Joint venture partners <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> are officially launching the third and final residential stage at their landmark $350 million harbourfront precinct, Putney Wharf, with The Residences representing the final opportunity to secure a new home within this rare waterfront destination.

Strong demand has already been established across the earlier stages of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-residences-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a>, with more than 50 per cent sold ahead of this final release. The Residences will introduce a selection of the precinct’s most premium apartments, many of which were deliberately reserved for this concluding stage.

Located at 20 Waterview Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a> NSW, the completed precinct will comprise 67 residences, including 18 terraces and 49 apartments, alongside five retail tenancies and a 36-berth marina.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=1338]

Developed alongside partners Phoenix Property Investors and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Putney Wharf occupies a prized 300-metre stretch of absolute waterfront and incorporates the historic former Halvorsen’s Boatshed. The precinct connects directly to surrounding parklands via a landscaped foreshore walkway and a large, landscaped podium linking both sides of the development to the adjoining foreshore parklands.

The Residences comprise two newly built, three-storey apartment buildings delivering a boutique collection of 30 generously proportioned waterfront apartments. Designed to capture harbour outlooks, natural light and cooling breezes, The Residences balance architectural refinement with relaxed, low-maintenance living.

Architecturally designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the apartments continue the cohesive design language seen across the broader precinct. A refined palette of light and dark materials, softer-toned stone and neutral, earthy finishes reflect the surrounding landscape and harbour setting. Interiors feature painted timber veneers, tactile joinery, timber flooring to living spaces and 100 per cent natural wool carpets in bedrooms, creating warm and sophisticated homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362525]

Justin Brown, Executive Chairman and Founder of Abadeen, said the release of the final residential stage marks an important milestone for the project.

“Putney Wharf brings together everything we’ve learned over more than 25 years of development,” Mr Brown said. “It respects the site’s extraordinary maritime history while delivering contemporary homes that connect people directly to the harbour.

The Residences offer the rare combination of low-maintenance apartment living, waterfront outlooks with beautiful sunset views, and the convenience of retail and amenity at your doorstep. For boating enthusiasts, the opportunity to secure a private marina berth completes a truly unique Sydney harbourfront lifestyle.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291197]

PERIFA Managing Director and Co-Founder Fabrizio Perilli added that the diversity of housing across the precinct has been central to the project’s success.

“Whether it’s the heritage Halvorsen’s apartments, the Waterview Terraces or now The Residences, Putney Wharf offers a range of homes that respond to different lifestyles, all united by an unrivalled harbourfront setting,” Perilli said. “This is a precinct that will add lasting value to the Putney community.”

Managing project marketing and sales, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Partner Tim Rees said the final release has already attracted strong demand reflecting the project’s unique harbourfront position and the success of earlier stages.

“Following the strong response to both the Halvorsen’s Boatshed residences and the Waterview Terraces, The Residences represent the final chance to secure a new home within this tightly held waterfront precinct,” Rees said. “Buyers are drawn to the rare combination of absolute harbour frontage, parkside living and genuine architectural quality.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240]

Putney Wharf is a one-of-a-kind mixed-use destination, delivering an exclusive residential offering alongside waterfront dining, retail and a 36-berth marina designed to the latest Australian Standards, accommodating vessels up to 18 metres and helping address Sydney Harbour’s ongoing marina shortage.

The precinct will include five retail tenancies and a prominent waterfront jetty area fronting the retail village, creating an activated harbourfront destination for residents and visitors alike.

Residents will enjoy direct access to lush harbourfront parklands, a public foreshore walkway and landscaped podium gardens connecting the development to the surrounding waterfront reserve. Construction across the Putney Wharf precinct is expected to be completed by Q2 2027.

