Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Industrial

<html><body>
New research from Ray White Commercial shows the investment market continues to yield quality results across the 5,000 square metre plus industrial Brisbane sector.
High confidence coupled with an improvement in occupancy levels has ensured demand remains high.
Dan Costello from Ray White Commercial Queensland, says while the urgency seen in the investment market in 2017 may have subsided, capitalisation rates continue to remain compressed with prime average yields less than 7%.
“It’s encouraging to see high enquiry levels and an increase in sale of vacant sock to both investors wanting to reposition their assets, as well as owner occupiers,” Costello says.
Looking forward, findings concluded that across the Brisbane metropolitan area, there is over 575,000 square metres of potential industrial stock anticipated to enter the 5,000 square metre plus market in the next two years.
This is mostly demand led with little speculative supply expected to further hamper vacancy in the region.
The bulk of the development pipeline is located in ATC and the Southern precinct given its access to transport hubs.
 <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/brisbane.jpg" alt="">
As financing is becoming problematic to obtain, there is a notable decrease in sentiment for the smaller private investor market. However, confidence remains high for quality, institutional grade investment stock, Costello said.
“We’ve seen limited quality stock available in the market over the last 12 months, which has shifted focus and grown volume of vacant stock transactions.
“We expect this may slow over the next year with a greater shift back to property fundamentals by investors, however as occupier demand continues to improve reducing vacancies, rental growth in the short term is anticipated.”
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/8/brisbane%202.jpg" alt="">
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Brisbane's industrial market continuing to yield good results

<html><body>
Savills Australia has appointed industry heavyweight Michael Fenton to head up the business' national Industrial &amp; Business Services division.
The announcement came as part of a country-wide company restructure.
Michael Fenton returns to Savills following more than nine years at JLL, where he operated as the company's Australian Head of Industrial and New South Wales managing director.
Michael Fenton has been involved in several major transactions totalling more than $4.5billion, including the recent $1.073 billion sale of the GIC Australian Logistics Portfolio to Ascendas REIT, the $253 million sale of the Coles Chilled Distribution Centre at Eastern Creek to Mapletree Logistics, and the $303 million sale of the Equity Commonwealth Portfolio to Propertylink.
He brings more than 24 years of experience, including senior roles at Dexus and CBRE.
Savills Australia &amp; New Zealand's chief executive officer, Paul Craig, said he was excited to welcome Michael Fenton to the Industrial &amp; Business Services division, which is one of their core disciplines.
"Michael's track record is the perfect platform to strengthen our already high-performing Industrial business and drive the team to win a greater market share."
He will be based out of Savills Australia's Sydney office.
"I am looking forward to providing our clients with a seamless and best-in-class service by mobilising the strength of national industrial business across all disciplines, and leveraging the strong connectivity with the global business, particularly in Asia," Mr Fenton said.
The appointment follows Savills Australia's national restructure, which will see the company shift from its current state-based model to a national business model from August 1.
Mr Craig said the change was part of the business' three-year strategic plan to implement a national capability to operate more efficiently and respond better to clients' needs.
"We're looking forward to watching our people flourish under this new structure, and are confident it will help us attract and retain the highest-level talent in the months and years to come," he said.
Mr Fenton will start with Savills Australia on August 13.
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Industrial powerhouse signs on to Savills Australia

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There is stagnation in the industrial development market in Rockhampton.
Most projects in growth precincts within the industrial market in Rockhampton were undertaken during the last market boom and development of industrial land has been fairly stagnant in recent years, according to the latest report from Herron Todd White (HTW).
The valuers noted that the industrial precincts in Gracemere are slowly being absorbed by the market.
There is still development soon to be undertaken within the Gracemere Industry Park (near Toll), with land to the rear approved to be developed into medium and light impact industrial allotments.
It is unknown when this land will be developed.
The valuers stated that the Livingstone Shire Council has been releasing industrial lots to the market within its Gateway Business and Industrial Park.
The estate comprises six stages in total with a proposed 71 lots.
The lots range in size from 2,000 square metres to 1.3 hectares.
Stage 2 has been developed and is currently available for sale.
The valuers at HTW believe "this supply of industrial land will provide for Yeppoon’s industrial market for some time".
"Major infrastructure projects that will assist in stimulating growth of the industrial sector will be the proposed Ring Road project as well as the Rookwood Weir."
In general, the industrial market for the first half of 2018 has continued at a steady pace.
The report forecasts that recovery of the coal price and green shoots within surrounding mining towns as well as local infrastructure projects will help the "recovery of the industrial market" in Rockhampton for the remainder of the year.
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Stagnant industrial development market in Rockhampton: HTW 

