<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="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/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Residential Construction

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Are there government grants available for new home building in your state or territory?
To see if you are eligible, click on the links below that correspond to the state or territory you are looking to build in.
 
New South Wales State Government
<img src="/images/2015/07/28/nsw.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="138">
 
 
Australian Capital Territory 
<a href="https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/first-home-owner-grant" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/ACT%20Logo.gif" alt=""></a>
 
Northern Territory State Government
<a href="https://www.treasury.nt.gov.au/TaxesRoyaltiesAndGrants/HomeOwnerIncentives/FirstHomeOwnerGrant/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/nt1.jpg" alt=""></a>
 
Queensland State Government
<a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/first-home-vacant-land-concession/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/qld.png" alt=""></a>
 
Government of South Australia
<a href="https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/grants-and-concessions/housing-construction-grant" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/sa.png" alt="" width="309" height="206"></a>
Tasmanian Government
<a href="https://www.sro.tas.gov.au/domino%5Cdtf%5CSROWebsite.nsf/v-all/8D67B514FA1A41E0CA257AD00009BB85/%24file/FHBB_001.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/tas.png" alt=""></a>
State Revenue Office of Victoria
<a href="https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/first-home-owner/apply-first-home-owner-grant-fhog" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/album_photos_medium_28.jpg" alt=""></a>
Government of Western Australia
<a href="https://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/State_Revenue/FHOG/First_Home_Owner_Grant.aspx" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2015/07/28/govOfWATextColour_283x268.jpg" alt=""></a>
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

State by state breakout of new home building grants

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A surge in building construction activity is delivering multiple benefits to Australia’s economy, especially around construction industry employment.
New building activity data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last week shows that to the March 2016 quarter, a record number of unit projects are now underway.
The ABS data shows that 25,122 houses and 29,987 units commenced construction nationally over the quarter. For the second consecutive quarter, houses construction eased while at the same time, unit commencements increased to a new record- high.
House commencements increased over the quarter in SA, Tas and NT but fell elsewhere. For units, commencements were at record highs in NSW and Qld and also rose in SA and the ACT over the March 2016 quarter.
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<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-26%20at%2011.02.09%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Looking at dwelling completions, both house and unit completions were lower over the quarter with unit completions falling for the second successive quarter. Over the March 2016 quarter, there were 23,218 houses and 15,002 units completed. Completions for houses fell across each state and territory over the quarter while for units; these were lower over the quarter in all states and territories except for NSW and SA. 
Although completions have fallen, there is a record-high number of dwellings currently under construction which is being fuelled by units, which typically, take longer to build than houses. 
At the end of the March 2016 quarter, there were 215,863 dwellings under construction nationally, 63,414 of which were houses and 152,449 which were units. Year-on-year the number of dwellings under construction has increased by 18.6% with the number of houses under construction -5.4% lower while units under construction are 32.6 percent higher. 
We’ve seen the number of houses under construction now well below previous peaks in all states and territories with the amount under construction lower over the quarter in Qld, WA, Tas and ACT but higher elsewhere.
<a href="/images/2016/07/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-26%20at%2011.03.08%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-26%20at%2011.03.08%20AM.png" alt="">
 
For units, there are currently record-high numbers of units under construction in NSW, Vic and Qld which reiterates the magnitude of the current unit construction boom. In all states and territories except WA, Tas and NT the number of units under construction has increased over the quarter. 
While the number of dwellings under construction is at record highs, the ABS data and CoreLogic observations show that an elevated number of houses and units have been approved for construction, but not yet commenced. At the end of March 2016 there were 8,817 houses and 24,175 units which had been approved for construction but not yet commenced. 
With completed and under construction supply ramping up sharply over recent years it is reasonable to expect that fewer recently approved dwellings will actually commence in the short-term. Particularly when you consider that high-rise unit construction is at record-high levels and the considerable level of risk in constructing such a large project. 
The record-high number of dwellings under construction and the continuing strong pipeline of approvals should ensure that there is plenty of work for the construction industry over the coming years. 
There are though concerns of ‘over-building’ in some areas, especially considering in certain locations much of the new unit supply is targeted at investors rather than the owner occupier market. 
Given the challenges in securing enough pre sales to trigger the commencement of some projects, over the coming quarters, we’re expecting that some projects will not begin construction. 
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

