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

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

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

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Reits

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The publicly listed ALE Property Group (ALE) is seeking to sell the Berwick Inn Hotel.
It is leased to Australian Leisure &amp; Hospitality Group (ALH), which is 75% owned by Woolworths and is the largest operator of pubs in the country.
It holds the lease until November 2028, with four further 10-year options to extend to 2068.
The two-storey venue is located on a prominent 4,166 square metre site and comprises a bar, bistro, beer garden and gaming facilities as well as a large 50 space on-grade carpark. 
CBRE agents Daniel Dragicevich, Scott Callow and Justin Dowers have been appointed to sell the property via tender.
"Typically, hotels with the blue chip tenant covenant of ALH trade at between 100-150 basis points sharper than those with private tenants," Dragicevich said.
"ALH leased properties have actually been in very short supply in recent times, so a keenly fought sales campaign is expected."
The Melbourne pub listing marks the first property ALE has put to the since its 17 venue sell down in 2009-2010.
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ALE Property Group list Berwick Inn Hotel

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Following last month’s announcement, wealth management group Fat Prophets has released the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the launch of a new fund that seeks to raise up to $220 million.
The Fat Prophets Global Property Fund will raise the sum through an IPO and intends to list on the ASX in mid-September.
It will focus on capital growth plus pay a regular half yearly distribution of 100% of the income the Fund receives on its investments.
The group, which has offices in Sydney, London and Auckland, has been operating for 17 years and managing money for investors for 12 years.
Fat Prophets calls its research and investment style a combination of Deep Value Identification with contrarian investing (going against the trend). 
The new fund will invest in listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) owning international real estate assets such as the Empire State Building in New York, while being underpinned by a core 30% investment to Australian REITs, according to its website.
The new fund will to invest in a portfolio of 70-90 globally listed real estate equities, typically REITs.  
REITs are listed Trusts which own real estate assets and pay the majority of rental income out as distributions.
According to Fat Prophets, REITs are well known for:
<ul>
<li>Having a different cycle to equities, therefore diversifying risk</li>
<li>Providing consistent and high yield</li>
<li>Being underpinned by tangible assets (the property they own)</li>
<li>Having lower risk and volatility than equities</li>
</ul>
“Our new fund structure will reflect the lower risk nature of REITs – we will not use derivatives, debt or shorting.  Our strategy is simply to invest into listed real estate opportunities where there is clear value,” according to Fat Prophets. 
The fund will pass through all distributions received from its investments to investors with an anticipated gross pre-tax annual yield of 5.2% p.a. 
According to Fat Prophets, diversifying into international property markets makes sense as most are significantly cheaper than Australian real estate.
 
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Fat Prophets to raise $220 million global REIT-focussed fund

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Centuria Property Funds said its listed office fund, Centuria Metropolitan REIT (ASX: CMA), has bought three commercial properties in Perth and Melbourne for a total of $150 million. 
In Perth, Centuria acquired two new commercial assets: <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-offices-wa-perth-502267250" target="_blank">The Hatch Building</a> at 144 Sterling Street (above), and 42-46 Colin Street, for a total of $91.8 million. The deals marked the fund manager’s first foray into the Perth office market.
Late in June, Centuria acquired the new Target headquarters at Williams Landing in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Together with the Perth deals, the total value was $150 million and will increase Centuria Capital Group’s (ASX: CNI) entire funds under management to $4.15 billion, it said in a media release.
Earlier this year, Centuria Property Funds sold its commercial office tower in Brisbane’s Spring Hill for $38.7 million to Sentinel Property Group.
“Centuria’s approach is to pay the fee and to take over the management from the agent, freeing them up to work on the next property, which enables us to generate income returns alongside the potential for capital growth,” said CMA trust manager Nicholas Blake.
The two Perth properties are fully 100% leased, with the major occupiers being WA Police, Insurance Australia Group Ltd, and consulting firm Hatch. 
“This diverse range of high-quality tenants, from government-owned and listed companies to international firms, means shareholders can feel confident in securing attractive and stable yield,” added Blake.
The combined WALE of the three properties is 6.5 years and their fixed rental reviews sit between 3.25% and 3.75%, Centuria said.
The acquisitions were partially funded by an equity raising of $90 million.
The acquisitions will help REIT’s property portfolio to increase in value by 25% to $760 million. 
It will see the trust’s market capitalisation increase from approximately $430 million to more than $520 million, improving its potential for S&amp;P/ASX300 index inclusion (based on securities prices at 12 July 2017). 
CMA is also doing the due diligence on a development site in South West Sydney for the construction of an A-Grade commercial office building expected to be valued at around $75 million, it said. 
On the Perth acquisitions, Blake said the metro market was beginning to show excellent fundamentals, while AREITs in general are proving attractive to risk-averse investors.
“At CMA, we believe a truly quality property can provide unitholders with returns and yields over time in any market.” 
 
