Growing national developer Time &amp; Place has announced its fifth new apartment development.

With two projects in Manly and two upcoming in Surry Hills and Potts Point, the developer, which expanded beyond Melbourne just a few years ago, is now heading to Mosman. It is planning 53 new apartments on Redan Street.

The 3,233 sqm site, spanning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-48-redan-street-mosman-nsw-2088">40–48 Redan Street</a> with frontage to Redan Lane, is located just under 400 metres from Spit Junction Town Centre. It is reported the developer paid around $100 million for the five-site amalgamation.

Time &amp; Place, founded by Tim Price and backed by James Packer’s private investment firm NPACT, has submitted the project as a State Significant Development through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

Of the 53 apartments, 42 will be released to the market, with the remaining 11 allocated as affordable housing in line with NSW Government requirements.

fjc Studio has designed the building. In its Design Report, the architect said the diverse mix of dwelling types and sizes, including 11 two-bedroom affordable housing units, 40 three-bedroom apartments, and two four-bedroom residences, will support a broad demographic, including families, downsizers, and key workers.

The development will rise to nine levels, a height encouraged by the NSW Government due to the site’s proximity to Spit Junction, which has been identified as a low- to mid-rise centre. Developments within a certain proximity to these centres are permitted increased height.

fjc said the project “achieves an appropriate density outcome for its setting by balancing increased housing supply with strong amenity performance,” adding that it “makes a measurable contribution to NSW housing supply targets through the delivery of additional dwellings and dedicated affordable housing.”

The new development will replace five existing two-storey homes.

“By aligning with the objectives of the Housing SEPP and applying careful architectural and urban design principles, the development provides high-quality residential accommodation that integrates sensitively within its established Mosman context and delivers enduring benefits to residents and the wider community.”

Mosman has become increasingly popular with developers in recent years.

Developer Abadeen has been particularly active, with Mosman Residences currently on the market and under construction on Clifford Street. It also has an upcoming Burran Avenue project, comprising just three apartments on the Balmoral Slopes, and recently secured the Midas and Honeysuckle nursery site on Military Road.

Prosker Property has a project on Redan Lane, just a few doors down from Time &amp; Place’s proposed development.

Developers including Toohey Miller, DARE Property Group, and WINIM also have projects underway in the area. In 2024, a five-year target was set for the Mosman LGA to increase housing supply by 500 dwellings by 2029.

Time &amp; Place entered the Sydney market with Two Tides, its under construction Manly development. Given its sales success, it has secured another development in the area, more boutique, facing the beach on North Steyne.

They are hoping to launch their redevelopment of The Chimes in Potts Point this year, and next year will look to take to market Marlborough House, an adaptive re-use of the landmark David Jones warehouse in Surry Hills.

Joel Robinson

Time & Place to take on Mosman apartment market

Brunswick’s civic heart continues to consolidate around the Merri-bek Arts and Culture Precinct, where a growing cluster of cultural institutions, recreation facilities, and public infrastructure has created one of the inner north’s most defined community hubs.&nbsp;

Within this evolving precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/saxon-street-by-milieu-brunswick-31-saxon-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Saxon Street by Milieu</a> introduces new housing directly alongside the civic anchors that shape daily life in the suburb.

At 31 Saxon Street, the project sits immediately beside Brunswick Baths and within moments of Brunswick Library and Town Hall, longstanding institutions that support both community services and everyday amenity.&nbsp;

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Next door, the newly delivered Balam Balam Place arts precinct has emerged as a central piece of Merri-bek Council’s cultural strategy, bringing together creative studios, exhibition spaces, maternal and child health services, and community programming in a purpose-built civic facility. Together, these destinations have reinforced the surrounding blocks as a focal point for public life in Brunswick.

This part of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> forms a key pocket within the suburb’s designated Major Activity Centre, where long-term planning has prioritised walkability, civic investment, and increased housing supply close to transport and services. The surrounding street network reflects that strategy, with compact blocks, established retail corridors and active transport links supporting a lifestyle that is largely navigable on foot.

Within a few minutes’ walk, Sydney Road delivers one of Melbourne’s most recognisable streets, known for its long-running mix of independent retailers, international dining venues and everyday convenience. Tram routes along Sydney Road provide frequent connections south toward the CBD and north through Brunswick and Coburg, while Jewell Station on the Upfield line sits within roughly a ten-minute walk, offering direct train access into the city.

