One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

Joel Robinson

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Industry News

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The Housing Industry Association has launched a research division which will provide data and analysis to the property, financial services and government sectors.
The research body, called Australian Construction Insights, was launched at the 2014 HIA Building Better Cities Summit in Sydney last week.
ACI will issue research and in-depth analysis on the building and construction sector. It will also provide short and long-term outlooks on national and state economies, new home building, residential and non-residential construction and the renovations market, HIA national president Ron Dwyer said in launching the research body.
HIA chief economist Harley Dale has become ACI’s chief economist. Other members of the team include senior economist Shane Garrett, and economists Georgan Murray and Diwa Hopkins.
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Housing Industry Association launch research division

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Next year, thousands of lawyers and conveyancers will have access to electronic property transactions in a landmark agreement between Property Exchange Australia Limited (PEXA) and GlobalX Legal Solutions.
GlobalX is the first to sign on as a PEXA sponsor, and will bring the technology to 8,000 practitioners who currently use their search, conveyancing and practice management software solutions, as well as a further 8,000 through partnerships with LexisNexis, Law Master and CATS.
“Today is a landmark step towards delivering the property conveyancing process into the digital age for thousands of conveyancers and law firms across Australia,” said GlobalX chief operating officer Peter Maloney.
“As Australia’s largest property settlement provider to the practitioner market, we have been preparing and investing significantly in our technology, people and industry partnerships to ensure we have a competitive advantage in delivering PEXA to all our clients and solutions partners.”
He said that the future is a hybrid of manual and electronic services.
PEXA CEO Marcus Price said that it will be a great benefit as it means there is just one port of call.
“PEXA removes the often stressful closure of the conveyancing process by ensuring fast, effective and error free electronic lodgement and settlement and it makes sense for PEXA to become part of the existing market offerings provided by our Sponsors,” Price said.
PEXA allows an online workspace where Land Registry documents and settlement schedule can be created and shared with all parties. It also automatically lodges documents with the Land Registry, exchanges loan funds, pays stamp duty and other third party beneficiaries, removes the need for bank cheques and removes the need to physical be at settlement.
The system is currently live in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia in Release 1 format. Release 2 was launched in a limited capacity to Victoria in June, with full functionality from 2014 quarter four for Victoria and New South Wales. The rest of the states will have access in 2015.
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Landmark agreement will broaden access to electronic property transactions

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The REA Group has paid $106 million for 17.2% of iProperty Group, the digital property advertising website in Malaysia, Singapore and South East Asia.
REA bought the stake in iProperty from the French real estate business SeLoger.com.
The $3.40 per share price is a substantial premium to the last closing price of $3.12, but appeared to be well accepted by the stockmarket.
Its 52 week trading range has been between $1 and $4.04.
The ASX listed shares of IPP jumped 16% this morning on the announcement. It closed the day up 18% at $3.69.
“This acquisition provides us with a strategic stake in one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the world and complements our existing business in Hong Kong, and the recent launch of MyFun.com and our partnership with Soufun.com in China,” REA interim chief executive Peter Tonagh told the stock exchange.
REA’s international reach already included <a href="https://www.athome.lu/" target="_blank">Luxembourg</a>, <a href="https://www.casa.it/" target="_blank">Italy</a>, <a href="https://www.squarefoot.com.hk/" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a>, <a href="https://www.athome.de/" target="_blank">Germany</a>, <a href="https://myfun.com/" target="_blank">China </a>and <a href="https://www.immoregion.fr/" target="_blank">France</a>.
iProperty has online property portals in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong, as well as investments in India and the Philippines.
The iProperty Group has Georg Chmiel as its chief executive.
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Premium paid as REA expands in Asia with 17% of iProperty website

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The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales’ president Malcolm Gunning has spoken out against the proposed removal of requirements for what he calls the “big end of town” shops. 
Gunning argues that removing the requirement for agents involved in large commercial property transactions to be licensed is “nonsense”.
The removal of the protections under the Property, Stock and Business Agents Act, which Gunning says is being fast tracked without a review process, is being opposed by the REINSW, who say that they are being pushed through as cutting red tape.
“This is of grave concern to REINSW and our members. There is an established process to consider the impact of the removal of these protections and we will not stand by and allow this to happen without proper due diligence,” said Gunning.
He said that, in actual fact, more procedures to protect consumers should be brought into place to avoid eroding the standards of the progession.
“Removing these licensing requirements means the protections associated with trust accounts are lost, material fact in regard to premises no longer needs disclosure leaving the door open for unlawful behaviour,” he said.
He noted that they are submitting their concerns to the minister aiming to exclude the changes from the Act – which is expected to come into force on 1 September.
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Removing licence requirement for agents involved in large property transactions is “nonsense”: REINSW