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Five of the eight capital cities have positive in their industrial property market, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's latest industrial property clock.
Melbourne is the strongest as it approaches the peak of the market, while industrial space in Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart is classed as a rising market.
Adelaide is starting to recover.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/13/comm-prop-clock.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/13/comm-prop-clock.jpg" alt="">
There's not great news for Canberra, which is in a declining market.
Perth and Darwin are at the bottom of the market.
The best performing areas are in country New South Wales, where Dubbo and Griffith markets are at their peak.
The Gold Coast is also at the peak of its industrial property market.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Melbourne headlines strong industrial property markets across majority of capital cities: HTW

<html><body>
Businesses requiring industrial space for transport and logistics are driving Melbourne’s industrial property market, committing to 332,389sq m of warehouse space throughout 2017, according to Savills Australia.
The company’s latest Industrial Briefing reveals these sectors accounted for 43 percent of the total 770,936sq m leased in the 12 months to December 2017.
Savills Melbourne’s Associate Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/research/australian-research.aspx" target="_blank">Research</a>, Monica Mondkar, said that although the total space leased was down on the 928,154sq m reported to be leased by the end of 2016, it remained 11 percent above the 10-year average of 696,765sq m.
“The trend toward online sales is a key factor behind the continued growth in demand for warehouse and distribution centres,” she said. 
“This has been benefitting Melbourne’s west in particular, due to its relative affordability and proximity to the Port of Melbourne, which is Australia’s largest container port.”
Ms Mondkar said Melbourne’s western industrial precinct, which was the most affordable of all precincts, had been consistently increasing its share in the city’s industrial leasing market.
“The western suburbs now account for 46 percent of Melbourne’s total leasing activity, as compared to 35 percent 12 months ago,” she said.
Of the 354,205sq m of industrial space (tenancies more than 2,000sq m) leased in Melbourne’s western industrial precinct in the 12 months to December 2017, 63 percent, or 224,645sq m, was secured by the transport and logistics sectors across 19 leases. 
“This figure represents a whopping 57 percent increase in take-up on the previous year, pushing absorption from transport-oriented businesses to record-high levels,” Ms Mondkar said.
The report briefing highlights 35 lease deals in Melbourne’s west in 2017, 11 more than in 2016, with 14 leases for more than 10,000sq m.
Savills Melbourne’s Director for <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/industrial.aspx" target="_blank">Industrial &amp; Business Services</a>, Greg Jensz, said an undersupply in serviced land availability had driven prices, particularly for smaller lots.
“With the increase in underlying land prices, incentives to lease are expected to drop and face rents should grow from circa $75 to $80 per sqm for larger buildings 10,000 sqm plus, and from $80 per sqm up to mid-to-high $80 per sqm for mid-sized buildings between 5,000sq m and 8,000sq m,” he said.
Looking forward, Ms Mondkar referred to several infrastructure projects under development and in the pipeline, which would benefit Melbourne’s industrial markets by improving connectivity, reducing travel times, and expanding the transportation network.
“The West Gate Tunnel Project will provide a second river crossing at Maribyrnong and an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, with direct access to Port Melbourne,” she said.
“When this happens, more logistics-oriented companies will seek to set up in Melbourne’s western industrial precinct.
“In addition, the state government has announced a $1.8 billion public-private partnership to upgrade about 700 kilometres of arterial road network through the western suburbs, which will further augment industrial demand in those areas.
“Lastly, the federal government initiative to develop a $10.9 billion inland rail line between Brisbane and Melbourne will drastically improve the last-mile delivery process, and drive a considerable amount of industrial development to the proposed route in Melbourne’s western corridor.”
Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. Monica Mondkar is Associate Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/research/australian-research.aspx" target="_blank">Savills Research &amp; Consultancy</a> and Greg Jensz is Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/industrial.aspx" target="_blank">Savills Industrial &amp; Business Services</a>. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="http://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
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Transport and logistics fuel Melbourne’s industrial leasing market: Savills Australia

