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

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Custom lifting solutions specialists Total Hoists and Cranes has secured new premises in the Perth industrial suburb of Maddington through Ray White Commercial WA.
Total Hoists and Cranes has leased a 1,506 square metre warehouse/office at 14 Madrid Place, Maddington, in a deal negotiated on behalf of Bolt Nominees Pty Ltd.
Parham said Total Hoists and Cranes was relocating from premises at Welshpool to accommodate its growing business.
Sumner said the property is strategically located in the industrial suburb of Maddington, approximately 16 kilometres from the Perth CBD.
“There is a large hardstand area of approximately 500 square metres and plenty of onsite parking,” he said.
Total Hoists and Cranes has more than 50 years’ experience in developing overhead crane and lifting hoists to suit the Perth construction industry.
The company has taken out a three-year lease at net rental of approximately $100,000 per annum.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Custom lifting solutions Total Hoists and Cranes heads to Maddington

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CVA have leased a modern 2,117 square metres Sunshine office/warehouse space.
The industrial facility located within the established industrial precinct of Sunshine was leased for $155,000 per annum to Cardno Construction Sciences Pty Ltd on three plus three year term, representing a building rate of $73.22 per square metre.
The property features a clear span warehouse of 1,867 square metres with an internal clearance of seven metres and three motorised roller shutter doors.
The fully air-conditioned office component of 250 square metres includes a reception area, open plan and partitioned office space, and floor to ceiling windows providing excellent natural light.
The site is conveniently located close to Somerville Road, Fairbairn Road and the Western Ring Road.
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Modern office/warehouse at Sunshine leased for $155,000 annually

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/68143/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
The announcement of the closure of Hazelwood power station in 2017 adds further complexity to an uncertain future facing the Latrobe Valley community. 
Owners Engie and Mitsui said of the 750 employees at the power station, 250 will remain between 2017 and 2023 to manage the site rehabilitation, while the remaining workers will receive a redundancy package. 
The state government has pledged a package of A$22 million for “personalised support” for workers which includes TAFE training, financial counselling and other forms of support and a further A$20 million to set up a Latrobe Valley Authority to lead the economic transition. In addition to this A$224 million will go towards the establishment of a “economic growth zone”. 
The federal government is offering A$43 million including A$3 million for active assistance, retraining, and other forms of financial services. 
Adversity is not new to this Victorian region. Headed by the towns of Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, this one-time thriving energy generating region has experienced continual power job losses since the 1980s. And despite continued government support, the Latrobe Valley’s economic decline and higher than state average unemployment is yet to be halted.
Fluctuating demand for mining exports and reductions in manufacturing output across Australia require regional areas like the Latrobe Valley to consider their options. A 2016 OECD report states that Australia has a relatively strong capacity to provide new jobs for redundant workers, citing examples of 80% re-employment within two years.
But does this experience hold for regional locations? Looking back, a 2001 Monash University report showed that structural changes to the power industry saw the Latrobe Valley suffer from a loss of almost 10% of its residents, sustained withdrawals from the labour force and unfavourable conditions for local businesses.
Recovery has been slow. Within the Latrobe Valley community, the challenges of reversing economic decline have been exacerbated by recent events such as the Hazelwood Mine fire and the impact of the milk price downturn on the dairy industry. The power station closure had been foreshadowed for some time and further job losses from the power industry will add to community concerns. 
There is an emerging gulf in living standards between country and city-based residents. For example, according to a 2011 state government report, regional Victoria is relatively disadvantaged in several ways including lower educational participation and workforce skill levels, when compared to metropolitan Melbourne. In this same report, the Latrobe Valley towns of Moe and Morwell are named among the most disadvantaged localities in regional Victoria. 
Those working in the power industry represent nearly 10% of the Latrobe Valley workforce and the announced job losses may add to an unemployment rate, currently standing at 7%. 
The immediate focus must be on the welfare for affected employees and their families. In the longer term, this event could be the trigger for new opportunities to revitalise the Latrobe Valley’s economic outlook. 
Alternative pathways for economic and community development have been on the agenda for the Latrobe Valley at least since privatisation of the power industry in the 1990s. These include a future economic strategy that supports a more diversified economy. 
Lack of real community consultation and engagement has meant that workers perhaps haven’t felt empowered to take up other opportunities. 
There are some alternatives that could be taken advantage of, such as new service and manufacturing industries and others that build on the Latrobe Valley’s natural advantages in agriculture and scenic locations. Ideally, these initiatives require focused retraining or other forms of support for displaced workers. But such short-term measures are, of course, obvious. 
With the closure of the power station, there will ongoing work for some time as the site moves from a productive mine to rehabilitated site. However there are significant issues that have to be considered first, such as the future use and stabilisation of the site prior to undertaking major works. 
Whatever the future of the Hazelwood site, it’s critical that this is determined in consultation with the community to provide access to facilities and services of benefit to local residents. Importantly, as rehabilitation of the site will be a long-term process, it will be necessary that the community contributes both to the vision and the progress toward this for it to succeed.
State and federal governments may look also to other communities that have experienced industrial plant closures internationally to inform their plans and actions.
Michelle Duffy is senior lecturer, Humanities and Social Sciences, Federation University Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-duffy-313639" target="_blank">here</a>.
Damian Morgan is senior lecturer in Management, Federation University Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/damian-morgan-313685" target="_blank">here</a>.
Jessica Reeves is senior lecturer, Environmental Management and Sustainabilty.
All are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Hazelwood’s closure calls for a rethink on Latrobe Valley solutions

