Just a few months after acquiring a prime Broadbeach site on the corner of First Avenue and Surf Parade, family-run developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/raptis">Raptis</a> has filed fresh plans for a new apartment development.

Raptis is seeking to deliver a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-19-first-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4217">29-storey tower with 73 apartments</a> on the 818 sqm site. It will be the developer's seventh project in the suburb, as they are approaching completion of The Sterling on George Avenue.

There will be a pool, barbecue and outdoor dining area, residents lounge and dining, sauna and steam room, gym, and a Yoga and Pilates studio.

<img alt="Raptis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b554da3f-7344-49aa-b1c9-44cf459af0d7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%2010.41.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=zzjWu1iO1wnuYv4EV4fyOyf5nSXjGYut" />

Raptis Joint Managing Director, Evan Raptis, says they remain&nbsp;committed to developing quality infill sites across the Gold Coast in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

"This project continues our long track record of delivery in Broadbeach, and we look forward to bringing another premium development to this thriving precinct."

The announcement follows strong delivery momentum for Raptis, with The Sterling Broadbeach nearing completion and construction well underway on the final stage of the Waterpoint community adjacent to Harbour Town. The developer's continued investment in the Gold Coast reflects confidence in the region's apartment market fundamentals, underpinned by sustained Southeast Queensland population growth.&nbsp;

The outlook for the region is further bolstered by infrastructure investment tied to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, which is expected to drive continued economic and population growth across the SEQ corridor.&nbsp;

Subject to a favourable response from Gold Coast City Council, construction on the new First Avenue tower is targeted to commence before the end of 2026.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/it-s-all-in-the-family-four-decades-later-raptis-continues-to-shape-the-gold-coast-skyline">It’s all in the family: Four decades later, Raptis continues to shape the Gold Coast skyline</a>

Read more: <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/raptis-secures-prime-surf-parade-site-for-next-broadbeach-apartment-development">Raptis secures prime Surf Parade site for next Broadbeach apartment development</a> 
&nbsp;

Gold Coast developer brings seventh Broadbeach project to market, targeting construction commencement before year end

Joel Robinson

First look: Raptis lodges plans for new 29-storey Broadbeach tower 

Brisbane development veteran Kevin Seymour's Seymour Group is set to deepen its presence on one of Brisbane's most tightly held riverfront addresses, lodging revised plans for a luxury apartment development on Oxlade, just a few doors down from The Oxlade, which it completed in 2024.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/70-72-oxlade-drive-new-farm-qld-4005">new project at 70-72 Oxlade Drive</a>, directly north of The Oxlade, will have 27 apartments across a seven-storey building&nbsp;overlooking the Brisbane River and Merthyr Park. It's a revision from a 2021-approved design.

Designed by bureau^proberts, the project has evolved from the previously approved 26-apartment scheme, introducing an additional penthouse level while maintaining a low-density, boutique character. The development will comprise 26 three-bedroom apartments and a single four-bedroom penthouse, supported by two basement levels with 86 car spaces and 34 bicycle spaces.

The architectural response is centred around two distinct building forms separated by a landscaped open-air atrium.&nbsp;"This dual composition captures and embraces Brisbane’s subtropical environment whilst breaking down built form and scale," the submission to the Brisbane City Council noted.

<img alt="First look: Seymour Group returns to Oxlade Drive with revised riverfront apartment plans in New Farm" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c12d84d0-bc11-4067-b46f-5bd2d786a34d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/new%20farm%20landscape.png?VersionId=YEPc2k5CAdh6aAPlu4uVpgZadh4MEfRd" />

A defining feature of the design is a deep landscaped void running through the centre of the building, creating what bureau^proberts describes as a "natural ravine" that enhances airflow, daylight penetration and resident amenity. The design report notes that the separation of the two building volumes is intended to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and outlook while strengthening connections to the surrounding riverfront setting.

Curved balcony edges, integrated planting and extensive landscaping throughout the façade reinforce the subtropical design approach. The building's façade is softened by elevated gardens and planter beds, creating a green edge that complements the established landscape character of Oxlade Drive and neighbouring Merthyr Park.

New Farm has become one of Brisbane's most sought-after suburbs for developers delivering premium downsizer-focused apartments.

