Holiday home buyers who have long gravitated to Queenstown’s alpine setting are increasingly looking for low-maintenance apartments that allow them to lock up and leave, while still generating income when they’re away.

For Wendy, who had spent years visiting the Queenstown and Arrowtown region, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>’s Mountain Oak Apartments provided the opportunity to formalise what had previously been a recurring holiday pattern.

“We always had Queenstown in the back of our minds to buy something there as a holiday home,” she says. “We love the Queenstown and Arrowtown area.”

<img alt="From slopes to markets: Mountain Oak connects residents to the best of Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/658d4f_48c3ec1ae5df4a2cab7d23c07c7f51b3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=27K8oQ4ExDN8Yu70VHDa9Olq59XU36m3" />

Time spent visiting her sister-in-law, who owns in Arrowtown, along with regular stays at Millbrook Resort, had already shaped a strong personal connection to the region.&nbsp;

Rather than approaching the purchase purely as an investment play, Wendy’s starting point was lifestyle.

“We were more thinking about ourselves and where we could stay, and then the rental aspect was second.”

Mountain Oak Apartments, located within the masterplanned Remarkables Park precinct in Frankton, aligned with that thinking. The ability to secure the apartment with a deposit and settle on completion made the timing work.

“The fact that we could put a deposit down with the balance on completion was a bonus for us,” she explains.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Wendy selected a two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse, a configuration that supports both private use and guest flexibility.

“The two-bedroom, two-bathroom configuration appealed from both a rental viewpoint and for the ability to have friends stay while we are there,” she says.

Across the development, two-bedroom apartments range from 64sqm to 78sqm, with two-bedroom plus flexi options from 71sqm to 75sqm, each with an allocated car park. The flexi layouts introduce an additional space suited to work or hobbies, reflecting demand from buyers who split their time between leisure and remote work.

Apartments include underfloor heating in bathrooms, heat pumps to living areas, and joinery positioned to maximise natural light and mountain outlooks. The Remarkables Park precinct is known for its extended winter sunshine hours, water frontage and open views toward The Remarkables.&nbsp;

Units come in light and dark interior colour schemes.

<img alt="Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fd685a22-3b95-43a1-87cb-48fdd42bb4ba" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/658d4f_f9f89107c2704ebbbe5a6b36da508cb3~mv2.jpg?VersionId=MigFIEm6b.mrANANwxSmwHvC4RdJUuyR" />

While lifestyle was the primary driver, the fundamentals of the Queenstown market added reassurance.&nbsp;

“Proximity to the airport and tourism being the main attraction all year round,” Wendy says, when asked what stood out from an investment perspective.

Mountain Oak sits just eight kilometres from Queenstown’s CBD and around a two-minute drive from Queenstown Airport.&nbsp;

For Wendy, that airport proximity carries practical value.

“The airport proximity is a bonus, we think that being so close will be an attraction for the convenience side.”

Residents are also a short drive from Coronet Peak, Jack’s Point Golf Course, New World Supermarket, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and the dining, medical, gym, cinema and library amenities within the town centre, as well as the seasonal Remarkables Market.

Importantly, the purchase does not lock owners into a single use. Mountain Oak offers the flexibility to opt for short-term visitor accommodation or longer-term residential rental management, with 365-day visitor accommodation consent in place. Owners can utilise Safari Group’s 24/7 on-site management service or appoint their own provider, and do not need to decide on a strategy immediately.

“It was a bonus that we can rent it out as well as use it for ourselves,” she says.

Additional buying options, including furniture packages and storage units available for purchase within the building, further support a lock-and-leave model suited to interstate and overseas owners.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Mountain Oak Apartments comprises 141 residences, ranging from one-bedroom configurations through to larger apartments and penthouses. One-bedroom apartments are currently priced from NZ$639,000, with three-bedroom options from NZ$1,299,000.

With 365-day visitor accommodation consent, the development is structured to respond to Queenstown’s established four-season tourism economy, spanning winter ski traffic and summer hiking, cycling, golf and lake-based activity.

Although Wendy acknowledges the strength of rental demand, her approach remains long term.

“We’re not planning to sell it anytime soon, so we are keen to hang on to it, but the passive income will be a bonus.”

Confidence in the developer also influenced her decision. Before proceeding, Wendy sought feedback within the local building community.

“We asked around and Safari Group had a good reputation,” she says.

Safari Group has delivered more than 2,000 hotel units and residential apartments across over 18 developments nationwide, with more than 25 years’ experience in the sector.

With completion anticipated by mid-2027, Mountain Oak is attracting a cross-section of buyers, from yield-focused investors to lifestyle purchasers seeking a foothold in one of New Zealand’s most tightly held alpine markets.

For Wendy, it represents both a future holiday base and a long-term asset within Queenstown’s year-round tourism economy.