The pipeline of units under construction reaches a record high: Cameron Kusher

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The multi-use development on 168 Walker Street in North Sydney is to reach 27 storeys and house 415 luxury apartments, ground floor retail, commercial suites and a six level carpark.
The property, designed by Woods Bagot will be built to reflect the light off Sydney Harbour with apartments connected by two interconnected lobbies.
Woods Bagot lifestyle sector leader Richard Weinman said the ground plane program is designed to respond to the curvilinear energy of the build form and the tree lined streets that define North Sydney; it presents an organic response to the surrounding landscape.”
"The design conceptualises the deep tree-lined landscape that is currently characteristic to the Walker &amp; McLaren Streetscape. 
“The floor plates are designed as a set of interconnected ‘leaves’. The corridor links connecting these leaves act as light shafts separating the residential pods to further break down the scale of the tower forms. The towers are further articulated with a pinched form and softened with curved glass edges.
"The intention was to create the effect of light shining through the leaves of a branch."
Apartments will feature floor to ceiling glass with wintergardens to provide flexible outdoor and indoor space.
For more information, <a href="https://www.aqualand.com.au/portfolio/views-of-the-harbour-and-the-future/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Aqualand's mixed-use North Sydney project

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GUEST OBSERVER
Private building activity is set to soften in 2016 after strengthening in four of the past five years.
Approvals have long since declined, led lower by the office market, with recent activity levels sustained by reducing the work pipeline. We anticipate only a relatively modest moderation in private activity.
By contrast, public works - accounting for 20 percent of total activity - is beginning to recover, after the downturn of recent times. This will provide only a partial offset to weaker private sector activity.
Click to enlarge
<img src="/images/2016/07/22/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-25%20at%208.14.53%20AM.png" alt="">
Activity: Real private building activity turned down in the March quarter, contracting by 6.7 percent to be 4.4 percent lower than a year ago. That follows a 31% expansion in the five years to December 2015, including a 7.8 percent increase in 2015.
Public works began to turn higher in the March quarter, advancing by 2.7 percent, to still be 11.7 percent lower than a year ago.
<a href="/images/2016/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-25%20at%208.19.49%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-25%20at%208.19.49%20AM.png" alt="">
Total real building work contracted by almost 5% in the March quarter, to be almost 6% lower than a year, having been broadly flat in both 2014 and 2015.
Total commencements lifted to be above par in the March quarter, valued at $8.9bn, up from a 2015 average of $7.5bn and averages for the previous five calendar years ranging between $8.2bn and $8.4bn. That said, the March result is insufficient to prevent a near-term moderation in activity.
Private commencements moved broadly sideways in Q1, at $6.2bn, relative to $5.9bn on average for 2015, which is down from the three previous calendar years, ranging between $6.3bn and $6.9bn. Public commencements lifted in Q1 to $2.7bn, the strongest quarterly result in four years, and up from a 2015 average of $1.5bn. The result was boosted by health projects proceeding across Tasmania, NSW, South Australia and the ACT.
The pipeline of work outstanding has been significantly reduced since mid-2014, to be at $20bn, down from a peak of $27bn, as work progresses on major health projects and office buildings across the states. For private projects, the work pipeline at $13.9bn currently, down from $20.7bn, is approaching the lows of 2009 to 2011. For public projects, the pipeline has lifted to a still low $6.2bn, up from $4.7bn in mid-2015.
•As to the prospects for a near-term moderation in building activity, it is notable that private commencements are running 13% below the current level of work done, while for the sector as a whole, the figure is about 7 percent below.
<a href="/images/2016/07/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-07-25%20at%208.25.44%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Commencements and approvals
Commencements were above par in the opening quarter of 2016, coming in at $8.9bn, up from the 2015 average of $7.5bn. Strength was evident in public projects, at $2.7bn, up from a 2015 average of $1.5bn. Notably, a number of health projects commenced in the quarter, across Tasmania, South Australia, the ACT and NSW. Private commencements tracked broadly sideways in March 2016, at $6.2bn relative to a 2015 quarterly average of $5.69bn.
Notwithstanding the positive start to 2016, the broader trend remains that commencements and approvals have taken a step lower since the first half of 2014 - albeit a relatively modest one by historical standards.
As to the more timely building approvals, these have been broadly steady of late, but are down from earlier highs - see charts opposite. In the year to May 2016, total approvals increased by 2% relative to the year prior, leaving them 14 percent below the peak in the year to February 2014. For private sector projects, approvals are 15% below the peak of early 2014, including a 5 percent decline over the past year.
The office market is a key driver - but certainly not the only driver - of building approvals and building activity. Office approvals are characterised by large swings reflecting the long lead times for often large projects. Over the past decade, office approvals have moved through two cycles, with a pre-GFC peak in 2008 of $9bn and a post-GFC peak of almost $8bn in 2013, see chart opposite. Currently, office approvals are at cyclical lows, at $3.7bn, some $4bn, 50 percent, below earlier highs.
Total building approvals are only modestly below the highs of early 2014, in contrast to the sharp retreat in the office market. This divergence reflects a number of key trends, notably: strength and the growing importance of social building projects (which includes health, education, aged cared, accommodation and entertainment); the resilience of the retail sector, as competition for the consumer dollar intensifies; and a lift in public approvals during the past year, albeit from relatively low levels.
State-by-state 
Conditions and the outlook are quite varied across the states. As at the national level, the importance of social building projects, a lift in public investment, and resilience in the retail sector together add nuances to the state-by-state picture not apparent from differences in office markets across the capital cities.
Real building work nationally declined by 6% over the past year, down $0.5bn, centred on a softening of activity in: Victoria (from a high base); South Australia; and WA - which more than offset a lift in Qld and Tasmania, while the cycle was cresting in NSW.
In the mining state of WA, building activity in 2016 has further downside, notwithstanding firmer approvals over the past couple of months. By contrast, conditions in Qld are likely to be reasonably resilient with retail and social approvals strengthening of late. In Victoria, where the work pipeline is now relatively low, much of the pull-back in activity has occurred. In NSW, a sizeable work pipeline will support activity near-term, ahead of a likely moderation - one that may be relatively mild if a round of new projects receive the go ahead. In South Australia and Tasmania, a lift in public investment will support activity going forward, particularly in Tasmania. 
 