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Centuria REIT buys three office assets in Perth and Melbourne for $150 million

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Australia real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) have large headroom under their gearing and interest cover covenants, which reduces their risk of covenant breaches during uncertain times, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.
The report, Real Estate Investment Trusts - Australia: Covenant Headroom Is Strong, and Much Stronger Than Before Global Financial Crisis, covers 11 A-REITs such as Charter Hall Retail REIT, Goodman Group which Moody's rated as of June 30, 2016.
"This strong positioning is primarily due to their conservative approach to debt management, while asset recycling and use of capital partners to share development risk have also contributed to the sector's strong financial profile," says Maurice O'Connell, a vice president and senior credit officer at Moody’s.
"Goodman Group (Baa2 stable), with a gearing ratio of 20%, has the most cushion under its gearing covenant, while Charter Hall Retail REIT (Baa1 stable), with a ratio of 39%, has the least," says O'Connell. "And The GPT Group (A3 stable) has the most headroom under its interest cover covenant with a 6.3x ratio, and ALE Direct Property Trust (Baa2 stable) has the least, with a 2.7x ratio."
The report also references covenants as of this date and says gearing is typically defined as debt/tangible assets or net debt/net tangible assets, while interest cover is typically defined as EBIT/interest expense or EBITDA/interest expense.
The average covenant gearing ratio for the four A-REITs with data before the global financial crisis -- Goodman, GPT, DEXUS Property Group (A3 stable) and Scentre Group (A1 stable), which was restructured from the former Westfield Group (rating withdrawn) -- has fallen sharply, to 28% with 51% headroom by June 2016, from 37% with 28% headroom as of June 2008.
Interest cover has also increased generally for rated A-REITs, owing to both lower interest rates and, for some, lower debt levels. Their average interest cover ratio rose to 5.0x with 2.1x-4.3x headroom as of June 2016 from 3.0x with around 1.0x headroom as of June 2008. GPT improved  the most with actual interest cover rising to 6.3x as of June 30 this year from 2.7x as of June 2008.
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Australian REITs have robust model to withstand risks: Moody's

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Cromwell Phoenix Property Securities Fund has won the Morningstar Fund Manager award for listed property for the third consecutive year, confirming its position as one of Australia’s leading property securities funds.
The fund, which closed in 2015 to new investors, invests in ASX-listed property securities and delivered a total annual return of 16.3 per cent last year, outperforming the S&amp;P/ASX 300 A-REIT Accumulation Index by 1.9 percent.    “The Morningstar Awards set the benchmark for exceptional fund performance and value for investors. It’s an honour to be nominated but a true display of our team’s expertise to be awarded for the third consecutive year,” said Stuart Cartledge, managing director of Phoenix Portfolios.   “The A-REIT market continues to be an attractive proposition for investors. The broader market outlook is improving – the recovery of the Melbourne and Sydney office markets outweighs the weak performance of resource-impacted Perth and Brisbane.”   “We expect property will continue to deliver solid returns over 2016 due to the upward pressure on the value of underlying assets, and continued rental growth across all sub-sectors given reliable lease income with built-in increments,” he said.
The Morningstar Awards are designed to help investors identify exceptional funds and fund managers. Fund and fund group nominees are selected based on quantitative methodologies that emphasise outperformance over one, three, and five-year periods.
The awards were announced on March 4. 
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Cromwell Phoenix named property securities fund of the year by Morningstar

