For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

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Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

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The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

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The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

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Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

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Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Rural

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The Central Queensland wet season has now concluded and most areas have received at least average rainfall for this period, however some patchy dry areas remain, particularly in the Central West.
 
After some good March rainfall, most graziers from the Central Highlands to the coast are entering the winter months with a fair body of feed.
 
Transactional activity continues at a steady pace with a number of sales across all market spectrums, according to valuer Herron Todd White's latest rural report.
 
Some offerings have been passed in at auction or alternatively withdrawn from sale as a result of firming vendor expectations.
 
Albinia which comprises a 19,177 hectare scrub and forest grazing property located 180 kilometres north-west of Clermont was offered at auction during March. The property was well contested but was passed in and reportedly sold soon after for $11.5 million.
 
The property last sold in October 2009 for $11.75 million on a walk in, walk out basis. Allowing for the inclusions in the previous sale, it indicates an increase on the 2009 sale in the order of 12 percent.  
 
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Central Queensland farm secures 12 percent price growth: HTW

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Research from Commonwealth Bank shows that Australian farmers continue to seek the wisdom of their parents when learning how to run their farm businesses, even as the sector becomes more complex and globalised.
The research, part of Commonwealth Bank’s bi-annual Agri Insights survey, finds 70 percent of Australian farmers first learned about managing an agribusiness from their parents.
Geoff Wearne, Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking, Commonwealth Bank, says the survey results reflect the unique generational structure of the industry and highlight the value that experienced farmers bring to the sector.
“The handing down of farm business knowledge remains critical to Australia’s agribusiness sector,” Geoff said.
“This intergenerational link is very strong and is a trait not seen to this extent across other business sectors. Our research has shown that parents are key first teachers of farm business across all states and commodity types.”
When asked about the agribusiness topics they see as most complicated to understand 41 per cent of survey respondents said risk management, while 22 per cent said financial markets and 15 per cent referred to e-commerce.
“Managing risk is a crucial part of agribusiness, but there are so many variables to consider. Strategies around foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk can be very complex to understand,” Geoff said.
“Many farmers see the value in developing a deeper understanding of these topics because they can have a direct impact on their profitability and sustainability.”
When it comes to essential financial management skills, the research shows farmers have their eyes on the bottom line, with budgeting and cash flow management among the most important financial skills identified.
“Farmers recognise that setting budgets and managing cash flow is a vital part of successful business and the foundation on which more sophisticated business management strategies need to be built,” Geoff said.
Overall, 48 per cent of surveyed farmers say budgeting is important, while 41 per cent say cash flow management is important. Other essential financial management skills identified by survey respondents include strategic planning, risk management and understanding all aspects of technology.
The latest survey shows farmers continue to have positive intentions around plant and equipment, fixed infrastructure and technology. Cotton, beef, sugar and dairy producers are the most likely to be planning to scale up their operations in the next 12 months.
“There is a continuing trend to increase investment not only in farm essentials like infrastructure but in innovation and updating technology. It is a very encouraging signal that the Australian agribusiness sector continues to focus on driving efficiencies in their businesses to capitalise on market conditions in their sector,” Geoff said.
 
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Complex farming advice best given by parents: Commonwealth Bank

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The central NSW district of Narromine and Trangie have and a substantial increase in farmer to farmer sales due to what is described by HTW as good quality dry land cultivation country.
HTW cited the sale of Grainswood North as one such example. 
"This property is located 50 kilometres south-west of Narromine and is a 600 hectare open farming block with red brown and grey loam soils and sold under the hammer for just over $1.2 million," HTW said. 
"There were limited improvements and on an overall basis this equates to $2,042 per hectare or $826 per acre. The adjoining property Grainswood was also put to auction and was passed in however sold soon after at an undisclosed amount believed to be around the $1.5 million mark. This property is 826 hectares in size and at $1.5 million equates to approximately $1,815 per hectare overall.  
"This property included approximately 680 hectares of farming country with the balance open grazing. Both of these sales would be considered strong and indicate a strengthening of the underlying dry land cultivation values of approximately 15 percent over the past 12 to 18 months."
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Farmer to farmer sales solid in Narromine, Trangie: HTW