GRAYA has been particularly active in the precinct, completing both Chalk and York in recent years, while construction of Moray House, being delivered for Spyre, is now nearing completion. Architect-turned-developer Joe Adsett recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/arcilla-new-farm-by-joe-adsett-28-maxwell-street-new-farm-qld-4005">Arcilla on Maxwell Street</a>, an exclusive collection of just nine apartments.

First look: Seymour Group returns to New Farm's Oxlade Drive with riverfront apartment plans

A new residential tower will be the first piece of a broader mixed-use precinct set to reshape a prominent Newcastle West site, with local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> bringing its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cambridge-quarter-newcastle-west-12-denison-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Cambridge Quarter</a> vision to market.

The first release, Tempo, will introduce 87 apartments across a 24-storey tower, marking Stage 1 of the residential component of a larger urban regeneration project planned for the western end of Newcastle's city centre, encompassing the former Cambridge Hotel site.

Positioned on Denison Street, Tempo has been designed as the inaugural building within Cambridge Quarter, a precinct that will ultimately combine apartments, retail activation and revitalised public spaces including the revamping of the Cambridge Hotel.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368853]

The tower will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including layouts with multipurpose rooms, catering to a broad cross-section of owner-occupiers. Apartment sizes range from around 60 sqm to 192 sqm, with a number of residences oriented to capture views across Newcastle Harbour, the city skyline and coastline.

GWH has emphasised liveability in the design, with open-plan layouts extending to generous balconies and terraces. Residents will have a choice of two interior palettes, while specifications include engineered stone benchtops, SMEG appliances, full-height bathroom tiling and secure building access. Premium upgrade packages will also be available.

Multiple rooftop resident retreats will provide communal outdoor space overlooking the harbour and city, offering an elevated amenity layer above the activity of the precinct below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368851]

The broader Cambridge Quarter vision extends beyond the residential tower itself. Ground-level retail activation and landscaped public areas are planned throughout the precinct, creating a walkable neighbourhood environment connected to the surrounding renewal of Newcastle West. The Cambridge Hotel is also earmarked for future redevelopment into a family-friendly hospitality venue integrated with the new precinct.

The project is strategically positioned within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange, providing access to light rail, regional rail services and direct connections to Sydney. Residents will also be close to Honeysuckle, Newcastle Harbour and the city's beaches and coastal walkways.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135876 project_image_fid=368852]

For GWH, Cambridge Quarter represents one of its most significant Newcastle developments to date. The locally based developer, which has operated in the Hunter region since 1995, describes the project as a new chapter in the ongoing transformation of Newcastle West.

GWH Executive Director Jonathan Craig said the project had been shaped by a focus on creating lasting community connections.

"We take pride in creating places that last. Spaces where people feel connected, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging," Craig said.

"Cambridge Quarter is something we are truly proud of, a place shaped by local knowledge, built with care and designed to be part of Newcastle's next chapter."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135876]

GWH unveils first release at landmark Cambridge Quarter precinct in Newcastle West

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Projects</a>,&nbsp;Rainbow Bay's busiest developer,&nbsp;has officially lodged plans for the largest development in its booming local portfolio, seeking approval for a further 88 apartments on Boundary Street.

The proposal&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">209–213 Boundary Street, Coolangatta</a>,&nbsp;marks the next chapter in the developer's transformation of the southern Gold Coast beachside precinct. It will be its fifth in the area, having already delivered Flow, Awaken and Esprit, while construction continues on the 38-apartment Radia. The new project would rise 57 metres above a consolidated 1,518 sqm site, on the same street as Radia and Esprit.

&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, the proposed development comprises 88 two and three-bedroom apartments across a contemporary podium-and-tower form that integrates extensive landscaping from street level through to the rooftop.

The tower would be delivered above a basement and multi-level podium accommodating resident and visitor parking, with the residential component commencing from level three. The design incorporates cascading planting throughout the façade, landscaped podium edges, and deep planting zones along the Boundary Street frontage.

<img alt="First look: S&amp;S Projects lodges plans for 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="677e6615-b5c0-4b6c-b4f9-efb14fcde1a6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ss%20da%20pers.png?VersionId=YOnPKQm7IFXv0M5H326djEpxk80500Hi" />

A key feature of the development is its expansive rooftop wellness and recreation precinct. Plans reveal a resort-style pool deck, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, rooftop terraces, barbecue areas and landscaped relaxation spaces positioned to capture views across the southern Gold Coast coastline.

