<p data-end="256" data-start="0"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.</p>

<p data-end="446" data-start="258">The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.</p>

<p data-end="645" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="448">Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.</p>

<p>The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.</p>

<p>The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”</p>

<p data-end="626" data-start="350">Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.</p>

<p data-end="928" data-start="628">“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”</p>

<p data-end="1147" data-start="930">Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149">“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149"><img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.</p>

<p>The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.</p>

<p>The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.</p>

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<p data-end="305" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.</p>
</section>


Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

<p style="text-align:start">The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.</p>

<p>Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.</p>

<p>The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.</p>

<p>As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.</p>

<p><img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" /></p>

<p>The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.</p>

<p>An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.</p>

<p>Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.</p>

<p>“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.</p>

<p>“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.</p>

<p>“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.</p>

<p>“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”</p>


Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

<p>Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.</p>

<p>A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.</p>

<p>Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.</p>

<p>“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.</p>

<p>Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.</p>

<p>“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.</p>

<p>The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.</p>

<p>It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.</p>

<p>The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.</p>

<p>One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.</p>

<p>Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.</p>

<p>The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.</p>

<p>Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.</p>

<p>Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.</p>

<p>Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.</p>

<p>“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”</p>

<p>Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.</p>

<p>Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.</p>

<p>Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.</p>


400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

<p>Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p>The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.</p>

<p>Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" /></p>

<p>“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.</p>

<p>The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”</p>

<p>The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" /></p>

<p>The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.</p>

<p>According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.</p>

<p>“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.</p>

<p>A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.</p>

<p>Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" /></p>

<p>All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.</p>

<p>The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.</p>


Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

<p>Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.</p>

<p>The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.</p>

<p>Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" /></p>

<p>Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.</p>

<p>The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.</p>

<p>"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.</p>

<p>The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.</p>

<p>The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" /></p>

<p>Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.</p>

<p>Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.</p>


First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

Residential Market

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<p>McGrath Estate Agents have opened their 90th office in their network, this one in the Lower Hunter Valley region.</p>
<p>Located two hours north of Sydney, McGrath Lower Hunter Valley will service the key suburbs of East Maitland, Aberglasslyn, Ashtonfield, Bolwarra Heights and Rutherford.</p>
<p>Founder and joint CEO of McGrath John McGrath said the Hunter Valley offers a wonderful affordable lifestyle and is a popular tree change destination.</p>
<p>The new office will be led by principals David Tanchevski and Anthony Di Nardo, the second franchise under their leadership.</p>
<p>David said new infrastructure development is facilitating population growth in the region which he believes will be a very positive economic driver for the local area.</p>
<p>“I believe the lower Hunter Valley is experiencing an upwards trajectory in terms of growth therefore now is the ideal time to expand our focus here,” he said.</p>
<p>David said the area offers a lifestyle which is attractive to a wide demographic of buyers from Sydney-siders seeking a weekend escape to first home buyers and families.</p>
<p>Infrastructure development in the local area includes the $372 million upgrade of the Green Hills Shopping Centre at East Maitland and the revitalisation of the Maitland Central Levee.</p>
<p>According to CoreLogic, property values have shown steady growth in East Maitland, with the median house price increasing by seven percent over the past three years to $385,000.</p>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

McGrath opens it first office in the Hunter Valley region

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<p>To figure out how far the ‘lazy half-million’ can get you in the residential property market, valuation firm Herron Todd White liberally compares their readings from a year back in their July residential market report on housing for under $500,000.</p>
<p>“Last year we stated that you would get a lot more bang for your buck than the year before and 12 months later you can now get even more! If you are a glass half empty type, then the Mackay market has seen significant falls in value on the back of the mining downturn in the Bowen Basin. Values across the board are down 15% and fast approaching 20%," write HTW in their July 2016 residential market report.</p>
<p>“However, if you are a glass half full type, then the current market presents some of the best buying opportunities seen in Mackay in almost ten years. The big question is has the market hit bottom? Unfortunately that is a bit tricky to establish at present and only time will tell," it adds.</p>
<p>“Unfortunately, the verdict 12 months on is that we have not hit the bottom, with values falling further in the past 12 months. So the lazy half million will get you even more bang for your buck than seen in almost 12 years.” </p>
<p>For $500,000, one can get a large executive-style rendered dwelling around 10 years old or younger with shed and pool in the northern beaches, with some change still in the back pocket, say HTW.</p>
<p>“In the better quality estates in the north, you can now get good quality brand new dwellings from most of the builders in Mackay for under the $500,000 mark.” </p>
<p>In the traditional older suburbs south of Mackay, there have been very limited sales of older style Queenslanders over the $500,000 mark. It is considered that you can get a fully renovated large Queenslander for this price point now. </p>
<p>Again this statement from last year still holds true today. “The big question is has the market hit bottom? Unfortunately that is a bit tricky to establish at present and only time will tell.” </p>
<p>Property Observer found a three-bedroom apartment with ocean views at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-mackay-121417258">26/4 Nelson Street, Mackay, Qld 4740</a> (above) that recently exchanged hands for $420,000.</p>
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

