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

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

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

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Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

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Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

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The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

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The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

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Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

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Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

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Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

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Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

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The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

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The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Industrial

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Industrial lots are up for sale at a Whalley Creek estate in the South East Queensland region of Nambour.
The Whalley Creek lots come with a floor area of 1072 square metres to 2246 square metres. They are fully serviced and ready to be developed.
Several lots have already gone under contract.
The industrial lots are only minutes to Nambour CBD, 10 minutes to the Bruce Highway interchange and 16 minutes to the Sunshine Motorway.
Lots six and seven are up for sale for $195,000 plus GST and $180,000 plus GST respectively. <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-qld-nambour-502061114">They are listed through</a> joint agencies Savills Sunshine Coast agents Peter Capps and Jason O'Meara and Ray White Commercial North Coast Central agents Michael Shadforth and David C Smith.
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Industrial building lots at Nambour listed

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A Melbourne developer has paid $2 million for a Prahran industrial property through Teska Carson.
The property, 11-13 Regent Street, sold on a yield of 1.6 percent. 
The property features a single-level, 210 square metre office/warehouse building on a 245 square metre site with 14 metres street frontage. It was sold subject to a short term lease at a current rental of $32,096 per annum net.
Four bidders from a crowd of around sixty pushed the price to $550,000 above the reserve and to a land rate of $9000 a square metre. 
George Takis from Teska Carson said Prahran has fast become one of Melbourne’s most desirable inner city locations attracting numerous commercial and residential developments and that has been largely driven by its location.
"Add location to the Commercial 1 zoning, which opened up a plethora of new options for the purchaser, obviously including redevelopment, and you have a property that appealed to a lot of buyers,’’ he said.
 
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Prahran industrial sells on yield of 1.6 percent

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A Seaford industrial site has been sold for $1.825 million at auction, reflecting a sub-7 percent yield.
The property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-showrooms+bulky+goods-vic-seaford-502001378" target="_blank">6 Hartnett Drive</a> comprises two modern corner showroom building sites over one title, on a combined 2490 sqm site.
Improvements comprises two modern high-clearance showroom/warehouse building with a combined building area of 1,292sqm and 21 on site car parks, returning a total of $126,839 per annum plus GST and outgoings across two income streams.
Fitzroy's Dean Alexander and Mark Talbot handled the campaign, which saw in excess of 60 enquiries and four bidders on auction day.
Dean said the vendor was a family which had held the property for a number of years, and the purchaser a well-known powerhouse Melbourne-based family.
Alexander said the strong enquiry receive reflected the property’s modern industrial improvements, corner location with main road exposure and within the established Bayside showroom and industrial precinct, and close proximity to the major Eastlink arterials and Frankston CBD. 
The site was sold with leases to bathrooms and plumbing suppliers Big Hen until August 2017 with a further three-year term, and AWM Electrical and Data Supplies until October 2018.
 
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Seaford industrial sells for $1.825 million