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Real estate is a competitive business, and there are few people in the industry as competitive as real estate sales agents.
The new <a href="https://www.ratemyagent.com.au">ratemyagent.com.au</a> website, top agent rating and statistics website, platform provided Property Observer a list of the top 10 agents by state and territory across the country for the six months until the end of the 2014 financial year (1 January to 30 June) based on the number of sales recorded over this period (including sales where multiple agents are involved).
In discussing these figures, director and co-founder Mark Armstrong explained that the statistics come from available online listings and information agents can provide themselves.
The information on the website reveals how many sales the agent has been involved in, the total value of those sales and other information to assist consumers in choosing the agent to sell their property.
Agents are able to add information to their profile, however ultimately the strength comes from client-provided testimonials requested by the agent from sellers.
Today, we’re revealing those in New South Wales.
TOP NSW SALES AGENTS
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Alexander Phillips (78)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/phillips-july-15-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Scoring a significant 78 sales, some 10 extra above the next sales agent on the list, Phillips from Phillips Pantzer Donnelley in <a href="/news">Woollahra </a>notes online that his annual sales range at 100 plus, and usually between $180 million to $200 million in annual turnover – and it appears he’s certainly on track to exceed the 100 sales for the year.
He sells anything from “$300,000 studios to multi-million dollar homes” and notes that: “For the last three years his listings have averaged just 22 days on market - less than half of the Sydney average.” <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Andrew Sorensen (68)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/sorense-july-15-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Next on the list is Raine &amp; Horne Charmhaven’s principal Andrew Sorensen who has been a much-decorated member of the real estate industry.
You might have seen him as a speaker at AREC this year. He also secured the number one ranking for sales and auctions nationally in 2013, as well as second in auction listings nationally in 2013 and third as salesperson ranked on principal dollar value across Australia.
It seems this isn’t slowing down and his ranking might secure him some more honours this year.
Sorensen also made it onto the much-enjoyed trade magazine Real Estate Business lists last year as both a top 100 agent and in the top 50 sales offices.
He has worked in the industry for 12 years.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Penny Stylianou (66)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Stylianou-july-15-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
From Century 21 John Ross Combined, located in Seven Hills, Stylianou is the director – sales consultant and has worked for the agency since 1994, with experience in real estate since 1983.
She has also been highly lauded, with a Centurion Award, putting her in the top 2% of the Century 21 group worldwide.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Norman So (62)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Norman-So-july-15-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Strathfield Partners’ sales director So was previously Westpac Banks’ top finance lender in the Inner West, and his success has transferred well over to real estate.
So notes he moves 1.4 properties a week, has 3,000 buyers on his books, and holds a number of records across <a href="/news">Strathfield</a>, <a href="/news">Burwood</a>, <a href="/news">Homebush </a>and <a href="/news">Homebush West</a>.
His sales highlights for this year are noted as including Homebush West’s 29 Hampstead Road, which sold for $3.125 million, and 2 Barker Road Strathfield, which secured $2.25 million.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Tracy Yap (60)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Tracey-Yap-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Yap, principal of Traey Yap Realty, with offices in <a href="/news">Epping </a>and <a href="/news">Chatswood</a>, has sold 2,000 properties over the past 15 years in the Northern District.
She is currently a finalist for Principal of the Year – Metropolitan award at Real Estate Business’ upcoming awards.
Yap opened her own office in 2004 and just recently opened the Chatswood branch.
To see who the other top five in the state are, see the next page.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
TOP NSW SALES AGENTS 5 TO 10
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Alistair Agius (60)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Alistair-Agius-july-15-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Century 21 John Ross Combined Seven Hills’s sales consultant Agius has a pharmacy background and has also previously been a commercial property manager for two years.
His latest sale is 23 Stuart Mould Crescent, <a href="/news">Lalor Park</a>, which is current under contract.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Mark Kentwell (58)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Mark-Kentwell-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
PRD Nationwide Newcastle &amp; Lake Macquarie’s managing director and principal Kentwell was ranked as the number one selling principal nationally over the past six years.
He also achieved the Newcastle and Hunter Young Achiever of the Year Award and achieved the Harvey Douglas Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry in 2010.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> David Choy (57)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/David-Choy-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
McGrath Castle Hill sales agent Choy, a life time resident of the Hills District whose speciality suburbs include <a href="/news">Baulkham Hills</a>,<a href="/news"> Bella Vista</a> and <a href="/news">Castle Hill</a>, has worked the Hills property round for the last 17 years.
He has previously ranked as the number one agent in the state for a major real estate group, and is one of the top five within the McGrath brand internationally.
He makes equal eighth place.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Ray Fayad (57)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Ray-Fayad-profiile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Laing + Simmons Granville’s group principal Ray Fayad was the next to be ranked.
Having started his real estate career in 1996, it’s notable that he ranks in the top three income producing agents across the company, and has been involved in the sale of nearly 3,000 properties – including some that secured suburb records.
He currently heads the Laing + Simmons results across the state for sales, auction listings, exclusive listings and project marketing.
He makes equal eighth place.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> Renee Wright (57)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/Renee-Wright-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Wright has made seventh place through being involved in a number of sales, although not being the sole selling agent.
Actually Raine &amp; Horne Charmhaven’s principal Andrew Sorensen’s assistant, and a buyer’s agent, she has secured equal eighth place through her involvement in 57 sales from their office (based on listings online).
She was the 2008 Professional Assistant of the Year while working with RE/MAX Coastal Waters and previously had experienced as a property manager at George Brand Real Estate.
She has worked at Raine &amp; Horne Charmhaven since 2011.
As a result, we have included an extra sales agent on the list...
 