Andrew Hanlan is senior economist for Westpac and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-hanlan/3/222/430" target="_blank">here</a>. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Modest downturn in non-residential building sector:  Andrew Hanlan

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When it comes to developing, we have all heard about the Development Application (DA) and the Construction Certificate (CC), but how and what exactly is involved with each council approval? 
It is important to understand this process before you start developing.    
The DA and CC are two very different approvals. If you find a DA approved site but the CC has not yet been issued, then you should understand that there is still a lot of work to do before you can start to build.
Development Application (DA)
The DA is a request for permission to carry out proposed development. It also categorises the developments as requiring consent, developments not requiring consent (Complying Development, CDC) and prohibited development.  
A development application is required for the following reasons:
<ul>
<li>- Construction of new building or structure, including swimming pools, outbuildings,   retaining wall, jetties, etc </li>
<li>- Add or alter an existing building or structure </li>
<li>- Demolish a building or structure </li>
<li>- Display an advertising sign </li>
<li>- Change the use of an existing building or land </li>
<li>- Carry out excavation, earthworks or adding fill </li>
<li>- Development on or near a heritage listed item </li>
<li>- Development within a heritage conservation area </li>
<li>- Subdivide land or strata subdivide a building</li>
</ul>
A development application must consist of at least:
<ul>
<li>- Completed application form and fees. </li>
<li>- Copies of Site Plans indicating location of the proposed development on the land. </li>
<li>- Copies of Plan/Drawings of the proposed development indicating elevations heights. </li>
<li>- Other supporting documents (if required) </li>
</ul>
 Construction Certificate (CC)
A Construction Certificate is required after the DA Consent is issued and before any building work is carried out.  You can apply for a Construction Certificate only if you have prepared detailed plans, specifications or engineering details.  And importantly, if all the council and other service fees and charges have been paid.  This is where some first time developers may get caught out when buying a DA approved site.  It’s very important to understand the Conditions of the DA Consent and how they will impact the development.
The Construction Certificate certifies that relevant matters are adhered to, this includes:
<ul>
<li>- the construction plans and specification comply with the relevant standards (ie Building   Code of Australia);</li>
<li>- the construction plans and specifications are consistent with the development consent;   and </li>
<li>- all conditions of the development consent requiring compliance prior to the issue of a   construction certificate are finalised.</li>
</ul>
Note: The CC is not required for complying development, where building details are covered by a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).
If you are unsure of the planning process, then use a qualified planning consultant or development project manager.  
Jo Chivers is chief executive officer of property development project managers <a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/about" target="_blank">Property Bloom</a><a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au">.</a>
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jochivers-wq5Bp59R5a