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Active transport also plays a significant role locally. The nearby Upfield Bike Path forms a key north–south cycling corridor linking Brunswick through Parkville and into the central city, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s most accessible inner-urban neighbourhoods for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The surrounding civic cluster extends beyond cultural infrastructure. Siteworks, a nearby creative hub supporting artists and community organisations, adds to the concentration of cultural activity in the immediate area. Educational institutions such as Brunswick North Primary School, Brunswick Secondary College and RMIT’s Brunswick campus are also within easy reach, contributing to the suburb’s diverse resident base spanning families, students and professionals.&nbsp;

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-clements-burrows-architects">Jackson Clements Burrows Architects</a> in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> and landscape architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, the nine-level building has been shaped to respond to the surrounding streetscape, with lower levels aligning to the street and upper storeys stepping back to soften its scale and improve solar access.&nbsp;

Curved balcony forms reference nearby heritage architecture, while the development’s public realm improvements include a widened footpath along Saxon Street to strengthen pedestrian connections between the precinct’s civic sites.

Sustainability also underpins the project’s approach. The building is designed to operate entirely on electric infrastructure supported by rooftop solar, with an average 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating and EV-charging readiness across the development. Shared resident amenities will include a landscaped rooftop terrace with barbecue and covered dining areas intended to encourage informal interaction between residents.

Saxon Street marks developer Milieu's fifth project in Brunswick and continues its focus on design-led infill housing across Melbourne’s inner suburbs.&nbsp;

Construction has commenced through reputable builder Manresa, who will complete the project in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136434]

Saxon Street by Milieu connects residents to Brunswick’s cultural and civic core

Within <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>&nbsp;takes a different approach to larger residences, moving away from the constraints of a single level.

In Grand Residence 3.05, known as the Lustre, plays out across two levels, with a mezzanine configuration that is uncommon in apartment living.

Lustre is a four-bathroom residence where the layout creates a clear distinction between shared and private zones, with uninterrupted views toward the Dandenong Ranges extending the sense of openness from the main living areas.

Entry is to the primary living level, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are arranged as one continuous space. Timber flooring runs throughout, with a fireplace set within the living zone. Full-height glazing brings in natural light, supported by double glazing that improves thermal performance.

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The kitchen is configured as both a working and social space. A large island bench provides seating, while a walk-in pantry extends storage beyond typical apartment expectations.

Gaggenau appliances, including a 900mm gas cooktop and 600mm oven, are integrated into a layout that connects directly to the adjacent dining and living areas, and outward to the terrace. This balcony includes a built-in BBQ, reinforcing the apartment’s capacity to accommodate larger gatherings without compromising internal space.

A dedicated laundry room, powder room, and a wine cellar area sit discreetly off the main living zone, ensuring that functional requirements are resolved without encroaching on primary living areas. The master suite is also located on this level, designed as a retreat with a walk-through wardrobe and an ensuite that includes double vanities, a bath, and a dedicated dressing table.

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The mezzanine level introduces a second layer of living, rather than simply additional bedrooms. Two large bedrooms with built-in robes are positioned alongside a central bathroom, while a secondary lounge and study area create a self-contained zone suited to children, guests, or extended family. A large storage room further supports long-term usability, addressing a common shortfall in apartment design.

This separation of levels is central to how the residence functions day-to-day. It allows the lower level to operate as the primary entertaining and living space, while the upper level provides privacy and flexibility. The result is closer in feel to a townhouse or standalone home, but with the benefits of apartment living, security, and low maintenance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

Candela is close to 80 per cent complete, with Ironside delivering construction ahead of its expected October 2026 completion. The development comprises 58 residences, with a strong owner-occupier profile and a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments and loft-style townhouses.

Candela has exclusive access to private amenities, including a residential lounge and rooftop terrace. A charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre are located on the ground level, designed to foster community connection and extend the living experience beyond individual apartments without competing with the scale of homes like Lustre.

Candela, positioned in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, reinforces the practicality of the address. With a Walk Score of 90, residents are within immediate reach of cafés, retail, parklands, and Ivanhoe Station, while also benefiting from proximity to established schools and healthcare services.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Inside Lustre: Grand Residence 3.05 at Candela Ivanhoe

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a> is being shaped around a simple but increasingly rare premise in apartment development: that the built environment should actively support residents’ wellbeing.&nbsp;

Located on the former ABC Studios site on Gordon Street in Melbourne’s south-east, the new neighbourhood sits on an expansive 11,740 sqm site neighbouring the heritage-listed Rippon Lea Estate, whose gardens date back more than 140 years.

