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

Residential Investment

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New growth stars will emerge in 2016. You’re most likely to find them in Brisbane, Melbourne, regional New South Wales and regional Queensland, although others such as Adelaide and Hobart may put their hands up.
Here are five areas I think are worth watching as we get into the New Year. These are all places that should produce price growth in 2016, on the back of serious momentum with rising sales activity in their markets.
1 Oxenford and the northern growth corridor, QLD: 
The Gold Coast is now the clear national leader among the Local Government Areas of Australia. It has the most growth suburbs, by a wide margin. 
These rising suburbs are found right across Gold Coast city, but the growth corridor stretching north from the Gold Coast towards Brisbane is the standout area, with growth suburbs either side of the Pacific Motorway.
Oxenford stands out, with sales rates lifting from 80-90 per quarter last year to 130-135 in the past two quarters. Other growth suburbs in this precinct include Coomera, Upper Coomera, Pimpama and Ormeau. 
2 Lalor and Whittlesea, VIC:
The focus of Melbourne’s up-cycle has switched increasingly from the middle market to the outer suburbs, where affordability and good infrastructure are key drivers.
The Whittlesea LGA in the northern suburbs is leading the way, headed by the suburb of Lalor (median house price $400,000), where sales rates have increased from around 70 per quarter last year to above 100 more recently. 
Other growth suburbs in this precinct include Epping, Mill Park, Doreen, Mernda and Thomastown. 
3 Beenleigh and Logan City, QLD:
Logan City, which borders the Gold Coast to the south and Brisbane City to the north, has led the revival of Greater Brisbane markets in 2015. 
It has more growth suburbs than any other precinct in the Brisbane metropolitan area, headed by Beenleigh, the administration centre for the LGA, where house sales have increased steadily over the past 12 months or so.
Another standout suburb in Logan City is affordable Eagleby, where sales in the past four quarters have increased from 59 to 65 to 95 to 102.
4 Forster-Tuncurry, NSW:
The Great Lakes LGA in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales is a standout performer is this latest survey for The Price Predictor Index.
Residential sales in Forster, about 300km north of Sydney, have risen from 106 to 114 to 139 to 152 to 155 in consecutive quarters, while neighbour Tuncurry has recorded a similar pattern.
5 Point Cook and Wyndham City, VIC:
Another example of the emergence of the affordable outer ring suburbs of the Melbourne metropolitan area is Wyndham City in the south-west heading towards Geelong.
A number of suburbs have strong growth trajectories, headed by the developing suburb of Point Cook, where quarterly sales in the past 18 months have been 289, 313, 350, 396, 395 and 420.
Wyndham Vale is another standout market in this precinct, with quarterly sales levels lifting from 85-90 about 18 months ago to around 140 in the September 2015 Quarter.
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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5 key suburbs across Australia to watch in 2016: Terry Ryder