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Frasers Property Australia has purchased a 23 hectare parcel of industrial land in Braeside from Saltview Pty Ltd, a Hudson Conway subsidiary company.
Lynton Williams from Savills brokered the deal.
The land parcel is located on the corner of Governor Road and the proposed Mordialloc Bypass in Melbourne’s South-Eastern suburb of Braeside.
The acquisition of Braeside has been described as a natural extension of its 116 hectare The Key Industrial Park in Keysborough, which is approaching completion.
Braeside’s masterplan will comprise a mix of options including land sales, A-grade buildings for leases and turnkey opportunities for owner-occupiers.
Braeside estate is located adjacent to Mordialloc Bypass with construction set to commence by mid-2019. 
Frasers Property has recently completed several transactions in The Key Industrial Park including a 16,000sqm turnkey warehouse for ARB ($19.4 million) and ten year leases with Stanley Black &amp; Decker (21,722sqm), CH2 (21,200sqm), Silvan (11,948sqm), Rubies Deerfield (9,030sqm). The Stanley Black &amp; Decker and CH2 facilities are owned by Frasers Logistics &amp; Industrial Trust.
These combined transactions total $122 million worth of new purpose-built facilities. To date Stanley Black &amp; Decker and ARB have moved into the estate, while Silvan, Rubies Deerfield and CH2 are all expected to move into their warehouses in the first half of this year.
Frasers Property has also recently sold 16 lots in The Key Industrial Park – Stage 8 ranging in size from 1,999sqm to 4,071sqm totalling $17.4 million.
Braeside estate is expected to launch in mid-2018. 
 
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Savills secure Hudson Conway sale at Braeside