Rather than positioning wellness as an add-on amenity, the development integrates it into the physical planning of the site. Architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> is arranged across six low-rise buildings set within extensive landscaping designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, with more than 40 per cent of the land dedicated to gardens and green space. Walking trails, pocket gardens, and mature trees are threaded between buildings, creating a network of green corridors that encourage residents to move through the precinct on foot and spend more time outdoors.

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Milieu has intentionally framed these gardens as an extension of the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. More than 16,000 new plants will be introduced across the site, with species carefully selected to protect and complement the area’s ecological significance. The approach focuses on strengthening existing environmental conditions while establishing new habitats that support native wildlife, reinforcing the role of the landscape as both an active ecosystem and a defining element of daily life.

A private resident gate will provide direct access to the historic grounds during opening hours, allowing residents to move seamlessly between the development’s landscaped gardens and the estate’s expansive lawns, lakes, and mature trees. The project’s gardens will also be maintained by the same gardeners responsible for Rippon Lea, reinforcing the visual and ecological continuity between the two landscapes.

Complementing the landscape is a dedicated wellness hub designed to support everyday health and recovery. Residents will have access to a gym alongside yoga and Pilates studios, while mineral pools and infrared saunas provide spaces for relaxation and restorative wellbeing. Shared lounges, workshop spaces, and pet care facilities expand the concept of wellness beyond fitness, creating opportunities for social connection and community interaction within the precinct.

Environmental performance is another key component of the project’s wellbeing focus. Elsternwick Gardens will be entirely fossil-fuel-free, with homes designed to operate on renewable electricity rather than gas. Passive design strategies, including cross-flow ventilation, high-performance insulation, and thermally broken double glazing, are intended to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing energy demand. Solar photovoltaic systems will power common building services, while rainwater harvesting will help irrigate the extensive landscaping across the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=361030]

Milieu Founder and Managing Director Michael McCormack says the scale and setting of the project allowed the team to take a different approach to urban apartment living.

“This site represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something truly special,” McCormack says.

“Through that process, we arrived at a design that centres on a fully realised natural landscape – a series of private, interconnected gardens that encircle the homes and extend seamlessly from Rippon Lea Estate.”

Elsternwick Gardens will comprise three residential offerings, Gordon Place, Ripponlea Terrace, and The Garden Pavilion, each designed for owner-occupiers and shaped around high-quality interior design by Woods Bagot, K.P.D.O., and Flack Studio. The first stage, Gordon Place, includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed with a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living and sustainability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288412]

Milieu recently appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/brady-constructions">Brady Constructions</a> to deliver the project, marking a key milestone for the development. The appointment follows the demolition of the former studio buildings on the Gordon Street site, with construction progressing toward the delivery of the nature-led community.

Situated between the established villages of Elsternwick and Ripponlea, the development balances its garden setting with strong urban connectivity. Residents will be within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, and local retail, while nearby train and tram connections provide quick access to Melbourne’s CBD and the beaches of Elwood and St Kilda.

With construction underway and the first residents expected to move in by early 2027, Elsternwick Gardens represents a growing shift in apartment development toward environments that prioritise wellbeing as much as density or location. By placing landscape, sustainability, and shared spaces at the centre of the design, Milieu is positioning the project as a residential neighbourhood where wellness is not just promoted, but built into the structure of everyday life.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136535]

Elsternwick Gardens' wellness-first design strategy

Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a> has made a striking debut on the Gold Coast, officially unveiling its $250 million COMO development in Varsity Lakes, a lifestyle-driven residential project anchored by an extensive rooftop wellness and activity precinct.

Having recently launched to market, construction has already been fast-tracked by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/5point-projects">5Point Projects</a>, ensuring momentum continues on what is set to become a landmark residential address for the growing Varsity Lakes community.

Located at 22 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO</a> will comprise 156 apartments across 16 levels, comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom residences designed for modern living. However, it is the project’s rooftop amenity offering that sets COMO apart.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363510]

Designed as a dedicated wellness and recreation hub, the rooftop will feature a 25-metre lap pool, fully equipped gymnasium, and multiple pickleball and paddleball courts - amenities rarely seen in boutique apartment projects.

Residents will also have access to a sauna and plunge baths, while landscaped gardens and relaxation zones will provide tranquil spaces overlooking sweeping panoramic views across the Gold Coast skyline.

The rooftop precinct has been designed to function as the social and wellness heart of the development, encouraging residents to embrace an active, balanced lifestyle within their own building.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363512]

Red &amp; Co director David Laverty said the amenity offering was central to the project’s design from the outset.

