<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Southern Highlands

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The Southern Highlands market continues to show strong price growth, according to Herron Todd White’s latest April report.
The property valuation firm says that the average price across the Wingecarribee Shire increased by 8% in the four months to date to $879,000.
“Of note is the brisk rate of sale in the up to $1.5 million sector, most notably located close to the townships of Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong,” the report stated.
Herron Todd White says that the market continues to benefit from the ripple effect predominantly by greater Sydney buyers looking for affordability and lifestyle.
“New land releases in the region have seen an influx of purchasers ranging from first home owners to executive home buyers at price points from $300,000 to $800,000 and land sizes from 450 to 8,000 square metres.
"What is also evident with the influx of new land releases is the pressure to upgrade transport infrastructure in the region, with calls for additional direct trains to Central Station, road upgrades and the larger infrastructure projects such as the Sydney to Melbourne Fast Train gaining momentum.
"Major projects to accommodate the growing area is occurring," the report commented.
Wilton Junction has been marked as a priority growth area with more residential development expected Herron Todd White says.
“With respect to accommodating additional residents in the region, the recent announcement by the NSW Department of Planning that Wilton Junction has been designated as a priority growth area has brought the reality of the new township to accommodate up to 16,500 dwellings across the 4,175 hectare site located off the M5 East Freeway a step closer.
"Other areas earmarked for residential development include Tahmoor and Appin.
"Closer in to the existing townships of Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale it is anticipated there will be limited releases of land predominantly restricted to resubdivision of appropriately zoned larger lots,” the report remarked.
"Being one of the regions to receive the NBN early has seen the emergence of commercial office developments in the past 12 months," the report stated.
The NBN is also helping the area with commercial office developments expected over the coming months.
“Being one of the regions in New South Wales to get early access to the NBN, there has been an emergence of commercial serviced office developments over the past 12 months, allowing for professional services personnel to have the flexibility of working locally and efficiently, an attractive alternative to the daily Sydney commute,” the report stated.
Herron Todd White says that there has been emerging chatter about the prospect of lenders further tightening lending criteria and increases in interest rates.
“This undoubtedly will have a cooling effect on the rate of sale in the marketplace, however we don’t foresee any major market adjustments in this case, with the exception of the rural and lifestyle acreage properties, predominantly located on the outskirts of the major towns,” the report observed.
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bundanoon-125468790" target="_blank">48 Erith Street</a>, Bundanoon (above) has been listed with a price guide of between $665,000 to $730,000.
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-burradoo-125238538" target="_blank">8 Holly Road</a>, Burradoo (below) has been listed with a price guide of between $1.45 million to $1.5 million.
<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/2017/05/15/8%20Holly%20Road.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mittagong-123923866" target="_blank">3 Langley Avenue</a>, Mittagong (below) was recently sold for $660,000.
<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/2017/05/15/3%20Langley%20Avenue.jpg" alt="">
Similarly a four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-berrima-125329010" target="_blank">19 Oldbury Street</a>, Berrima (below) was recently sold for $1.4 million.
<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/2017/05/15/19%20Oldbury%20Street.jpg" alt="">
The Southern Highlands residential property market was running hot, according to Herron Todd White’s December report.
The property valuation firm says that strong price increases and quick selling periods have been evident across the entire region.
The main driver is the trend of second and third home buyers and retirees relocating for a tree change from Sydney and for the affordability.
"The townships of Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong have been the stand out performers."
It noted fully renovated or new properties with nothing left to spend are sought after.
The strongest activity is under $1.5 million.
A three bedroom unit at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-bowral-125033606" target="_blank">2/41 Shepherd Street</a>, Bowral (above) has been listed for between $900,000 to $990,000.
Similarly a three bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-moss+vale-124981530" target="_blank">602 Argyle Street</a>, Moss Vale (below) has been listed with a price guide of $899,000.
<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/2017/04/20/602%20Argyle%20Street.jpg" alt="">
HTW has noted that the fringe suburbs of Southern Highlands is also beginning to see strong activity
"There has been strong activity from first home buyers seeking affordable housing options across the fringe suburbs in the Southern Highlands, essentially the villages such as Robertson, Bundanoon, Colo Vale, Hill Top and Tahmoor that are removed from the three major towns of Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale."
Properties still sell under $700,000 in these perimeter suburbs.
"If interest rates were to dramatically rise, then pricing levels will decline.
"If interest rates remain at low levels, then we anticipate that pricing levels will plateau.
"There are similar trends evident in the Tablelands, with good land sales and new home construction activity in the new and modern residential estates on the fringe of Goulburn including the Belmore Estate, Merino Country Estate and the Mistful Park Estate," the report advised.
New land releases are trading for $200,000 to $250,000, with house and land packages ranging from $500,000 to $600,000.
Likewise some of the villages between Sutton Forest and Goulburn, such as Marulan have seen an uptick in first home owner activity, with new land releases being quickly absorbed by the market in the $160,000 to $190,000 range for 1,000 square metre blocks.
The Crookwell village is also seeing good buyer activity and price growth.
“We see strong buyer activity from first home buyers, second and third home buyers and retirees.
"We are also seeing strong interest from Sydney investors in Goulburn."
It noted part of the attraction here aside from lower entry price is ease of access to the Sydney-Canberra freeway.
Many buyers will commute to Goulburn, Canberra or back up to Moss Vale and Bowral, the report stated.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Southern Highlands residential market growth remains strong: HTW