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The word “hotspot” has become one of the most over-used in Australian real estate.
Many times the word is mis-used and downright abused.
Last month I spoke at a seminar in Melbourne hosted by The Property Education Company, where Greville Pabst from WBP Property Group gave a well-informed presentation about identifying good investments. He commented that there is no such creature as a “hotspot” and that investors should not waste time searching for them.
And I would tend to agree with him, in terms of the definition many people apply to word – places that show short-term flash-in-the-pan spurts of price growth, such as mining towns which have been a recent graveyard for many investors.
The areas I identify as hotspots are places I believe will show superior growth over time, taking a long-term view.
In recent weeks there has been considerable publicity for a Housing Industry Association report which, according to media reports, identified the nation’s leading “housing hotspots”.
It’s importance for investors to understand what is really meant in this instance and the nature of these places. I would suggest that while these are hotspots according to the HIA definition, they are usually not good places to buy for capital growth. 
Darwin’s daily newspaper, the NT News, went overboard with parochial enthusiasm when it reported that “two housing markets in the Northern Territory rank among the strongest in the country”. Another media outlet reported that Pimpama on the northern fringe of the Gold Coast had been identified as “Australia’s top housing hotspot”.
It’s crucial to understand the nature of the HIA report, which is suggested by the report title – Population and Residential Building Hotspots 2017.
Essentially this report reveals the leading areas for new residential construction around the nation. These are places where there’s land available for new dwelling construction. You’re not going to find any middle-ring city suburbs in this report, because such places are built out and any new construction is likely to be apartments.
Locations make this report by virtue of high building approvals and high percentage population growth (usually from a very low base).
A “hotspot” is defined as a local area where population growth exceeds the national rate (which was 1.4 percent in the year to June 2016) and where the value of residential building approvals is more than $20 million.
The area in which Pimpama sits – the precinct between Brisbane and the Gold Coast – is always likely to feature in a report like this, because it has lots of largely empty land ripe for new development and it sits between two growing cities.
The two Darwin locations which the NT News claimed were among the nation’s leading housing markets are two new suburbs, Zuccoli and Lyons. The paper said Zuccoli was “the third strongest housing market in Australia” - which was seriously misleading.
The percentage growth rates for population in these places are high because they have been newly-created as suburbs only recently.
So are these good places to invest for capital growth? In most cases the answer is emphatically no. I would rate many of these locations as no go zones. The existence of ample land for ongoing new development means there’s no shortage of supply and often the capital growth rates are poor. Indeed developers often pile into these areas and create oversupply, which means prices fall.
The Gold Coast has been a national leader on population growth for decades but a poor performer on capital growth because developers periodically flood the market with new product. This is especially true in the high-rise unit market – the median apartment price in Surfers Paradise today is pretty much the same as it was 10 years ago – i.e. zero growth in the past decade.
Another example is provided by a new growth area which challenged the Gold Coast’s status as the leading LGA in the nation for population growth – Wyndham City in the south-west of the Melbourne metropolitan area. This happened because there’s lots of former rural land available for new suburbs there.
Six or so years ago widespread publicity about growth in Wyndham City caused the inevitable stampede by developers who quickly generated oversupply. Vacancies rose and prices fell. Developers employed marketeering companies to flog the unwanted product to distant investors, many of whom regretted believing the publicity about this being a national housing hotspot.
Zuccoli in the Darwin region is the opposite of a good place to buy. Darwin’s market has been in reverse for the past four years, with prices and rents falling, and the Zuccoli postcode currently has a 7 percent vacancy rate, according to SQM Research. CoreLogic data suggests the median price fell 17 percent in the past year.
The Pimpama postcode, ranked by the HIA report as the nation’s No.1 hotspot, has a vacancy rate around 5 percent. And the average annual growth rate for house prices over the past decade is less than 1 percent, similar to the performance of apartments in Surfers Paradise, for similar reasons – rampant supply has overpowered all the other positive growth drivers.
Construction hotspots, yes. Investment hotspots, no.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Hotspot or no-go zone? Terry Ryder

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Gas industry veteran Richard Cottee is selling a Kingscliff investment home on the NSW Tweed Coast.
Bought in 2006 for $940,000, the freestanding house is in the Salt Village.
It has been a consistent rental since the Cottee family paid $5.2 million for a beachfront reserve home.
Ray Real Estate agents Greg Allan and Bruce Williams are asking $1,095,000 for the four bedroom Ulladulla Court home with pool.
The Brisbane based Cottee has been the boss of Central Petroleum for five years. He sold Queensland Gas to BG Group for $5.7 billion, gaining fame for leading the gas minnow to its 2008 sale.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
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Gas industry veteran Richard Cottee lists Kingscliff investment home