Sales of The Residences officially launch this weekend, with the display suite open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm at Putney Wharf. Visitors are invited to enjoy a complimentary coffee while touring The Residences and experiencing the Putney Wharf lifestyle firsthand.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Joel Robinson

Final Harbourfront release in Putney Wharf launches this weekend

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/draycon">Draycon Building</a> is nearing completion of Boutique Chevron Island, a 42-apartment development on the northern end of Chevron Island at 17–19 Parneno Street, with a limited-time offer of fully furnished apartments available.

Now more than 90 per cent complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/boutique-chevron-island-17-19-parneno-chevron-island-qld-4217">Boutique</a> has been shaped by one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held island addresses, where riverfront outlooks and walkable access to Surfers Paradise converge.

For Draycon Building Managing Director Howard Dabit, the appeal of the site was immediate.

“I knew it was a good site as soon as I saw it,” Dabit said.

“The position and location on the north end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>, the way the river swirls around the site basically from the north to the east, it feels like the site is surrounded by the water. The height that we’ve got and the aspect looking north is beautiful. Eighty per cent of the apartments are looking north so they get that drenching sunlight coming in.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360922]

That northern orientation places the development within a stretch of Chevron Island defined by open river aspects and skyline views, while remaining embedded in the suburb’s established village setting.

Chevron Island has increasingly drawn owner-occupiers seeking centrality without the intensity of high-rise beachfront living. Positioned at the geographical centre of the Gold Coast, the island offers direct access to both the beach and key cultural infrastructure while retaining a neighbourhood-scale character.

Connected by bridge to Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island offers walkable access to beaches, riverfront parklands and a revitalised foreshore boulevard animated by walkers and cyclists throughout the day. The Pacific Ocean is only minutes away, reinforcing the suburb’s dual river-and-surf identity.

At the same time, Thomas Drive forms the spine of the island’s village life, delivering cafés, wine bars, casual dining and everyday services within easy reach. Independent grocers, wellness operators and neighbourhood retailers contribute to a community atmosphere that remains distinct from the vertical scale of the beachfront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89709 project_image_fid=360915]

In the opposite direction, the Green Bridge links directly to HOTA – Home of the Arts – placing galleries, performance venues and parklands within walking distance. Weekly markets and major exhibitions draw visitors from across the region, while residents return to a quieter residential pocket at day’s end.

Public transport, including nearby bus routes and the G:link light rail corridor along the coastal spine, strengthens connectivity north and south. Griffith University, the Gold Coast University Hospital precinct and established private schools such as The Southport School are all within a short drive.

Ongoing investment across Surfers Paradise, HOTA and the broader Southport corridor has elevated amenity while preserving Chevron Island’s comparatively low-rise residential character. It is this balance, walkable village atmosphere paired with metropolitan-scale infrastructure, that continues to differentiate the suburb from higher-density beachfront precincts.

Boutique comprises just 42 residences, designed to maximise river and skyline outlooks within this tightly held island setting.

Boutique Chevron Island is slated for completion in April 2026, with prices starting from $1,220,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=89709]

Draycon Building’s Boutique Chevron Island places 42 residences at the heart of the Gold Coast

Sydney developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured planning approval for a $300 million residential development in Lindfield, marking the company’s second project on Sydney’s North Shore and its first on the Upper North Shore.

Located on Beaconsfield Parade and designed by DKO Architecture, the state significant development comprises three buildings of up to 10 storeys and will include 399 residences, including 59 affordable homes and 40 adaptable homes.

Residences will range in size from one, two and three bedrooms, with two-bedroom apartments accounting for over 60 per cent of the product make-up. Residents will have access to a broad suite of amenities, including a wellness area, indoor and outdoor recreational spaces, a pool, a gym, a community room and a golf simulator.

In line with Deicorp’s long-standing focus on creating transit-oriented communities, the project is located just 260 metres from the Lindfield Train Station, reinforcing its role in delivering well-connected housing close to established infrastructure, retail and local services.

The inclusion of affordable and adaptable housing supports greater diversity within the local market, while the mix of apartment types responds to demand from downsizers, young professionals and families seeking access to the Upper North Shore.

