<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Joel Robinson

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

When it comes to developing in Melb​ourne's Bayside region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lowe-living">Lowe Living</a> knows exactly what buyers want.

With a longstanding presence in the area and a string of sell-out projects, Lowe Living consistently delivers developments that are as sought-after as their predecessors.

Their latest instalment is in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-east-vic-3188">&nbsp;East,</a> the same postcode where they have previously delivered Hampton Hill and Oceano. The developer-builder recently commenced construction on its newest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marella-hampton-31-35-alicia-street-hampton-east-vic-3188">Marella</a>, a collection of 32 apartments just five minutes from the beach.

Site acquisition is paramount to success. Lowe Living rarely brings a building to market that isn’t within walking distance of essential amenities, whether it be the beach, a prominent retail strip, or a train station. Marella is no exception, located at its Alicia Street address, less than a kilometre from the retail heart of Hampton Street and Hampton Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358495]

Equally important to Lowe Living is the architecture.

For Marella, they appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, who explains that the architectural vision was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the Californian bungalow, a style that’s iconic to Hampton’s heritage.

"By borrowing, abstracting, and reinterpreting elements of this quintessential style, such as strong datum lines, articulated columns, exposed structures, and roof tiles, our design strikes a balance between modernity and familiarity," says Cera Stribley.

"This approach ensures that the development is not only visually appealing but also contextually sensitive, resonating with Hampton's existing architectural landscape."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358499]

The building features terracotta brick, soft cream masonry, and exposed metal detailing, giving it a tactile presence that is intended to weather gently over time.

Internally, the focus on lasting quality continues, with two and three-bedroom residences anchored by sculptural stone kitchen islands, natural light, and clearly defined transitions between living, dining, and outdoor spaces.

The layouts have been carefully designed. Open-plan zones extend to private balconies, with light-filled interiors and generous kitchen proportions, supported by Miele wall ovens, induction cooktops, and integrated fridge-freezers. These are not small apartments rebranded as luxury; they have been designed at scale, with ample storage, hotel-style entry access, and secure basement parking provided as standard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358492]

At the uppermost level, Marella’s Signature Collection penthouses offer city or bay views, large entertaining terraces (some with outdoor spas), and elevated finishes, including fully wrapped stone kitchen benches and a Liebherr wine fridge.

Flexible room arrangements allow for a fourth bedroom or secondary living space, sought-after by both empty nesters who want the space when family visits and families with older children.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146197 project_image_fid=358498]

A residents’ lounge on the ground floor reinforces the project’s small-community feel. With a fireplace, private dining area, and adjoining terrace, it’s one of several shared spaces that balance amenity with privacy and scale.

Construction has commenced, with completion expected in early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146197]

Lowe Living continues Bayside legacy as Marella rises in Hampton

Housing Developer

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The departing Stockland boss anticipates that the housing market could shift into under-supply in residential growth corridors around the capital cities over coming years.

Mark Steinert, the boss of the country’s largest residential developer, Stockland, suggests 2025 could see “quite a chronic under-supply in the land market.” 

“We need to make sure that, particularly on the eastern seaboard, planning and the delivery of infrastructure can align to ensure that under-supply doesn’t become too great,” he told The Australian.

“That’s going to reignite the whole challenge around affordability again just when it got to a point where that could actually be addressed.”

Buoyed by the federal government’s HomeBuilder incentives, Stockland’s ASX results announcement advised its strongest market was Sydney, followed by southeast Queensland. The company advised its settlement default rate had returned to normalised levels.

With strong January sales, the price secured per sqm rose significantly annually in NSW from $940 psqm to $1139, with the average lot price rising from $412,000 to $461,000.

<img alt="" height="398" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/stockland_1h21_results.jpg" width="1200"> <img alt="" height="472" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1h20_settlements_stockland.jpg" width="1200">

“Melbourne continues to be solid, but has obviously been a bit more impacted by both the combination of the lockdowns, and the greater availability of land,” Mr Steinert said.

He anticipates Perth could moderate over the next 12 months as WA had the largest housing grants, pulling forward demand, although the strong mining sector could keep up its momentum.

Stockland’s buyers are mostly owner occupiers.

“We’ll move to equilibrium in 2022, and then move back into quite a significant under-supply as migration and foreign student numbers start to pick up in 2022,” Mr Steinert forecast.

Stockland had five new subdivision acquisitions, dubbed early cycle restocking, with the potential of adding 9,200 lots to its inventory.

Its residential business reported its strongest half year results in four years with more than 3800 sales, along with residential settlements jumping 43 per cent to 3,100.

Stockland is on track for 6000 settlements this financial year.