Joel Robinson

How Mountain Oak Apartments draws holiday home buyers to Queenstown

Eduard Litver's Capitel Group is seeking to redevelop Chatswood's Mandarin Centre in the heart of the burgeoning suburb.

Capitel Group, in a joint venture with Metis Group, has filed a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to demolish the Mandarin Centre and construct a 32-storey tower designed by Skidmore, Owings &amp; Merrill (SOM) with 325 apartments.

The 3,524 sqm site at 61A-65 Albert Avenue will also home extensive retail amenity, both at street-level and across a four-level podium.

<img alt="First look: Metis and Capitel unveil $1.2bn+ plan to redevelop Chatswood’s Mandarin Centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="905976ea-08cd-409f-8a4c-33a3fb8bf351" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1771923441002.png?VersionId=f_xI2ejpxQvEm4fPqGji01RY9_AWVY6O" />

In its early stage Design Report submitted to the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, SOM describes the ambition for the project as one that “aims to revitalise and reactivate an important corner of the Chatswood CBD.”

The architects note that the existing shopping centre “has a lack of vertical connection between its five levels of retail and a cumbersome pedestrian access from the street to the second-level transit connection,” framing the redevelopment as an opportunity to reconfigure circulation and better integrate with surrounding transport infrastructure.

The design adopts a single tower configuration, shaped through early testing to respond to neighbouring buildings and key public spaces.

Retail activation is concentrated at ground and lower podium levels, with a focus on food and beverage, lifestyle and wellness tenancies. The intent is to create a more permeable ground plane and improve connections between Albert Avenue, Victor Street and the Chatswood transport interchange, located within walking distance of the site.

<img alt="First look: Metis and Capitel unveil $1.2bn+ plan to redevelop Chatswood’s Mandarin Centre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1e0c8cb-ee9b-41c1-97ac-0455c043b9e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1771923442914.png?VersionId=y.Kbo.9bzLIbOabeygYts8Uf9imI.Dqh" />

The site occupies a prominent position on the southern edge of the Chatswood CBD core, bounded by Albert Avenue and Victor Street. It sits near the rail and metro interchange and within close proximity to Chatswood Chase, Westfield Chatswood, Chatswood Oval and a range of commercial office towers and residential buildings.

Chatswood has been one, and continues to be, of the most popular suburbs for developers in recent years. The most recent tower to launch is Hyecorp's Celine on Archer Street, which followed The Anderson by Changfa and Huirong.

Soon to launch is Coronation's Archer &amp; Albert nearby the new proposal.

Chatswood boom continues with Capitel and Metis’s $1.2 billion Mandarin Centre redevelopment

Apartment development applications continue to tally up in Rose Bay following the NSW Gov's 2025 update to the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy.

&nbsp;

Some $200 million worth of developments were filed in the space of four weeks at the back end of last year, with the likes of Fyve, HSN, Luxcon and Fortis all seeking to creating new apartment buildings.

The latest plans are for an amalgamated 3,105 sqm site across Conway Avenue, Fernleigh Avenue, and Carlisle Street. Developer Mathieson Property is planning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dian-2-6-conway-avenue-rose-bay-nsw-2029">Dian</a>, 70 apartments across a new eight-storey building, perched on a ridgeline within walking distance of Rose Bay Town Centre.

The State Significant Development Application (SSDA), includes one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations. Over 15 per cent will be dedicated as affordable, as per the NSW Government's push for affordable housing. The 17 apartments will be managed by a community housing provider for 15 years following completion of the building.

<img alt="First Look: Mathieson Property unveils eight-storey infill housing proposal ‘Dian’ in Rose Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f99c21d9-e69d-4a23-ae35-3244cfa0b4ae" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Rose%20Bay%20site_0.png?VersionId=67KSZfecJ3fvn1ewo9xxKrneRT.Nsjwd" />

MHNDU has designed the building around three central cores, with lower-level apartments arranged to maximise corner balconies and cross-ventilation. Upper levels are configured with dual north–south aspects to capture harbour views and solar access.

Private open space is a key feature of the scheme, with generous balconies and terraces throughout. Five ground-floor apartments would include private pools, while one upper-level residence will feature a rooftop terrace and pool. A communal room and adjoining landscaped outdoor terraces provide shared open space for residents.

<img alt="First Look: Mathieson Property unveils eight-storey infill housing proposal ‘Dian’ in Rose Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dd2e275f-c270-4eb1-9a02-2b573b8eb540" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Rose%20Bay%20front_0.png?VersionId=Us5jNEG6iLFLLMfQSzVBVdILYobBj.g9" />

The site sits around 365 metres walking distance of Rose Bay Town Centre and around 312 metres from regular bus services on New South Head Road, meeting the accessible area criteria under the Housing SEPP.