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Melbourne’s south and outer east have been characterised by a lack of speculative supply in all sectors of the industrial property market coupled with high levels of enquiry, according to Colliers International’s latest report.
Infrastructure developments such as the upgrades to the Monash Freeway and the strong workforce base in this market will continue to reinforce this demand, the agency suggests, to be driven by a healthy mix of localised businesses and national corporate occupiers.
Zoned land supply is extremely limited, particularly for greenfield sites in the outer east, which has seen occupiers and developers alike, seeking sites in core south-eastern locations including Dandenong South and Keysborough.
Zoned englobo land parcels for sale are all but non-existent in the east forcing users to zero in on brownfield sites which in many cases have been held for generations.
“Serviced vacant allotment sales have been strong, indicated by their shorter duration on the market – Frasers Property Australia’s sold 53 allotments within three months of release, from their property located on the north side of Greens Road, where land rates now reach $350 per square metre,” the report stated.
South-east markets have seen institutions seeking out core land banks in key locations which are generally starved of large scale vacant land opportunities. Earlier this year, Frasers Property snapped up a further 15.72 hectare of land in Keysborough, south of its 101 hectare “The Key Industrial Park”, where the success of this development has been largely driven by its proximity to Eastlink.
Local developers have been competing aggressively for serviced land, which has been driving up speculative development below 5,000 square metres where ongoing take up remains strong by localised users.
Larger properties (above 10,000 square metres) are currently in limited supply, with only five A-grade buildings available between 10,000-20,000 square metres and one greater than 20,000 square metres.
Tenants have few available options and coupled with limited land supply for this style of development, effective rents have been firming in this market.
Recent speculative development has been concentrated in the 5,000-8,000 square metres range, where supply has been historically low for new facilities.
This new supply has been met with positive demand, with the majority of these developments expected to be leased either prior to or shortly after practical completion.
Large investment grade industrial assets in the south-east and outer east continue to attract institutional investors, where growth in capital values has continued to outpace all other precincts.
These markets have also seen very limited investment opportunities for well-located assets, which has seen capital values increasing significantly over the year by 9.8% for the south-east and 12.8% in the outer east.
The yield compression has also been substantive during this period, with average prime grade yields compressing by 60 basis points to be at 6.3% for the south-east and 6.6% for the outer east.
Although investment stock remains in high demand at all price levels, there is unprecedented unsatisfied demand in the sub $20 million bracket where both private investors and syndicators have been aggressively pursuing passive leased investments in this proven logistics location.
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Positive demand for new industrial properties in Melbourne's south and east: Colliers