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the approval represents an important milestone for both the company and the suburb

“This approval allows us to deliver well-designed homes in a location that is already supported by strong transport and community infrastructure," Deiri said.

"Our focus is on creating places that integrate into their surroundings and provide long-term value for residents, and the broader Lindfield community. Being within walking distance of the station ensures this project supports sustainable growth in the right locations."

Across its portfolio, Deicorp currently has 4,703 apartments under construction, playing a leading role in shaping connected, liveable communities across Sydney.

Its expanding portfolio of Metro-linked developments includes Tallawong Village, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kings-bay-village-five-dock-53-75-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">Kings Bay Village</a> in Five Dock, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/hyde-metropolitan-sydney-133-141-liverpool-street-sydney-nsw-2000">Hyde Metropolitan</a> in Sydney CBD, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a> in Crows Nest and Showground Village, Castle Hill.

Deicorp purchased the Beaconsfield Paradise site last year. Construction is scheduled to commence in Q2 of 2026 and will be completed in 2029.

Deicorp expands portfolio to nearly 5,000 apartments with Lindfield project

In a joint venture with The Trump Organization, Australia developer Altus Property Group has announced plans to bring a Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower to the Gold Coast, marking the first Trump-branded project in Australia.

"Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast is our first official project in Australia and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class luxury experiences in iconic locations around the world," Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, said.

"This development exemplifies the Trump brand’s dedication to quality, sophistication, and unmatched service, and we are thrilled to bring this vision to the vibrant Gold Coast community."

The 91-storey building, which will become the tallest in Australia at 335 metres, will feature a&nbsp;285-room luxury hotel bearing the trademark Trump logo. It will also include 272 luxury residential apartments, a three-level podium with an exclusive Beach Club, and over 3,400 sqm of premium commercial, retail, and dining space, revitalizing the central Surfers Paradise precinct.

“Trump International Hotel &amp; Tower, Gold Coast will be a truly unique offering in the Australian market, bringing the prestige and allure of a world-class luxury brand,"&nbsp;Altus founder and chief executive David Young said.

"Altus Property Group is proud of its track record in delivering landmark developments across Australia, and our expertise ensures this project will be an outstanding success."

Trump Hotel heads for the Gold Coast to become Australia's tallest building

More than a century after the Corrimal Coke Works first opened in 1912, the industrial landmark that helped shape the suburb is being reinterpreted as a walkable residential neighbourhood, with Stage One of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-works-stage-one-27-railway-street-corrimal-nsw-2518">The Works</a> now underway at 27 Railway Street.

For 102 years, the site was central to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/corrimal-nsw-2518">Corrimal</a>’s economic and social identity before operations ceased in 2014. Rather than erasing that legacy, developer Legacy Property has embedded it into the masterplan, retaining and reinterpreting elements such as the iconic 1912 brick chimney and sections of the original C1 Coke Oven Battery, alongside the adaptive reuse of the former powerhouse building.

Stage One will introduce 181 apartments across low-rise buildings, offering predominantly two and three-bedroom residences with completion targeted for mid-2027. The scale and configuration reflect a deliberate focus on owner-occupiers, targeting those seeking a lower-maintenance home in a prime location within the northern suburbs of Wollongong.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359833]

Apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and cross-ventilation, with floor-to-ceiling glazing extending living areas onto generous balconies. Engineered timber flooring, induction cooktops and 900mm ovens in larger residences support everyday functionality, while two interior palettes allow buyers to tailor finishes to their preferences. The material selection draws on a restrained coastal language, intended to connect homes to their surroundings rather than compete with them.