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Centuria Property Funds has  acquired a 50% sub-leasehold interest in 8 Central Avenue, Australian Technology Park (ATP) in the newly formed Centuria 8 Central Avenue Fund No.2.
The $110 million purchase gives Centuria full ownership of the Redfern building, after it acquired an initial 50% in December 2013 at a purchase price of $99.62 million. 
Built in 2010, the property is located 2.5 kilometres south of Sydney’s CBD, in one of Sydney’s key emerging precincts with major tenants including Pacific Magazines, Seven Network and the NSW state government.
Centuria's Jason Huljich said the new fund will open for investment in early May.
Centuria Property Funds has over $850 million of property under management in 15 unlisted property funds.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Centuria doubles its Redfern Australian Technology Park stake

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UBS analysts suggest an internal candidate is likely to replace outgoing GPT chief executive Michael Cameron.
They have been pinpointed its chief investment officer Carmel Hourigan, chief financial officer Mark Fookes and head of funds management Nicholas Harris as likely candidates.
An internal succession plan underway for some time needs to be possibly activated given Michael Cameron's exit to Suncorp.
As rumours rise and get shot down, the DEXUS chief executive Darren Steinberg says his group had no interest in merging with GPT.
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Internal succession likely following Michael Cameron's GPT departure

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Twitter executive Aliza Knox is set to join the Scentre Group board.
Knox is the managing director of online sales, Asia Pacific and Latin America at Twitter, based in Singapore.
She was previously the managing director of commerce and online sales and operations for Asia Pacific at Google from 2007 to 2012.
Her other prior roles include senior vice president, commercial solutions and global product platforms at Visa International (from 2002 to 2007) and senior vice president, international wireless and global expansion Asian focus at Charles Schwab Corporation (from 1999 to 2001).
Knox held senior positions at Boston Consulting Group Pty Ltd from 1990 to 1999 and at Bankers Trust Company from 1981 to 1986.
She holds an MBA in Marketing (Honors) from New York University-Leonard N. Stern, School of Business, and a B.A., Applied Mathematics and Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Brown University.
Scentre said it followed their view of the growing importance of technology to the business.
Sandra McPhee and Laurence Brindle have indicated that they will not seek re-election at the AGM on 7 May. 
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Twitter executive Aliza Knox joins Scentre

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Buoyant residential property markets helped Australia’s stock exchange-listed home builders deliver strong interim results in the first half of the financial year, February’s reporting season revealed.
The largest listed residential developer, Stockland Property Group, reported a 73% improvement in its home building business in the first half of 2015, which lifted group profit by 55.1% to $462 million.
Stockland chief executive Mark Steinert said the residential business was bolstered by improved market conditions and strategies the company had put in place to increase speed to market and broaden its customer target markets.
Improving market conditions and higher production levels also helped AV Jennings increase its profit. The company reported $11.9 million net profit after tax, up 42.1% compared with the same period in 2014. Chief executive Peter Summers said residential markets in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne were stable to strong, while South Australia’s market was more subdued.
Mirvac chief executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz forecast continuing growth in residential property prices with Sydney in particular supported by an “entrenched undersupply” of homes. Mirvac, which like Stockland develops and invests in both residential and commercial property, reported a 13.4% increase in profit to $279 million, with operating profit after tax rising by 15.5% to $231.2 million compared with the half to December 2013.
Analysts at Morningstar said that while surging residential prices and volumes have driven earnings for residential developers, they believe the sub-sector is operating close to peak profitability.
“The significant improvement in mortgage affordability has driven a spike in household approvals. Part of this increase will alleviate pent-up demand in some markets (mainly Sydney) but we believe a material part of the increase reflects the “bringing forward” of dwelling purchase decisions,” the analysts noted.
“The issue for developers is any rise in interest rates, which doesn’t appear likely in the near term, will result in a double hit to margins because of lower volumes and softer prices. As in past down cycles, the developers who add to their land banks late in the cycle are most at risk.”
Other listed residential developers including Peet and Villa World also boosted profits, while Cedar Woods forecast record performance for its full year despite a weaker first half.
Villa World reported a $13 million first-half profit, up from $7.6 million in the prior corresponding period and predicted its full-year before-tax profit would hit $28.5 million.
Peet Group reported a first-half profit of $13.2 million, 30% higher than the same period of 2014. Chief executive Brendan Gore forecast continued improvement in the second half.
“The Australian housing market fundamentals remain positive with a sustained period of record low interest rates, low inflation rate and continued population growth,” Gore said in a statement to the ASX. “However, the factors putting pressure on official cash rates – weaker jobs market, slow wages growth, and lower commodity prices – are also having some impact on consumer and business confidence, particularly in Western Australia.”
Another Western Australian developer, Cedar Woods Properties, reported a $9.1 million first-half profit, 55.8% lower than in the previous first-half, but it also issued profit guidance for the full-year of $41 million, which would be a record for the company.
Cedar Woods said strong pre-sales and a solid delivery program would help it achieve its forecast result, assuming markets remained sound.
Finbar, which is also based in Western Australia, reported a worse result than in the first half of 2014. Managing director Darren Pateman said the $11 million first-half profit was due to project completion timing not working in the company’s favour but said it was still expecting a solid full financial year with the completion of other projects anticipated in the second half.
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Buoyant market helps residential REITs deliver strong February results