“Amenities were at the forefront of our decisions,” Laverty said.

“Buyers today are looking for more than just an apartment - they want a lifestyle that promotes health, connection and balance.

“The rooftop at COMO has been designed to be the epicentre of that lifestyle, with a suite of wellness and recreation facilities that are quite unique for a boutique development of this scale.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363514]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, the residences prioritise liveability, featuring spacious layouts, 2.7-metre ceilings and high-quality finishes throughout.

The development sits beside Bond University, placing residents within walking distance of education, retail and dining options within the vibrant Varsity Lakes precinct, including Robina Town Centre, Varsity Lakes Train Station and a range of leading schools.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

Laverty said the location was a key driver behind Red &amp; Co’s decision to bring the project to the Gold Coast.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/varsity-lakes-qld-4227">Varsity Lakes</a> was a clear choice for us to invest in as it’s a lifestyle hub that seamlessly blends lakeside living with urbanity,” he said.&nbsp;

“Como will capitalize on this great location, delivering a project that not only creates premium homes, but a lifestyle defined by community, wellbeing, and connectivity.”

Red &amp; Co has delivered more than 500 apartments and townhouses across 26 projects in Brisbane in recent years, with COMO marking the company’s first major Gold Coast development.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Red & Co unveils amenity-rich Como development in Varsity Lakes

Rural

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Eastern Australian irrigators now appear to be more willing to bear the increased risks and costs of farming in more remote locations if the trade-off is simply a far more secure water supply, according to the recent Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report.
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The property valuation firm suggests the irrigation land market is picking up over in the East Kimberly (Ord River Irrigation Area or ORIA) with building confidence that GM cotton may be the next mainstay crop of the ORIA, particularly into the 7700-hectare State Two (Goomig) expansion area. 
HTW notes that the ORIA sale has significantly superior water security compared to the Queensland sale properties. 
"After three farm sales in the original 15,100-hectare Stage 1 area during 2018 which showed between $10,500 to $11,000 per 'green' hectare (inclusive 17ML/ha pa surface water allocation) there has been another transaction, late in 2019, that confirms such value levels and also confirms the growing belief by farmers from the south-east that cash flow can be underpinned by having irrigation country in the ORIA given its secure water supply.
"At this stage, the details of the transaction remain confidential, but like two of the three buyers in 2018, this buyer is also from down south and was chasing a large, secure supply of irrigation water.
"In the same theme, the Mirriwoong Gajerrong Corporation (MG Corp) who are the second largest landholder in Stage 2 of the ORIA, in its pursuit of commercial agriculture ventures on their land, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with cotton giant Cubbie Farming.
"The organisations will work together to investigate the feasibility of cotton by growing trials on around 290 hectares of leased land in the Goomig area. The first crops will be sown by February (2020) and once harvested, later in the year, will be sent to Cubbie’s Dirranbandi-based gin in Queensland 3500km away.
"If trials are successful MG and Cubbie will consider making a joint application to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to secure federal funding to build a cotton gin in Kununurra."
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An industry commissioned feasibility study early in 2019 considered whether a gin, which could cost in excess of $30 million to build, would be financially viable in northern Australia. 
Cubbie Farming report that “diversification” was the impetus for the MOU which has been under negotiation for the last twelve months following an expression of interest process in 2018.
"The drought and low to nil allocations and no reservoir supplies back at Dirranbandi, have reportedly encouraged Cubby to search for diversification opportunities.
"This agreement is further evidence that eastern Australian irrigators (particularly cotton growers) now appear to be more willing to bear the increased risks and costs of farming in more remote locations if the trade-off is simply a far more secure water supply.
"At present, many of these farmers currently have expensive, high quality irrigation assets back in eastern Australia that have nil water available and therefore have significantly reduced cash flow. Cubby Farming would have considered the known cost of transporting raw cotton from Kununurra to Dirranbandie for ginning, however they have committed to this MOU in order to potentially develop more irrigation country in the ORIA to sure up production.
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"Cubby will also have been aware of the debate on water reform in the ORIA which has been ongoing now between the Ord Irrigation Cooperative (OIC) and W.A. Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) now for nearly four years. 
"What is potentially at stake here is a thirty per cent reduction in the OICs water entitlement. I note that each irrigator in the ORIA has a shareholding (which equates to their annual entitlement) in Water Services Provider: OIC who control water allocation in the valley. The OIC holds a single, large, surface water licence (SWL) by virtue of the Water Services Licensing Act, subsequently water licences and renewals are at the discretion of the DWER. 
"The SWL is for 335 gigalitre per annum which is ultimately sourced from Lake Argyle, Australia’s largest dam (twenty times the volume of Sydney Harbour). The OIC currently distributes its allocation to irrigators through entitlements that equate to 17ML per hectare of their developed farm area. 
"However, the OIC’s licence is currently only in place due to a standing injunction which is preventing DWER from enforcing their 2015 decision (at the time of OIC’s last licence renewal) to reduce the SWL by around 30 per cent back to 246.3 gigalitres per annum."
The OIC objected to the department’s decision and won the injunction to maintain the previous allocation whilst the matter was dealt with under the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) process.
In its decision to order the 30 per cent reduction, DWER claimed that since gaining its first water licence, at most, the OIC had used only 60 per cent of its entitlement, down to as little as 42 per cent in some years and that under the SAT process, experts from DWER and the Department of Agriculture had worked together with two independent experts to calculate current and future crop requirements and that the new 246.3 gigalitres would be more than ample.
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HTW's  discussions on this matter with the OIC, indicated that there was a possibility that the 30 per cent reduction could be imposed if the 2015 decision to enforce the reduction is upheld in the final SAT hearing scheduled for March 2020. 
"This is therefore likely to have the flow-on impact of reducing entitlements to irrigators. However, the most recent negotiations between OIC and DWER at the SAT hearing in Kununurra in December 2019 were reportedly promising from an OIC/entitlement holder’s perspective. 
"The case put forward by the OIC is based on a mounting argument that DWER are operating outside logic or good government with a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ mentality which is inconsistent with the National Water Initiative (to which WA is a signatory) and also that the current 335GL allocation gave irrigators the necessary flexibility they need to overcome their remote location and the tyrannies of distance by achieving economies of scale given their current ability (with 17ML/ha pa) to interchange between a variety of crops with different water demands depending on market prices. This is the single greatest advantage that farmers in the ORIA have.
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The value that buyers of irrigation land in the ORIA appear to be placing on high security water combined with comparatively high allocation rates compared to the rest of Australia. 
"The dollar per irrigable hectare rate for properties in the ORIA tends to be toward the lower end of sale rates in Queensland due mainly to the higher underlying land values in the Queensland locations, but this is countered to a large extent, by the value the market is currently placing on the much larger and more secure annual water entitlement in the ORIA (subject to the SAT outcome of course!)."
For instance, if the added value of the water entitlement only is analysed on the basis of a $/hectare rate as well as a ML/hectare basis, then the Queensland sales compared to the ORIA sales show (approximately):
◗ Sale 1 (2018, Central Queensland) $7000/ha (water value only) for a 7ML/ha pa entitlement
◗ Sale 2 (2018, Central Queensland) $11,000/ha (water value only) for a 6ML/ha pa entitlement
◗ Sale 3 (2018, Southern Queensland) $13,300/ha (water value only) for a 11ML/ha pa entitlement
◗ Sale 4, 5 &amp; 6 (2019, ORIA, Kununurra, WA) $7,000/ha (water value only) for 17 to 19.4L/ha pa entitlements.
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Kimberley's irrigation land market picks up in 2020: HTW rural