Understanding the planning process: Jo Chivers

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Developers New Hope VIMG will launch stage 2 of its new $600M The Landmark St Leonards north of Sydney this Saturday which includes four penthouses and 'sky homes' on levels 30 to 44.
The Landmark is designed by A+ Design Group with 54 percent of property already sold and will feature a public art space, bars, restaurants and high-end boutiques.
The development, when complete, will feature 475 apartments over 46 floors.
A VIP launch for stage 2 has been scheduled for July 9 2016. Demolition begins this month (July) with construction beginning early 2017.
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Sizes of apartments (square metres internally)
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Studios 
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<img src="file:///page2image23056" alt="page2image23056" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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40-42 m2 
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<td>
<img src="file:///page2image24640" alt="page2image24640" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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$661,000 – $755,000 
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1 bedroom 
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<img src="file:///page2image27688" alt="page2image27688" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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55-82 m2 
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<img src="file:///page2image28976" alt="page2image28976" width="0.480000" height="0.480000">
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$903,000 – $1,100,000 
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2 bedroom 
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81-96 m2 
</div>
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$1,395,000 – $1,920,000 
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3 bedroom 
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<img src="file:///page2image34384" alt="page2image34384" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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121-149 m2 
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<img src="file:///page2image35968" alt="page2image35968" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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$3,085,000 – $4,020,000 
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Penthouses 
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<img src="file:///page2image38976" alt="page2image38976" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"><div class="layoutArea">
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230-330 m2 
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<img src="file:///page2image39944" alt="page2image39944" width="0.480000" height="0.480000">
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$3,000,000 – $10,900,000 
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<img src="file:///page2image41744" alt="page2image41744" width="0.480000" height="0.480000"> 
</td>
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For more information, <a href="https://www.thelandmarksydney.com" target="_blank">click here</a>.
</div>
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The Landmark St Leonards to launch stage 2

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Construction work has begun on Dahua Group Australia’s $1 billion New Breeze project in Sydney’s suburb of Edmondson Park in the south west growth corridor.  
New Breeze in Bardia, spans across 89 hectares and will comprise 1280 new homes with a range of housing types to suit all lifestyles and budgets. The development includes parks and playgrounds, a sports oval, bike and cycle paths and 40 hectares of open spaces for recreational activities.
Dahua purchased the land parcel from UrbanGrowth NSW late last year. 
Civil contractor TRN Group was awarded a contract for civil infrastructure and subdivision works for the first 360 lots.  
Eric Li, General Manager for Dahua Group Australia said this is a major milestone for the business and is our first masterplanned project in Sydney.
"We are committed to developing a project that the community will be proud to call home," he said.
"Partnerships have been formed with recognised experts in the local market to deliver our vision to create a thriving liveable community."
A variety of lot sizes from 250 sq m to over 647.7 sq m are for sale with prices starting from $330,000 to $670,000.
House and land packages are priced from $637,000.
 For further information and to register your interest in New Breeze visit <a href="https://www.newbreeze.com.au">www.newbreeze.com.au</a> or call 1300 832 482.
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Construction starts on Sydney’s $1 billion housing estate 

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A survey by the Urban Development Institute of Australia has found that the Federal Opposition's proposed changes to the negative gearing would prompt many residential property developers to shed staff and then build fewer homes.
The UDIA Property Industry Forecast Survey of 200 property industry business leaders found more than 50% of respondents said it was likely they would reduce their number of employees as well as the production of new dwellings.
“We are seven weeks into the election campaign and are yet to see any substantive evidence on the impacts of changes to negative gearing,” the UDIA national president, Michael Corcoran said.
“The people that know the impacts are the industry and they have said definitively that there is too much at risk to change.”
The UDIA had previously welcomed the Turnbull Government's announcement that there will be no changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax.
UDIA modelling, validated independently by MacroPlan Dimasi, suggested that a median investment house under current NG &amp; CGT arrangements still delivers between $43,897 to $71,699 net revenue to the Federal Budget bottom line.
"Changes to the status of Negative Gearing and CGT will hurt middle and low income Australian renters enormously.
"Changes to the status will spike rental prices, cause falls in the value of the family home and reduce supply of needed rental housing which is derived from both established and new housing stocks. Additionally, many first home buyers, who see building a new home as their path to home ownership, will be outbid for their new home by investors who have been forced in to this one segment " said UDIA President Michael Corcoran.
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Residential property developers to shed staff and build fewer homes under Labor negative gearing policy: UDIA