The rooftop wellness focus builds on the vision S&amp;S Projects first outlined when it acquired the site for $20.25 million last year.

"We are taking every advantage to create a truly unique rooftop wellness experience with a natural feel for residents, offering stone features throughout and an underlying theme that emulates a botanical garden," S&amp;S Projects founder and director Paul Gedoun said at the time.

The proposal seeks a 57-metre building height, representing a 50 per cent uplift on the site's mapped 38-metre height limit. Planning documents argue the additional height is consistent with recently approved and emerging towers in the immediate Boundary Street and Rainbow Bay precinct.

Urbis, acting as planning consultant, said the development would provide "88 dwellings, comprising a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, contributing to housing choice and supply within an established medium to high-rise coastal urban neighbourhood."

The scheme has undergone extensive pre-lodgement consultation with the City of Gold Coast, with the design refined following feedback relating to architectural expression, landscaping, traffic access and podium treatment.

<img alt="S&amp;S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a2d70fd-62ac-4b83-97c6-b798fc1243dd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-05%20at%209.16.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=yHmghUwKM3IVGpBktQU1mE.0Lpf3WimG" />

The architectural team is led by Brisbane-based Cottee Parker, one of Australia's most active residential design studios, with landscape architecture by Dunn + Moran. The consultant team also includes ADG Engineers, Windtech and Acoustic Works.

S&amp;S Projects has become one of the most influential private developers operating on the southern Gold Coast. Since entering Rainbow Bay in 2022, the company has assembled a portfolio exceeding $1 billion in end value, establishing itself as a key player in the area's evolution into a premium apartment destination. Pezet Matheson will again handle the sales for S&amp;S.

Coolangatta is entering another wave of apartment development, following the delivery of several prominent residential projects in recent years.

John Kearney's Immerse Projects will launch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kaiya-kirra-beach-5-haig-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Kaiya on Haig Street</a>&nbsp;soon, meanwhile, Palm Beach-based Sherpa Property Group is preparing to bring its debut Coolangatta development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-viver-87-griffith-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Flourish Viveré</a>, to market later this year, subject to approvals.

First look: S&S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street

A landmark former orphanage site in Surrey Hills could be transformed into a new residential community under plans lodged by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/antipodean-land-developments">Antipodean Land Developments</a> that would deliver 76 apartments and townhouses while restoring some of the suburb's most significant heritage buildings.

The burgeoninng Melbourne-based developer has submitted plans for the 9,158 sqm site at 1 Kent Road and 24 Durham Road, home to the former St Joseph's Home for Destitute Children, a historic institutional complex dating back to the late 19th century. The proposal seeks to adaptively reuse several heritage buildings while introducing two new four-storey residential buildings set within extensive landscaped grounds.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> and Kerstin Thompson Architects, the project has been conceived as a contemporary residential village embedded within a restored heritage precinct. The development team describes the design approach as "The Village in the Garden," with new buildings positioned among mature landscaping by OCULUS and significant heritage structures.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44ec8c1b-c0b6-44ae-859e-5811b3e6a023" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29.png?VersionId=p.p1_KFh4iQoV4nisdnPfQBAsWNi7m79" />

The proposal would deliver 76 dwellings comprising a mix of apartments and duplex-style residences, significantly increasing housing supply on one of the largest privately held residential landholdings in Surrey Hills. The development includes 127 car spaces, 24 bicycle spaces and more than 1,000 sqm of communal amenity, with the existing chapel building earmarked for conversion into resident facilities.

According to the planning submission, the project centres on the restoration and adaptive reuse of the site's most significant heritage assets, including the original c.1889 St Joseph's building, the chapel designed by architect Augustus Andrew Fritsch, and the historic brick perimeter walls and entry gates. The proposal also incorporates the retention of other contributory buildings including the former infirmary and school building.

Tract Consultants, in the planning report accompanying the application, said the scheme had been shaped through extensive heritage analysis and design development.

"The shared vision for the Site by the project team has culminated in a scheme which successfully breathes life back into a historic site while delivering upon the objectives of Victoria's Housing Statement in a carefully curated and contextually responsive manner."