More bang for your $500,000 property wish in Queensland’s Mackay in 12 years: HTW 

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<p><span>Canberra home values have increased by </span><span>0.7 percent </span><span>over the past three months and are </span><span>2.9 percent </span><span>higher over the past year according to CoreLogic. </span></p>
<p><span><span>CoreLogic' s Housing Market and Economic Update for August noted </span>Values have increased by just </span><span>10.5 percent </span><span>over the past five years. </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-10%20at%201.55.51%20PM.png" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/08/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-10%20at%201.55.51%20PM.png" alt=""></span></p>
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Canberra home values increase 0.7 percent over the past three months: CoreLogic

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<div id="post-body-7830260024232386691" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>Relax everyone. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I've been to China for a week, and I've got everything sussed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Alright, I'm only joshing, there are of those pieces doing the rounds already, and I don't have too many original insights today.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The trip did give me some food for thought, however, about the future of Australia's largest capital cities.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In my home country of England, the capital city London has never really embraced high-rise living.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But as the Asian Century progresses it seems likely that some Australian cities will increasingly do so. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Here are a five things that we might expect to see more of...</div>
<div> </div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1 - Higher construction costs</span></strong><br><div> </div>
<div>Construction costs - and particularly land remediation costs - have become more expensive in Australia over time.<br><br>I looked here previously at some of the reasons why.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Construction techniques and equipment are relatively cheap in China. And it shows (oops-a-daisy!)...</div>
<br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2 - Reclaimed land?</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Hong Kong, over the past two decades about 60 square kilometres of additional land has been created, particularly in prime waterfront sites on Victoria Harbour.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, legislation has been passed to protect the harbour from encroaching land into the precious and highly valued harbour space.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We could see some similar trends playing out in Australia.<br><br>Indeed, land reclamation and remediation on the Hungry Mile was an integral part of Lend Lease's flagship Barangaroo project.<br><br>Overall, though, land reclamation on a large scale would likely be opposed in Australia, I feel. </div>
<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 - Lagged delivery of infrastsructure</span></strong><br><br><div>One of the most noticeable things in China, particularly when you see the mainland, is that when something needs building...it gets built!</div>
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<div>China needs a bridge - a bridge gets built. China requires a highway or an airport - a highway or an airport gets constructed.</div>
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<div>Perhaps this is one of the benefits of living in a surplus country.</div>
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<div>By contrast the delivery of infrastructure in Australia always seems to lag, sometimes horribly so.<br><br>Left to its own devices, the market seems to focus on building residential dwellings, but not enough other infrastructure.</div>
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<div>And when stuff does eventually get built, people still carp and complain.<br><br>Look at the extremely successful Gold Coast Light Rail project, for example, which notched up a rip-snorting 14 million trips in the year to 30 June ahead of the forthcoming Olympic Games. And people are still whingeing about it!<br><br>Australia's 10 year bond yield recently hit its lowest level in history, so it's potentially a great time to borrow and build.<br><br>But we'll have to wait and see what Prime Minister Turnbull thinks about that, and whether the electorate has the appetite for debt.</div>
<div> </div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 - Extreme inner city land prices</span></strong><br><br><div>With a highly concentrated population, prime location development sites in Hong Kong can now be worth up to an extraordinary HK$5 million per square metre.</div>
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<div>Inner Sydney has seen some breathtaking prices paid by Chinese investors and developers in recent years for development sites, but nothing remotely on this scale.</div>
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<div>Sydney's population is only 5 million today, but that number if projected to double over the course of this century. So, one day...</div>
<br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 - Higher density living</span></strong></div>
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<div>We tend to think of Australia's capital cities as being 'dense', essentially because they aren't towns, and because employment tends to be centralised and the traffic is therefore often so bad.<br><br>But with the exception of  handful of suburbs, in global terms Australia's urban populations are in fact anything but dense, as soon as you move away from their central cores. </div>
<br><div><a href="/images/2016/08/15/sp-so-230413-graph7.gif" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/08/15/sp-so-230413-graph7.gif" alt=""></div>
<br><div>Even in the largest capital cities in Australia there are plenty of sites which can still be developed for residential dwellings. </div>
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<div>And if land supply is short, we can also build up as well as out.</div>
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<div>China has a number of large cities that provide example of how much denser city living can become over time. </div>
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<div>BTW the term MOAR, as written in the headline, is internet slang and a combination of the words more and roar.</div>
<br><p><span><em>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>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>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>.</em></p>
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Building MOAR high rise: Pete Wargent

