A who's who of Australian surfing, business and entertainment has emerged on title records following the completion of Esprit Rainbow Bay, the latest boutique beachfront apartment development by former professional surfer Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects.

The completed project has attracted an enviable collection of owners, many with long-standing ties to the southern Gold Coast and the surf culture that has helped define Rainbow Bay and neighbouring Kirra for generations.

Given Gedoun's own background in surfing, it perhaps comes as little surprise that some of Australia's most recognisable surfers have chosen to buy into the development overlooking one of the country's most celebrated stretches of coastline.

Pezet Matheson directors Jayde Pezet and Todd Matheson launched the project in late 2021, and have managed the sales campaign all the way through to its sell-out and recent completion.

<img alt="Esprit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08fc6261-b84e-4b09-8a44-66d3067fd0d1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-29%20at%208.51.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4AOcb6ETZwNUnMPdTtz1B3pZAIB_jgZ2" />

Former world champion Mick Fanning, who grew up in Coolangatta, secured an apartment in 2023. He paid&nbsp;$2.07 million. Last year he sold his Bilinga home for over $16 million.

Three-time world champion Joel Parkinson also purchased in the development, alongside big wave surfer Mark Mathews. Mathews bought the most expensive apartment in the building, spending just over $4 million.

Joining them is Rip Curl founder Doug Warbrick, whose company helped shape Australia's global surfing industry over the past five decades.

The appeal of Rainbow Bay has extended well beyond the surfing community.

International DJ Paul Fisher purchased an apartment through his investment vehicle, YLB Developments, an abbreviation of his trademark phrase "You Little Beauty".

The purchase comes as Fisher and his wife Chloe are developing their own luxury apartment project further north in Palm Beach. Their boutique beachfront development, Pescado, comprises just seven apartments on Jefferson Lane, which start from just shy of $6 million. The couple intend to retain the two-level penthouse as their Australian base between international touring commitments.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and his wife Wendy have also invested in Esprit, purchasing two apartments after spending decades holidaying on the southern Gold Coast. They also have a luxury apartment in Joe Adsett's Rockpool, less than 400m away from Esprit.

<h2>Boutique project draws owner-occupiers</h2>

Esprit launched in 2021 and sold strongly, with buyers drawn to its boutique scale, beachfront position and contemporary design.

The completed development comprises 94 apartments across 11 levels, offering expansive floorplans designed primarily for owner-occupiers rather than the investor market.

Crowning the building is Club Esprit, pitched as being the Gold Coast's first residential rooftop wellness centre. The roof features a&nbsp;25 metre magnesium lap pool, which is surrounded by wet daybeds and poolside cabanas,&nbsp;multiple barbecue areas,&nbsp;a yoga and relaxation play lawn, and a private dining room with a kitchen scullery, bar, lounges, and an outdoor terrace.

The wellness centre is&nbsp;fully equipped with a Technogym, ice bath, infra-red sauna, steam room, thermal room, and treatment room. The roof has views spanning&nbsp;Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and the Pacific Ocean.

<h2>S&amp;S Projects continues to shape Rainbow Bay</h2>

S&amp;S Projects founder Paul Gedoun has become one of the key figures behind Rainbow Bay's evolution over the past several years.

After establishing S&amp;S Projects, Gedoun has focused on delivering lifestyle-driven apartment developments designed primarily for owner-occupiers seeking a permanent coastal home.

Esprit is Gedoun's third completed project in Rainbow Bay, following Flow and Awaken, both of which achieved record prices for the suburb.

He is now delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, a 38-apartment development on Boundary Street that is currently selling, and has no plans to leave the precinct anytime soon. S&amp;S Projects has also lodged plans for its fifth Rainbow Bay development, an 88-apartment project on Boundary Street featuring a strong wellness focus.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">First look: S&amp;S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Who's who of buyers revealed as Esprit Rainbow Bay settles

Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Melton

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Melbourne’s newest, masterplanned residential development by EIG Developments, Opalia, was last launched last Saturday.
The debut release, <a href="http://www.opalia.com.au" target="_blank">Eaglevale</a>, had 31 lots ranging in size from 231 square metres to 670 square metres.
EIG Developments’ CEO George Georgiou said that as of four days after release, 95% of lots has sold and that affordability is critical for families.
In launching the development, the City of Melton Mayor, Bob Turner, said that Melton is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia.
He said the the area combined urban and rural lifestyles within a comfortable commuting distance of Melbourne.
"Melton Council embraces the opportunity to work collaboratively with developers and, across all levels of government to deliver quality infrastructure and services for our growing community," Turner said.
"Opalia is truly a community where residents can come together, to gain a real sense of belonging and feel they are part of something special."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Opalia's first release 95% sold out after four days