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7263b7d8-95ea-400f-9531-6ca7d22c3c33" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29.png?VersionId=4cR1tiWOsDpgxEOwZi5vVFcyvvOsYkIE" />

The proposal is being assessed under Victoria's Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway. As part of the application, three per cent of the project's residential development cost would be contributed to the Social Housing Growth Fund. The development would also provide a diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom residences targeting a broader range of buyers than typically found in Surrey Hills' detached housing market.

Sustainability initiatives include an anticipated 66 per cent BESS score, natural cross-ventilation to 80 per cent of apartments, 28 per cent deep soil landscaping and a canopy cover outcome exceeding local planning requirements. The proposal also sets aside more than 1,083 sqm for communal indoor and outdoor resident amenity spaces.

<img alt="First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33fad46f-fe26-4d0a-acfd-6b776e1c6a3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Untitled%20design.png?VersionId=D9F6WVSyYCtGvSUmith35LRp6R7PQkw_" />

Planning documents describe the property as one of the largest underutilised residential sites in Surrey Hills, arguing it presents a rare opportunity to introduce "missing middle" housing in an established inner-eastern suburb while preserving and revitalising a significant heritage precinct.

Antipodean Land Developments has built a reputation for design-focused residential projects across Melbourne, particularly in the medium-density sector. Previous developments include Neighbourhood in Brunswick East, delivered with Breathe Architecture, and Balfe Park Lane, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects.

They've been very active in site acquisition as they build out their future development pipeline. They recently launched Thornubury House, 45 apartments above a mix of commercial, retail, and food and beverage tenancies, and have plans for a boutique project in Fitzroy and another <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/antipodean-plan-apartments-for-deepdenes-missing-middle-on-whitehorse-road">"missing middle" project</a> on Deepdene's Whitehorse Road.

First look: Antipodean Land Developments plans heritage-led apartment community in Surrey Hills

Retail Tenants

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The level of tenant enquiry for neighbourhood shopping centres in the six months to June 2017 has fallen compared to the previous six month period, according to a recent JLL survey. 
The JLL Survey of Centre Managers interviewed landlords of shopping centres managed by JLL.
Tenant enquiry remained below the neutral 0.0% mark for the third straight survey, with a net balance of -5.9% compared with -6.4% in December 2016 and -7.8% in June 2016,  highlighting the challenges faced by leasing executives and centre managers in attracting new tenants in the current economic climate.
Figure 4 highlights the “net balance” in enquiry levels between December 2011 and June 2017. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig1.png" alt="">
The results were similar to the previous two surveys, JLL said. As with previous surveys, the overwhelming response was that centre managers expected enquiry levels to remain the same. A strong turn around in retail fortunes is not anticipated in the short-term.
Enquiries were dominated by “mum and dad” retailers, which reflects both the high number of neighbourhood centres within the Centre Managers’ Survey and the cautious approach being taken by national chains to expansion. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig2.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig2.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig3.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/09/Oct11CommPropChartFig3.png" alt="">
Enquiry tends to be predominantly from food-based retailers (both food catering and specialty food retailers) and casual mall retailers (see next section). 
There was some improvement in enquiry from food catering (takeaway food &amp; beverage) as well as kiosks. Kiosks provide prospective retailers with a lower level commitment in terms of total space leased and overall rent. Enquiry from the discount variety sector was relatively weak, with over 50% of respondents indicating enquiry was weak or very weak.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Tenant enquiry at neighbourhood centres fell in six months to June: JLL