In early 2025, the NSW Government implemented significant changes to its Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, altering planning controls to allow greater density for new apartment projects within an 800-metre walking distance of stations and town centres in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/woollahra-nsw-2025">Woollahra</a>&nbsp;Local Government Area, overriding existing local controls. Buildings are now permitted to rise up to six storeys within 400 metres of a station or centre, or eight storeys where affordable housing is incorporated, and up to four storeys within the 401 to 800 metre radius, which can increase to six storeys with affordable housing.

Mathieson Property unveils Dian Rose Bay apartment development

Lower North Shore developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hyecorp-property-group">Hyecorp</a> is preparing to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine</a>, its new apartment development in Chatswood.

Set within a blue ribbon location on Archer Street, Celine will rise on a quiet, tree-lined enclave on the edge of the South Chatswood Heritage Conservation Area, a short walk from the connectivity which Chatswood is famous for.

Celine will deliver 122 one, two, three, and four-bedroom residences, designed to accommodate a broad range of buyers, from owner-occupiers to investors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362610]

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fuse-architecture-0">Fuse Architects</a>, the 29-storey tower has been shaped to respond to its Archer Street setting, with a defined podium and slender upper levels.&nbsp;

The building incorporates a two-storey residential lobby at the corner, double-height retail fronting Bertram Street, food and beverage tenancies along a through-site link, and two levels of commercial office space.&nbsp;

A landscaped pedestrian connection between Archer and Bertram streets will provide a publicly accessible link through the site, extending activity at ground level beyond the building footprint.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362606]

Inside, Hyecorp is emphasising scale and flexibility. Most residences will incorporate multipurpose rooms, allowing buyers to configure additional living, study or guest space within their floorplan.&nbsp;

Kitchens have been designed with proportions more commonly associated with standalone homes, complemented by Gaggenau and Miele appliances, integrated refrigeration, Miele laundry appliances, Taj Mahal stone and bronze tapware.&nbsp;

Buyers will also have the option to tailor aspects of their home through the developer’s “Live Your Way” personalisation service.

Resident amenity will include an outdoor pool, gym and sauna, as well as barbecue and lounge areas designed for shared use. Upper levels are oriented to capture eastern outlooks towards the Sydney CBD and surrounding greenery.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362633]

The location places future residents within 800 metres of Chatswood Interchange, providing access to metro and rail services, and within walking distance of Westfield, Chatswood Chase and the Chatswood Concourse. Parks including Chatswood Park and Beauchamp Park are nearby, along with a cluster of schools and private hospitals.

Celine continues Hyecorp’s focus on the Lower North Shore. The Australian, family-owned developer has been operating locally for more than 30 years, with recent projects including Audrey in St Leonards, now nearing completion, and Juliet in Roseville. With registrations expected to open soon, Celine represents the group’s latest addition to the Chatswood apartment market.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149594]

Hyecorp unveils Celine, a striking new apartment tower in the heart of Chatswood

International development company <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/spg-land">SPG Land</a> has kicked off construction of the $1.5 billion <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/paradiso-place-surfers-paradise-103-ferny-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Paradiso Place</a>, one of the highest value developments to get underway on the Gold Coast in more than a decade.

Located on a 1.15ha site stretching from Surfers Paradise Boulevard to Ferny Avenue, Paradiso Place, when completed, will deliver 845 residences across three residential towers. &nbsp;

Paradiso Place has been several years in planning by SPG, which has now pushed the green light on construction to meet pent-up demand from investors and owner occupiers.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185858]

The move follows minor amendments to the original design to cater to buyer demand, including the provision of more premium residential amenity, including private dining, lounge and events spaces for residents to entertain guests.

The three towers, comprising 41, 40 and 44 levels, will bring to the market 845 apartments with each tower boasting its own podium level interconnected skybridge to create a unique elevated ‘beachside village’ for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362500]

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>-designed development will bring a broad range of residences to the market, most offering ocean views and all enjoying five-star hotel amenities with world-class facilities and the convenience ground level retail precinct.

&nbsp;

Construction of Paradiso Place has been made possible by SPG’s newly established SPG Built division partnered with experienced project management group Eastview Australia, a company that has supported the development of a raft of major projects on the Gold Coast over the past two decades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=362499]

“It’s a very exciting time for Paradiso Place as we start construction,” said SPG Land Chairman David Wang.

“We have spent our energy refreshing design and assembling the best team and waiting for what we believe is the right time to start construction on one of the most exciting mixed-use developments to proceed on the Gold Coast since Oracle in Broadbeach and Circle on Cavill in Surfers Paradise. &nbsp;

“The local and interstate downsizer market is getting stronger, and we see Paradiso Place as the right project for our times right now. Our company has the capacity to deliver large-scale projects, and we are thrilled to be bringing this vision to reality.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185861]

SPG Invest, a company founded in Australia in 1998 with a focus on high-end real estate and premium hospitality assets, has delivered 56 projects in the Asia-Pacific region over the past twenty-five years, including The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai and the Global 188 twin-tower project in Suzhou and Cambridge Residences at Robina.