 
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Mark Steinert, the boss of the country’s largest residential developer, Stockland, suggests 2025 could see “quite a chronic under-supply in the land market.” 



jchancellor

House and land market could shift in to under-supply: Read Stockland CEO Mark Steinert's insights

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A local developer has paid a reported $32 million for the Everton, Pymble residential development site after a development syndicate of Chinese buyers failed to settle.
The development syndicate blamed capital transfer constraints in China, according to Fairfax Media.
NSW Land &amp; Environment Court approval was secured in July 2016 by BFD Pymble's solicitors, Lin Tang &amp; Co Lawyers for the project.
The site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-pymble-502567694" target="_blank">2-8 Pymble Avenue and 2-4 Everton Street</a> had most of its construction certificate works completed.
<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/2017/11/20/PymbleDev.jpg" alt="">
It has been approved for 98 apartments over three buildings with 156 basement parking spaces.
The design was done by the architects, <a href="http://www.become.com.au/projects/everton-pymble/" target="_blank">Become</a>.
Savills' Neil Cooke marketed the site with colleagues Stuart Cox and Johnathon Broome which attracted interest from around 20 developers.
The property is zoned R4 High Density Residential under the Ku-Ring-Gai LEP 2012 with a height limit ranging between 11.5 and 17.5 metres and a blended FSR of 1:1.
The apartments are expected to come to market early 2018.
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Chinese residential developer defaults on Everton, Pymble project

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<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0">A NSW Supreme Court case finished on Tuesday, only a day into its scheduled five days, when 11 would be off-the-plan unit buyers at a Surry Hills block, were offered a confidential cash sum in addition to the refund of their deposits to walk away from their purchases.</div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"> </div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0">The case involved a 22-unit block, Short Lane Apartments, at 352 Bourke Street, who put down their deposits in late 2013 after marketing by CBRE Residential.</div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"> </div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%2010.22.34%20AM.png" alt="" width="611" height="360"></div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"> </div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0">The project still appears under <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.cbresi.com.au/success-stories/short-lane-surry-hills/70" target="_blank">success stories</a> on the CBRE website.</div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"> </div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"><a href="https://1pt.com.au/showcase/shortlane/" target="_blank">All 22 apartments</a> were sold within the first half hour of the opening day "with prices escalating rapidly as demand showed no sign of waning."</div>
<div class="domain-article-share-panel is-top" data-sticky-id="0"> </div>
<div class="domain-article-content-body ">
<div class="in-content-ad">It was a landmark court case under new “sunset clawback” laws designed to ensure new apartment developers could not unfairly tear up sales contracts so they can make more money on delayed property sales.</div>
<div class="in-content-ad"> </div>
<div class="in-content-ad"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%2010.25.58%20AM.png" alt=""></div>
</div>
The developer was taking some of his apartment buyers to court after they refused to allow him to tear up their sales contracts following construction delays, in the first legal test of the “sunset clawback” laws.
The developer-builder Kanaan Kanaan accused some of his buyers as "being greedy about it." 
The case in NSW Supreme Court was seen as a major test of laws designed to protect consumers buying new apartments.
However final negotiations for a settlement began only after acting Justice Arthur Emmett wondered aloud in the courtroom whether the new laws gave him the power to order a result with a sum of money to be paid by the developer. 
The court heard that, instead of the projected 15 months to complete the project, it had taken more than 52 months. 
The potential owner-occupiers and investors bought into the building in 2013 but the apartment weren’t finished by October 30, 2016, the date by which time the so-called “sunset clause” was triggered, which enables either the developer, or the purchaser, to cancel the sale and rescind the contracts if the building was not finished by its proposed completion date, noted Fairfax Media. 
In late 2015, legislation was introduced in the Parliament to protect buyers against developers intentionally delaying completion then rescinding contracts in order to cash in on rising property prices. Under the new laws, the developer has to justify his actions.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/13/Screen%20Shot%202017-09-13%20at%2010.27.47%20AM.png" alt="">
Developer-builder Kanaan Kanaan, of Komplete Constructions, wrote to the buyers of units in his six-level Short Lane building at 352 Bourke Street five days before the cut-off date to tell them he would be rescinding their contracts and refunding their deposits.
If the developer wishes to rescind a contract, he must first seek permission from the purchaser to go through with the termination, under the laws championed by the then NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello.
If the buyer does not agree, then the developer can apply to the NSW Supreme Court for permission to allow the rescissions to take effect.
Acting Justice Arthur Emmett in the Equity Division of the court was told that Kanaan had been hampered by a number of problems, delays and postponements which made it impossible for him to complete the Woods Bagot-designed apartments in time. 
Instead of the 15 month target, more than 52 months went by since the Development Application was approved.
“There were major delaying events that made it impossible to complete the project despite his best endeavours,” his barrister Ian Roberts told the court. “These events postdate the sales contracts.”
It is understood the eight buyers who have refused the developer permission to rescind – three others agreed and four more agreed with an extra payment – will be arguing that cancellation of their contracts will mean the developer will make a windfall because of the “extraordinary rise in the value of Sydney property” in the interim.
They will be alleging that the delays were only due to poor management, a succession of applications to council, and an appeal to the Land and Environment Court.
The purchasers allege that the changes would increase the value of only the parts of the building, such as the retail lots and the four top floor apartments, that the developer retained.
But Roberts said the delays were beyond Kanaan’s control. Among them was an electrical kiosk substation that wouldn’t have enough room to be accessed when the building went up. After a number of discussions and applications, that was removed.
That meant, however, more space was freed up for retail lots at the base of the building, so consent was then sought for those and a redesign commissioned. There was also an application to add an additional floor to the building that was turned down by the NSW Land and Environmental Court in April 2016.
Consent was granted for a rooftop garden in September 2016 for the exclusive use of the developers’ top-floor apartments. Finally, there were delays in the delivery of windows and in procuring the difficult designed form at the top of the building.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Slow developer settles court case after taking 11 apartment buyers to court under 'sunset clawback' laws

