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.

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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

Retail Market

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The city of Wagga Wagga in NSW was at the bottom of the retail market cycle in valuation firm Herron Todd White's May retail clock, a simple broad brush means of suggesting where property prices are, and which direction they're headed to.
Wagga Wagga is experiencing an oversupply of retail properties on the yardstick of rental vacancies, and rental rates are also showing a declining trend, the report shows. A flat local economy also doesn't seem to help the situation, as evident from HTW's retail market indicators.
There is also a significant value difference between quality properties that have national tenants, and comparable properties with local tenants, according to HTW. 
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NSW's Wagga Wagga hit by oversupply of retail space, at bottom of market: HTW 

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Australia offers a lot of untapped potential for global retailers, with a new survey highlighting that less than a third of major retail groups have a presence here and many wanting to set up shop Down Under.
Australia ranked 31st of the 61 countries surveyed on the penetration of global retailers in CBRE’s “How Global is the Business of Retail?”.
The rankings were topped by the UK, with 57.5 percent of international retailers present, followed by China (56.9 percent) and the United Arab Emirates (59.3 percent)
In contrast, just 28.7 percent of the retailers surveyed have a base Down Under.
CBRE national retail director Alistair Palmer said the results point to the opportunity for global brands in the Australian market.
“While global retailers have increasingly targeted Australia, the penetration rate is still very low,” Palmer said.
“What we have seen is a considerable shift over the past five years in the types of brands targeting this market and the level of interest in new opportunities. This is expected to translate to a considerable uptick in offshore leasing activity in the short to medium term.”
The retailers were selected based on a variety of sources including surveys or retailers’ turnover and brand presence, global and national retail directories and the views of the local CBRE professionals on the dominant retailers in their markets. From these sources, 334 leading international retailers were identified as representatives of the global retail community. For each of the retailers in the sample, research was undertaken to identify whether they had a presence in each of the 61 countries and 191 cities included in the study.
CBRE’s Australian head of retail tenant representation, Tim Starling, said the focus on Australia had most recently been highlighted by Decathlon, one of the world's largest sporting goods retailers.
Decathlon has an online presence in Australia with at least 30 stores to follow.
TJX, more commonly known as TJ Maxx in the US, has also established a beachhead in Australia after acquiring the 35-store Trade Secret chain.
“TJX is a Fortune 500 company that is recognised as one of the world’s leading retailers,” Starling said.
“They have ambitions for 200 stores in Australia, encompassing several brands, with CBRE assisting in their Trade Secret roll out.”
Palmer said the success of the St Collins Lane redevelopment in Melbourne had been another litmus test of international retailer interest in Australia, with the project attracting international brands such as Sandro, Maje, Reiss Kooples, Zadig and Voltaire.
CBRE says it was involved with the first deals here for Zara, Uniqlo, Microsoft and Tesla.
The How Global report says that 19 percent of retailers surveyed intend to expand into Australia – a high proportion, given that Australia accounts for just 2 percent of the world economy.
High consumption per capita, rising tourism levels and the lower AUD are all driving demand, which is in turn pushing up retail rents given a lack of available space in the major CBD markets, it said.
Fashion retailers (encompassing luxury, mid-range and specialist clothing brands) dominate the list of retailer intent of expanding into Australia, with a high percentage of these seeking 101-250sqm of space.
London has retained its number one spot in the city rankings, with 57.9 percent of international retailers having a presence there. Dubai was hot on the heels with 57 percent, closely followed by Shanghai (54.4 percent) and New York (46.6 percent). 
Singapore and Moscow were joint fifth with 46 percent of retailers present.
Sydney was the top Australian market at 65th place, followed by Melbourne at 78th.
Hong Kong was the top market for new entrants, attracting 73 new brands, up from 58 in 2014. Singapore was a close second attracting 63 new brands, while last year’s top market, Tokyo, slid to third place after a slowdown in domestic demand.
Globally, Coffee &amp; Restaurant brands (F&amp;B) accounted for 20 percent of new entrants overall, followed by Luxury &amp; Business Fashion (19 percent), Mid-Range Fashion (18 percent) and Specialist Clothing (17 percent) retailers.
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Global retailers set sights on Down Under: CBRE survey