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The general outlook for the 2020 rural market in far North Queensland is best described as cautious optimism, according to recent Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report. 
The property valuation firm suggests, on the coastal horticulture front, sugar commodity prices are forecast to rise throughout 2020 as a consequence of a supply shortfall in Asia. 
Valuers said, "raw-sugar futures rose 1.13 per cent to 14.32 cents a pound in New York on Tuesday, extending their advance in 2020 to 6.7 per cent. Sugar prices have outstripped other soft-commodity markets so far this year, and have recovered 33 per cent since falling to a trough of 10.76 cents a pound in September."
"Adverse weather conditions for sugar farmers in India and Thailand - the world's largest and fourth largest producers respectively last year - have lifted prices in recent months."
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/2/10/5_Far%20North%20QLD.jpg" alt="" width="429" height="522">
Alternative use industries for coastal horticulture lands may reduce reliance on the traditional industries of sugar cane and bananas, HTW reports. 
The recent purchase of a large sugar cane farm near Mourilyan, south of Innisfail, by International Biomass Solutions (IBS) may signal the start of a viable alternative use for coastal sugar cane farms. 
The purchase is being used as a test plot for the growing of high protein grasses as a cheaper, alternative protein source.
IBS is engaged in the development, growing and processing of various biomass plant varieties in different parts of the world. With the use of innovative technologies of its partners, the company aims to contribute to energy and industry transformation with the ultimate objective of sustainably reducing carbon dioxide output and increasing farmers' income. 
IBS works on biomass projects independently or in close cooperation with growers, cooperatives, local or national governments and industrial stakeholders. 
The ongoing success of quarantine measures for the banana fungal disease Panama Tropical Race 4 is likely to give greater confidence to the banana industry and growers, particularly in the Tully Valley. 
Despite the threat of the disease spreading, it has been well contained to a few small outbreaks on two farms. 
Banana farm sales were limited in 2019, however the success of quarantine measure is likely to lead to more farm transactions in 2020. 
Main photo: <a href="https://www.scienceimage.csiro.au/tag/fruits/i/3712/rural-scene-in-far-north-queensland-melon-crop-in-foreground-banana-plantation-behind-with-pine-forest-and-rainforest-in-the-background-15-kms-north-of-cardwell-qld-/" target="_blank">Rural scene in far North Queensland/ Willem van Aken, 4 August 1998</a>.
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Far North Queensland rural market seen with cautious optimism in 2020: HTW rural