The Works forms part of a broader 18-hectare masterplan that will ultimately deliver around 550 dwellings, new parks, and a heritage precinct celebrating the site’s past. More than seven hectares are dedicated to open space, including Southern Park and a Village Green with community gardens and recreation areas. The creek corridor is being rehabilitated with 150,000 native plantings, restoring biodiversity to the site and softening landscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359841]

Positioned adjacent to Corrimal Station and within walking distance of Corrimal Town Centre, the precinct places daily essentials, rail connections and local retail within easy reach. Wollongong CBD, including the hospital, university and entertainment venues, sits approximately 6.5 kilometres to the south.

For buyers more familiar with North Wollongong, Corrimal offers a different proposition: a well-established coastal suburb framed by beaches to the east and the escarpment to the west, with a strong sense of local identity shaped in part by the former Coke Works. The Works seeks to reinforce that identity by creating a connected, walkable neighbourhood between coast and escarpment, rather than a standalone apartment complex.

Sustainability underpins the development approach. The Works is targeting Wollongong’s first 5-Star Green Star-rated community, with water-sensitive urban design, recycled materials and energy-efficient buildings integrated across the masterplan. For residents, these measures provide not only environmental benefits but also reduced operational costs and future resilience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143415 project_image_fid=359842]

With construction commenced and display materials available to view, prospective buyers can now engage more directly with the project’s vision, reviewing floorplans, material selections and the broader masterplan in detail. For many local homeowners weighing a move, the opportunity to experience how heritage, landscape and contemporary design intersect may help bridge the gap between familiarity and the next chapter.

As Stage One progresses toward its mid-2027 completion, The Works represents a significant chapter in Corrimal’s evolution, transforming a site that once powered local industry into a walkable residential precinct designed for its next generation of residents.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143415]

Legacy Property’s The Works reimagines Corrimal’s century-old Coke Works

Mudgee

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A South Korean corporation has secured, Warragundi Aggregation, some 5,800 hectares of rural land on the banks of the Cudgegong River in the Mudgee region of New South Wales. 
The mixed enterprise property, which consists of cattle and sheep, sold between $20 million and $25 million.
It was bought on a walk in walk out basis. The South Korean buyers intend to operate the farm in its current structure and will retain the existing staff.
The Foreign Investment Review Board approved the transaction through CBRE Agribusiness agent Richard Royle, who negotiated the sale with Logical Livestock's Simon McKittrick.
“I believe the buyers are looking forward to getting to know the region further and working with local businesses,: Royle said on the sale.
"They were attracted to the region for its diversity in agriculture, wine and growing tourism.
'Buying a farm, especially in a foreign country, has its complexities but by purchasing the aggregation as a going concern will ensure they can operate commercially while applying their own strategies as they progress.”
The property sits near the township of Gulgong, around 25 minutes to Mudgee. 
The aggregation offers water access and fodder crops that have maintained a core breeding herd during dry periods. The aggregation includes a range of pastures, including chicory, cocksfoot, fescue, phalaris, ryegrass and clover mix.
Royle says the sale price reflects the strong rural market in NSW despite the dry conditions.
"The vendor and purchaser wish for confidentiality, but I can say that the sale price was in-line with agent and vendor price guide during the marketing campaign which was circa $20-$25million. 
The vendors John and Sandra Harding will now concentrate on their horse breeding and Mudgee Machinery business.” 
 
 
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

South Korean buyers swoop on Mudgee's Warragundi Aggregation

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A Mudgee farm, Northnife, was passed in at recent auction.
Located at 791 Ulan Road, Mudgee, the 34 acre holding is the home of Farmers Daughters Wines.
It was offered by administrator, Ian Purchas of SV Partners.
Just 10 minutes from Mudgee and 3.5 hours to the Sydney CBD, it holds "a productive irrigated vineyard and an excellent office/cellar door/hospitality area".
The listing notes that the Farmers Daughter Wines business would be available to the successful purchaser, as would the plant and equipment.
Some 14 of the 34 acres are being used as a vineyard.
The property holds a 15 mega-litre irrigation license, with a fully equipped bore supplying the vineyard.
The holding also has three steel framed sheds with concrete floors, two with power, and a commercial cool room.
On site is a four bedroom, two bathroom home which is located not far from a six room office building.
There is no price guide for the property.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Northnife, Mudgee vineyard remains for sale 