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Raine &amp; Horne Commercial is predicting strong self-managed super fund (SMSF) demand will drive industrial and retail sales markets in Brisbane.
Principal Trent Bruce said that the demand from SMSFs are ten-fold stronger than supply.
“There’s a lack of quality secure industrial and retail property investment opportunities," he said.
“Such is the level of demand, we’ve been taking securely leased investments priced between $2m-$5m to market, and they’re attracting 70-100 enquiries during the course of the sales campaign. 
“Depending on the tenant, they’re selling for yields of between 5.5% and 7.5%.”
To illustrate the strength of the industrial market in Brisbane, Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Brisbane North sold a high quality industrial office/warehouse facility totalling 1,551sqm on a 2,030sqm allotment at 134 Delta Street, Geebung for a yield of 6.97%. 
“Historically this facility would have realised a yield closer to 8%, and the tighter yield has resulted from a sale price approximately $200,000 higher than the owner expected,” said Mr Bruce. 
“Many clients have taken advantage of the “perfect storm” conditions of historically low interest rates and a lack of available options in the retail and industrial sectors already this year, with many sales completed at record levels.”
While the strong industrial and retail sales are here to stay for the foreseeable future, the office sales market will remain in a state of oversupply. 
“Therefore we’re predicting the office sales market will be the toughest of Brisbane’s commercial sectors in the second half of the year,” said Mr Bruce.
“That said, the office leasing market is stable thanks to owner incentives, with many savvy landlords keenly negotiating with existing tenants to avoid vacancy.”
Across town, Joseph Grasso, Co-Principal of Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Brisbane Southside, said the incentive rates for office space are running at a very rigorous 40% in some cases.
“There’s been an oversupply of office space ever since the state government decided to consolidate a number of departments a few years back, while the slowing mining sector continues to be a factor,” said Mr Grasso. 
Opportunities for small business growth
A surfeit of office space, however, creates opportunities for tenants or home-based businesses to upgrade into their own office space, according to Mr Grasso. 
“Historically low interest rates are making it cheaper to buy commercial office space than to lease it, and now is a great time for smaller businesses to take the plunge,” he said.
On the industrial commercial property front, Mr Grasso said business is booming in southern Brisbane, with Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Brisbane Southside completing 32 transactions in May. 
“This includes small to medium industrial leasing, while prime industrial investment opportunities are still sought after,” said Mr Grasso.
“That said, there’s still some caution in the air as a consequence of the long election campaign.
“Nevertheless, investors are chasing industrial assets that tick all the boxes. However, if they have a few hairs or whiskers on them, they won’t move as fast, especially if an owner’s expectations aren’t realistic.”
 
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Raine & Horne see strong Brisbane industrial investment from SMSF

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Industrial property transactions are rising in Perth, going by a number of off-market deals in warehouse properties in the city’s industrial locations, according to Savills.
A recent transaction involved the off-market sale of a warehouse/office property in Kewdale for $8.5 million, brokered by James Condon and Matthew Hopkins of Savills.
The property at 172 Kewdale Rd comprises a 4,000sq m warehouse plus 660sqm of office on a 12,148sqm site.
It was purchased by an owner-occupier, with existing tenant Tytec Pty Ltd vacating mid-2017.
“After a decade of Perth’s core industrial properties being tightly held, the market is now seeing prime core properties being unlocked with owner-occupiers and investors back in the market looking for opportunities,” Condon said.
“Savills has seen recent examples of this totalling over $40 million worth of industrial properties being sold in the first quarter of 2016. The low interest rate environment being well below investment yields has seen the owner-occupiers actively looking for opportunities in Perth core industrial market.”
Savills' latest Perth Industrial research briefing for Q1 shows a total of $715 million worth of industrial property transactions in Perth in the 12 months to March 2016, up from $437 million in the previous year. The reported volume and value of Perth industrial property transactions, above $20 million, is the highest in a decade, according to Savills research.
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Off-market industrial sales picking up in Perth: Savills