George Rafty (55)<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/07/15/George-Rafty-profile.jpg" alt="" style="float: right;">
Rafty, noted as PRD Nationwide's top Australian selling agent for the past three years and a sales agent for PRD Nationwide Newcastle and Lake Macquarie sells over 100 properties a year and has worked in the real estate industry in Newcastle and its surrounds for the past 20 years.
He previously secured a record for <a href="/news">Adamstown </a>with a sale in excess of $1 million.
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The top 10 sales agents in New South Wales: ratemyagent website

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Harry Triguboff has said that Meriton’s strata management arm has little to do with competing with other strata management companies, and all to do with service offering.
Triguboff told Strata Live that while buyers are educated when it comes to buying a property, these buyers avoid getting involved in strata management of their own buildings due to the legislation and responsibilities.
“One of the reasons we started our own strata division, is so we could help owners with that process. We already offer buyers vendor finance, we guarantee tenants for investors and we manage their apartments," Triguboff said.
“Managing the strata in our buildings is something we probably should have started years ago."
“Who knows the buildings better than we do?  Every brick, every pipe, every cable has fallen into the hands of a Meriton expert."
 The service is an additional offering for owners if they opt to use it, with many choosing to do so. Some now fear that legislation changes will stop them from using the service.
“It is not about competing with other strata companies.  I think many of the strata companies would agree that Meriton has given them a great deal of business over the years,” Triguboff said.
“It is about constantly improving and implementing new services that are for the betterment of our lot owners.”
Picture of Harry Triguboff courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons.
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Harry Triguboff says Meriton’s strata management not about competing

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A former employee of construction and engineering firm John Holland has been awarded compensation and full redundancy entitlements after the Fair Work Commission found he was unfairly dismissed.
In a case that highlights the importance of workplace policies to support <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people/42020-mental-health-warning-for-smes-cost-to-business-10-9-billion">employees’ mental health</a>, Fair Work found John Holland was aware the employee was suffering from serious mental health issues and should have taken more care when addressing his situation.
Ronaldo Salazar was employed by John Holland Aviation Services in Melbourne as a licensed aircraft mechanical engineer.
The company terminated his employment in December 2013 for alleged serious misconduct. This came after ongoing disputes regarding his work roster and emails, in which he claimed John Holland management was trying to harm him and his family. Salazar had threatened to take his story to Today Tonight or 60 Minutes and the then prime minister Kevin Rudd.
But Fair Work <a href="https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/2014FWC4030.htm" target="_blank">sided with Salazar</a> and found it was unreasonable for John Holland to conclude the employee had engaged in serious misconduct when sending the threatening email, as the company had evidence of his illness and the medications he was taking in the form of medical certificates.
Commissioner Ryan found Salazar’s defence of his illness and medication provided a strong reason to excuse his conduct and John Holland should have given more consideration to this and his poor English skills when dealing with him.
Ryan ordered compensation be paid to Salazar as John Holland is no longer operating this division of its business and therefore reinstatement would not be possible.
Workplace lawyer Peter Vitale describes the case as “unusual” as Fair Work found “conduct which might ordinarily institute misconduct couldn’t be treated that way by the employer because the employee had engaged in that conduct while suffering from a mental illness”.
While Vitale says there are a number of other factors which influenced Fair Work’s decision, including some confusion between Salazar and John Holland about his qualifications, he says the suggestion an employer is not entitled to rely on the threatening email as serious misconduct “runs counter to the sort of approach taken by the High Court in relation to anti-discrimination laws in the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/MelbULawRw/2004/17" target="_blank">Purvis case</a>”.
Vitale says the Purvis case involved a teenager who was expelled from his school on the basis of aggressive behaviour that was due to a medical condition. The student claimed he was discriminated against because of his condition. However, the school argued it was not discriminating against him because anyone else acting in this way would have been treated in the same way. The High Court agreed and said the student’s behaviour should be treated in the same way as the behaviour of other students who do not suffer from an illness.
Vitale says there are parallels with the Salazar case.
“It may be that in the circumstances of an unfair dismissal case, the company should have had more regard to the state of the employees’ health. But it would be wrong to see this decision as a blanket endorsement for the proposition that conduct engaged in while suffering mental health issues should be completely disregarded for potential misconduct by any employer,” he says.
However, Vitale says this case highlights the importance of placing an employee’s behaviour in context.
“In the contest of the unfair dismissal regime regarding a fair go all round, it is incumbent on an employer to look at the nature of the conduct and the extent to which it may be influenced by ill health, and work with the employee and medical practitioners to determine whether or not it is likely to happen again,” says Vitale.
SmartCompany contacted John Holland but the company declined to comment.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Fair Work rules dismissal of construction and engineering firm employee with known mental health issues unfair