Paradiso Place will deliver a range of new apartments with two-, three- and four-bedroom layouts, as well as a collection of sub-penthouse and penthouse apartments across three levels. Prices start from $950,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106566 project_image_fid=185852]

“We have a very strong vision for Paradiso Place – we are creating a unique beachside residential community where contemporary design &amp; architecture and luxury materials combine with five star residents’ amenities and the convenience of a premium retail precinct on the ground floor”, said SPG Land CEO Dr Ying Rao&nbsp;

“We are confident that the community will recognise that this is more than just another development. Paradiso Place will bring a much-needed retail precinct and lifestyle hub to northern Surfers Paradise with premium retail, lifestyle and food and beverage options,” Said Dr Rao&nbsp;

“The retail precinct is critical to enhancing the lifestyle amenity for residents and guests, so SPG will retain control of this precinct to curate a premium retail offering that will support this thriving new community.

“SPG will also retain short-term holiday letting to control premium and luxury outcomes in line with our vision.”

Construction of Stage 1 Paradiso Place is expected to be completed by end of 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106566]

Construction commences on $1.5 billion Paradiso Place development in Surfers Paradise

Reality Tv

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Last night's episode of Location Location Location Australia showed buyer's agents Veronica Morgan and Bryce Holdaway helping out two relocating couples.
Though one couple was upsizing and the other downsizing, they were both forced to negotiate the tricky realities of moving far from home.
Veronica was working with retirees Sue and Barney. After living in Port Macquarie for 16 years, they wanted to relocate to Wagga Wagga, where their son and his young family lived.
The couple, who have been married for 47 years, raised their own family in Wagga Wagga before moving northward to the beach.
For their return to Wagga, they wanted a three bedroom house with a double garage and a shed, which was close to the grandkids.
Their move, which they think might be their final one, had to be done on a tight budget of $350,000.
With limited stock on market in Wagga, Veronica was tasked with finding them the perfect final home among very few options.
She started by taking the couple to their preferred area of <a href="/news">Turvey Park</a>, in the heart of Wagga and only minutes from their son Ben. The three bedroom house, on the market for $329,000, had three bedrooms, a shed and a backyard.
The recently renovated home was a lot smaller than what Sue and Barney were used to, and the couple believed it would take a lot of hard work to make it worthwhile. It was immediately struck from the list despite its great location and the search continued.
The second house they inspected was in <a href="/news">Kooringal</a>, south of Turvey Park but only four kilometres from their son's home. The bigger house, with three bedrooms, only had a single car garage and the shed was on the small size.
While Sue loved the brick bungalow with an open plan kitchen, Barney was pretty skeptical. At $339,000, the house fell under their budget - but only just.
The third home they inspected was in <a href="/news">Bourkelands</a>, four kilometres from Central Wagga. The former site of a military base, developers have recently taken a liking to the area, with new builds popping up.
The house, which also had a $339,000, had a double garage, an open plan kitchen and living room layout. The master bedroom came with a walk in robe and ensuite, which also appealed.
With somewhat shabby bathrooms, the house (pictured below) would require a little bit of work. It <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bourkelands-116920539" target="_blank">remains on the market</a>, with its asking price now at $332,500. 
<img src="/images/2014/09/24/1.jpg" alt="">
After visiting three homes, none of which ticked all the boxes and all a step down from their dream home in Port Macquarie, the true reality of downsizing began to set in.
Sue and Barney showed just how difficult it is to downsize, especially from a home you love. Though they both wanted to be closer to their family, they weren't quite ready to make the final purchase of their life - especially if it meant settling for a home they weren't happy in.
In the end, although they couldn't find the perfect home, Sue and Barney decided they needed to be in Wagga. So they sold their Port Macquarie home and set out to rent a house in Wagga while waiting for the right home to come onto the market.
This article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 Bryce teamed up with Melbourne couple Ben and Amelia, who had the opposite move in mind.
They were planning to migrate northward, to the Gold Coast. After watching prices skyrocket in Melbourne, they decided they wanted more warmth and luxury for their dollar.
The upgraders, who want a family home they can grow into, had a budget of $1 million. They've been searching for a home in the Gold Coast for some time, but were finding the interstate property inspections a little impractical.
Enter Bryce. He was tasked with finding them a four bedroom home with a minimum of two bathrooms, a pool and canal views. Ben and Amelia wanted something close to the beach, with plenty of entertaining space.
Bryce was optimistic about their prospects, especially on their budget. The property market's downturn means that homes are more affordable than before, and it's a buyers' market.
According to Bryce, good capital growth potential can again be found in the Gold Coast, with high price growth in the southern states spurring on upgraders just like Ben and Amelia.
Their hunt began in <a href="/news">Broadbeach Waters</a>, at a home situated right on the canal. The four bedroom, four bathroom house had a pool and a six car garage. Unfortunately, it required some renovations - but with a price of $800,000, there was plenty of money leftover in the couple's budget for that.
It seemed, however, that Ben and Amelia had other things in mind. They weren't interested in extensive renovations, and wanted at least two living areas.
So house number one was a bust, and they moved along to house number two: a <a href="/news">Mermaid Waters</a> house with two open plan living areas. The contemporary tiled house had four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a spot to tie up the boat.
There was also an outdoor entertaining space by the pool. On the market for $995,000, it was within their budget, and made a good first impression.
But Ben and Amelia, it turned out, wanted a home with a better indoor-outdoor flow. So house number two was also out.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-broadbeach+waters-116288195" target="_blank">third home they inspected</a> was one on main road, which caused some concern. But its huge contemporary interior space and layout, pictured below, won them over. The home, on a wide plot, also included a pool and spa facing the canal, with its own jetty.
<img src="/images/2014/09/24/2.jpg" alt="">
While the home's bedrooms weren't amazing, the outdoor entertaining area was enough to win them over.
The house had a $1 million asking price, but it turned out that the vendors had accepted a $950,000 offer previously, and finance had fallen through.
They inspected a final house, a single storey home with two large living areas and four bedrooms in Broadbeach. The house, which the couple wasn't keen on, had an asking price of $950,000.
The price gave Amelia and Ben a point of comparison, and solidified their preference for the third home.
Knowing that the vendors had accepted a $950,000 offer, Bryce proposed a $930,000 to $950,000 price for the home. Amelia and Ben decided to put in a $920,000 bid, and were happy to play the waiting game.
However, so was the vendor, who rejected the bid. Amelia and Ben pushed up their offer to $945,000 - which, after a few days of waiting, was accepted by the vendor.
By knowing the previous offers put in on the house, Amelia and Ben were able to gauge the vendor's needs, securing the home for $55,000 under the asking price.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Location Location Location: Big moves and big decisions