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More than 5,000 hectares of land on the banks of the Cudgegong River in New South Wales’ Mudgee region has been listed for sale.
CBRE Agribusiness and Logical Livestock Marketing have been appointed to market the Warragundi Aggregation, comprising a 5,798 hectare mixed enterprise, consisting of cattle, sheep, water and cropping.
Located near the township of Goolma, approximately 25 minutes’ drive to Mudgee and 15 minutes’ drive to Gulgong, the aggregation offers water access and fodder crops that have maintained a core breeding herd during extended dry periods.
The aggregation includes a range of pastures, including chicory, cocksfoot, fescue, phalaris, ryegrass, sub clover and white clover mix.
CBRE’s Richard Royle and Logical Livestock Marketing Simon McKittrick are selling the aggregation on a ‘walk in, walk out’ basis.
The combined aggregation includes an average carrying capacity of approximately 1,400 breeders and 600 replacements, plus 2,500 merino ewes or 25,000 DSEs.
Offers are due to close September 7.
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Warragundi aggregation at Mudgee listed

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After being owned for 37 years by the Vrisakis family, Phalaris Stud at Rylstone is listed for sale with $2 million hopes.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-rylstone-7980430" target="_blank">169ha Central Tablelands offering</a> has extensive horse facilities built by the former bow-tied Sydney lawyer Aleco Vrisakis and wife Mary Jane.
Inglis listing agent Sam Triggs says the property is ideal for equine pursuits as well as for Charolais beef production. Set 60km from Mudgee and 237km from Sydney, the farm is sown to phalaris, clovers and lucerne pastures.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/8/20/phalaris2.jpg" alt="">
There is a 2000-built architect designed home and the facilities include nine box stables, an Olympic-size sand dressage arena and a 51m horse pool.
There are views over the Cudgegong Valley from the home located at the end of a driveway of Claret Ash and London Plane trees.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
</div>
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Vrisakis family list Phalaris Stud at Rylstone 

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A rural property in New South Wales's Mudgee, located northwest of Sydney, has been sold for $95,000. <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/Mudgee%205.jpeg" alt=""> The property at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-mudgee-7974966" target="_blank">81 King John Lane, Mudgee</a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-mudgee-7974966" target="_blank"></a> is a 24ha (60 acres) of level grazing or farming country with two large dams as well as a creek that meanders right through the centre. The property had been listed through Bob Proestos who marketed it as an "ideal weekend getaway block that's large enough to also grow oats, run some sheep or cattle and/or keep horses."
It comes with two large dams as well as a creek that meanders through the property. 
Power is noted as a great asset on this block as it is located close to building sites.
Some shedding is also available as well as a water tank and old septic system. 
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Mudgee weekender hobby farm sold at $95,000

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Trelawney Farm, the 130 year old farmhouse in Mudgee, has been listed for sale.
The property at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-nsw-mudgee-7971010" target="_blank"> 428 Henry Lawson Drive</a> is currently an award-winning accomodation, but the listing advises it would suit as a family home.
It can be dual self-contained residences or one complete home.
<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/2018/6/18/MUD2.jpg" alt="">
The iconic country homestead features fresh white bricked facade, colonial architraves and a wrap around porch with views over Pipeclay Creek.
There's five bedrooms, two bathrooms, two open plan living and dining areas and a formal library.
It sits on over 10 hectares in the heart of the Mudgee wine trail.
McGrath Central Tablelands agent Adam Woods is asking $1.2 million.
Last month's Mudgee's landmark residence Woodlands sold for just under $2.1 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mudgee's 130 year old Trelawney Farm for sale