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he will call a July 2 double-dissolution election if the Senate does not pass legislation aimed at restoring the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
The PM has said that:
<ul>
<li>since abolition of the ABCC, days lost to industrial disputes have increased by 34 percent;</li>
<li>two-thirds of all industrial disputes in Australia are in the construction sector and;</li>
<li>industrial disputes in Australia are at their highest level since 2010.</li>
</ul>
Are those assertions correct? Let’s check the data.
Are days lost to industrial disputes up 34 percent since the ABCC was abolished?
The ABCC was introduced in 2005, under the Howard government. Labor abolished the ABCC in March 2012 and replaced it with the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate.
When asked for a source to support his assertion about the 34 percent increase, the PM’s spokesman sent a table drawing on figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data set on industrial disputes:
The spokesman said that:
ABS data suggests the introduction of the ABCC in late 2005 helped to reduce the rate of industrial disputes in the construction industry.
<ul>
<li>Pre-ABCC, the number of working days lost per 1000 employees in construction was five times as much as for all industries (56.1 versus 10.4 days).</li>
<li>During the ABCC’s operation, this dropped to around two times as much (9.6 days versus 4.2 days).</li>
<li>Since the ABCC’s abolition, the number of working days lost per 1000 employees in construction has averaged around 4.5 times the rate for all industries.</li>
</ul>
Indeed, we can clearly see from the graph below that, in construction, working days lost due to industrial disputes fell after 2005 and stayed low to 2009. Then, there was an increase in 2010 and big spikes in 2011 and 2012.
The big spikes in construction sector working days lost due to industrial disputes in between 2010 and 2012 coincided with several large construction sector <a href="https://www.fwbc.gov.au/fwbc-secures-200000-finding-against-cfmeu-and-mcdonald">disputes</a> and strikes.
As reported elsewhere, a 2014 Productivity Commission report concluded that:
The evidence that the ABCC stimulated material improvements in aggregate productivity or achieved cost reductions is weak… The ABCC is likely to have had its primary impact on unlawful conduct and on local productivity and costs at particular sites.
By taking the average number of working days lost in the construction industry (per 1000 employees) during the ABCC era and comparing it with the average number of working days lost in the construction industry (per 1000 employees) in the post ABCC era, it is possible to conclude it has risen 34% (or 3.3 days).
The PM’s statement is supported by ABS data.
Are two-thirds of all industrial disputes in Australia in the construction sector?
This assertion only true for the December 2015 quarter – which happened to be unusually high.
In other quarters, construction accounted for a much smaller proportion of working days lost, as the chart below shows:
Working days lost in construction due to industrial disputes has been consistently higher than the average across all industries since 2012.
It’s worth noting though, that the same data set, at certain time points, puts working days lost due to industrial disputes in the coal mining sector at much higher than construction.
The coal mining industry disputes were happening at the peak of the mining boom. Days lost due to industrial disputes spiking in 2010 and 2012 when a shortage of workers on major projects put unions in a strong bargaining position.
To sum up: the PM’s assertion that two-thirds of all industrial disputes in Australia are in the construction sector is correct for December 2015 only.
Overall, however, his comment is misleading because he is using the unusually high December 2015 quarter as a benchmark. The long run average for construction for 2010 to 2015 is just under 30% of all days lost (still the highest share of any industry). The average between 2005 and 2009, with the ABCC, was around 10% of all days lost.
Are industrial disputes in Australia at their highest level since 2010?
As shown in the chart below, ABS data shows the total number of industrial disputes in the 12 months ending December 2010 at 227. For the 12 months ending December 2015, the figure is 228.
What that time frame doesn’t show you is that, overall, the number of industrial disputes has declined greatly in the last few decades. The longer term trend is depicted in the chart below:
So the PM’s assertion that industrial disputes in Australia at their highest level since 2010 is correct, but relies on a selective choice of time periods.
The rate of industrial disputes has been trending down in recent decades, basically following the fall in trade union membership.
Verdict
It’s true that days lost to industrial disputes in the construction sector (reported to the ABS) have increased since 2010. They are now running at a higher level than when the ABCC was operating – at about 34% higher for the time periods indicated.
The PM’s statement that two-thirds of all industrial disputes in Australia are in the construction sector is correct for December 2015 only. Overall, his comment is misleading because the PM is using the unusually high December 2015 quarter as a benchmark. The long run average for 2010 to 2015 is just under 30 percent of all days lost (still the highest share of any industry). The average between 2005 and 2009, with the ABCC, was around 10 percent of all days lost.
The PM’s assertion that industrial disputes in Australia are at their highest level since 2010 is correct, but relies on a selective choice of time periods. There were more disputes in March 2010 and December 2009 than December 2015. However, for the time period he referred to, the claim is correct. 
Gerard de Valence is senior lecturer, University of Technology Sydney and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gerard-de-valence-105933" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Are two-thirds of all industrial disputes in Australia in the construction sector?