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The overriding issue in 2020 in the horticultural sector in Mildura will continue to be the availability of irrigation water, according to the recent Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report. 
The property valuation firm suggests that there will be a widening gap between the balance sheets of irrigators who hold significant water entitlements and those who do not. 
The report was issued in early February before the heavy rains across some of NSW.
"Catchment dam levels have been gradually lowering since the start of 2017 and substantial rainfall is required to replenish supply", HTW reports.
Most irrigators have been able to provide for reduced allocations in the current water year through a combination of carry over and leasing water. 
However, the cost of doing this for another year will be tough for most producers. There is also uncertainty surround whether there will be enough available water to keep all the crops fully irrigated. 
The volume of water required to irrigate permanent horticulture crops in the region is 550 Gigalitres (GL) per annum, according to data from the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
"Of this, around 180 GL will hopefully once again be available from New South Wales Murray High Security Water Licences.
"The remaining 370 GL will need to be found primarily from Victorian allocations and so an allocation in the 2020/21 year of at least 35 per cent for Victoria Murray Zone 7 Water Shares will be required to meet this need. 
"The final picture will depend on the ability to transfer water between the Murrumbidgee, Goulburn and Murray River systems, with the restrictions on inter-valley trade during the past six months exacerbating the current shortage of water in the region."
The HTW rural report anticipates that some producers will inevitably elect to dry off their less profitable crops in 2020, such as white wine grapes, Valencia organs and dried vine fruits and also bring forward the decision to clear order, less productive plantings of other crops. 
HTW also expects a deferral of further expansion plans. 
This will have an impact on contractors, nurseries and irrigation design and supply businesses which all have enjoyed a period of strong activity during the past four years. 
The dried fruits industry will be vulnerable in the event of a reduced area of plantings.
In Mildura, there are currently three dried fruit processors, and the industry will be conscious of the production forecasts for 2021 to see whether there will be sufficient water to keep three processors going. 
Consequently, it appears that values of all horticultural property will plateau as growers take a wait and see approach. However, HTW doesn't expect to see a significant decline in values during 2020. 
The report suggests that commodity prices for many of the region's crops will remain high, which makes leasing water at current levels of over $800 per megalith economically feasible for some.
"Farmers tend to retire at a time of their choosing" so it is expected that "people will try to ride out the current drought rather than seen at a time of reduced demand. 
Unfortunately, the smaller, less efficient growers, particularly those who rely entirely on leasing water, will be vulnerable should dry conditions continue throughout 2020. 
"There are a number of reviews currently occurring into water trade and river management and while everyone hopes that this will result in improved transparency in water ownership and the trading platform, it is unlikely that we will see recommendations that will contribute to any significant reduction in the cost of leasing water."
"The cost will again be entirely governed by the supply of water, in particular whether New South Wales Murray and Murrumbidgee General Security Water Licences receive any allocation." 
Dryland farming success will also be dependent on rainfall leading up to the optimal sowing period in April and May.
"Producers were able to tap into stored soil moisture to grow a crop in 2019, however soils are bone dry at present." 
"Values of farming properties in the Mallee region have been increasing in recent years, however we expect that buyers will be cautious until the season improves."
Dryland farmers in the Mallee realise that they rarely benefit from years of both high yields and high grain prices and that a good season will inevitably coincide with an easing in grain prices.
Meat prices are expected to remain high for several years.
HTW reports that livestock producers in the Western Division are all optimistic about the future of their industry despite feed stays critically short, or even non-existent on some properties.
"All evidence suggests property values will remain firm in Mildura, in part due to an expectation that only limited number of properties will be offered for sale until the drought breaks."
 