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
With no deal current to build Sydney's tallest residential tower, the Chinese developer Greenland has raised the prospect of undertaking their own construction on the Greenland Centre.
The construction giant Brookfield Multiplex severed its contractual agreement due to commercial differences last month.
The Australian Financial Review suggested last month Brookfield Multiplex thought Greenland had been difficult to deal with and there had already been significant delays in what was already an extremely tight program. 
The arrival of the Chinese-based Greenland to Australian shores was heralded by Property Observer as an auspicious occasion with their 2013 plans for building Sydney's tallest residential highrise on the former Water Board site in the CBD, but little has gone right for the group ever since.
The overly ambitious Chinese developer were lured to overpay for the CBD site, after abandoning, at the eleventh hour, well advanced plans for a suburban project that would have not given them their desired world beating, global expansion status. 
Today's article in The Australian said the Chinese developer was still committed to <a href="https://www.greenlandaustralia.com.au/en/greenland-centre/" target="_blank">the $700 million, 235 metre tower tower</a>, which has seen almost all its apartments sold off the plan through CBRE Residential with a completion date at the end of 2017. It now has a 2019 anticipated completion.
“We will figure out what to do in the coming weeks,” was the best the Greenland spokesperson could advise The Australian last month.
Today the Greenland assistance managing director Kang Xue advised The Australian it was "actively pursuing the most productive way to complete the tower."
Only last week Greenland told the Urban Developer website that new builders had “come knocking.” 
</div>
<div class="cq-article-content-media section"><img class="lazy620x0" src="https://www.afr.com/content/dam/images/g/h/c/b/z/e/image.imgtype.afrArticleInline.620x0.png/1432863576024.jpg" alt="The proposed Greenland Centre in Sydney is virtually sold out before construction has started." width="620" data-src="/content/dam/images/g/h/c/b/z/e/image.imgtype.afrArticleInline.620x0.png/1432863576024.jpg"></div>
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The tower, at the former Water Board site at 115 Bathurst Street, was Greenland's first project in Australia. 
There are 470 apartments in the tower for which only a last lucky eight reportedly remain unsold. There are three so-called penthouses for sale.
It was promoted boastfully as Sydney's highest residential block. 
<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/stories/2013/10/24/sydney-oct-23-one.jpg" alt="sydney-oct-23-one" width="470" height="569">
Marketed as 'Like a diamond in the sky' - Sydney's tallest residential tower had prices starting at $528,000.
Set on the former Water Board site, the 115 Bathurst Street and 339 Pitt Street site had stage-one development approval in its purchase for up to 70 levels reaching 235 metres high. 
Beating off Harry Triguboff Meriton's 230-metre tall World Tower, which dates back to 2004, the new tower will, if built, appear considerably taller as it is located further up a ridge than World Tower.
</div>
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Greenland suggests it won't replace Brookfield Multiplex as Greenland Centre builder

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SPONSORED POST
Over the past few months, the east coast of Australia has been battered by severe storms and we’ve all seen the pictures, with roofs being ripped off and many properties completely destroyed, it’s a scary time for property owners.
As a property owner or investor, fearing for your own home as well as your investment property during these events is a likely source of sleepless nights and it’s a fact that all property owners want and need insurance cover to protect their investment.
However, all too often property owners incorrectly insure their property, whether it be under insured or over insured.
Having your property insured for either its purchase price or its market valuation is not the right solution.
The insured value should be for re-constructing the property and all that that entails.
The insured cost should include for things such as demolition and clean up, design and engineering fees, project management and other consultants fees of the new build, approvals and permits, the cost of the construction works, and importantly the cost of escalation on the rebuild price between the time of destruction and the time of actually rebuilding.
Additionally, when you insure your property for its purchase price or market value you are effectively and unnecessarily insuring the land!
NBtax, being part of the Napier &amp; Blakeley group, are among the most experienced quantity surveyors in the country.
Quantity surveyors are perfectly positioned to advise on the correct levels of insurance for re-building property.
Quantity surveyors are the only professionals in the market place that are qualified to calculate construction costs.
In the event of insurable damage, we also advise property owners in determining the scope and amount of a claim to be submitted, as well as preparing and administering building contracts for repairs or complete reconstruction.
In the event of partial or total destruction of an investment property you should also consider your property tax depreciation deductions.
We are asked by numerous clients what effect might these damaging incidents will have on their existing and future capital (depreciation) allowances on their investment properties. And the question arises where funds from a third party such as an insurer pays for capital works.
In the event of repair works, then all demolished capital items may be written off from the date of demolition. All newly installed and refurbished costs may be claimed once works have been completed. Always remember to keep all your records of expenditure, even those such as skip hire, professional fees and the like.
It is important to identify the assets within your existing property tax depreciation schedules that have been removed as to ascertain their value at the time of removal. NBtax tailors its service for each client when it comes to maintaining accurate property tax depreciation schedules, after any reconstruction or repair works your schedule may need updating.
With exposure to billions of dollars of actual construction costs, our quantity surveyors, provide a solid platform for insurance advice. This advice should also help you negotiate with insurers if you need to make a claim.
Contact one of our specialists for <a href="https://nbtax.com.au/" target="_blank">further information</a>.
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