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Melbourne still has strong numbers for price growth, but its up-cycle is nearing the end.
Sales activity, while still solid, is falling steadily and the number of growth markets is close the lowest levels since the up-market started.
The other clue pointing to the end of the cycle is that all the precincts that still have multiple growth suburbs are at the lower end of the market - most are outer-ring suburban areas. It’s now difficult to find inner-ring or middle-ring precincts with growth suburbs.
To demonstrate the steady decline in sales, a comparison of numbers in successive March Quarters shows this pattern: 33,109 (2015); 28,899 (2016) and 28,948. Sales in the June Quarters have been 38,031 (2015), 34,115 (2016) and 32,300 (2017).
In Hotspotting’s research for The Price Predictor Index, the total number of suburbs with growing sales activity has dropped from 96 in the Autumn report, to 60 in Winter edition and further to just 35 in the Spring survey.
These trends confirm a steady diminution in the strength of the market. And in terms of annual price growth, the latest data from CoreLogic has Melbourne ranked third on dwelling price growth behind Hobart and Sydney.
The remaining growth locations are in the cheaper areas, such as the LGAs of Brimbank and Melton (west); Hume and Whittlesea (north); Wyndham (far south-west;) and Frankston and Mornington Peninsula (far south/south-east).
But even these affordable markets are gradually declining in terms of the number of growth suburbs.
The leading precincts are Whittlesea and Wyndham LGAs. Whittlesea is consistently one of the city’s strongest markets, driven by affordability, infrastructure and jobs nodes.
We have identified four suburbs with growing sales momentum, down from six in the Winter survey. The suburb of Epping is one of the remaining strong markets, with sales moving from 115 to 145 to 135 to 160 to 172 in recent quarters. 
In neighbouring Hume, growth suburbs include Broadmeadows, Roxburgh Park and Meadow Heights (where sales have lifted from 27 to 29 to 34 to 45 to 51 to 54 in the past six quarters).
Wyndham in the south-west is the other stand-out, led by Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Williams Landing and Werribee.
The Brimbank LGA has been one of the Melbourne’s most outstanding markets for the past 2-3 years. It still has three suburbs with rising sales momentum but a greater number of Plateau markets – further evidence of the wind-down in the market.
Cheaper markets in the far south/south-east, including the LGAs of Frankston, Casey and Mornington Peninsula, still have growth suburbs but, they are outnumbered by suburbs with Plateau-ing sales activity.
Upmarket and Middle Melbourne areas remain solid but most are dominated now by Plateau markets: they include the LGAs of Whitehorse, Moreland and Kingston. Very few growth suburbs remain.
There are also many suburbs where sales activity has dropped considerably, compared to 2014-2015 levels. They include Box Hill, Brighton, Brunswick East, Caulfield North, Chadstone, Clayton, Doncaster, Footscray, Glen Waverley, Hawthorn, Kew, Richmond, Rowville, South Yarra, West Melbourne and Windsor.
The worst performers are the inner-city unit precincts. We rank the CBD, Southbank and Docklands as Danger markets, as well as Carlton and Collingwood.
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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Melbourne CBD, Southbank and Docklands labelled danger markets