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Woodlands, the landmark 1896 home on the edge of Mudgee, has been sold for just under $2.1 million.
It was sold by Damian Kearns from Peter Druitt &amp; Co.
The first surveyor in Mudgee William Abernethy built the house in 1896.
There was a renovation and extension by the current owners, including cedar doors from Cate Blanchett's former Hunters Hill home.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-lifestyle-nsw-mudgee-7935566" target="_blank">The Victorian style home</a> features the ambience and beauty of the mature trees and gardens.
<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/2018/5/15/mudgee%202.jpg" alt="">
The home comes with four bedrooms, appointed kitchen, formal dining with open fireplace, light filled living, and north facing sunroom with garden views.
Additional features include ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, two acres of established gardens and solar system.
<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/2018/5/15/mudgee%203.jpg" alt="">
Occupying 32 hectares, of arable country fenced with five paddocks, the property last traded at $665,000 in 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mudgee landmark residence, Woodlands sold

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Houses in Mudgee, NSW are available for $500,000, according to Herron Todd White’s latest July report.
The property investment firm says that rental returns for four bedroom homes can be between $400 to $450 per week.
“For $500,000 you could buy a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom modern dwelling in south or west Mudgee on a 1,000 square metre block or a renovated federation style home in central Mudgee on a smaller lot.
“On a return basis you could potentially do better by buying two units which would be possible on a $500,000 budget (although don’t forget about the additional fees such as strata fees etc).
“You can expect a rental return of between $400 and $450 per week on the modern 4-bedroom home in south or west Mudgee, $450 to $485 on the renovated central Mudgee home or $500 to $550 on the two units.
“With new state government changes to first home buyer grants and an improved coal price this property bracket could exceed that lazy half million figure by the end of 2017. Fingers crossed!” the report stated.
A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mudgee-125765358" target="_blank">8 Hennessy Place</a>, Mudgee (above) has been listed for $459,000.
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mudgee-125822258" target="_blank">2 Bellevue Road</a>, Mudgee (below) has been listed for $469,000.
<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/2017/07/19/2%20Bellevue%20Road.jpg" alt="">
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Mudgee houses available for $500,000: HTW

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The Mudgee property, Wilbetree has been sold.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-mixed+farming-nsw-mudgee-7886762" target="_blank">The highly productive 370 hectare farm</a> fetched $5.2 million when offered for sale for the first time since the early 1820's.
With approximately 300 acres of alluvial flats and a further 613 acres of rolling mostly arable grazing land "Wilbetree" is renowned for lucerne hay production, fat cattle and cropping.
The main homestead enjoys an elevated position amid three acres of established gardens.
With buildings dating back to 1824, it is one of Mudgee's most substantial and oldest homes.
Additions were carried out in the 1980s.
"Wilbetree is arguably one of the finest properties ever offered for sale in the Mudgee district," the marketing by Andrew Blackman at Mudgee First National advised.
 
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Mudgee property, Wilbetree sold