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Two construction companies are among the top five of the 2017 Top 500 Private Companies list compiled by IBISWorld.
Harry Triguboff’s Meriton Group occupies fourth position with a revenue of $2.77 billion, while BGC is at no. 5 with revenue of $2.69 billion.
The rankings are based on revenue. Both developers, however, posted a fall in revenue on a year-on-year basis, the list showed, pointing to a slowing housing and construction market.
Triguboff, whose personal wealth is estimated to be $10.23 billion, has also been on the BRW Rich 200 list since it was first published in 1984. 
Meriton has focused on the apartment sector, but it is increasingly expanding into serviced apartment and also childcare centres. The developer last year led Australia in housing starts with 7929 dwelling constructions, about triple the number the year before.
The surprise in the pack was another developer, Hutchinson Builders, which jumped into the top 10 with a 43 percent surge in revenue at $2.3 billion.
The fourth-generation Queensland builder beat the odds of a federal work ban and a slowing housing market for his stellar performance, the Australian Financial Review reported.
Brisbane-based Hutchinsons were not allowed to tender for Commonwealth-funded projects from April 1 to June 30 for breaches of the federal Building Code related to its workers' ability to choose whether or not they joined a union.
Hutchinson chief executive Greg Quinn said the builder had considered appealing the ban, given the breaches were relatively minor and involved just a handful of its 1400 employees and 2500 sub-contractors.
The federal work amounted to only 7 per cent of its turnover, he said.
Apart from the three construction companies in the top 10, the next in the industry are way behind, with BMD Group at 34th position with revenue of $1.14 billion and Hansen Yuncken with revenue of $1.11 billion. Both grew their revenue by more than 20 percent year on year.
The top 50 was rounded off with Richard Crookes Constructions, Built, ABN Group and Salta Properties.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Harry Triguboff leads list of developers in top 500 private companies list

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AVID Property Group has acquired the remaining 750 residential lots at Waterford County, as part of an established masterplanned community in Chisholm, New South Wales.
The move is part of AVID's strategy to strengthen its foothold in the Lower Hunter Valley region with and triple the company’s value over the next five years. 
“We are no stranger to the region, with our development, Harvest, located just next door and benefitting from much of the same infrastructure investment we have made in the region,” said AVID Property Group CEO Cameron Holt. 
“The Lower Hunter is increasingly becoming an affordable alternative to the Sydney housing market with many buyers moving out of Sydney in favour of regional New South Wales. 
Harvest and Waterford County are expected to meet the demand for the surging population of nearby Newcastle, which is undergoing a $500 million revitalisation. 
“This will create more job opportunities over the next decade, improved transport services and increase the need for housing in the region,” he said. 
There was a 40 per cent rise in sales at Harvest in the second half of 2016, showing a firm demand for property in the area. 
“The opportunity to expand our market share sets AVID up strongly within the high-performing region, forecast to be home to more than 26,000 additional residents by 2036,” he said. 
The site has parklands, green space and wetlands, and 7 km of walking and cycle paths linked throughout the development. 
“We are looking forward to pushing through the completion of this large project,” he said. 
“This AVID project will complement the ongoing development of Harvest, which is 75 per cent complete and has already welcomed over 700 residents.” 
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AVID Property Group plans residential development on 150 ha site in Lower Hunter 

