpeye is seeing the territory and federal governments working to deliver the subdivision normalisation that will see services provided to residents.
Receiving $10.6 million of government funding, including a $6.2 million tender awarded to Probuilt NT Pty Ltd, a formal bus area, postal services and street names will be delivered.
Minister for Community Services Bess Price said that this subdivision will help improve the lifestyle of a number of Indigenous Territorians.
Works on the town camp will included 800 metres of underground power mains, 1,200 metres of new water mains, 700 metres of new sewer mains, 650 metres of new open unlined drains and one kilometre of new roads.
“The improved standard of infrastructure will also mean that services that you and I take for granted such as rubbish collection and running water, can be delivered in Ilpeye Ilpeye like in the rest of Alice Springs,” said Price.
“Once subdivision works are complete, the Ilpeye Ilpeye Aboriginal Corporation will have the option of freehold titles to the serviced lots of land, which will be individually titled and available for either private construction or sale.”
The private home ownership opportunities in the area have the potential to provide economic benefits, including an increase in housing supply, she said.
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Subdivision normalisation undertaken in Ilpeye Ilepye by Northern Territory and federal governments

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Northbrook Corp, which looks to develop Noosa on Weyba, have filed an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court after being refused their development application by two Sunshine Coast Councils who said it did not fit their planning schemes.
The move to court was said to come as “no surprise” to Noosa Council officials and the Friends of Lake Weyba, who are “vigorously anti-development”, according to The Queensland Times.
Co-developer of the project, which sits in both Noosa and Sunshine Coast Council areas, is Mantle.
The developers submitted a 10-page document responding to the refusals.
The <a href="https://www.noosaonweyba.com.au/" target="_blank">official website for Noosa on Weyba</a> notes that they look to provide a range of housing options, parks, cycleways, aged care amenities and access to Lake Weyba. They also said that they would adopt sustainability principles.
A maximum of 50 apartments, and a range of aged care apartments, retiring living cottages, residential lots and townhouses, as well as a kiosk/tea house for the public at the gateway to Noosa National Park, are proposed. Overall, there would be 850 new dwellings.
The development would sit on a 303 hectare landholding. A total of 19% would be developed over the eight year timeline.
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Queensland developer looks to court appeal after 850 dwellings rejected by two councils

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Hi Margaret,
My partner and I are thinking of buying our first home by the end of this year and are currently researching on where to build, the demographics, etc which will suit our budget.
We are from WA and are thinking of going for a home and land package. Therefore will you have any piece of advice as we are newbies to the property market and believe that extensive research needs to be conducted before we embark on this journey.
Is there any of your books that are specifically targeted towards first home buyers.
Regards,
Amira
Margaret's answer on the next page. Please click below.
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Hi Amira,
It's really important to understand that the parameters around how we choose the home we wish to live in are not the same as those we choose the home to invest in.
If you were buying purely for an investment, it's more likely that you would not invest in the same kind of area that you would choose to buy in as an owner occupier.  This is because, at any moment in time, some areas make better investments than others due to the existence of growth drivers which have not yet had a big impact on that market.
If you were choosing to invest you would be looking for areas which are not yet fully serviced, yet show signs of increasing population, infrastructure and popularity. These areas then have a good chance to grow quickly and you will benefit from that by having an investment which grows well.  If you are looking to buy a home to live in you would be looking for an established area which most likely already has had some good growth - you choose it for the convenience and lifestyle benefits it can provide to you and consider its potential to grow as a secondary requirement.
You want to buy in WA, and most residential areas in Perth have had a good run last year, with prices softening this year.  Therefore, as an investment it's not as good, at this moment in time, as say, Brisbane, and so you would most likely not choose a Perth suburb as an investment right now.  But as you want to live there, your aim instead should be to find something within your budget which also allows you to meet all of your lifestyle needs - a decent proximity to your work, near family and friends and close to any of the things you like to do in your leisure time, such as go to the beach, go bushwalking etc.
As you are choosing a house and land package, make very sure that the total price to build this house does not exceed the current price for similar, established properties which are already built.  Often there is a builder premium which you cannot recover through market growth, as this house will only have the same value as similar established houses once it is built.
Then, make sure that you get the right type of loan, right from the start, one which is flexible and will allow you to redraw anything you pay off it to make a deposit on an investment property.  You want to be able to pay down your loan as quickly as you can so that the combined effect of debt reduction and market growth of the property creates the equity you need to get started with a property investment portfolio. 
While my books don't specifically help a first time owner occupier, the latest one, <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/how-to-achieve-property-success-margaret-lomas/prod9780987368294" target="_blank">How to Achieve Property Success</a>, which is a combination and update of my first three books, definitely helps you to undertake effective mortgage reduction and prepare yourself for starting on your property investing journey. 
Regards,
Margaret
Have a property question? <a href="mailto:askmargaret@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
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What should I look for in a house and land investment? Ask Margaret