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Entry level home buyers in Greater Melbourne experienced jump in the time taken to save for a house, adding an extra eight months from last year according to a report released this week by Domain. 
"This is likely an impact of the influx of first home buyers increasing demand at the lower end of the market since the Victorian government abolished stamp duty for first home buyers, an increase of 37 per cent compared to last year”, stated the report  “Those looking to purchase quickly can look to areas like Melton, where the entry house price is $424,000 and the time to save a deposit is 4.3 years."
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/665a9107-e074-4cb3-b1dc-722845f7c7e4.png">
There was a indicative sale at 3 Cassia Road, Melton (pictured below), a three bedroom, two bathroom house, which sold for $448,000 last month.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/28/Melton%203%20Cassia%20Road.jpg" alt="">
"For house hunters looking to be closer to the CBD, areas like Maribyrnong, approximately nine kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, are a strong option with unit entry prices at $360,000 and a time to save of 3.7 years."
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/c895e225-6bae-40f5-8561-a14da31ee6a7.png">
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Melton ranked as the quickest FHB path to house ownership in Greater Melbourne: Domain

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Some 35 kilometres west of Melbourne CBD, the City of Melton is a flat plain with a farming history, that seems to be finally making a bit of a mark.
<a href="/news">Melton</a> and <a href="/news">Melton South</a> are fast growing, well-serviced areas, but ones that may not be seeing any real capital growth for some time. This means good things for home buyers looking to get in over the medium-term, and yet it also doesn't appear investors are being put off by the hefty amounts of supply coming onto the pipeline or up for sale at present.
Part of the restraint on property prices is the steady release of land occurring around the area. Just over the past weekend, a Lend Lease <a href="/expert-insights/building/how-to-navigate-a-house-and-land-display-home-launch">display home launch attracted the attention of Property Observer</a>, promising residence for up to 4,000 people. Atherstone, the Lend Lease development, is just one in a stream of new house and land developments for the area that look to bring in families and quality new homes.
<blockquote>
The vacancy rate in the area currently sits at a fairly tight 2.2%, however there are a number up for rent at present.
</blockquote>
With another house and land creation, from developer <a href="https://www.waterfordlife.com.au/" target="_blank">608 Property, called Waterford</a> just a five minute drive further on down the road, and still many blocks unsold in the somewhat more built up but new offerings around the Exford Road end of Bridge Road itself, it remains unclear how long it will take for this supply to be absorbed. <a href="https://www.toolernwatersestate.com.au/" target="_blank">Toolern Waters</a> is also a short drive away, a 960 lot masterplanned development.
The vacancy rate in the area currently sits at a fairly tight 2.2%, however there are a number up for rent within the suburb and there appears to be little competition for some of the larger blocks - with demand dropping off the further away from Melton Station you get, which is actually located in Melton South's upper end. This is largely a house-dominated area, with few units to speak of around the Melton and Melton South suburbs.
KEY STATS ABOUT THE CITY OF MELTON
<ul>
<li>6,800 businesses registered 
</li>
<li>16,139 jobs</li>
</ul>
COUNCIL PLANS FOR 2030
<ul>
<li>67,675 additional dwellings. 
</li>
<li>185,170 additional residents. 
</li>
<li>New activity centres in Plumpton, Rockbank, Rockbank North and Hopkins Road, and a new Metropolitan Activity Centre in Toolern. 
</li>
<li>Growth in manufacturing industry.</li>
</ul>
Source: City of Melton Council
Melton South and Melton are structured around two main roads - Exford Road, which turns into Station Road and cuts through the middle of Melton South, and High Street, the main shopping strip for the area that is also home to a number of different real estate agencies. In addition to the High Street shops is Woodgrove Shopping Centre, that underwent the beginning of an $88 million expansion project in 2012 to more than double the centre by the end of 2013, which is complemented by the nearby and newly built Melton Library and Learning Hub that completed in June last year. It's worth noting that both of these relatively new pieces of infrastructure are usually busy with residents, and spoken of with some pride.
<blockquote>
The Melton Council also has their "growth" hat on, encouraging the creation of new suburbs and the strength of the area.
</blockquote>
This reflects the plan for the area, which saw a 2004 population recorded at 71,350 and a current 2020 population projection from the Department of Sustainability and Environment of 130,919. It appears this may be easily surpassed, with the City of Melton council estimating a total population of 125,409 as of 31 December 2013, with their estimates looking at "more than 241,000 by 2031", which would make the area the size of the Sunshine Coast. The Council also has their "growth" hat on, encouraging the creation of new suburbs and the strength of the area in their recent Economic Development and Tourism Plan 2014 to 2030.
Melton South is socioeconomically the most disadvantaged area within the City of Melton. However, compared to Greater Melbourne, the City of Melton is middling when looking at socioeconomic disadvantage. Police presence is, however, still heavy around Melton train station and it appears that it does have something of a stigma to shake off with signs noting it is a high crime location.