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Cbus Property has sold contracts for more than half of its apartments in its $375 million Brisbane high-rise, and is expected to start construction soon amid concerns of an oversupplied market.
The 264 apartment tower at 443 Queen Street ran into controversy earlier, but a decision on construction would provide certainty to other buyers and more sales could be expected, Cbus Property chief executive Adrian Pozzo was cited as saying by The Australian Financial Review.
Among the sales so far are 15 four-bedroom apartments worth more than $2 million each. 
"We will be on site in the coming weeks, with completion occurring in the third quarter of 2020 and that certainty is important to owner-occupiers, particularly buyers planning to downsize," Pozzo said.
"The strong sales result is a clear sign that the demand for quality owner-occupier product is alive and well in the Brisbane market," he said.
The tower, with views over the Brisbane River, has been designed by architect Richard Hassell, of Singapore-based WOHA Architects and Brisbane firm Architectus, led by Elizabeth Watson Brown.
The design includes gardens on every level of the 47-storey tower. 
The project ran into hurdles early on after protests against its development near the heritage-listed Customs House. 
Law firm Allens started a legal battle with Cbus over the tower, which is being built in front of the lawyers' own Brisbane headquarters, blocking the views of the river. That legal challenge has since been resolved.
Concerns have been voiced in various quarters, including the RBA, about an oversupply of apartments in Brisbane.
Apartment sales in Brisbane city have slipped 70 per cent in a year according to Urbis. 
Last year, Cbus Property had teamed up with Scentre Group to purchased the <a href="/expert-insights/investing/cbus-and-scentre-team-up-to-secure-david-jones-sydney-store">David Jones Market Street</a> building in Sydney’s CBD for $360 million.
 
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Cbus to start building Brisbane tower as it notches brisk sales

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Melbourne developer Kokoda Property is buying a riverfront site in Brisbane’s St Lucia with plans for a $75 million apartment building in spite of a slowing market and the recent collapse of a major builder.
It is paying $9.5 million for the site.
"The Brisbane market has, overall, slowed," Kokoda property director Sam Tucker was quoted by The Australian Financial Review as saying.
"However, we see this as an opportunity as higher-end purchasers are now driving the demand."
New apartment sales in Brisbane have collapsed by more than 70% in a year, according to Urbis.
It also said the Brisbane apartment market has been self-correcting and unlikely to suffer any great supply-demand imbalance. 
SQM Research recently said that Greater Brisbane faces an oversupply of 8,000 new dwellings this year as scheduled completions outstrip population-driven growth in demand.
However, Urbis figures showed that only 1,812 units are under construction in the CBD across four projects. 
Just last week, Metro Property Development was reported to have sold a prime apartment development site in Brisbane for a huge 35% discount after buying it for $20 million just two years back.  
Despite the negative sentiment, Kokoda’s Tucker expects the 60 high-end, luxuriously sized apartments he is planning at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/160-macquarie-st-st-lucia-qld-4067" target="_blank">160 Macquarie Street</a> to sell.
"At Kokoda, our strategy is to move at a counter-cyclical direction to the rest of the market,” he said.
"Our faith in the Brisbane market may run against convention, but we have no doubt that the quality of our offering will continue to draw strong attention in the market as it matures.”
The site sold for $6.75 million in 2014, according to RP Data.
The site was previously marketed as well with an offering of apartments. The site area is 1242 square metres.
Called St Lucia Residences, it was conceived by Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects and interior designers SJB Interiors.
Kokoda's planned 15-storey development, located 6 kilometres from the CBD, will have "a blended neo-classical style with touches of New York's upper east side".
Tucker said Brisbane was moving away from investor-driven projects to a smaller, but stronger, owner-occupier market that demanded higher quality.
Kokoda’s project Chester &amp; Ella in Newstead generated $95 million in sales in its first four weeks and was ranked as a top sales performer consistently since its launch, according to data by Place Advisory, the AFR said.
"The sales success of our previous project is testament to the strong ongoing demand from the higher end of the market," said Tucker.
The St Lucia sale was negotiated by Colliers International's Brendan Hogan.
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Melbourne developer Kokoda buys St Lucia, Brisbane riverfront site 