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Fairfax Media’s Domain Group has acquired All Homes Pty Ltd, an online property portal, for $50 million.
Allhomes, which advertises real estate in the Australian Capital Territory and nearby regional areas in New South Wales, works with around 180 real estate agencies in the area. The company was founded in 2000.
According to Fairfax, the Domain Group intends to promote both Allhomes and the national Domain brand.
Allhomes chief executive Tim White will manage both Allhomes and Domain’s Canberra operations.
“This is a really exciting time and a great opportunity for Allhomes,” said White in a statement released by Fairfax Media.
“Not only do our business objectives and values align, we will now have access to another highly skilled and motivated team, and also access to a national audience for our clients. I believe this is positive for all concerned, including most importantly for real estate agencies, consumers and staff."
Fairfax Media chief executive and managing director Greg Hywood said the company was excited about the acquisition.
“It is a great business and this acquisition demonstrates Fairfax’s commitment to invest in growing Domain nationwide,” said Hywood.
“Canberra is a strategically important market for Fairfax and Allhomes reinforces our digital position in the ACT.”
 
 
 
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Online property portal Allhomes bought by Fairfax's Domain Group

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The Uniting Church has nominated Leighton Properties as the preferred developer for the restoration of their Wesley Upper Lonsdale Street property, noting their ideal to keep the site reflecting God’s concern for the environment.
Now in documentation and approval stage, the final plans are expected for September this year for the property, which sits in the most tightly held precinct of Melbourne’s CBD.
The plan for the site is to revitalise but retain its history and cultural significance, said Leighton Properties national head of commercial Andrew Borger.
The development is to include an A-Grade commercial office tower, a Town Square and courtyard/garden spaces.
Currently, the Wesley Church is located centrally on the site. It will be retained and restored, in addition to the Parsonage/Manse, School House and Caretaker’s Cottage.
“Leighton Properties' capabilities and experience in providing innovative solutions for large-scale projects positions us well to deliver on what will become a quality, landmark development for The Uniting Church,” said Borger.
“This development offers the opportunity to positively address the underlying demand for space in Melbourne's CBD. We are looking forward to working in partnership with all key stakeholders to create a green, active, connected and welcoming urban environment that retains the best aspects of a calm sanctuary in the urban realm,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wesley Church minister Alistair Macrae, who was also a member of the Project Control Group, said that the Church’s mission was at the centre of Leighton Properties’ proposal.
“We want to ensure that the developed spaces enable relationships between people, that its uses are consistent with the values of the Uniting Church and reflect God's concern for the environment,” said Macrae.
“The transformation of this historic site as an important social, commercial and missional space places the church at its centre, opening up opportunities for the Wesley congregation to be in mission with the changing demographic of the inner-city,” he said.
Wesley Mission Victoria chief executive officer Rob Evers said Wesley was committed to the project and would return to Lonsdale St when the development is completed.
Head of property for The Uniting Church in Australia, Paul Walec, said that the transaction structure with Leighton Properties looks to balance their mission with risk and commercial outcomes.
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The Uniting Church choose Leighton for Melbourne CBD Wesley Church site

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Australia’s largest privately owned beef producer, Consolidated Pastoral (CPC) has appointed its chief operating officer Troy Setter as its chief executive.
The new chief executive, who succeeds Keith Warren, is its fifth chief executive in as many years.
CPC is backed by private equity group Terra Firma, which bought out the company from James Packer in 2009 for about $450 million. 
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Consolidated Pastoral Company Pty Ltd had appointed Troy Setter as its chief operating officer only in March. 
Troy has over 20 years of experience in agribusiness, most recently as chief operating officer at rival Australian Agricultural Company and previously at North Australian Cattle Pty Ltd, Killara Feedlot Pty Ltd, and Torrens Investments Pte. 
He began his career at Twynam Agricultural Group. 
Consolidated Pastoral has approximately 360,000 head of cattle across 5.6 million hectares of land. 
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