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Engineering firm Bosch inaugurated its $40 million headquarters and technical centre at Clayton in Victoria this week and said it would invest a further $6.2 million in increasing its diode production capacity.
The investment at its 120,000 square metre campus is its single largest in Australia since it set up the wholly-owned subsidiary in 1954. The company has around 800 employees at the centre.
The centre was inaugurated by the Victorian minister for Industry and Minister for Energy and Resources, the Hon Lily D’ambrosia MP.
Bosch's new headquarters will support new businesses, engineering and R&amp;D initiatives, said a media release.
“The new facility is evidence of Bosch’s long-term commitment to diversified activities in this region including sales and distribution, high-tech engineering, advanced manufacturing and further investment into exciting new fields,” said Gavin Smith, Bosch president with responsibility for the region Oceania. 
<img src="/images/2016/04/22/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-22%20at%206.54.24%20PM.png" alt="">
Most recently, the company invested in Australian start-up The Yield, which focuses on micro-climate sensing technology in agriculture and aquaculture.
Bosch is also working in the areas of Highly Automated Driving (HAD), vehicle connectivity and vehicle security (through secure gateway systems) in Australia.
New business activities in Australia have also been introduced in eBike service, motorsport components sales and innovative software solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT).
In addition Bosch is investing a further $6.2 million in manufacturing for the global automotive sector. The Clayton facility's Diodes production capacity will be increased to cater to its growing international customers. The federal government has also contributed $1 million from the Automotive Diversification Programme (ADP). 
The new facility incorporates offices, workshops, testing facilities, training rooms and employee amenities. It has a landscaped courtyard with semi-established trees, and an outside terrace with an alternative working space.
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Bosch's $40 million centre in Victoria inaugurated 

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Industrial land prices along Brisbane's Trade Coast have recorded their second quarterly increase according to the Brisbane industrial briefing for April from Savills.
Savills recorded around $1.133 billion worth of industrial property transactions under $2 million in the 12 months to March 2016, an increase from the $1.019 billion recorded in the previous year, and up on the five year average of $779 million.
According to the report private investors are also starting to emerge within the sub $2 million price range  - a sure a sign that confidence is beginning to return to the market. 
"Buyers within the $2 million to ten million dollar price range remain the most active with 75 percent of industrial sales for the year ending March 2016," Savills reported.
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"Englobo land sales continue to dwindle within the Brisbane metropolitan area due to a lack of availability within the key industrial precincts. A number of industrial properties sold over the year however had subsidiary land available for further development, such as the sale of 1-5 Bishop Dr, Fisherman Island which reportedly included an additional three hectares of land suitable for further industrial accommodation.
"The highlight of the year remains the $1.073 billion purchase of the GIC portfolio by Singapore based Ascendas. The portfolio included assets from Victoria, New South Wales and Brisbane. There were seven Brisbane properties included in the deal amounting to $317.2 million."
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<a href="/images/2016/04/20/Screen%20Shot%202016-04-20%20at%2012.55.54%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Sub $10 million price bracket driving Brisbane industrial market

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A shed complex in Oakhurst area of Queensland is up for grabs at $599,000 + GST.
The property at lot <a href="https://www.rhcommercial.com.au/properties/lot-67-precision-drive-oakhurst-4650-queensland" target="_blank">67 Precision Drive</a> is spread over 500 sqm.
There is a six-month rental guarantee with the vendor guaranteeing the first six months lease if a tenant is required.
The property is being sold through Raine &amp; Horne.
It consists of two colourbond sheds, plenty of hardstand and parking.
Security fencing over two-thirds of the site. 
Ground floor and Mezzanine office built to high spec, two kitchens and other facilities; roof top solar power 20 kw each shed, low to zero power bills.
And there is a 5,000 gallon underground water tank, plus two 30 000 freestanding tanks.
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Shed complex in Queensland's Oakhurst up for sale

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Frasers Property Australia (formerly Australand) has secured its first tenant in Horsley Drive Business Park, which will be the first six star Green Star industrial precinct in Australia.  
Martin Brower Australia has entered into a 20 year lease for an 18,559 sqm facility comprising warehouse and 3,000 sqm office space. The facility will accommodate dry store, chiller, freezer and chilled staging areas in the warehouse. 
Frasers Property is focused on delivering direct and real benefits to our customers by reducing their total occupancy costs and operating expenses, whilst also improving their health and wellbeing.
Over 300 people will be located in Martin Brower Australia’s new facility.
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 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.
Jackie McArthur, managing director of Martin Brower Australia the business were supply chain partners to McDonald’s globally, and will service approximately 300 restaurants from this site which is ideally located with accessibility to Sydney’s major transport networks.
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