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Governments are busily rezoning our cities for high-rise apartments. The New South Wales government, for example, plans to rezone a 20-kilometre corridor in Sydney, from Sydenham to Bankstown, for urban density, in concert with a new metro rail line. Residents and community groups have reacted vociferously to the prospects of high-rise buildings in previously low-density suburbs.
But there is another, overlooked dimension to the redevelopment. Much of it is on industrial land: pockets of old factories and workshops, portrayed as decrepit and in need of renewal.
Our new project documents enterprises that actually use urban industrial lands. It’s a story of surprising and largely hidden vibrancy at the interface between creative industries and small manufacturing.
Planners and economic developers tend to assume manufacturing has left central cities and that manufacturing enterprises can simply locate to city-fringe greenfield sites. In reality, manufacturing is changing form, and often depends on – and benefits from – urban industrial lands.
Despite the scale of renewal plans, no detailed knowledge exists of what will be lost, or of existing enterprises’ needs.
Manufacturing has a new, creative face
In planning reports for renewal strategies, industrial zones are seen as redundant because it’s assumed that manufacturing is in a state of inevitable decline. This is false and misleading.
Employment, exports, enterprise formation and R&amp;D investment statistics all point to manufacturing’s endurance, as well as its transformation and increasingly diverse character.
Most manufacturers these days are small, agile and creative. Manufacturing is increasingly interwoven with creative industries, through innovation-driven additive manufacturing, craft-based production, and bespoke maker scenes.
Cities such as New York and Portland are actively planning for this, because they recognise that the creative-manufacturing interface generates jobs, assists place marketing, contributes to liveability and enlivens local communities.
Creative-manufacturing favours older industrial sites
There is, however, a planning dilemma cities must face. Enterprises at the interface tend to locate in inner-city industrial zones. This is where other relevant enterprises are co-located and buildings are more suitable, often older and lower rent, with limited restrictions on noise.
Like-minded micro-enterprises sub-let workshops or pods within older factory complexes. They cannot afford commercial rents in stand-alone buildings. Older industrial zones also provide access to distribution and business networks, cultural venues and institutions, and final markets.
These are the very zones favoured for major “renewal” schemes. In practically every case, this means medium- and high-rise apartments. Retail space is provided, typically at ground-floor level (which often sits vacant for months or years).
Ironically, the presence of creative industries helps sell real estate. But such renewal schemes rarely, if ever, provide replacement workshop space zoned for industrial uses.
Carrington Rd, an unassuming creative-manufacturing hub
Our new report documents enterprises in one such industrial precinct in Marrickville, inner Sydney, that’s slated for redevelopment. A single 700-metre-long stretch of Carrington Road is home to more than 200 diverse micro-enterprises and small manufacturers.
These have strong local ties, employing an estimated 1,800 workers. Fifteen discrete enterprise clusters thrive there. These include theatre production, puppet and prop-making, furniture restoration, fashion and textiles.
What underpins this pre-eminent creative-manufacturing interface precinct? It’s a combination of affordability, sympathetic landlords, industrial land use zoning, and a mix of small and large factory spaces with suitable features.
Proximity to the CBD, media corporations, major entertainment venues and iconic cultural institutions is vital. That’s because these firms supply stage sets, install event equipment, rent studios for photography, television and film shoots, and perform at corporate functions.
The social and cultural milieu of surrounding areas is also crucial. These areas generate nearby markets for locally made fashion, jewellery and ceramics.
No consultation on a looming loss for the city
Shockingly, enterprises in industrial zones potentially affected by this latest renewal strategy are not being consulted before rezoning.
NSW Planning and Environment commissioned a consultancy firm to investigate employment impacts of proposed redevelopments throughout the Sydenham-Bankstown corridor. The report was a desktop study. Detailed site inspections “were not undertaken nor interviews or consultation with businesses in the Opportunity Sites”.
When we visited Marrickville’s creative-manufacturing enterprises, it became clear none had been consulted about the details of renewal plans for the precinct. They were unaware the closing date for public submissions was imminent.
Creative micro-enterprises and small manufacturers reported that city fringe relocation is not feasible. Rezoning this industrial space, one of inner Sydney’s last, may force enterprises to close altogether. Others said they would move overseas.
The loss for Sydney could be tragic. As one artisan said: "If all the people who worked on this street worked in one company and were sacked, it’d be national headlines."
Similar processes are under way in Melbourne’s inner north, an iconic part of that city’s cultural profile. Rezoning in the name of urban density has given a green light to the conversion of old light industrial buildings into residential developments.
So, just as Creative Victoria establishes a Collingwood Arts Precinct to host creative practitioners, tenants next door have been evicted to make way for a 12-storey apartment block. The developer has now objected to the potential noise from local venues.
Learning from other global cities
Our project’s next phase is to explore how other global cities foster creative and manufacturing enterprises.
Chicago has planned manufacturing districts and Portland, Oregon, has industrial sanctuaries. These are long-standing and successful examples of industrial land preservation. The German zoning system has also long mixed “non-disturbing” industry with other uses.
San Francisco’s production, distribution and repair (PDR) zone attempts to accommodate the growth of small manufacturers. New, higher-rent office development cross-subsidises lower-rent industrial space. Austin, Boston, Los Angeles and Nashville in the US and Vancouver, Canada, are pursuing similar policies.
In China, Shenzhen, the 21st-century “workshop of the world”, is looking to the “creative economy” not to replace but to enhance Chinese manufacturing prowess.
While growing cities like Sydney clearly need to plan for housing, another conversation in our cities is needed, not just about high-rise redevelopments, but about what’s at stake when industrial lands are rezoned.
Chris Gibson, University of Wollongong; Alexandra Crosby, University of Technology Sydney; Carl Grodach, Queensland University of Technology; Craig Lyons, University of Wollongong; Justin O'Connor, Monash University; Xin Gu, Monash University 
The discussion appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-our-cities-thriving-creative-precincts-be-saved-from-renewal-83042?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20August%2030%202017%20-%2081866652&amp;utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20August%2030%202017%20-%2081866652+CID_a8078e42d468edbf1d13a3574d52dfb3&amp;utm_source=campaign_monitor&amp;utm_term=Can%20our%20cities%20thriving%20creative%20precincts%20be%20saved%20from%20renewal" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Can our cities’ thriving creative precincts be saved from ‘renewal’?