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Illawarra is Australia’s top performing regional property market for the June 2017 quarter according to CoreLogic.
According to CoreLogic the Illawarra region, (comprising of: Municipality of Kiama, City of Shellharbour, Wingecarribee Shire, City of Wollongong) experienced the best home values growth for the quarter. Newcastle and Lake Macquarie followed.
CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said, some regional areas are enjoying the benefits of buoyant property market conditions due to housing demand rippling outside of the capital city boundaries into regional towns, particularly coastal regions.
“Unfortunately, regional areas closely linked to the resources sector are still doing it tough; while conditions are generally stabilizing in these areas we expect relatively soft conditions to continue throughout the year,” he said.
“With mortgage rates still low, the attractiveness of housing, particularly in some of the larger coastal regional markets, is likely to continue to show further growth over 2017."
Regional report key highlights (June Quarter):
<ul>
<li>The Illawarra region recorded the largest annual increase in home values, up 15.8 per cent for houses and 14.4 per cent for units.</li>
<li>Wide Bay and Townsville were the only regions to see values for both houses and units fall over the year to June 2017.</li>
<li>The Townsville region had the biggest fall in transaction activity, with dwelling sales down -9.0 per cent over the year to May 2017.</li>
<li>Townsville and Bunbury were the only regions to see rental rates fall over the 12 months to June 2017.</li>
</ul>
Regional Area Sales &amp; Yields Snapshot:
<ul>
<li>Newcastle/Lake Macquarie: 8,278 homes sold (80% houses, 20% units) &amp; 4.3% rental yield</li>
<li>Illawarra: 5600 homes sold (70% houses, 30% units) &amp; 4% rental yield</li>
<li>Richmond /Tweed: 6,488 homes sold (67% houses, 33% units) &amp; 4.9% rental yield</li>
<li>Gold Coast: 19,242 homes sold (43% houses, 57% units) &amp; 4.9% rental yield</li>
<li>Sunshine Coast: 11, 068 homes sold (65% houses, 35% units) &amp; 4.8% rental yield</li>
<li>Townsville: 3,164 homes sold (85% houses, 15% units) &amp; 5.2% rental yield</li>
<li>Wide Bay: 5643 homes sold (90% houses, 10% units) &amp; 5.7% rental yield</li>
<li>Cairns: 5418 homes sold (66% houses, 34% units) &amp; 5.4% rental yield</li>
<li>Geelong: 6425 homes sold (84% houses, 16% units) &amp; 4.4% rental yield</li>
<li>Latrobe/Gippsland: 6,033 homes sold (89% houses, 11% units) &amp; 5.5% rental yield</li>
<li>Bunbury: 2,798 homes sold (90% houses, 10 units) &amp; 5% rental yield</li>
</ul>
"Richmond-Tweed was the only region to see sales volumes rise, with an additional 120 properties transacting over the year to May - an increase of 1.9 per cent.
"The llawarra area recorded its biggest fall in sales activity over the same period with transactions down -7.4 per cent, or 447 fewer homes selling when compared to May 2016.
"Units in the Illawarra region recorded the largest increase with rates up by 5.1 per cent. Units in the Richmond-Tweed region followed and were up by 4.6 per cent.
"In Queensland, dwelling sales fell in three of the five regions over the year to May 2017 with the largest fall in Townsville where sales volumes were down -9.0 per cent. The Gold Coast followed with a drop of -8.2 per cent, Cairns with a -4.1 per cent drop.
"Across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions, sales remained much the same as they were in June 2016.
"Wide Bay and Townsville were the only two regions to see home values fall, while the Gold Coast region saw the largest increase in both house (7.5 per cent) and unit (5.9 per cent) values, followed by the Sunshine Coast, where house values increased by 6.0 per cent and unit values increased by 4.4 per cent. Cairns recorded minimal change in home values; unit values in the city were virtually unchanged (0.4 per cent).
"Rental rates in the Gold Coast region recorded their largest increase for houses at 5.0 per cent, followed by houses in the Sunshine Coast region at 3.3 per cent.
"In Victoria, sales activity dropped by -0.8 per cent in the Geelong area, while the Latrobe-Gippsland region saw a slight increase of 1.3 per cent in the amount of homes transacting over the year to May. Both regions saw home values increase over the 12 months to June, with values increasing by 8.3 per cent for houses and 5.6 per cent for units in Geelong, compared to the Latrobe-Gippsland region, where house and unit values increased by 2.9 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.
"For Western Australia’s Bunbury region, house values remain unchanged, however unit values fell -2.6 per cent of the year to June 2017. Sales volumes fell -4.7 per cent over the 12 months to May, with current activity -13 per cent below the five year average. Rental rates in the Bunbury region fell -2.9 per cent for houses and -6.1 per cent for units when compared to June 2016."
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Illawarra retains title as top performing regional area