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Golfing entrepreneur Greg Norman is set design two premium golf courses in the south-west of Sydney.
The golfing champion’s company will redesign an existing Peter Thomson-designed 18-hole course in a collaboration with property developer Sekisui House and club operator, Wests Campbelltown, for the redevelopment of Wests Campbelltown’s existing 18-hole Camden Lakeside Golf Course. 
The 1993 course is the only Sydney one designed by five times British Open Winner Peter Thomson and his design partners, Ross Perrett and Mike Wolveridge.
Norman will also build a new nine-hole course within Sekisui House's 280-hectare site, <a href="https://www.sekisuihouse.com.au/nsw/Communities/Our-Communities/The-Hermitage,-NSW" target="_blank">The Hermitage at Gledswood Hills</a>, which is about 12 kilometres from Campbelltown.
Located in one of Sydney's newest suburb, Gledswood Hills, The Hermitage is Sekisui House's first masterplanned community in Australia.
The Hermitage will offer up to 1,800 premium home sites. 
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Gledswood Hills is bounded by Camden Valley Way to the west, Raby Road to the north and Gregory Hills Drive to the south. The land featured the El Caballo Blanco property along with the heritage homestead, Gledswood.
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Since its launch in 2012, more than 600 properties have sold in the masterplanned community. 
Norman’s design company was responsible for the development of Stonecutter’s Ridge Golf Club near Blacktown. 
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Sekisui House snares Greg Norman golf course for south-west Sydney estate 

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More than 80 local tradies and building suppliers, directed by Shoalhaven’s G.J. Gardner Homes, have got together to build a house in Bomaderry, which will be auctioned to raise money for Variety, the children’s charity.
The first open house will be this Saturday from 10am to 2pm, at 9 Banool Circuit, Bomaderry, New South Wales. It will also be open for inspection on 10 and 17 May.
It will go for auction on Saturday 24th May.
The four-bedroom house has an open plan style with mountain views. The master bedroom has an ensuite and built-in robes, and the house includes ducted air conditioning, an integrated sound system, undercover decked alfresco area and a 5.5 star energy rating.
The block of land was given to Variety at a significant discount by the McDonald Family, with construction on the house beginning on 1 November 2013.
Integrity Real Estate are taking the property to auction. The proceeds will go to Variety’s Freedom program, which specifically looks to help children in need with their mobility and communication.
G. J. Gardner Homes Shoalhaven director Nathan Fay said that it is conveniently located near Nowra town centre, and is an opportunity for a family to experience country living.
“It is located in the elite Meroo Views Estate and has stunning panoramic views across beautiful rural surrounds,” said Fay.
Peter Hebbes, chairman for Variety, said that it has been a heartwarming experience.
“The proceeds of this auction will make a huge difference to the lives of many children in need,” Hebbes said.
Suppliers that got behind the project included: Smeg, James Hardie, Phil Jones Insulation Specialist, Humes Doors, Daikin, Gainsborough, HPM, JB Air Conditioning, Rheem, B&amp;D garage doors, Kiteleys, GJ NSW, GJ Corporate, South Coast Drafting, Efficiency Assessments, Bradnams Windows, Taubmans, Harvey Norman Commercial, Smart Film Termite Protection, Leslie &amp; Thompson Surveyors and Smith &amp; Sons.
For those elsewhere in New South Wales, G. J. Gardner Homes is looking to turn this into a state-wide program and to enlist one of their franchisees in NSW or ACT per year to repeat the process to help build Variety donations. Next year, a Tamworth office will take on the project.
The hopes are for over $1 million to be raised for Variety.
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Bomaderry house auction to raise money for children’s charity Variety

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The developer Villawood Properties, in partnership with builder, Henley auctioned off a newly completed house and land package with all proceeds going to The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal. It fetched $717,000.
Marking Villawood’s fifth and Henley’s 21st year of involvement in the Good Friday Appeal, the Children’s Charity House program had previously contributed over $11.3 million to The Royal Children’s Hospital since its inception 1993.
Located at Villawood’s Aspire community in Plumpton, the four-bedroom Henley home is located in Melbourne’s thriving north western growth corridor.
The Children’s Charity House is close to parkland and from established shopping centres and schools.
It is located at 83 Aspire Boulevard or can be inspected at the <a href="https://www.gfacharityhouse.com.au" target="_blank">website</a>.
The house sold at a televised no-reserve auction on Good Friday, April 18 with the <a href="https://www.cbauctions.com" target="_blank">auctioneer Christian Bartley</a>.
The Children’s Hospital House, one of the most anticipated events on The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal’s busy calendar, is a 50 square home from Henley’s Clendonvale range.
The ‘Emperor Nouveau Q1’ is one of Henley’s most popular home designs and features four bedrooms, five living areas, an entertainer’s kitchen, grand balcony, with landscaped front and back yards set on a generous 594sqm corner block.
Countless businesses and individuals have donated their time and products towards the house construction including Austral Bricks, Oliver Hume, Reece, Caroma, Buildsafe Australia, The Good Guys and Dulux.
Prior house sales have yielded as high as $635,000 in funds for the Good Friday Appeal Children’s Hospital with the the 2010 charity home at Alamanda Point Cook. It was $605,000 in 2012. Last year's sale at Clyde was $500,000. <a href="/news">RP Data puts Plumpton's house median as a near record $465,000</a>.
The auction was billed as forming a key component of Channel 7’s Good Friday telecast when the home goes under the hammer on Friday April 18 at 2pm. Channel 7 celebrities will be at Aspire’s free family fun day from 1pm to 3pm on Good Friday.
The home will be the 35th home to be auctioned with all proceeds going to The Good Friday Appeal.
The Royal Children's Hospital has been providing care for Victorian children and their families for over 140 years.
This year, The Good Friday Appeal will celebrate its 83rd year of contributing to The Royal Children’s Hospital. The Good Friday Appeal has contributed more than $245 million to The Royal Children’s Hospital since its inception in 1931 by some Sporting Globe journalists. It has been televised since 1957. The appeal funds raised has only ever gone down eight times through the decades.
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