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Research analyst PIR is advising clients to sell their holdings of Australian real estate investment trusts after prices for the companies rallied and many in the sector performed well in the latest reporting season.
Listed Australian property companies <a href="/expert-insights/investing/reits-deliver-strong-results-in-february-reporting-season">delivered strong results in the latest reporting season</a>. The S&amp;P/ASX 200 A-REIT index, which tracks stocks in the sector, gained 30% over the year to the end of February compared with a rise of 10% for the broader S&amp;P/ASX 200 index.
“The A-REIT sector has rallied hard, and the listed market is pricing in strong earnings growth, strong NTA [net tangible asset] growth, or (the simplest and most probable explanation, given the rally in other “yield” stocks such as banks) very low interest rates,” PIR analysts noted.
“The risk is that the market may rotate out of yield stocks, prompting a sell-off in REITs. Take profits now and re-enter at a better level,” they advised.
REITs are considered to be yield stocks because they typically pay stable streams dividends to shareholders from rent collected on properties.
Charter Hall Retail REIT, which reported its half-year results on 19 February, paid out 13.7 cents per share on earnings of 14.87 cents a share for the first half. It forecast it would achieve full-year operating earnings per share of 29.6 to 30 cents, of which 90% to 95% would be paid to investors.
PIR recommended clients reduce their holdings of Charter Hall Retail REIT, commenting that at $4.53 at the time of the report, the stock was “getting pricey”.
Other analysts have different views on the stock and the REIT sector more generally. According to opinions tracked on Yahoo Finance, one analyst says sell Charter Hall Retail REIT and seven expect it to underperform but four recommend holding.
Commentators, including Atchison Consultants analyst Ming Niu, <a href="/expert-insights/investing/will-areits-remain-attractive-once-interest-rates-start-to-rise-ming-niu">believes REITs will continue their strong performance</a>, perhaps with marginal price falls. 
PIR analysts are also recommending clients reduce their holdings of Arena REIT, which invests in social infrastructure sectors such as childcare, healthcare, education and government tenanted facilities. Arena said in its half-year results that it would deliver distributions of 10 cents per share for the full financial year.
PIR’s recommendation stands apart from other analysts’ assessments with two of those whose opinions are listed on Yahoo Finance saying hold and one saying buy.
Folkestone Education Trust is another stock PIR is recommending clients reduce. The company trades on a forecast price earnings ratio of above 17 times, against a P/E ratio of 15.7 times for the wider sector. The analysts noted the stock is trading at a premium of about 30% to its NTA and its distribution per share yield is about 6%.
“The listed market is pricing in strong earnings growth, strong NTA growth and yield compression, or – more likely, given the rally in other “yield” stocks such as banks – very low interest rates,” the analysts noted.
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