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/82763/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Big Chinese companies have been on an overseas buying spree in recent years, spending more than US$1.6 trillion scooping up businesses, property and “trophy assets” like football clubs.
But a directive from the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party puts some of this investment in Australia at risk. The directive specifically restricts outbound investments in real estate, hotels, entertainment, and football clubs. 
One of the big reasons for the crackdown is how these investments are funded. China’s financial system is dominated by banks and bank loans are the major source of corporate funding. But this is also risky - if one of these projects fails it risks the entire banking system.
The changes won’t affect large Chinese holdings in the Australian agriculture and metals sector, or personal investments in Australian property. But there will be an impact on the Australian property market - Chinese developers bought 38% of all residential property development sites in Australia last year. 
As Chinese investment in the Australian property sector will now be curtailed, we should expect money to be diverted elsewhere - into sectors that are still looked on favourably by the Chinese government. Most notably resources, agriculture, and possibly new energy technologies.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-24%20at%208.43.36%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/24/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-24%20at%208.43.36%20AM.png" alt="">
Chinese companies have also been active in the Australian hotel and entertainment industries - Fuwah Group recently purchased the Park Hyatt in Melbourne (among others), and Dalian Wanda bought the Hoyts cinema chain. 
Over the past few years, Chinese companies have splashed out on many prominent properties - China Investment Corporation bought several office buildings in Sydney and Brisbane, and Aqualand purchased waterfront property in Sydney. Dalian Wanda currently has billion dollar developments underway in Sydney and the Gold Coast.
The motivations for these large investments in Australia and elsewhere are mixed. Earning a profit and other commercial goals are undoubtedly behind some of the moves, but others are strategically important for China - such as investing in agricultural land. But we shouldn’t overlook that many of these investments are “trophy assets”, and are about bringing prestige to the companies themselves.
<h2>Why is China cracking down?</h2>
In China, according to People’s Bank of China’s data, bank lending constitutes the vast majority of total financing. Therefore, it is more than likely the bulk of these recent overseas purchases by Chinese companies is bankrolled by Chinese banks. This compares to countries like Australia, where bond markets and sharemarkets play a larger role in financing big projects and investments.
The reliance on bank loans adds risk to the financial system. Should these projects fail, or the Chinese companies be unable to repay their debts, it could destabilise the entire banking system. And as Chinese banks remain state-controlled entities, the state has effective power to direct bank lending.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-24%20at%208.44.53%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/24/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-24%20at%208.44.53%20AM.png" alt="">
The Chinese government’s directive doesn’t just restrict investment in real estate, hotels, entertainment and football. It also encourages investment in other areas - new energy, technology, resources and agriculture. The stated purpose is to ensure that investment aligns with China’s national interest and to set up procedures for monitoring and supervision of the investments.
The Chinese banking regulator, the China Banking Regulatory Commission has also started investigating five huge conglomerates - Anbang, Dalian Wanda, HNA, Fosun, and Zhejiang Rossoneri Investment which have been very active overseas. The Chinese banking regulator has askedmajor banks to provide details of the borrowing position of these companies and the risk associated with their loans.
On paper, all five conglomerates are apparently predominantly privately owned, with the possible exception of Zhejiang Rossoner Investment which was only incorporated in June 2016. Although directly or indirectly, the Chinese government will have some stake and it is hard to trace the ownership structure of large Chinese companies. 
<h2>What comes next?</h2>
There will definitely be an impact as Chinese investment dollars move away from property and prohibited other sectors. This investment currently constitutes a large proportion of Australian property development.
However, it also remains to be seen how else the Chinese government will try to achieve the “national interest”. Whether through regulatory control or through its direct control of the Chinese banking system, the Chinese government might try to influence or direct the operations of the overseas assets of these conglomerates. 
The Australian government has previously shown nervousness about enterprises in areas of national “strategic” importance, passing into the hands of Chinese businesses with connections to the Chinese government, with some acquisitions being blocked by the Foreign Investment Review Board. Increased Chinese interest is only likely to provoke increased Australian apprehension.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/he-weiping-163918" target="_blank">He Weiping</a> is lecturer in Law, Monash University and author for <a href="https://theconversation.com/au" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Why China is cracking down on overseas investment

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Newcastle Knights legend turned property investor Paul 'The Chief' Harragon is set to sell another one of his Queensland investments.
The former NRL Footy Show host bought two apartments in the new Stone &amp; Co developed Cedar Greenslopes building (above) south-east of Brisbane off the plan.
Recently completed, the Whitebridge based Harragon sold one of the apartments already and has another up for sale.
Ray White Stone Corner agent Melinda Allamby is marketing the two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with offers around the high $400,000's expected.
Spanning 74 sqm, the unit has 57 sqm internal space and a 17 sqm balcony.
Allamby sold Harrogan's other apartment, also with a high $400,000 asking price.
He appears to have kept another Queensland investment apartment, this one in Kangaroo Point costing $540,000 for a 91 sqm, two bedroom apartment in the Establishment complex. 
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph.
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Newcastle Knights legend Paul 'The Chief' Harragon selling Queensland investments