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Leading retailer Solomon Lew has said landlords were offering cheaper rents to his rival international brands, while charging local brands unreasonable rents, as the company decided to exit from Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall because of what it said were high rents.
Retail groups say the decision highlights the pressing need for more retailers to speak out about the unreasonable request of retail landlords.
A few months back, fast-food chain SumoSalad too accused landlord Westfield of high rents and put two of its 20 companies into voluntary administration.
Earlier in the week, Lew and Premier Investments’ chief executive Mark McInnes spoke out about the tough rental conditions for local incumbents in shopping strips like the mall during its results presentation.
McInnes said the decision to close the Portmans and Just Jeans flagships in the Melbourne shopping strip came down to “unrealistic rent”, the SmartCompany quoted him as saying.
McInnes said the company would be closing the two flagship retail sites next month because retail landlords have not come to the table to discuss better deals. This is despite the fact it would cost landlords more in the long run to replace them as tenants in the spaces that they have leased for decades.
The lifestyle and fashion retailer, which operates Portmans, Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Smiggle, clocked sales of $1.09 billion with net profit after tax of $105 million.
The company pointed to the incentives offered by landlords to international retailers to take up space in strips like the mall, suggesting that Premier Investments could exit more retail sites if things aren’t adjusted.
“Today, we announced that unless landlords cut us the same rental, and incentive deals they’re offering international competitors in the young fashion market, we may need to close many more Dotti stores. The cost to landlords of replacing us is far higher than if they solve for us,” McInnes said.
Separately, Lew and McInnes also spoke against unreasonable landlords on Ross Greenwood's show on 2GB.
“If they’re raising the rent to a level where it’s no longer viable, we are going to move on,” said Lew.
When Greenwood said if this meant that if "the landlords can’t come to the party with some sort of a deal… if there’s no deal, they’re gone,” Lew referred to landlords' unfair rental practices.
"You’d be offended if your competitors were offered rents that were two-thirds lower than your rent and you would be offended if they received a capital contribution for refurbishment and for building a new store,” he said.
“And that’s exactly what’s going on in the industry and so we’re taking a stance and unless it’s in the interests of our shareholders and the brand, we’re going to move on.”
But he said that it didn’t mean that the retailing giant will not open stores at other places.
McInnes echoed Lew on the show, saying the decision to close the Bourke St stores means that the company isn’t going to stand for that (landlords wooing international brands with lower rents).
“We’re walking away from $5 million of sales, but ultimately they’d be unprofitable sales because the landlord would not charge us a realistic rent,” he said.
McInnes pointed to the strength of the company's brands and said that some landlords did understand that “with a portfolio of 1,100 stores, we are one of the largest rent payers, if not the largest rent payer in Australia and they don’t want mass vacancies in their centres”.
He said some landlords were not being honest with their rents and turnover and Lew and Premier Investments was targeting these landlords.
McInnes went further, saying the company did not want to close stores but were forced to because landlords were unrealistic about rents.
“I guarantee that that landlord in Bourke Street, it will cost them millions of dollars in capital incentives to remake those stores and they will get far less rent than what we were paying.”
Meanwhile, he added that online sales had picked up in the past few months and “the customer is choosing that channel as a place to shop... and landlords have to accept that this is a change in their sales structure based on what customers want.”
Lew said that several retail businesses were running behind on their rents and landlords were not raising the rents for these.
On Myer’s performance, the former deputy chairman of Coles Myer said that in spite of the public float and two rounds of capital raising since 2015, the company’s value had eroded by almost $2 billion and it was now worth $600 million, so clearly its strategy was not working.
In terms of the business itself, he said Myer's moving to a concession model mean margins were down and it was also having problems with their own purchases.
"They look very poor… they look like opportunity shops and not like a Myer department store," said Lew. 
 
 
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Unreasonable landlords offering global retailers better deal, says Solomon Lew

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<div>
SumoSalad’s boss has put two of the 20 companies in his group into voluntary administration, escalating the tension between the fast food chain and Westfield about leasing charges.
After attempts over six months to negotiate cuts in leasing charges, SumoSalad CEO and co-founder Luke Baylis put two companies, Sumo Westfield Leasing Pty Ltd and Sumo Leasing Pty Ltd, into voluntary administration to force several Westfield centres to the negotiating table, according to Chanticleer in The Australian Financial Review.
These companies hold the leases over about 12 SumoSalad outlets in Westfield shopping centres managed by the Scentre Group. SumoSalad has a total of 104 stores and Baylis says the dispute will not affect their trading, Chanticleer reported.
The dispute started after the shopping centres decided to dramatically expand the number of food outlets within shopping centres, according to Baylis.
Over the past three years foot traffic in shopping centres has only risen about six per cent but the number of food outlets has tripled or quadrupled, hitting SumoSalad’s profitability, Baylis added.
"Sumo has been working with landlords over the past few months to negotiate more realistic food court leases for our stores, with no success," Baylis said in a statement. 
"Regrettably, landlords have opened the door to more and more food businesses in recent times, as well as opening whole new eating areas within the same precinct, which has essentially cannibalised existing tenants.
"One shopping centre went from 34 food outlets to 93 in a three-year period with flat foot traffic growth.”
Putting stores into voluntary administration will allow SumoSalad's franchisees to exit without paying out the remainder of the lease, if Scentre does not cut the rent.
</div>
<div>He said talks with landlords have failed, with landlords demanding that Sumo and its franchisees collectively pay millions of dollars to surrender the existing shopping centre leases.</div>
<div>
"This is an untenable and unfair demand on small business owners, which would send our franchisees in those shopping centres broke,” he said.
"Placing the leasing entities into voluntary administration is the only way to protect our franchisees, and we are confident this will help us restructure our leasing entities in a manner that will create more favourable conditions for our franchisees."
One of the leases affected by the decision is in the Westfield at Chatswood. 
A spokeswoman for Scentre Group said the “Scentre Group works closely with its retail partners in an effort to resolve trading issues.”
Baylis said the addition of eating outlets over the past couple of years had hit SumoSalad outlet in the centre. He says the lease payments should be cut by 30 per cent.
Earlier this year, Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen said his company was closely monitoring the rash of new voluntary administrations among retailers. 
Scentre has avoided exposure to specialty fashion chains because of poor consumer demand.
Another shopping centre owner to face problems because of companies going into voluntary administration is GPT.
The collapse of the Top Shop specialty fashion chain has impacted all the leading shopping centre owners.
Baylis said the SumoSalad is opening franchise outlets in hospitals, airports, service stations and universities.
The company has recently entered a partnership with Caltex called Foodiary in Condord in Sydney's west.
Baylis said SumoSalad had been considering its strategic shift away from shopping centre food courts for some time but it had only become a reality following the trialling of pilot sites.
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<div>
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