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Industrial property firm Goodman Group said it was sticking to its full-year forecast of a 7.5 percent growth in operating earnings over the previous financial year.
The group said in an ASX announcement for the quarter ended March 31 that its “strong performance” was due to benefit from the urbanisation of cities around the world and the concentration of consumers in these locations.
It forecast FY2017 full year operating earnings per security of 43.1 cents, up 7.5 percent on FY2016.
Goodman said it expects demand for prime industrial space to stay strong across key locations.
Earlier this year, the group pre-leased an additional one million square feet of logistics space to Amazon at its Goodman Commerce Center Eastvale, California.
“The business is positioned to take advantage of the structural and cyclical influences in the market, particularly in locations positively impacted by the expected increase in urbanisation and rising consumerism,” said the ASX release. 
Goodman’s total assets under management (AUM) were at $34.6 billion with valuation growth offset by asset sales ($2.1 billion for the nine months to 31 March 2017 excluding urban renewal).
The group leased 2.5 million sqm for the year to date, equating to $296 million of annual rental property income.
During the quarter, the group sold $200 million of assets but noted that the pace of sales is expected to moderate. It has completed $2.1 billion of asset sales in the nine months of the financial year to March 31, which will be used to fund its development pipeline.
“We’re continuing to realise the benefits of our strategy which has consistently been to invest and develop in quality locations, close to the consumer,” said chief executive Greg Goodman.
“We believe demand for quality industrial properties will be strongest in these locations and scarcity of land will see higher values, supporting sustainable long-term growth.”
Its development pipeline is across 75 projects with a forecast yield on cost of 7.7 percent and pre-commitments on completions of 86 percent.
The group’s credit rating was upgraded by both S&amp;P and Moody’s, aided by its lower gearing targets.
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Goodman Group sticks to operating earnings growth outlook

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The industrial and logistics sector has emerged as the surprise performer of Australia’s commercial property market, with rental growth and projected growth in 2017 making investors confident about the sector, according to commercial real estate firm CBRE.
Strong levels of consumption and investment spending is supporting goods demand in major markets across the country, providing a strong basis for rental growth in 2017, says the firm's Industrial and Logistics, Q4 2016, MarketView report.
In the final three months of 2016, the industrial and logistics sector recorded positive quarterly rental growth of 0.5% nationally, underpinned by strong gains in Sydney, it said. 
The figures point to the beginning of a growth period for the sector, said CBRE’s senior managing director, industrial and logistics, Pacific, Matt Haddon.
“The tide has turned, with the latest quarterly rental growth and projected growth in 2017 injecting confidence into the sector, which, despite mixed economic conditions, has continued to succeed,” Haddon said. 
“It’s well documented that the manufacturing sector is declining – and has been for years. Gains in consumption and investment spending are where our focus needs to lie, with this sector of the market driving future occupier demand growth.” 
Reduced supply in 2016 is also expected to stimulate rental growth, with just 433,000 square metres released in the December quarter – 34% lower when compared to the same period in 2015, the report says.
In terms of deals, Victoria recorded its strongest year on record in 2016, with $1.92 billion in assets changing hands – representing a 15% increase from 2015. 
The report shows $394 million in property transactions during the last three months of 2016 helped propel the Victorian market to its strongest position on record. 
CBRE senior research manager Kate Bailey said a number of high quality assets and portfolio sales had underpinned strong transaction activity in Melbourne. 
“In 2016, there was an imbalance of available premium assets and large scale opportunities to meet demand in most locations across the country – with the possible exception of Melbourne,” Bailey said. 
“Similar drivers were responsible for a slowdown in offshore investment, with portfolio sales the key driver of foreign investment in 2016.” 
Nationally, $4.831 billion in industrial and logistics assets changed hands during 2016 – marginally down from a record $5.267 billion in 2015, due to the available stock shortfall.
New South Wales recorded $1.559 billion for the year, followed by Queensland with $537.67 million, $617.2 million in Perth, $146.05 million in South Australia and $31.25 million in the ACT. 
“Global capital remains highly focused on this strongly performing segment of the commercial market,” Haddon said. 
Haddon said further compression of yields in major markets during 2016 indicated that investors were anticipating both occupier demand and rental growth in the sector. 
In Q4, super prime average yields compressed a further 10 basis points to reach record lows of 6.9% nationally, driven by a low of 6.0% in Melbourne, 6.1% in Sydney and 6.5% in Brisbane.
Haddon said current market conditions pointed to a strong year for the market. 
“Current activity levels suggest that an increased number of opportunities will be available for investors in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same period 12 months ago.” 
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Industrial property set to soar in 2017: CBRE

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A freestanding industrial facility in Sydney’s Seven Hills Industrial Estate has sold for $5,275,000 to an owner occupier. 
The 5,525 square metre site at 7 Tollis Place comprises an office and warehouse. The property offers two levels of accommodation and access via two large roller shutter doors.
CBRE’s John Micallef, Greg Pike and Matthew Alessi negotiated the sale of the property.
Micallef said although the buyer was prepared to pay a premium price for the building due to the lack of alternative properties available in the area.
“The sale is further evidence of the current heated demand for industrial opportunities in Sydney’s west,” he said.
Image taken from Google Street View.
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