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Macquarie Group's Paraway Pastoral have led the re-ignition of the cattle station market by spend over $100 million on two cattle stations.
They bought the properties from the owners of the Western Grazing Company the Oxenford family, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Sparked last year by retail billionaire Brett Blundy who paid over $100 million for Paraway's Walhallow, it's been a very active six months in the cattle station market.
An 80 percent stake in the cattle station operator North Australian Pastoral Company was bought by the $78 billion Queensland Investment Corporation for $300 million.
The Chinese consortium Dakang also launched a $370 million bid for S.Kidman &amp; Co, Australia's largest landholder.
The latest deal saw Paraway Pastoral snap up 1.7 million hectares of Western Grazing's land which included Rocklands Station at Camooweal in north west Queensland and Tanbar Station in the Cooper Creek Channels in south west Queensland.
The properties carry a capacity of around 65,000 head of cattle in normal seasons combined, with the latest deal including 45,000 head of cattle.
A Paraway Pastoral spokesperson said: "The acquisition of Rocklands and Tanbar stations are complementary to our existing portfolio and enhance our ability to deliver consistent, reliable supply of quality livestock into key supply chains".
Ben Cameron of Bentleys International Advisory was appointed to advise Western Grazing directors through a confidential revealed in The Australian Financial Review in February.
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Macquarie's Paraway buys two cattle stations

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<div class="page" title="Page 2">The market for rural property in the Darling Downs is improving slowly with solid sales results in southern Queensland scrub grazing and broad acre farming sectors according to Herron Todd White.</div>
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Herron Todd White state in Central Queensland in late 2015 there was an 8.5 percent increase in the median price trend due to the market moving on the back of a very strong cattle market, better seasonal conditions and resurgence in overall market confidence broadly. 
"For a period we saw land values for quality scrub country in that northern Wandoan and Taroom country lag behind their northern neighbours for a similar quality asset, especially when compared on an adult equivalent basis," they said.
"Today it appears these values are now starting to catch up, demonstrated by the solid sale result of Glen Evis, a 1,951 hectare holding about 25 kilometres north of Wandoan via the Nathan Road purchased by the Dann family who holds Daldowie which adjoins to the north. The property consists of a well-developed Brigalow, Bauhinia and Bottle Tree scrub grazing block with standard improvements including a small opportunity feedlot operation. The property transacted in late October 2015 including cattle. On a bare basis, it reflected $5.5 million ($2,819 per hectare) overall or on analysis reflected about $6,800 per adult equivalent ex-improvements.
"Previously cashed up purchasers were willing to pay overs when compared to the broader market and as a result we saw a semi two-speed market. However as the resource companies have now already acquired key infrastructure sites this will limit the quantum of compensation capital available for further investment.
"Other evidence in the market of the continuing strong trend for quality farming holdings on the Inner Downs is that of the Stirling family’s aggregation containing Minyaka, Ballandean and The River Paddock, comprising a 1,227 hectare aggregation containing basalt to alluvial farming flats. All three properties were sold at auction on 8 April 2016 as separate holdings to individual purchasers."
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Darling Downs rural sales on the improve: HTW

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Crowd funding firm DomaCom has welcomed the announcement by Treasurer Scott Morrison that the proposed sale of the Kidman Station to a Chinese consortium is “not in the national interest”.
The Kidman Station comprises 16 pastoral properties including outstations and supporting properties in breeding, feedlot and cropping. It is spread across Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia and is home to 185,000 cattle.
The Kidman land portfolio is the largest private land holding in Australia, with 1.3 per cent of Australia's total land area.
“Given the size and significance of the Kidman portfolio I am concerned that the acquisition of an 80 per cent interest in S. Kidman &amp; Co Limited by Dakang Australia Holdings Pty Ltd (Dakang) may be contrary to the national interest,” Morrison said last week in a media release.
DomaCom CEO Arthur Naoumidis said it was “pleasing” that the government had heeded public sentiment on the $370 million sale and had reached a “preliminary finding” to reject the bid by Dakang Australia Holdings. The company has until 3 May to respond.
Morrison had earlier rejected a bid by a related Chinese company, the Penxing Group.
Late last year, DomaCom launched a book-build to keep Kidman Station in Australian hands and has attracted pledges of more than $70 million from 5,000 retail investors.
“What the DomaCom campaign clearly demonstrated is that there is genuine public interest in keeping the iconic Kidman pastoral station in Australian hands, and that ‘mum and dad’ investors want to have a stake in this country’s agricultural heritage,” he said.
“Opinion polls have shown that ordinary Australians are deeply concerned about retaining our agricultural land, as well as the businesses that flow from them.”
Naoumidis says Morrison’s announcement could breathe fresh life into the DomaCom offer.
“Hopefully it will encourage more retail investors to come forward to invest in Kidman. Aside from the issue of keeping it in Australian hands, the investment reality is that under our proposal the land will be separated from the operating business, with the land expected to return about 8-9% to our investors.”
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DomaCom lauds Morrison’s Kidman decision