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/77311/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
“I’m no criminal. I had no choice,” Bruce said. “I felt the only way I could get the government to see the injustice that is taking place was by taking action. All I wanted was to protect my home.”
Bruce is one of three protesters brought before a Mudgee court on May 17 for a preliminary hearing. On April 12, he was arrested after peacefully objecting the proposed expansion of the Wilpinjong mine by blocking the entry to the mine and stopping shift workers from entering and leaving the area.
The Wollar Three, as they have become known, are the first to be charged under New South Wales’ anti-protest laws, which were introduced in March 2016. They pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, the Wollar Three face significant penalties including heavy fines and up to seven years’ imprisonment. The laws they were charged under have been described as draconian and an attack on democracy and civil society.
An existential threat to a community
Bruce is one of the very few remaining residents of Wollar, a small rural community in the Mid Western Region, NSW. Wollar is located in the western coal fields and surrounded by three multinational open-cut coal mines - Peabody’s Wilpinjong Mine, Yancoal’s Moolarben and Glencore’s Ulan Coal Mines.
While coal extraction has a long history in the region, the recent intensification of mining has challenged the previous co-existence of mining and local communities in the region. Wollar is the latest rural village to fall victim to coal mining.
Most central to Wollar’s demise is Peabody’s Wilpinjong mine, which is the mine closest to the village. Peabody today owns the vast majority of land in and around Wollar, and more than 90% of the pre-Wilpinjong population has been resettled.
Last month, the Planning Assessment Commission approved a further expansion of the mine. This will bring the boundary of the mine to within 1.5 kilometres of the village.
As the mine has encroached on Wollar, the community has dispersed – and fewer than 30 residents today remain in the area. This forced migration has been accompanied by the withdrawal of services and social support that had made village life viable. Remaining Wollar residents are increasingly vulnerable and unable to sell their properties for a fair price on the open market.
During the recent commission hearing, the remaining residents requested that all the properties within the area be afforded acquisition rights. Such rights would have provided the opportunity to negotiate with the proponent, with a view to selling their properties to the mine and gaining autonomy over their future.
The commission’s determination report found the expansion:
… has the potential to further exacerbate the existing decline of Wollar.
However, the commission concluded that no other properties but those within the zone of affliction, limited to the village, are exposed to impacts that would justify granting acquisition rights.
This assessment is based on a reading of impacts that emphasises spatial proximity and technical measures of environmental (noise and dust) modelling. It fails to acknowledge the role played by the proponent and the government in reducing the wellbeing and livelihood of those left without compensation.
Invisible displacement violates international standards
The existing project and the coming mine expansion represent a slow onset disaster that has significantly reduced local residents’ wellbeing. The remaining residents have become displaced in place, with their future opportunities for mobility and life significantly reduced.
The resettlement of the former residents of Wollar has happened slowly and without any proper planning. This breaks with the primary underlying assumption of international safeguard standards, which state that risks associated with displacement and resettlement should be predicted and mitigated.
The World Bank’s Performance Standard 5 relates to project-related land acquisition and involuntary resettlement. It refers to resettlement as both physical displacement (relocation or loss of shelter) and economic displacement (loss of assets or access to assets, which result in reduction in income sources and other livelihood means).
The standard aims to “minimise adverse social and economic impacts from land acquisition or restrictions on land use by”:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>providing compensation for loss of assets at replacement costs; and</li>
<li>ensuring that resettlement activities are implemented with appropriate disclosure of information, consultation, and the informed participation of those affected. However, this standard is not applicable to the case at hand. Nor can the Wollar Three or others facing this type of invisible displacement call on international human rights law for a just outcome.</li>
</ul>
Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights offered some protection for property rights:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.</li>
<li>No-one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.</li>
</ul>
However, property rights were not included in the binding human right treaties established on the foundation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In any case, the Wollar Three have not lost their right to own property under the letter of human rights law.
The law does not capture a sense of loss while a person remains in place. Nor does international law create a cause of action that can be called on in Australian domestic courts.
A sense of loss and injustice
Standing outside the Mudgee courthouse last week, Bruce explained:
My home is threatened and I’ve lived in that area for 30-odd years and I just had to stand up and say no, this should not be allowed to go ahead! Bruce’s actions come as a reaction to the sense of injustice that is marking the planning system in NSW.
A sense of lost place and displacement saturates the stories of those who live in the area, who speak of themselves as “victims of a silent war” and “casualties of extraction”. They have become stranded, left with properties that no longer have any value, decreased income and increased costs.
In this context, they feel increasingly hopeless. It was this sense of powerlessness that led Bruce and the two other accused to take civil disobedience action in April. Feeling they no longer have any hope or future, they were willing to risk a prison sentence.
 
Amy Maguire is a Senior Lecturer in International Law and Human Rights, University of Newcastle and author for The conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-maguire-129609" target="_blank">here</a>.
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