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Water availability remains core issue in Mildura in 2020: HTW rural 

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Lismore will experience uncertainty in expected production this year for most rural industries, according to the recent Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report.
The property valuation firm suggests that the weather and subsequent farm production levels are foremost in the minds of farmers at the start of this year. 
The report was issued in early February before the heavy rains across some of NSW.
"Anecdotal reports indicate that there may be a reduced macadamia crop," HTW reports.
"Parts of the sugar industry did not complete 2019 planting and ration crops in some areas have struggled in the dry conditions, the summer crop planting of soya beans has been restricted with the planting window to close in the next few weeks."
"Pasture conditions for beef and fairy farmers are challenging in the dry conditions."
"There has been a slight upswing in world sugar prices, but a long way to go," HTW suggests. 
"Lower production levels and lower farm incomes may limit farm purchase activity." 
"The exception being farms that have rural lifestyle attributes to attract more cashed up purchasers from urban areas."  
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Lismore expected to see lower production levels in 2020: HTW rural

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Though patchy, Tamworth has seen a positive start to 2020, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report.
The property valuation firm suggests, with large areas of New South Wales still affected by the ongoing severe drought, follow up rain and a return to average seasonal conditions was required before a more optimistic outlook can be taken. 
The report was issued in early February before the heavy rains across some of NSW.
"There remains reasonable demand for rural land in New South Wales, particularly from existing land-holders looking to expand and we expect this to continue throughout 2020."
"Values appear to be holding, however it is expected that if the drought shows signs of breaking and there is return to normal seasonal conditions, there may be an influx of listings which has the potential to create an oversupply which may in turn lead to a softening in values over the next 12 months."
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Tamworth values expected to soften in 2020: HTW rural

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Administrators Gayle Dickerson, Tim Mableson and Ryan Eagle of KPMG have appointed Colliers International to sell the business and assets of McWilliam’s Wines Group.
The expressions of interest campaign will close March 31.
The assets and business of McWilliam’s Wines Group are being sold as a going concern or separately, including recapitalisation or a sale of the business/assets via a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA).
It is being marketed as an opportunity to acquire a 142-year-old, privately-owned Australian family business as well as a large amount of stock and significant property.
“We anticipate wide-ranging interest from major wine industry participants, private equity investors, high net worth individuals and buyers looking for restructure opportunities,” Tim Altschwager said.
The assets include the Hanwood winery (pictured), one of the largest wineries in Australia.
The standalone premium wine operating facility, located in the Riverina region of NSW, has a circa 42,000 tonnes (per annum) operational processing capacity – both commercial (40,000 tonnes) and premium (2,000 tonnes), with opportunities for scale.
Mount Pleasant, a premium award-winning winery in the Hunter Valley region of NSW with a circa 800 tonne (per annum) operational processing capacity is also included.
McWilliam’s Wines Group’s ranges include the McWilliam's, McW and Mount Pleasant brands, as well as sole Australian distribution rights for Champagne Taittinger, Henkell.
The company is a Top 10 Australian wine producer by revenue, generating circa. 1.3m 9LE volume and $97 million gross sales per annum and has an operational capacity to crush up to 43,000 tonnes (per annum).
McWilliam’s recorded FY19 gross sales of $97million and 9LE sales volume of 1.3m (comprising 1.2m domestic and 0.1m international).
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McWilliam’s Wines Group’s portfolio of wineries and vineyards listed

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A rare opportunity to secure a slice of the Barossa Valley wine region is garnering interest locally and overseas.
Colliers International’s Tim Altschwager, Nick Dean and Nick Goode have been appointed to sell Owens Own Vineyard, located in Marananga around 70 kilometres north-east of the Adelaide CBD.
Situated among the world’s oldest Shiraz vineyards, dating back to the 1840’s, Owens Own Vineyard has supplied fruit for Penfolds Grange in previous years.
Mr Goode said the property’s scale would attract a multitude of buyers.
“The property has a total area of of approximately 29 hectares across three contiguous Certificates of Title and a total planted area of approximately 22 hectares, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro,” Mr Goode added.
Shedding is substantial and includes a workshop with office and chemical laboraty capabilities with approximately 1,800 sqm undercover.
Irrigation is sourced through Barassa Infastructure Limited.
Offer close Friday 16 August.
"We expect this vineyard will be hotly contested,” Mr Goode concluded.
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Colliers International to sell Barossa Valley viticulture enterprise