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<div class="assets">
Scott Cam, the host of TV renovation show The Block, has been announced as Australia's first national careers ambassador. 
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Despite losing some respect among viewers in the latest series, the Gold Logie winner has been appointed by the Employment and Skills Minister Michaelia Cash.
His role will be to highlight how practical and technical training can lead to high-paying and fulfilling jobs.
"Anybody who is thinking twice about getting a trade just needs to look at Scott Cam and his success," she said.
"Anything is possible by pursuing vocational training."
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<div class="assets">
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison said university, which had become the default expectation for young people, wasn't the only path to success.
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/21666581298/theflindersnews/news/nationalnews_0__container__">"I want to see more Australians become plumbers, electricians and bakers than lawyers and consultants. I would like to see more of them going on to become their own boss," he said on Thursday.</div>
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"Scott Cam is proof that undertaking a trade can be a very valuable, rewarding and successful career choice, and there are plenty more who can tell a similar story to Scott."
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<div class="assets">
Cam is a qualified carpenter who ran his own business before shooting to fame on the television.
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<div class="assets">
Mr Morrison is hopeful the appointment will encourage more people to get technical, trade and practical skills.
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<div class="assets">
"By learning a trade you'll earn more, your skills will be in demand and you'll help build our country and keep our economy strong," he said.
</div>
<div class="assets">
Employment and Skills Minister Michaelia Cash said vocational education and training was key to building Australia's future workforce.
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<div class="assets">
She said Cam would help Australians at "all ages and stages" to make informed decisions about learning, training and work.
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/21666581298/theflindersnews/news/nationalnews_5__container__">"Working with the National Careers Institute, Scott will make sure individuals and businesses can take advantage of the pathways on offer," she said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The appointment of Scott Cam as the first National Careers Ambassador was welcomed by Kristin Brookfield, the HIA's chief executive industry policy.  </div>
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“Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Michaelia Cash, reinforces the change in approach now being taken by the Government to ensure vocational education and the careers on offer are seen by young people, their parents and educators, as the pathway to an inspiring and long term career,” she said.
“As an apprentice carpenter, builder and business owner, Scott Cam has been giving back to the housing industry and sharing his passion and insights with young people as HIA’s Ambassador since 2017.
“Scott has worked with HIA to help raise the profile of a career in the housing industry. His own career shows how completing a trade can be the beginning of an exciting future."
HIA has been encouraged by the COAG Skills Council’s adoption of a vision for skills in Australia at their August meeting, on the back of the Government’s commitment to vocational education in the federal budget. 
“It certainly feels like the tide is turning on the bias towards university education as the best way to build a career,” concluded Ms Brookfield.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Scott Cam's surprise ambassadorial appointment