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A 64,000 square metre Keysborough industrial property looks set to fetch more than $20 million plus as investors seek scarce opportunities in Melbourne’s south-eastern market.
Located two kilometres west of Dandenong CBD, the office and warehouse facility at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-vic-keysborough-502157002" target="_blank">68-80 Kirkham Road</a> comprises 32,203 square metres of office, factory and warehouse buildings, including three large 10 metre high factory cells and on-site parking for 130 cars.
According to Savills agents Ben Hegerty, Paul Jones, and Chris Jones, the property will be sold subject to a lease to Venture DMG Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Venture Global, at a total net income of $1,584,000 per annum.
<img src="/images/2016/11/02/68-80%20Kirkhams%20Road%20Outline.jpg" alt="">
Jones said the property offered opportunities for owner-occupiers, core-plus, add value investors, and developers.
"The facility also offers huge warehousing and multiple hardstand and truck marshalling areas ideally suited for transport and logistics occupiers," he said.
According to Savills Research, approximately $2.08 billion worth of reported industrial property transactions occurred in the south-east market in the 12 months to September, well over half a billion more than the five year average of $1.44 billion.
The research also revealed a strong south-east leasing market with nearly 500,000 square metres leased over the same period, well up on the five year average of 276,407 square metres.
Expressions of interest close November 24.
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$20 million plus expected for Keysborough warehouse

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Victoria continues to attract both local and off shore investors due to the strong growth of the local economy, record low interest rates, booming infrastructure investment and growing population, according to Colliers International’s latest report.
Average yields have compressed by 50 basis points over the year to 6.75% across the Melbourne metropolitan area, from the combined effect of strong offshore capital inflows and high demand from onshore investors.
However, super prime assets with long WALES and exceptional tenant covenants are attracting sub-6% yields.
Colliers expect strengthening demand to translate into further yield compression over the next 12 months, given that there is plenty of capital with fewer investment opportunities.
“So far this year, more than $900 million worth of sales have transacted in Colliers negotiated deals alone, half of which was attributed to portfolio transactions including $460 million worth of Melbourne industrial assets from the Goodman portfolio, $68 million from the Charter Hall portfolio and the Alex Fraser portfolio ($44 million). Portfolio transactions have continued to gain favour in the industrial market, given that the majority of buyers comprise of institutions looking to purchase larger assets worth over $100 million,” the report stated.
If booming infrastructure investment and ongoing structural change in Port Melbourne are any indication, the next few years are going to be a defining period for industrial property located on the cusp of all this activity.
Infrastructure assets continue to attract investor appetite, with the Port of Melbourne being particularly attractive, primarily due to its sheer scale and underlying potential for development.
Fisherman’s Bend has seen a number of significant developments which are likely to change the course of the industrial property market and underpin growth over the foreseeable future, particularly for properties within close proximity to the port. This includes the acquisition of the Port of Melbourne on a 50 year lease for $9.7 billion by a pool of four investment funds (Future Fund, QIC, Global Infrastructure Partners and Canadian pension group OMERS), which, while providing greater access to capital should also transform the landscape for freight and logistics through proposed automation and transport links, bolstering productivity while benefitting trade and attracting investor demand.
The state government has also taken significant interest in the Fishermans Bend precinct, with one such measure being the purchase of the GM Holden facility as an aerospace, defence, marine and automotive design precinct for $130 million.
The state government recently released a report on its vision for the Fishermans Bend precinct which outlines major urban renewal particularly in the Lorimer, Montague and Sandridge precincts, a proposed high frequency East-West rail linking Fishermans Bend to the CBD and further links to Melbourne’s transport network through light rail and high frequency bus routes.
"Assets with shorter lease expiries have continued to gain momentum in the market, particularly for properties with a redevelopment potential. Areas such as the Montague and the Sandridge precinct have been seeing strong tenant demand for leases with short WALES varying between two to three years, where much of the properties within this region serve as holding income for investors seeking to redevelop these assets and are awaiting permits," the report stated.
As these residential conversions come to fruition, surrounding areas such as Cook Street, Lorimer and the Fisherman’s Bend Employment precinct should see a significant take up in industrial space, given the flow on effect of tenant demand from the more tightly held mixed use areas.
Average net face rents for Prime Grade assets are currently at $180 square metre and given that there is limited new supply in the pipeline, industrial assets should continue to see growth over the medium to long term, as supply remains limited on the back of increasing residential conversions.
Developers have been hotly pursuing land with a redevelopment upside for purposes of conversion to commercial or residential use. This has resulted in a large take up of land within the city fringe area and as such, the demand for land largely exceeds the in flow of supply, which has led to land values soaring by more than 33% in the last 12 months alone.
The same trend has been seen across the industrial property as a whole, particularly for institutional type investors looking to purchase industrial assets above 5,000 square metres, given that there has been little or no supply coming onto the market.
In this environment, yields compressed 38 basis points over the year to be in 6-7% range, with scope for further compression in the next 12 months, as growing demand continues to outstrip supply.
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Fringes of Melbourne will see growing demand for industrial properties: Colliers