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Interactive China Cultural Technology Investments has spent around $29 million on Victoria’s Balgownie Estate winery, according to the Weekend Australian.
Balgownie Estate has been producing wines since 1969, mostly known for its reds, at its Bendigo property.
Established by the legendary winemaker Stuart Anderson in 1969, Balgownie Estate was the first vineyard planted in the Bendigo district in more than 80 years.
The 33 hectare vineyard is situated on a gentle slope overlooking Myer's Creek at Maiden Gully.
In 1999 brothers and passionate wine lovers Des and Rod Forrester heard the rumour that Balgownie Estate was to be offered for sale. Digging out a couple of prized bottles of Balgownie Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Rod's cellar, they found themselves hatching a plan to buy the vineyard and the winery in Bendigo. The Forrester brothers and their long term family friend Bill Freeman submitted a tender that same day, and with little to-ing and fro-ing the vineyard was theirs, according to the winery website history.
In 2002 the Forresters expanded to their Yarra Valley site and started building what is now the cellar door, restaurant, conference centre and 70 spa suite apartments and a state of the art day spa.
The winemakers at Balgownie have been notably long standing as in over 40 years, there have been just five: founder Stuart Anderson was succeeded by Mildara Blass winemaker Lindsay Ross. Tobias Ansted was the first winemaker under current ownership, starting in 1999 and leaving just before his 10 years were due in late 2008. In January 2009 winemaker Mark Lane joined the team and he was suceeded by the assistant winemaker Tony Winspear for the 2014 vintage.
The 110 ha combined holding represents the group’s third investment in the sector after spending more than $17 million last year acquiring Lancefield Estate and Hepburn Springs, near Daylesford, with winery accommodation, conference centres and land for development.
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Interactive China Cultural Technology buys Victoria’s Balgownie Estate winery

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The Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison has delayed any potential sale of the Kidman &amp; Co cattle empire to Chinese interests until after the federal election so as to thoroughly assess the transaction’s national interest merits.
It was revealed Australian Rural Capital (ARC) was providing a 20 per cent local stake in a Chinese-led joint-venture deal to buy the massive pastoral business which covers 2.5 per cent of the nation’s agricultural land for $370 million.
Shanghai Pengxin would indirectly control 80pc of the business that currently covers about 11m hectares in Queensland, SA, NT and WA.
The offer needs Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval and Mr Morrison’s consent.
He’d signed an order last Friday which prohibits the Kidman transaction from proceeding for a period of 90 days from the gazetted date, meaning any final call of Kidman is likely to occur after polling day.
Mr Morrison said the order provided further time for him to consider the national interest implications “of this complex and sensitive acquisition”.
“My obligation is to make careful and detailed assessments of foreign investment proposals against the national interest and that is exactly what I intend to do on the Kidman matter as I did on the previous consideration of that transaction,” he said.
“National interest considerations of proposed transactions should not and will not, on my watch, be rushed, on important matters such as this.”
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Kidman sale to Chinese interests delayed

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China's Fullshare Group has bought the Red Hill Estate vineyard on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula for just over $5 million.
The 17 hectare Shoreham Road estate was established in 1989 by the late Australian businessman, Sir Peter Derham and Lady Derham.
It produces chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and other varieties under the Red Hill Estate and The Bench labels. 
Rated five stars by wine critic James Halliday, the estate with 9.7 hectares under vine sold through CBRE. 
Fullshare, a top-500 Chinese company with real estate projects in Australia and also Canada, is chaired by the Hong Kong real estate billionaire Ji Changqun, ranked the 73rd richest man in China according to Forbes.
Fullshare's earlier Australian investments include the Sheraton Hotel in Port Douglas, the Whisper Bay units and apartments at Airlie Beach and the Laguna Quays resort.
Sir Peter Derham passed away in 2008, but the Derham family remains shareholders in the investment company, R H W Property that owned the property.
The Australian Financial Review reported other shareholders include Red Hill Estate chairman Martin Brenton, Deloitte tax partner Dwayne Sleep, former Deloitte partner Tim Gullifer and restaurateur Max Paganoni, owner of Max's Restaurant on the estate.
Last year the Sexton family acquired the peninsula's first vineyard, Main Ridge Estate in Red Hill, with three hectares under vine for $3.25 million.
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Mornington Peninsula vineyard sale to Chinese buyers

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The 28ha hectare Birriwa estate near Dubbo has been listed at $2.8 million.
The property is at 3894 Castlereagh Hwy in Dunedoo.
The 1907 sandstone <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-dunedoo-122283810" target="_blank">Birriwa Homestead</a> has been listed by Mary and Keith Salvat who have meticulously restored the property.
It is for sale through Nicolette van Wijngaarden of Unique Estates with the owners now moving overseas.
Birriwa Homestead is 361km northwest of Sydney and about an hour from Dubbo.
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