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The first 11 Islanders of second series of Love Island Australia have been revealed including Eoghan Murphy, 24, a real estate agent from Gold Coast.
The Irish-born real estate agent has been working at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eoghannmurphy/" target="_blank">Kollosche Broadbeac</a>h since January. He was previously at Queensland Sotheby's for over a year where he was named Rookie of the Year at the REIQ Awards in 2017.
He began his real estate career as a sales professional at M-Motion Australia.
Murphy joined Love Island to find new love, having just come out of a long-term relationship.
<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/2019/10/3/Eoghan%20Murphy%202.jpg" alt="">
<a href="https://kollosche.com.au/employee/eoghan-murphy/" target="_blank">His most recent sale</a> was a $4.45 million Currumbin home.
"I was in a relationship pretty much my entire life. When it happens you always think the grass is greener," he said.
"I enjoy being in a relationship. I want a companion. All my mates have girlfriends and I’m the one on my own. I want a girl, I want someone I can spend the rest of my life with," Eoghan told the magazines before his entry into the compound.
Eoghan considers himself a "respectful man with a huge heart" and is looking for the girl of his dreams.
<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/2019/10/3/Eoghan%20Murphy%203.jpg" alt="">
Premiering on Monday, October 7 at 8.45pm on Nine, the cast is just days away from meeting each other for the first time in their own luxury villa.
The singles will play the ultimate game of love and lust in a format that has taken the world by storm.
The initial 11 Islanders are:
Cartier, 19, Lifeguard from Sydney; Jessie, 23, Waitress from Hobart; Vanessa, 24, Businesswoman from Sydney; Cynthia, 23, Model from Brisbane; Cassie, 27, Executive Assistant from Sydney; Eoghan, 24, Real Estate Agent from Gold Coast; Gerard, 23, Personal Trainer from Perth; Matt, 24, Wrestler/model from Melbourne; Adam, 27, Plasterer from Gold Coast; Maurice, 27, Media Executive from Sydney; and Sam, 28, International DJ from Melbourne.
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Gold Coast estate agent Eoghan Murphy on Love Island Australia second series

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The former reality television chippie Luke Van Dyck and his wife Aime have listed their Avalon Beach home with $2,775,000 hopes.
They built <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-avalon+beach-131102158" target="_blank">the house</a> after subdividing and knocking down a 1950s cottage.
A longtime Avalon local and former Chadwicks model, Van Dyck is a third-generation builder.
Set on the 790 square metre block close to Paradise Beach, his eco-friendly new build saw everything constructed by hand with three distinct living zones.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home goes to May 30 through McGrath Avalon agent Adrian Venturi.
In 2003 Van Dyck was among the pioneers of reality TV renovation on the Nine Network’s DIY Rescue show, for which he was nominated for a Logie for best new talent up against Dr Chris Brown, then on Harry’s Practice, Daniel Frederiksen from Stingers, Home and Away’s Kip Gamblin, and Andrew O’Keefe on Deal Or No Deal.
The show was billed as offering the solution to “do-it-yourself-mad husbands and partners great at starting jobs around the house but lousy at finishing them”.
Van Dyck joined interior designer Tara Dennis and landscaper Greg Norton and host Leah McLeod, as they put broken homes back together.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Former reality TV chippie Luke Van Dyck lists at Avalon Beach 

Selling Houses Australia films in Brisbane this weekend at a home in the south west suburb of Jamboree Heights.

The home is scheduled for a transformation by&nbsp;Shaynna Blaze, Andrew Winter and Charlie Albone on the Lifestyle Channel show now in its 11th season.

The listing agent Helen Saba of More Estate Agents confirmed to the Courier Mail that the before shots and comments would be filmed this Saturday at the open home.

&ldquo;Many are looking at older homes to renovate and make it a comfortable investment to live in,&rdquo; she said.

With growth of 33.% in the past five years, interest in Jamboree Heights was heating up, she said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102309 project_image_fid=163979]

The house kicked off the year with a $560,000 plus asking price.

The home at 28 Troop Street, Jamboree Heights last sold in 2016 at $530,000.