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The Kingsdale Winery, which offers a combination and lifestyle and income with potential for further development, has been listed for sale at $2.2 million.
The Goulburn property has been offered for the first time since its establishment in 2002 by Helen Cheetham from Tronn Alstergren Real Estate.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-goulburn-7872710" target="_blank">Located at 745 Crookwell Rd</a>, there are 3ha of vines planted on a grazing block of 37ha.
Its grape varieties include Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay.
The wines are vintaged in a purpose-built winery with a capacity of 25 tonne and the wines consistently win medals at wine shows.
The house features four bedrooms, cellar door, and 10kw of solar panel. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/7/16/goulburn%202.jpg" alt="">
Other highlights include a set of cattle yards, rainwater tanks, and dams. 
The wines are sold at the better restaurants in Goulburn. 
There is potential to increase sales by marketing further afield.
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Goulburn winery listed for $2.2 million

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A rural and farming property in Southern Australia's Comaum, located off of A66, has been listed for sale.
The property undertakes wine grape production. The property at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-commercial+farming-sa-coonawarra-502860790" target="_blank">Old Comaum Road, Coonawarra</a> is 20 hectares.
It has 13 hectares of vineyards.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/6/Comaum%202.png" alt="">
The property has been listed through Nick Goode and Tim Altschwager at Colliers International.
It comes with structural improvements, underground water entitlements and frost fans.
There is a GSA with Dorrien Estate expiring June 2019.
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Coonawarra winery Comaum listed for sale

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The family members of Australia's sixth largest wine company, McWilliams Wines, are being asked to provide $15 million in a rights issue to bolster the company's weak balance sheet.
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McWilliams chief executive Jeff McWilliam said raising equity was a practical route because banks were still wary of the wine industry.
"I think their confidence in the wine industry is not there yet," he told the Australian Financial Review.
"We've had to become less reliant on debt funding".
<a href="https://cdn.mcwilliams.com.au/mcwilliams-wines-au/2018/05/15075950/McWilliams-Wine-Group-Ltd-Prospectus-14-May-18.pdf" target="_blank">Its recently lodged June 1 prospectus</a> for a 5-for-7 non-renounceable entitlement offer at 42¢ per share shows that McWilliams generated revenue of $100.7 million in 2016-17 but made a loss of $22.6 million before tax.
McWilliam’s is one of the pioneering wine entities within Australia which has been perfecting the winemaking craft since 1877, when founder Samuel McWilliam first planted vines on the banks of the Murray River in New South Wales.
With over 140 years of history, six consecutive generations of the McWilliam family have strived to be at the forefront of Australian wine innovation.
The Mount Pleasant winery was named Winery of the Year in the James Halliday Wine Companion 2017, and its 2011 Maurice O’Shea Shiraz was named Shiraz of the Year in the 2015 edition.
McWilliam’s is also the exclusive Australian distributor for Champagne Taittinger, Henkell, and Mionetto prosecco.
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The company continues to operate Hanwood Estate, as well as produce premium wines under the McWilliam’s and Mount Pleasant brands.
McWilliam’s also holds a 30% shareholding in MRWP, which is Margaret River’s largest contract processing facility and now controls Evans &amp; Tate.
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At the date of this Prospectus, McWilliam’s is 100% family-owned.
At the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) level, the loss was $14.3 million. Revenue in 2015-16 was $107.9 million, with an EBITDA loss of $167,000.
Revenue for the first half of 2017-18 was $48.8 million, while EBITDA was $5.63 million.
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<div id="article-inline-ad">Jeff McWilliam will shortly step down from the CEO role handing over to the former Parmalat executive David Pitt.</div>
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<div>The company had shifted its bottling line and packaging operations out of Sydney to the Riverina area. </div>
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The company was also working closely with corporate advisers Pendulum on a cost-cutting program to strip out $10 million of costs.
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The prospectus also outlines that $1.675 million of the proceeds will go towards the repayment of a loan to E&amp;J Gallo, the privately-owned United States wine giant, which held a small stake in McWilliams until late 2014.
Mr McWilliam said the company had been trying to lift itself out of the lower price point brackets and be less reliant on lower-priced commercial wine. "We've been trying to move away from sub-10 dollars to between 10 to 15 dollars," he said.
McWilliams Wines had been selling some of its products into China for 20 years.
Its exports to mainland China and Hong Kong represent about eight per cent of the company's total annual sales of $100 million.
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