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Retail group SPAR Australia will open its second store in South Sydney in the inner city suburb of Waterloo as it looks to expand its footprint in the area.
SPAR is looking to capitalise on the growing South Sydney Market, with a 302 sqm grocery store in Divercity Village at 850 Bourke Street. Its first store South Sydney store is in Redfern.
According to Colliers International's Joshua Bush, who leased the space to SPAR, there are over 20,000 people living in Waterloo, with population growth showing no signs of slowing down.
Divercity Village has an array of shops and food places, including Misura Interiors, LJ Hooker, Bumble Bee Drycleaners Pet Wonderland, La Coeur Day Spa and Zoo Family, and a Malaysian restaurant. 
“Divercity Village was created to service the direct needs of the locals and provide amenity to the currently under supplied greater Waterloo precinct. The medium age group is 32, typically university educated with a predominance of double income couples looking for convenience," he said.
There are also more than 1,000 apartments in the delivery pipeline in the immediate Divercity precinct.
Bush said SPAR's Waterloo store would offer local customers a one-stop shop. 
The store boasts an upmarket European fit out, for which the brand is famous across the world.
Nearly 11 million shoppers pass through the doors of SPAR stores in the world each day. SPAR Australia had more than 140 stores in 2015, up from 25 in 2006. 
Bush did not disclose details of the lease, but rents are seen to be growing in the area, with many new retailers paying more than $850 per square metre.
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SPAR Australia moves into Sydney’s Waterloo

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Two recent retail properties went under the hammer recently with strong results, with both selling above the reserve price to local investors.
A property at <a href="https://www.gunningre.com.au/retail/NSW/St-George/Kingsgrove/Retail/1P3963" target="_blank">264 Kingsgrove Road, Kingsgrove</a>, (above) which is leased by House Essentials, sold for $3,541,000, while <a href="https://www.gunningre.com.au/1P3962" target="_blank">437-441 King Georges Road, Beverly Hills</a> leased by Eat GRK sold for $3,705,000. 
Gunning Real Estate principal Malcolm Gunning, who was the selling agent, said there were nearly 200 enquiries with 90 contracts issued.
“The properties were both in a well established residential prescient and priced between $2 million and $3 million," he said.
“We are seeing an increase in interest from the more traditional suburban commercial investors, because the banks have loosened up the lending on retail, industrial and commercial property and the very low interest for cash terms deposits.
“A 3-4 percent net yield is much better than the 2 percent you will get from the bank. A retail investment of $2 million to $3 million for a property within 20 km of Sydney is not a lot of money for these types of investors who are looking for a standalone property."  
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Spectacular results for Gunning auctions

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A mixed-use property with retail and medical space in the Sunshine Coast has come to the market.
Pulse Oceanside, developed by Evans Long, offers ground floor retail and first floor medical suites in a location opposite the proposed entrance of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. The combined space is 1,376 sqm.
CBRE’s Michael Hedger, Joe Tynan, Millan Narsey, Sam Grasso and Ryan Parry will be negotiating the sales of the properties, which will be offered individually to suit passive investors and self-managed super funds looking for security and strong growth.
The suites will be offered to the market via an expressions of interest campaign ending this month, with the sales expected to have a combined value of $15 million.
Tynan said the immediate precinct is undergoing a major health care infrastructure development, valued at more than $5 billion, which will create 12,000 new jobs and drive further growth in the area – underpinning the retail market.
“Significant buyer interest is expected from both national and international groups, particularly as buyers are more actively targeting the Queensland market to benefit from more attractive yields than those offered in Sydney and Melbourne,” added Hedger.
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Retail and medical spaces for sale in Sunshine Coast

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Retail vacancy in Melbourne's CBD Core and Swanston Walk retail precinct was 2.6 percent in March 2016, lower than the 3.8 percent recorded a year ago according to Savills. 
The latest Melbourne retail market update from Savills found vacant space is tight in the arcades and laneways with only three of the 181 shops currently available for lease. It said street front shops had the highest vacancy rate with seven of the 247 shops vacant, followed by Shopping Centres with 19 of the 704 shops available for lease.
"Vacancy in the Street Front and Shopping Centres was largely driven by shops in secondary locations," the report noted.
"Prime retail locations are taken-up as soon as they become available. For example, Sketchers will be launching their flagship store at 106 Elizabeth Street, a backfill space vacated by Cotton On."
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March retail vacancy in Melbourne's CBD, Swanston Walk at 2.6 percent

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The majority of shopping centre managers polled for a recent survey expect turnover growth for the year ahead, with traditional bricks and mortar retail outlets, online sales and the economy as possible hinderances to future growth.
Some 55 percent of respondents to JLL’s Retail Centre Managers' Survey for February expect turnover growth in the year ahead, up from 51 percent in the previous survey six months ago, concerns remained from shopping centre managers about the economy.
JLL’s Australia head of property &amp; asset management Richard Fennell said the big change since the August 2015 Survey was the impact of fuel prices.  
"Fuel prices are at or near seven year lows, meaning the average motorist is spending significantly less on fuel and this could translate to more disposable income for other items such as retail goods and services," he said.
“However the volatility in the share market and low commodity prices are still cause for concern.
“Centre Managers continue to show concern with the economic outlook, with a net balance of -20 highlighting this as a factor that could impact turnover in 2016.  Although this has somewhat diminished since the last survey in August last year where the net balance was -33.
“The most positive factors for turnover outlook highlighted by Centre Mangers in the February survey continue to be issues that are specific to particular centres, such as changes to tenancy profile, growth expectations within the trade area and planned refurbishment activity,” said Mr Fennell.
<a href="/images/2016/03/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-29%20at%202.37.32%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a> <img src="/images/2016/03/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-03-29%20at%202.37.32%20PM.png" alt=""> 
JLL Strategic Consulting director, David Snoswell said mproved speciality rental growth in both neighbourhood and sub-regional centres was a highlight in the second half of 2015 across the JLL-managed portfolio of retail centres nationally, with rents in neighbourhood shopping centres increasing by 4.2 percent in 2015 while Sub-Regional centre rents grew by 3.1 percent.
“Vacancies in Neighbourhood centre improved marginally from 3.9 percent in June 2015 to 3.7 percent in December 2015.  This continues the long-term improvement in neighbourhood centre vacancies. The vacancy rate has trended down over the last 2.5 years from 5.8 percent in June 2013.
“Tenant enquiry remains positive, but only just. The last four JLL surveys have reported positive tenant enquiry levels, although respondents have become less positive over the last 12 months. By far the most common response in the February survey was ‘no change’ to the level of tenant enquiry, with 63 percent of respondents not seeing a definitive change either way in tenant interest."
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Shopping centre managers expect turnover growth for the year ahead