Within Melton South itself there is a smaller shopping plaza near the station, with a discount store, bakery, liquor shop, fruit and vegetable store, restaurant, Woolworths and other necessary outlets. There are also a number of take out shops, a fabric store, a tattoo parlour and a video store on the opposite side of the station. The City of Melton is noted to have one of the highest worker/local job ratios across the metropolitan growth areas, evidenced by the large number of signs up for local home-based businesses, yet despite this the 7am work day train to Southern Cross is continually full.
PROPERTIES OF NOTE
If you're a heritage property enthusiast, then it's worth an amble through the neighbourhood and down Exford Road, to where the notable Glenloth at 54 Exford Road - a council owned Edwardian-style beauty that is fairly unkempt - is located.  Originally on a large rural land holding, called Exford, it is now in the suburban context on a reduced block, and is noted as having local significance.
<blockquote>
More expensive properties, while seeing less rental interest, can achieve around $300 to $350 per week return.
</blockquote>
The Shire of Melton Heritage Study - Volume 4 notes that it "expresses one of the major themes of Australia's history - the contest between large pastoralists and small farmers for the land - and the abiding power of the yeomanry well into the twentieth century.
"The break up of the massive pastoral estates at the beginning of the twentieth century market a major new era in the history of Melton. The Shire was transformed by the Closer Settlement and Soldier Settlement Acts, as the emergence of new communities necessitated new roads and bridges and new primary schools."
Now there are a number of schools, churches, parks and even a university campus within the local area.
Buses run through, however it's poorly connected for anyone who doesn't work nine to five, prompting a busy taxi service to currently service the area. Similarly, the train takes 35 minutes on express to Southern Cross, however isn't a hugely frequent service during morning peak hour. This may be shaken up under plans long-discussed for the area, with potential additions at Deer Park West, Caroline Springs and Toolern, and might challenge some of the city dwellers' perspectives that Melton is "far away".
Despite remaining a fairly quiet area, the community remains shaken by a house fire and subsequent death of teenager Daniel Sheehy back in 2012, and occasional acts of vandalism around the time of the anniversary take place. While this comes as a surprise to some, locals confirmed that this has happened for the past few years and it is common to see graffiti on fences.
<blockquote>
SUBURB STATISTICS - MELTON HOUSES
MEDIAN PRICE: $245,000
MEDIAN ASKING RENT: $250 PER WEEK
INDICATIVE RENTAL YIELD: 5.31%
AVE. TIME ON MARKET: 88 DAYS
</blockquote>
With all of this occurring, it's unsurprising that Melton has already secured itself a place on many a person's "to watch" list. In 2012, it <a href="/news/vic/top-10-victorian-capital-growth-hotspots-with-ivanhoe-a-shining-star-for-past-five-years-reiv">scored in the Top 10 for the Real Estate Institute of Victoria's capital growth suburbs</a> for the year, meanwhile in August last year <a href="/news/melton-forecast-to-grow-strongly-over-next-25-years-prdnationwide">PRDnationwide forecasted strong growth for the area</a> over the next 25 years. The end of 2012 saw <a href="/expert-insights/investing/property-market-picking-up-in-outer-melbourne-suburb-of-melton-thanks-to-improved-buyer-sentiment-hockingstuart">Hockingstuart providing some good news about the Melton area</a> as well, with the market picking up in the top end. Melton's "top end" sits around the $400,000 mark, with the more common investment purchases being from $200,000 to $250,000 with rent from $250 to $285 a week. More expensive properties, while seeing less rental interest, can achieve around $300 to $350 per week return.
In fact, Melton has <a href="/news/vic/from-melton-to-berwick-the-33-melbourne-suburbs-with-affordable-three-bedroom-apartments">topped "cheapie" lists </a>on Property Observer for some time, and is unsurprisingly attractive to first home buyers for this reason, and for investors - with the market picking up and recent <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melton-south-cheapie-sells-for-190-000-reflecting-6-16-yield">sales to investors in Melton South being noted by local real estate agents</a>.
Listings websites are currently flooded with either cheap and new (or cheap new) properties, including many in the low-$300,000 bracket, as well as the occasional multi-million dollar rural listing.
For instance, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-melton-116063279?listingType=buy" target="_blank">141 Barkers Lane, Melton</a> (pictured below) is listed for $249,699 (which includes a $10,000 FHOG, the advertisement reveals).
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom new offering includes two garage spaces, colour bond fencing and a modest 250 square metre block, from Sherridon Homes. It's centrally located.
<img src="/images/2014/04/10/melton%20april%2010%20one.jpg" alt="">
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-melton-116403767">2 Scott Street, Melton</a> (pictured below) is listed for $249,000 over 717 square metres, with a suggested possibility for subdivision.
The four-bedrooms, one-bathroom, two-car port home also has a 6X7 metre shed and ducted cooling and all bedrooms come with built in wardrobes. It appears the house could do with some updating, but is in fairly good condition.
<img src="/images/2014/04/10/melton-april-10-two.jpg" alt="">
For more specific statistics on Melton, and its surrounding suburbs, you can <a href="/news">view the relevant data page here</a>.
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