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<p>Australia is a nation full of highly confused real estate consumers. They’re befuddled because there is so much conflicting data on matters relating to residential property, especially on prices.</p>
<p>The confusion arises because of the widespread acceptance of anything labeled “research” as fact. Media these days is driven by under-resourced journalists and there’s a growing tendency to recycle press releases as articles, without the scrutiny that once was common in the industry.</p>
<p>Back in the day, publishing a press release (which, by definition, is someone’s propaganda) verbatim was a sacking offence. These days it’s mainstream journalism, especially in real estate. Most of the online “news” services that send out daily bulletins consist almost entirely of contributed material. The journalistic content is close to zero. </p>
<p>Any press release from a name research company featuring price data will be published without question. If the press release says Sydney prices are still soaring, that will be the headline in multiple media outlets, including some of our biggest newspapers.</p>
<p>The problem is that price statistics are often very rubbery figures. One of the ways we know this is by comparing price data from multiple sources. The differences and contradictions are quite stark. </p>
<p>Recently I wrote a report which focused on the latest price data for the eight capital cities from four different research sources. The areas where they disagreed were far more numerous than the ones where they were broadly in concert.</p>
<p>Two sources claimed Sydney prices were still growing at an annual rate around 11 percent, while the other two said the annual growth rate was down to 1.2 percent and 2.6 percent.</p>
<p>One source said Darwin house prices were unchanged while another recorded an 8 percent decline. Two sources said Canberra apartment prices were rising and the other two reported they were falling. All four agreed that Darwin apartment prices were falling but the rate of decline ranged from 0.2 percent to almost 10 percent.</p>
<p>Annual price growth for Melbourne houses ranged from 7 percent to 15 percent. One said the capital city average was 2.7 percent annual growth in house prices while another claimed it was 8.2 percent.</p>
<p>There are myriad other examples.</p>
<p>We know that different research companies have different methodologies and parameters, but consumers are entitled to think that the movement of prices in a particular location is a mater of fact: when media reports one week that they’re rising and the next that they’re falling, confusion is understandable.</p>
<p>It seems no one in media has noticed the discrepancies.</p>
<p>And now we have the Reserve Bank revealing that it disregarded price data from one of its regular sources. Apparently a change in methodology resulted in the research entity overstating price growth in Sydney and Melbourne.</p>
<p>At the time those figures were published, I challenged them because I thought they were clearly wrong. They contradicted known trends in the market and also conflicted with data from other more credible sources. </p>
<p>But media outlets across the nation published those erroneous figures as fact. There were numerous headlines declaring the fading Sydney boom had been reactivated somehow, miraculously, in contradiction of all previous data.</p>
<p>Inevitably this was accompanied by observers shouting about bubbles, affordability crises and young Australians priced out of the market, doomed to a lifetime of renting.</p>
<p>Worse, one of the big-name global ratings agencies rushed out a warning about the re-inflation of the Australian house price bubble, based purely on a single month’s price figures from one research source. It says something about the credibility of the ratings organisation that the basis for them issuing international press statements was so flimsy.</p>
<p>The message for real estate consumers is to take real estate statistics with several grains of salt. It’s alarming how many people base investment decisions on published data from a single source, reported verbatim by an unquestioning media.</p>
<p>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></p>
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Property price statistics are often rubbery figures: Terry Ryder

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<p>The hockingstuart Richmond real estate agency has admitted it underquoted on property listings.</p>
<p>Hockingstuart Richmond was accused of 11 contraventions of Australian Consumer Law relating to deceptive conduct and misleading representations relating to land sale.</p>
<p>Tony Nolan QC, for the estate agency, told the Federal Court hockingstuart would be “admitting every fact” during the hearing yesterday. The sentence hearing gets underway next week.</p>
<p>The realAs website noted the agency has improved its price guidance as in June 2015 hockingstuart Richmond was inaccurately quoting properties by 22 percent on average, ie a $1,000,000 agent quoted house would typically sell for $1,228,000.</p>
<p>Now they are one of the most accurate quoters of property prices at 11 percent on average.</p>
<p>Hockingstuart issued a statement saying it took seriously its responsibility to accurately price properties.</p>
<p>“Our network of 50 offices successfully helps 20,000 Victorians buy and sell their homes each year so it is disappointing to see this outcome,” the statement said.</p>
<p>“As master franchisor, we are doing everything in our power to reduce the risk of this happening again.</p>
<p>"We have recently run a number of refresher courses in accurate pricing across the entire group and will continue to work with all offices to audit their sales files — ensuring this training has been embedded at all agent levels.”</p>
<p>The consumer watchdog’s half-year report noted 12 major underquoting investigations underway, but the CAV is yet to take legal action against any other agencies.</p>
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Hockingstuart Richmond admit to underquoting