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A recent commercial auction by Raine &amp; Horne in Sydney's Dee Why drew strong interest, with properties selling above the reserve price.
A former Mitre 10 showroom in North Manly sold above the reserve for $3.93 million at the in-rooms auction.
The freestanding warehouse at 390-392 Pittwater Road, North Manly was sold under the hammer to a local business owner. 
The warehouse and showroom have an area of 722 square metres, as well as an additional mezzanine of 307 sqm.
Its exposure to busy Pittwater Road was a big attraction to the owner-occupiers and investors who lined up to bid for it at the auction.
A fully-tenanted, 840 square metre GLA freehold retail building at 20 Howard Avenue in Dee Why was the top draw, (above) selling for $8 million, well above the vendor’s reserve.
“This is a stunning result that illustrates the enthusiasm for doing business in Dee Why,” said selling agent Vincent West of Raine &amp; Horne Commercial Northern Beaches.
The property was snapped up by a private investor, who noted the income potential from the five long-term tenants, added West. 
The Dee Why commercial precinct is undergoing a facelift, with more momentum coming from the introduction of the Town Centre Master Plan.
“This landmark building is within a growing retail and commercial precinct, which will continue to benefit from the Dee Why’s transformation, and its close proximity to high profile residential developments, beautiful beaches and public transport,” said West.
A boutique warehouse at 2/11 Green Street, Brookvale, was also auctioned off for $651,000 to Nine Yards Coffee, an operation involved in coffee roasting.
The 158 square metre warehouse includes 65 sqm of office space, 30 sqm mezzanine, and two car spaces.
"It fronts busy Green Street just up from Warringah Mall,” said West.
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Under the hammer and over reserve – commercial auction underpins confidence in Sydney's Northern Beaches

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Brisbane is approaching the peak of the retail market cycle, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's recent property clock.
The clock is a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are as at February 2016 - and what direction prices are moving in, with an accompanying analysis.
Neighbourhood and convenience grade shopping centres were the flavour in Brisbane in calendar year 2015, with a large volume of transactions.
The high levels of demand and active market was seen across all market sectors, and has seen investment yields compress by up to 100 basis points over the course of the year, a significant shift in such a short time period, says the HTW report.
Among the neighbourhood centres, there were a number of transactions involving newly developed supermarket-based centres in growth areas.
Convenience centres are also in strong demand and many such properties in the inner ring suburbs are also now benefiting from expectations that they may offer future redevelopment potential.
Prime grade freestanding retail assets were realising yields in the range of 5% to 6%, whilst non-institutional grade retail properties attracted slightly softer yields of between 6% and 7%. Convenience centres were showing yields of between 6.5% and 8.0%.
Recent evidence indicates that yields are probably nearing the bottom at these ranges, however, there is no indication as yet of any likely upward movement. Certainly, retail assets are generally being tightly held due to the lack of yield in alternate investment classes, says the HTW report.
Second tier assets saw compression of yields, though these remain some 100 to 200 basis points higher than premium grade assets.
Rental growth remains patchy with very little growth evident in current markets. There has however been a gradual decline in vacancies in the higher quality centres. Future rental growth, however, is still likely to only keep pace with inflation at best.
Large format retail properties have been coming back into popularity with a significant compression of yields since the difficult post-GFC days. Vacancies are generally declining, however rent growth remains largely stagnant, it concludes.
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Neighbourhood and convenience shopping centre deals flourished in Brisbane in 2015: HTW

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The valuation firm Herron Todd White has issued its latest property clock for retail - a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are - and what direction prices are moving in.
NSW Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Horsham and NSW Mid North Coast join Tamworth at the peak of the retail cycle as at February 2016.
<a href="/images/2016/02/08/700_HTW_retail.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge</a>
For more information, <a href="https://www.htw.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
 
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