SumoSalad in rent dispute with landlord Westfield 

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The Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) which, but for part 11, will commence on 30 November 2016 gives “eligible tenants” certain rights.
Section 258 of the Act requires landlords (or sub-lessors) to notify the owners corporation of any tenants (or sub-tenants) by way of a tenancy notice.
At a minimum, the following information must be provided: the lot number, names of all tenants, an address for service of notices (which may be an email address), the date the tenancy is to start and the name of the agent acting on behalf of the lot owner (if any).
Once notice has been provided the tenant or tenants are eligible tenants.
If the strata scheme has received tenants notices for at least half the lots in the scheme a tenants meeting must be held 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to allow eligible tenants to elect one tenant representative to the strata committee.
Eligible tenants must, at least 7 days before any AGM or extraordinary general meeting (EGM), be given a copy of the agenda. However if there is a noticeboard for the scheme required by the by-laws then the agenda need only be displayed on the noticeboard. Note not all meeting documents need be provided to eligible tenants.
Tenant representatives have a right to attend strata committee meetings, AGMs &amp; EGMs but
<ul>
<li>have no right to vote or to address the meeting (unless authorised);</li>
<li>cannot put motions on the agenda or nominate a person for office;</li>
<li>cannot act as an officer of the owners corporation;</li>
<li>are not counted for the purposes of quorum for strata committee meetings; and</li>
<li>may be excluded from discussions on financial statements, audit reports, levying or recovery of contributions and strata renewal</li>
</ul>
Tenant representatives must also be provided with notice of any strata committee meeting and a copy of the strata committee meeting minutes.
Eligible tenants have a right to attend an AGM or EGM but, unless they hold the proxy on behalf of the owner of their lot (or another lot in the scheme), they have no voting rights, no right to address the meeting and may be asked to leave if there are discussions on financial statements, audit reports, levying or recovery of contributions or strata renewal.
Note all tenants have a right to receive a copy of the by-laws for the scheme (and the strata management statement if applicable) within 14 days of becoming eligible for possession of the property. Your landlord or sub-lessor must provide this information.
The article first appeared on <a href="https://kerinbensonlawyers.com.au/nsw-fact-sheet-6-strata-reforms-tenants-rights/" target="_blank">Kerin Benson Lawyers</a>.
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Property 101: New South Wales strata reforms and tenants rights

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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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Beaudesert Fair, a neighbourhood shopping centre in Beaudesert has recently had two new retailers move in – Help Enterprises and Dollar Deals.
The centre is anchored by Coles and Target Country and features 18 specialty stores.
Colliers International are exclusively managing and leasing the centre.
Jason Martin, senior executive of retail leasing at Colliers International who negotiated the leases said the centre which has recently been refurbished has only two tenancies remaining for lease.
“There are currently two tenancies remaining for lease, 112sqm and 71sqm, which would suit health and beauty, fashion and food operators,” said Mr. Martin.
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