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<p>He might have only bought it a year ago, but Australia's most awarded producer, choreographer and director David Atkins is already intent on shuffling on from his Manly family home.</p>
<p>He paid $5.4 million last July for the grand 1908 family residence that has been listed for August 20 auction. </p>
<p>Atkins and Elli married early last year at the Whale Beach hotspot, Jonah's in a wedding that featured passing light plane with a banner reading 'I love you 1000 kisses deep.'</p>
<p>The five bedroom home sits on the private 903 sqm parcel with landscaped gardens designed by Annie Wilkes including lawn lined with Manchurian pear trees. There's views of the harbour from the entertaining terrace and the numerous balconies.</p>
<p>The agents, RED property agents Richard Davies and Luke Newby know the property having marketed it when last sold. But they aren't confirming $6 million plus hopes.</p>
<p>Atkins created and performed in one of the first successful Australian musicals, Hot Shoe Shuffle, in 1993. The production later transferred to London's Queen's Theatre.</p>
<p>He has starred in, produced, directed, choreographed and created more than 20 musicals in Australia, Britain, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.</p>
<p>Atkins is best remembered for his work on the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.</p>
<p>His contribution to the Australian events industry earned him a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2003. </p>
<p>He also worked on the Ceremonies of the Doha 2006 Asian Games, the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, where the Opening Ceremony earned three Emmy Awards. </p>
<p>When Atkins struck out on his own as a producer, he risked his own money – at one stage mortgaging his house – and then had to ride out the shows' successes or failures, of which he's had both.</p>
<p>Atkins, who runs David Atkins Enterprises in Manly, had previously sold in Collaroy where he secured $2.65 million last December.</p>
<p>He was previously married to the ballet dancer Sheree da Costa, and they had two sons, Tobi, who is a musician, and Joey, an aspiring actor. David and Elli are also parents.</p>
<p><em>This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.</em></p>
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Director David Atkins intent on moving from Manly

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<p>The Chinese property developer Greenland tested the Sydney off the plan market with its weekend launch.</p>
<p>It secured the off the plan sale of around 100 apartments in its new Lachlan’s Line precinct, in Sydney’s north-west. </p>
<p>The mixed-use development, nbh at Lachlan’s Line will consist of 900 apartments across six towers at Macquarie Park which is set to become Sydney’s fourth CBD with a wave of new development currently underway.</p>
<p>The first stage weekend offering had one bedroom apartments priced from $580,000 to $750,000. </p>
<p>The one bedroom plus study apartments were priced from $650,000 to $880,000, with two bedroom, two bathroom apartments priced from $950,000 to $1.27 million.</p>
<p>There were four bedroom, three-storey townhouses priced at over $2.5 million in the complex designed by two architecture firms, Bates Smart and Turner, which will include a corporate space to be occupied by the City of Ryde Council. </p>
<p>Sherwood Luo, the managing director of Greenland Australia, said there had been a strong response from the market. There were a reported 180 apartments available to purchase in the first offering.</p>
<p>“Nbh at Lachlan’s Line will become a lifestyle-oriented community with a beautiful big park anchoring the development as well as a huge 6000 square metre activated retail precinct featuring restaurants, cafes and gourmet grocers which will become a new destination for Sydneysiders." </p>
<p>Mr Luo also credited the day’s sales tally to the "highly respected reputation which Greenland has built as a global developer." </p>
<p>“Greenland has developed several of the tallest residential towers and largest urban complexes in the world,” he said. </p>
<p>CBRE Residential Projects agent Tim Rees said the results "surpassed expectations." That's a reference to the recent insights on Sydney's residential off-the-plan property market from CBRE Residential who've acknowledge the days of 100 percent whole block sellouts are over.</p>
<p>These days Sydney had returned to a “new normal”, the CBRE Residential managing director, David Milton suggested, amid increased media headlines suggesting reduced demand and higher stock levels could spell trouble. </p>
<p>Although the cost of buying property in Australia has increased for foreign buyers and lending is more restricted, David Milton remains confident, and does not foresee a long-term impact on demand from these buyers.</p>
<p>“There are some short term settlement issues with FIRB buyers, but longer-term they will find a solution," he recently suggested.</p>
<p>Offshore funded sales will continue to account for a significant part of the market, he anticipates. </p>
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Greenland's Lachlan Line project, nbh launched