Selling Houses Australia set for Jamboree Heights makeover 

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Shaynna Blaze will front Nine’s silly new property series Buying Blind.
The show features buyers who hand over their life-savings to others to secure their home.
Buying Blind was originally aired on <a href="https://redarrow.tv/broadcasters-get-the-keys-to-red-arrow-internationals-buying-blind/" target="_blank">Danish television</a> - made by the same production company behind the Married At First Sight.
The Block/Selling Houses Australia expert will be joined by buyer’s agent, Rich Harvey and builder, Marshal Keen.
Some have dubbed it Mortgage at First Sight.
“Buying a home is the biggest investment a couple will ever make together, so I couldn’t be more excited to join these couples on their journey to find, build and design their dream home,” said Blaze.
Nine’s Head of Content Production and Development, Adrian Swift, said the show had "unlucky house-hunters who take the ultimate leap of faith".
It’s marketed as edge-of-the-seat drama with the biggest reveal on TV.
Mark Fennessy, CEO of Endemol Shine Australia, the series producers says Buying Blind is a high-stakes property thriller.
An airdate is yet to be announced.
The show's moment of truth comes when the family must decide whether to grant the experts power of attorney over their life-savings to buy a house on their behalf.
The experts then start house-hunting, culminating in them putting in an offer, negotiating the price and completing the purchase.
Then the family are taken to the property, blindfolded, and their new house is revealed to them for the first time.
Disappointment often ensues; and then the experts spend some of the client's money for renovations.
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MAFS for property: Buying Blind to take property television to new lows

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GUEST OBSERVER
Washington Brown has crunched the numbers on The Block’s latest development in Melbourne’s inner-city bayside suburb of Port Melbourne, and something just doesn’t add up.
From a financial point of view the development, which consisted of transforming a 1920s art deco building into a luxury apartment block, was one of the worst I have ever seen.
While I understand the magic of television, Channel 9 have outdone David Copperfield in creating the illusion of a profit to the public!.
Let's look at the numbers:
According to reports Channel 9 bought the site for around $5 million, which allowed for 6 apartments. Only 5 were sold on TV and for calculation purposes let’s say the acquisition costs is $4.2 million.
The construction cost and depreciation allowances totalled over $11 million, for the 5 apartments.  
That’s $15.2 million alone in construction and acquisition costs.
It’s worth noting that under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 the initial vendor (ie. the developer) has an obligation to pass on the actual costs of construction to the purchaser, where the costs are known.
Let’s not forget there’s then a variety of other costs involved in buying and selling, and undertaking the development, including:
<ul>
<li>Stamp duty</li>
<li>GST on the sale</li>
<li>Demolition</li>
<li>Marketing</li>
<li>Agents’ fees</li>
<li>Legal fees</li>
<li>Interest</li>
<li>Rates</li>
</ul>
Whilst some of these costs may have been avoided due to contra deals, the bulk would have to be outlaid by Channel 9.
I estimate these additional costs to conservatively be $2 million, which brings the total cost to $17.2 million.
The Block’s<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/the-block-2016-will-and-karlie-win-and-take-home-815000-in-prize-money-20161113-gsoefv/" target="_blank"> total sales </a>realised just a little over $12 million, leaving the development in the red by around $5 million, yet it has been indicated that <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/the-block-2016-the-auctions/" target="_blank">profits</a> of up to $715,000 were made by the contestants. 
That something David Copperfield would be in awe of.
You know it’s the peak of the market when reality TV shows are pulling rabbits out of a hat to show a profit.
Whilst the contestants may have walked away with some ‘profit’, if the numbers are to be believed as shown on the show that development was a stinker.
Tyron Hyde is director, Washington Brown, and can be contacted <a href="https://www.washingtonbrown.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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How successful was The Block Port Melbourne as a development?