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Westpac senior executive George Frazis has bought a inner city investment bolthole in Potts Point.
He's paid $1,665,000 for the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-potts+point-124914630" target="_blank">Lynn Malone-designed two level apartment</a> (above) on the Rockwall Crescent cul de sac.
Set on the top floor of a boutique block on nine, the apartment has just the one bedroom with two bathrooms.
There's a rooftop garden terrace in the apartment which sold off the plan at $880,000 in 2013.
Frazis, formerly the St George Bank chief executive, sold a three bedroom apartment in Bondi's Beach House for $6.5 million last month.
He resides an $8 million two level penthouse, also in Bondi.
Down the road entrepreneur Jennifer Zanich, having sold in Kurraba Point, has paid $1.98 million for a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-nsw-potts+point-125004510" target="_blank">contemporary Challis Avenue apartment</a> in a Tonkin Zulaikha Greet designed building.
Marketed as a house-like residence by Di Jones selling agents Jeremy Brink, the double height apartment has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Garage-style operable doors open to an urban rooftop garden.
Zanich left Kurraba Point where she sold her four bedroom Shellcove Road home for $8.11 million after asking $7 million.
She had owned it since 1998 when she paid $2.42 million.
Last year Zanich took over as managing partner at US start-up lab Stacked Venture Builder.
This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Westpac senior executive George Frazis buys in Potts Point

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<div>Total construction work done declined by 0.7 percent in seasonally adjusted terms to $46.4 billion over the first quarter of the calendar year to be 7.2 percent lower over the year to March 2017. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>After weaker trade and retail figures, all of the signs appear to be pointing to a weak result for GDP growth in the first quarter. </div>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/26/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/26/A1.jpg" alt=""></div>
 
<div>First, here's the good news: having peaked all the way back in 2012, engineering construction activity is now rising again. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were still moderate ongoing declines in Western Australia and the Northern Territory as resources construction activity continues to wind down, but the rates of these declines is now tapering off.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And indeed, at the national level engineering construction activity is rising again, partly driven by infrastructure projects in the three most populous states. </div>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/26/A2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/26/A2.jpg" alt=""></div>
 
<div>Dodgy weather...or peak resi?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Residential building work done dropped by 4.7 per cent in the quarter, which was the worst quarterly result for the sector since the introduction of the Goods and Sales Tax (GST) more than a decade and a half ago. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Building activity slowed across new house building, apartments, and major renovations, suggesting that at least part of the reason for the decline was Cyclone Debbie towards the end of the quarter, while Sydney also had some shocking weather during the period. </div>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/26/A3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/26/A3.jpg" alt="">
 
<div>And looking at the building work done figures by state confirms as much, with a very sharp 10 per cent quarterly drop in Queensland, and a somewhat lesser 4 per cent decline in New South Wales. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Victoria building activity powered to a new record high in chain volume measures terms, with the industry going like the clappers in Melbourne and operating at close to full capacity. </div>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/05/26/A4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/26/A4.jpg" alt=""></div>
 
<div>New detached house construction has been broadly flat since the end of 2014, with the growth in residential construction since that time driven by record activity levels in the apartments sector.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Here too there was a sharp weather-related 22 per cent fall in Queensland, plus a relatively small decline in New South Wales. But there was also a slowdown in evidence in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Canberra. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On this evidence, then, it's possible that the peak for apartment construction activity might have passed, although there is of course still a huge pipeline of work to be completed.   
</div>
<div>Click to enlarge</div>
<div><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/05/26/A5.jpg" alt=""></div>
 The wrap
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly, growth in the economy in the first quarter is going to be weak, and perhaps very weak. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the positive side there is light at the end of the tunnel for the resources states, as engineering construction activity finally looks to be bottoming out, after years of contraction. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Strip out the impact of Cyclone Debbie and heavy rain in Sydney and the apparently sharp drop in residential construction in the first quarter of the year may prove to be less than dramatic. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, it's hard to escape the conclusion that building activity in the residential sector is about to fade away as the record pipeline of apartments is delivered to the market. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>It might reasonably be expected that dwelling starts fall by about a quarter over the next couple of years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Given the huge level of employment in the construction industry, this could prove to be a very significant drag on the economy going forward. </div>
 
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
 
<div> </div>
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