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Sydney developer Crown Group has entered Melbourne residential market, partnering with with Melbourne developer G3 for a 170-apartment project in Southbank.
The 175 Sturt Street site spans 2,070 sqm.
It is close to Crown Melbourne casino and hotel complex.
It will accommodate a mixed-use luxury resort-style development with ground floor retail, the Australian Financial Review reported.
"We've been strategic in our expansion interstate and this is the right time to expand to Melbourne. I would not be surprised if this is the first of a number of successful developments outside Sydney," said Crown Group chairman and chief executive Iwan Sunito.
"We hope we can set a new benchmark in apartment living in Melbourne and in other states, like we have in Sydney."
He set aside concerns about off-the-plan sales in Melbourne slowing, saying the right location would always sell.
"Depending on the location, Melbourne is still a very promising market, particularly the arts precinct, there is strong demand but not enough supply in that area," he said.
"While we continue to see enormous potential in Sydney, Melbourne is carving its own place among the top international cities in the world. Melbourne is highly regarded internationally for its liveability and we foresee a strong local demand for high-quality apartments with resort-style amenities in Melbourne."
The developer unveiled its $400 million development Waterfall in Sydney late in 2016, and said it had received strong expressions of interest ahead of its launch.
The development is scheduled for completion in 2019. 
"I would not be surprised if stage one of Waterfall sold out as there is a strong demand from local buyers wanting to live closer to amenities," he added.
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Sydney's Crown Group steps into Southbank, Melbourne residential market 

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Former property developer Craig Kirrin Gore has been arrested and charged with fraud in a Brisbane court following an ASIC investigation.
He appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates' Court after being arrested on April 14 and  was charged with 15 offences, said a release on ASIC’s website.
Gore was charged on 12 counts of fraud relating to the obtaining of funds, totalling $800,000, from self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) investors during 2013 and 2014. The funds were allegedly to be invested in debentures associated with the companies Arion Financial Pty Ltd and Arion Property Pty Ltd. 
He also faces three charges of acting in the management of three corporations (MOGS Pty Ltd, Sleipner Financial Pty Ltd and Arion Financial Pty Ltd) whilst disqualified from doing so.
ASIC obtained an arrest warrant after concerns that Gore may not remain in the jurisdiction. 
Gore was picked up by the police while on his way to catch a flight to Stockholm, adds Fairfax Media. 
He was not required to enter a plea and was granted conditional bail. The matter is listed for return at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 5, 2017. 
If proven, the fraud charges could see him getting penalties of between five and 20 years.
The charges of acting in the management of corporations whilst disqualified each carry a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment or 50 penalty units.
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Former property developer Craig Gore arrested and charged with fraud

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Listed developer Diploma Group’s collapse has turned Perth’s biggest apartment complex into a “nightmare” for its residents, catching the attention of state government MPs.
The development in question is the $450 million Queens Riverside complex in East Perth, billed as being part of a wave of trendy developments that would bring life into the city when it was built during the mining boom, the Perth Now reported.
The Queens Riverside was finished in 2014, with three apartment towers. But one of the main builders behind the development — Diploma Group — went bust.
Residents of the sections built by Diploma have reported major defects such as leaks and faulty windows, with owners being hit with wildly varying bills over a malfunctioning complex thermal power system.
The base of the complex, one of the three apartment towers and the Fraser Suites Perth Hotel were built by Diploma.
It has proved a headache for the developer Frasers Property, with as many as 160 apartments unsold. 
Labor MPs have now been drawn into the debate, and are saying WA urgently needs to re-write dated strata title laws to give better protection to apartment owners, the article in Perth Now said.
Residents spokeswoman Lani Tuckfield said strata management levies had risen more than 110 per cent since people moved in and owners are asking whether the increases are to fix defects that should have been noticed when they first bought. Some owners who would like to sell are unable to because of the defects.
Residents say Frasers is using its weight of numbers through the big number of unsold apartments to block a push for transparency.
Labor member for Perth John Carey, who met about 100 residents last week, said strata laws needed changing to give people confidence they would be protected when buying into apartment complexes.
“We definitely need inner-city living — unfortunately, I don’t think this is a rare occurrence and it leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths,” Carey said.
A Frasers spokesman said it supported the rights of all owners to vote “without prejudice” in alignment with the Strata Titles Act of 1985.
It said the rise in rates was mainly because of advice from strata manager Colliers International there was “insufficient working capital”, unpaid and unaccounted for invoices and incorrect allocation of expenses when Colliers took over as strata managers last year.
Colliers said strata levies were not used to repair building defects. Colliers said it manages the strata levies which go to an administration fund for day-to-day running of the strata scheme and a reserve fund.
Diploma, a 40-year-old company controlled by the Di Latte family, went into administration late last year with debts of $40 million. Creditors include sub-contractors and the ATO. Matthew Donnelly, David Hodgson and Andrew Hewitt of Grant Thornton were announced the administrators.
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