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<p><span>Choices abound for investors or owner occupiers looking to use their ‘lazy $500,000’ in property in Queensland’s Whitsundays.</span></p>
<p><span>Property valuation firm Herron Todd White analyse the choices in their July 2016 residential market report: </span></p>
<p><span>“You can purchase land and build your new home or you can purchase a modern dwelling that has four-bedrooms and two-bathrooms with a double garage.”</span></p>
<p><span>“You can even throw in a shed or a pool in the suburbs of Jubilee Pocket or Cannonvale.</span></p>
<p><span>“You can buy a renovator’s delight in Airlie with no views within walking distance of the heart of Airlie. </span></p>
<p><span>“If views are more your thing, you can purchase a 1990s high set with ocean and distant island views in Cannonvale and also Jubilee Pocket. </span></p>
<p><span>“You can move out to the country with the little rural residential areas just on the outskirts and get yourself a 1990 to 2000 dwelling on one to two hectares. </span></p>
<p><span>“How about purchasing yourself a modern unit with ocean and island views and use as a permanent or holiday rental?”</span></p>
<p><span>The middle level for the Whitsundays is $550,000, with entry level upgraders along with out of town investors. There is an 8% to 10% gross return on investments. </span></p>
<p><span>Investors again are spoilt for choice depending on their investment requirements: </span></p>
<p><span>• Dwellings with a view or land for capital growth </span></p>
<p><span>• A new dwelling which will benefit from full depreciation and tax benefits. </span></p>
<p><span>The Whitsundays has remained stable over the past year. </span></p>
<p><span>Propery Observer found a recent sale at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-jubilee+pocket-122360038"><span>13 Wahoo Court, Jubilee Pocket, Qld 4802</span></a>. This four-bedroom house sold for $420,000.</span></p>
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Whitsundays offers wide property choices for a lazy ‘half-a-million’: HTW

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<p>Property markets in Queensland’s Rockhampton and surrounding areas have softened over the past 12 months and possibly present some of the best opportunities in years, say valuation firm Herron Todd White in their July 2016 residential market report which takes a look at properties in the sub-$500,000 range.</p>
<p>“While not the best news for potential sellers, owner occupiers and investors will get more bang for their buck than ever. As always though, buyer beware!” say HTW.</p>
<p>An investor looking to park $500,000 in Rockhampton would be weighing up a modern (say five to 10 year old) four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the northern suburb of Norman Gardens which would fetch a rental between $450 and $500 per week against an older three- or four-bedroom Queenslander, gable style home on the Range on the southside. Both styles of home would appeal to owner-occupiers and investors alike and are desirable suburbs providing good amenity and proximity to schools and the CBD. Investors would be looking at a gross yield of 4.5 percent to 5 percent. </p>
<p>There are plenty of options in the early $300,000s up to $400,000 in the suburbs of Berserker and Kawana in north Rockhampton where you will find some well-presented three- and four-bedroom homes achieving yields of 4 percent to 5 percent. </p>
<p>“Doing your research is key in these areas. Vacancy rates have been on the increase over the past 12 months. While still 5.5 percent to 5.7 percent, this is a steady increase from the lows seen in the golden years of the mining and gas boom.” </p>
<p>Potential buyers should be wary of outer areas of Rockhampton such as Gracemere and Mount Morgan where supply has well and truly exceeded demand. Vacancy rates have been on the rise over the past 12 months and are now sitting at around 8.5 percent. The number of days on the market has also increased significantly. </p>
<p>The Palaszczuk government’s announcement to increase the First Home Owner’s Grant from $15,000 to $20,000 for newly constructed homes (valued less than $750,000) for the next 12 months is likely to result in some increase in construction activity in the area and will provide a lifeline for some of our struggling tradesmen. However, it also has the potential to detrimentally impact vacancy rates with increased stock in the long term. </p>
<p>Capital growth is unlikely in the short to medium term in the Rockhampton region. Despite record low interest rates there is still a lot of uncertainty in the camp particularly around job security. It appears there is little joy on the horizon to drive the market in any forward direction. We anticipate rents will remain at. There is likely to be a lot of fence sitting as punters wait for the dust to settle from the outcome of the federal election. </p>
<p>As an illustration of the property market under $500,000, Property Observer found a two-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-rockhampton+city-121324446" target="_blank">402/6 Victoria Parade, Rockhampton City</a> that sold recently for $443,500.</p>
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