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Over the years The Block contestants have pocketed some pretty impressive sums from their auction sales but it hasn't all been largely over the reserves and champagne celebrations.  
Here's how the Block winners have performed since the show's beginnings in 2003. 
Triple Threat (2015), South Yarra
Winners Darren and Deanne walked away with The Block's highest ever prize, winning a total of $935,000. The three-bedroom property at 4/27 Darling Street was sold by Jellis Craig's Andrew McCann and auctioned by Damien Cooley. The couple's $1.39 million reserve was dismissed with a starting bid of $1.8 million. An active market and growing house prices no doubt contributed to the record-breaking win.
Heritage Art Deco (2016), Port Melbourne
Most recently, Will Bethune and Karlie Cicero walked away with a massive $815,000, the second highest winnings earned by a team on The Block. Their ground floor apartment of the converted 1850s J.Kitchen and Son soap factory at 164 Ingles Street sold for $2.6 million at auction, $715,000 above the reserve. Despite not being a favourite with the show's judges, the art deco apartment was a win with the fans. 
The Blocktagon (2015), South Yarra
The Blocktagon winners Dean and Shay sold their penthouse apartment for $2.3 million, $655,000 over the reserve price. Along with the show's prize money, the couple walked away with $755,000 in total for their work on the old Hotel Seville in South Yarra. The luxury residence was also the third consecutive victory for Jellis Craig's agent Andrew McCann who also sold Dean and Darren's record-breaking Triple Threat apartment in 2015 and Simon and Shannon's winning Glasshouse apartment in Prahran. 
Fans V Faces (2014), Albert Park
Steve and Chantelle pocketed a total of $736,000 for their apartment on the show's Fans V Faves series. Their north-facing Albert Park apartment sold at auction for $2.47 million to a young professional couple with a baby on the way. The city and bay views no doubt helped the 1/47 O’Grady Street apartment sell for well over the reserve. 
The Block (2012), South Melbourne
The Block winners Brad and Lara pocketed $606,000 for their apartment in South Melbourne. The apartment was larger than the other contestant’s and sold for $1.62 million, setting a record for the show at the time.
Glasshouse (2014), Prahran
Glasshouse winners Shannon and Simon won a total of $435,000. The brothers sold their apartment for $1.9 million at auction. The Glasshouse apartment block was located on a main, high-traffic road and contestants had to convert old offices into residential spaces, contributing to the lower figure.
All Stars (2013), Bondi
Phil and Amity claimed the top spot in the show's All Stars series, walking away with a total of $395,000. Their Bondi townhouse sold for $1.67 million.
Sky High (2013), South Melbourne
Alisa and Lysandra won the show’s Sky High series with $395,000, the same amount as Phil and Amity in the All Stars series. Their first-floor apartment featured vertical gardens, an emerging trend at the time, and sold for $1.345 million at auction.
The Block (2010), Vaucluse
Josh and Nisha walked away with $305,000 for their upscale apartment in Vaucluse, Sydney. Only one of four apartments didn’t sell at auction, proving the show’s success was on the rise.
The Block (2003), Bondi
Contestants of The Block’s first season, Adam and Fiona, walked away with a total of $256,000. Having renovated three properties before entering the show, the married couple from Banksia, New South Wales had the most experience of all contestants competing at the time.
The Block (2004), Manly
Jamie and Andrew pocketed $178,000 when their Manly apartment sold for $868,000 at auction. Only two of the four apartments sold at auction making it one of the least successful seasons in The Block’s history.
The Block (2011), Richmond
Polly and Waz were the lowest earning winners ever in The Block series, walking away with just $115,000 in total prize money. Their Richmond apartment was the only one of the season to sell at auction thanks to a downturned market at the time.
The Block has been renewed for a thirteenth season, but aren't saying just where yet.
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The richest to poorest Block winners

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Crowd-funder DomaCom have announced the appointment of former TV presenter Nikki McCarthy as their buyer's agent at The New Block auctions.
For the first time, DomaCom's platform will allow Channel 9 viewers to support their favourite contestants and invest in the apartment of their choice.
The minimum investment price is $2,500 to share in the future rental income and capital growth.
McCarthy has been a TV presenter on Postcards and property show On Display, the latter led her into residential real estate.
Now working closely with RT Edgar Camberwell principal Glen Coutinho, Nikki (above) continues to pursue her love of property.
“I am so excited with DomaCom’s crowdfunding platform because it heralds a new era for property investors who don’t have sufficient funds for a whole property or who want to spread their investment across multiple properties," McCarthy said.
"There are many more people wanting the type of investment structure that DomaCom offers and The Block is a great way to demonstrate this.”
The Block, which starts this week, is Australia's longest running reality show having started in 2003. This series is scheduled to hold auctions in November.
 
 
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DomaCom joins with RT Edgar for The New Block at Port Melbourne

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The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies half way between their parent's homes.
Their south Sydney home which they settled on four years ago has a mortgage of $500,000.
When it came to choosing their home, its dire condition nearly scared them away.
"When we first walked in, we went, 'oh no, no' and we walked out," Nancy said.
"But then we came back," added Dan, after realising its potential.
Three years later and no renovations started, the couple were considering selling the house before being accepted onto the show.
“We were in the process of deciding whether we were going to actually go ahead and renovate, or if we were going to detonate and rebuild or sell, so we were tossing all of that up at the same time," Dan said.
"We were leaving it up to fate."
 
<img src="/images/2016/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-01%20at%208.36.35%20AM.png" alt="">
Above, Daniel and Nancy's House Rules.
The couple have two kids, Jonathan, six, and Sophia, three, and didn't want to take time away from them renovating the home.
“We were going to renovate in stages and that would have taken so much of our time away from our children with every weekend spent on planning and renovating, so I really feel like this buys us 20 years with our children,” Nancy said.
They have a lot of concerns with the house, like dampness in the roof, poor layout and just being plain old and worn out..
Wanna-be house proud Dan shies away from inviting people over because of the state of their home.
“The reason we have applied for House Rules is because if someone is coming over Dan says, ‘Have they seen the house before? How long will they stay? Do they have to come over? Why can’t we go to their house?’ ” said Nancy.
A can-do attitude is what will see this pair through, who have limited hands-on experience in renovating.
“I wouldn’t call myself a renovator, not even a handyman,” says Dan.
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
 
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