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The industrial market is either approaching or at the bottom of the market despite the number of industrial properties remaining at a steady rate, according to Herron Todd White’s latest monthly market report.
The property advisory firm says that the exception were Perth, Darwin and South West WA where the numbers of industrial properties are declining.
<a href="/images/2016/10/14/NT%20industrial.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/14/NT%20industrial.jpg" alt="">
There is also a large value difference between quality properties with national tenants, and comparable properties with local tenants in all of the regions with the exception of Alice Springs and South West WA which has reported small value differences.
There is also an oversupply of industrial properties throughout all of SA, WA and NT, resulting in a flat local economic situation.
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Industrial market in NT, SA and WA declining: HTW

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Frasers Property Australia (formerly Australand) has secured two new tenants – Phoenix Transport and Survitec – at its 6 Star Green Star Horsley Drive Business Park.
Phoenix Transport has entered into a 10 year lease for an 8,478 square metre facility comprising 7,878 square metre warehouse space and 600 square metres of office for its contract warehousing and logistics business.
Survitec has signed a 12 year lease for a 5,855 square metre facility comprising 5,255 square metres of warehouse space and 600 square metres of office. Survitec specialise in the supply of marine, fire, life support and gas control equipment as well as providing project management services to government departments and major corporations.
Both facilities have been designed to achieve a 6 Star Green Star Design and As-Built rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. 
Horsley Drive Business Park is a 20.4 hectare site owned by the Western Sydney Parkland Trust (WSPT) and is located on the corner of Cowpasture Road and The Horsley Drive.
Frasers Property has entered into a development agreement with WSPT to deliver a high quality industrial estate with a mix of facility types.
Some of the 6 Star Green Star features in the building include electronic vehicle charging points, geothermal air conditioning, LED lighting to all warehouse and office areas, Solar PV system to generate renewable energy for use on site, air source heat pump hot water system and 10% translucent roof sheeting to provide high levels of daylight.
Frasers Property has developed over 1,300,000 square metre of office and industrial buildings that are certified or registered under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star rating system.
The company has achieved Australia’s first Green Star Performance (Operational) rating for its portfolio and is committed to delivering a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating on all new industrial developments that are to be retained by the group.
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Phoenix Transport and Survitec move into 6 Star Green Star Horsley Drive Business Park

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Owner-occupier Quicklift Garage Doors has paid $2.96 million for an office and warehouse facility at Mulgrave in Melbourne’s south-east.
The deal was brokered by Savills agent Daniel Kelly.
Located within Enterprise Park, the 61-63 Glenvale Crescent property comprises a 2775 square metre office/warehouse, which includes 2375 square metres of warehousing on a 5741 square metre site with 50 on-site car spaces.  
Kelly said Quicklift had been in the market for more than 12 months, with a requirement to find a property which was well located to key arterials and that would accommodate the company‘s consolidation of operations from two other locations.
"Like a significant number of companies, Quicklift wished to take advantage of low interest rates to move from multiple smaller locations and wished to rationalise its current operations into one modern facility," he said.
"The Glenvale property offered good utility and a superior location with great access to the Monash Freeway."
Kelly said the former tenant, Rectron Electronics, which had been at the property for 10 years, would relocate to a smaller distribution facility at Forster Road, Mt Waverley.
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Quicklift pays $2.96m for Mulgrave industrial

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A private investor has secured a presence in Dandenong South’s industrial market with the purchase of a 1,119 square metre property for $1,575,000.
CBRE negotiated the deal of 41-45 Williams Road on behalf of Scanlon Property Holdings and Bracken Property Holdings, with the sale reflecting a building rate of $1,407 per square metre.
Located three kilometres from the Eastlink Freeway, the property is occupied by multinational aerospace and transportation specialist Bombardier Inc – a Canadian Stock Exchange listed company until April 2019.
CBRE's Ben Mensink said the attraction of a global tenant provided investment confidence in the property.
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