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Former Bulldogs chief Malcolm Noad and corporate high-flyer wife Holly Kramer have sold their Southern Highlands retreat, Big Sky.
The 40 hectare estate in Paddys River fetched $1,795,000 after spending nearly 180 days on the market through Hindmarsh &amp; Walsh agent Frank Walsh.
The four bedrooms, four bathroom homestead with renovated kitchen has a study and formal and informal living areas.
A newly constructed sunroom leads to the palatial sandstone paved terrace, solar heated, self-cleaning swimming pool and mature established gardens.
There are five paddocks and two dams on the property.
The couple paid $1.2 million for the home in 2005. They traded up in the Southern Highlands in 2015, spending $4.1 million on Woodhurst Green in Glenquarry.
Southern Highlands is now home for Noad and Kramer, who sold their Pymble home for $3.9 million two years ago.
Kramer sits on the boards of AMP, Australia Post and Woolworths. She stepped down from the board of Nine Entertainment earlier this year.
 
 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Corporate high-flyers sale in Southern Highlands

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Crown Resorts boss John Alexander and his photographer wife Alice have listed Possumwood, their Southern Highlands weekender.
Alexander, who has been right hand man to casino tycoon James Packer for a number of years, has owned the two hectare estate in Robertson since 2006.
Offering views over the Morton National Park, the home comes with five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a steam room.
Drew Lindsay agents Drew Lindsay and Karl Zabel have set a price guide of between $2.5 million and $2.75 million in conjunction with Ken Jacobs at Christie's International. 
The couple will be based at their nearby 38 hectare estate that they paid $2.38 million for in 2010.
The garden will sell it. Possumwood's garden is designed by Myles Baldwin, featuring a modern rendition of a walled perennial garden.
He tells the story in his book, Rural Australian Gardens that the site was a levelled grassy rectangular paddock, a bit larger than a championship tennis court.
"When I presented my symmetrical garden idea to John Alexander I was taken aback when it was rejected.
"John’s dream was to have a relaxed garden of roses and perennials with narrow paths surround by different textures, smell and colours.
"Inspiration shifted from the works of Gertrude Jekyll to that of Monet, Oehme van Sweden and Piet Oudolf, all of whom have created settings bound by formality yet displaying perennials in their wild form."
It comes with a pond and ornamental fountain, along with remnant rainforest, ferns and ornamental shrubs. The roses reflect Alice's passion.
There's dry stone walls aplenty. It comes with a detached studio sits in the stone wall surrounded layered garden complete with water fountain and large pond.
Myles Baldwin was introduced to JA by Leo Schofield back to the days when Leo had Bronte House where Myles was the head gardener. Baldwin had trained at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
The Possumwood gardens have been opened for the annual HeartKids Garden Tour, which helped raise charity funds for the ZZ+. 
Alexander has served under both Kerry and James Packer since 1999.
At the start of 2017 Alexander was promoted to the role of Crown Resorts chairman.
This article was first published in the Daily Telegraph.
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Crown Resorts boss John Alexander lists Robertson's Possumwood

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Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and wife Kyly have finally found a buyer for their redundant Southern Highlands retreat, Roundhill.
The cricket lovers haven, complete with a picket fenced oval installed by former financial high flyer Bill Ireland, is going under contract, according to the Drew Lindsay Real Estate website.
During its two year stay on the market, the weekender has been a popular rental at a pricey $1,200 a night, being booked most weekends which made it hard for buyer inspections.
The toing and froing over the sale legal paperwork has coincided with Clarke being overseas, commentating on Australia's enthralling Border-Gavaskar series with India. 
Michael Clarke remains in the cricketing world as a commentator for Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports cricket coverage.
Lindsay, the veteran Southern Highlands agent had been the selling agent for the Berrima property three times before.
The recent undisclosed offer came after Clarke cut the asking price down from $6.5 million to $5 million.
The initial price tag proved to be too ambitious, after the Clarke's paid $3.1 million for the sprawling 93 hectare estate in 2012, with a new swimming pool added during their ownership.
Ofcourse Kyly added her interior designer professional touches and undertaking some renovations inside the four bedroom homestead.
The idea behind the 2012 purchase was that Clarke would set up his long-awaited cricket academy, round the corner from Bowral, the home of Australia's most renowned cricketer Don Bradman.
Clarke opted against the Southern Highlands academy, instead setting up in Bellevue Hill, closer to his $8.5 million home in Vaucluse, where they live with their daughter Kelsey Lee.
The Berrima homestead was design by Richard Rowe featuring a conservatory style kitchen.
There's a full sized tennis court and separate self-contained guest studio.
The property also lends itself to equine interests. There's post and rail fencing, shelter sheds, horse stables, cattle yards, a large barn and an open sand arena.
Kyly, a lifestyle blogger and entrepreneurial candle maker, returned to her modelling roots earlier this month, showcasing the latest racewear and millinery designer items of Myer's Autumn 2017 Racing Season collections.
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Michael Clarke's Berrima Roundhill weekender under contract 

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Brisbane-based fashion retailer Michael Josephson and his wife Melissa have bought the historic Boscobel homestead in the Southern Highlands.
They paid $4.3 million for the 1870s-built mansion, which has been the home of recruitment industry boss Steven Hallis since 2007.
It has been on and off the market through for two year most recently listed with Bill Carpenter, of WC Carpenter.
Josephson is the co-founder of the successful lifestyle fashion chain Universal Store.
The 48.5-hectare property in Sutton Forest was the long-time thoroughbred breeding stud of Richard Turnley.
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Boscobel, Sutton Forest sold

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First home buyers in the Southern Highlands are seeking out affordable housing options across the fringe suburbs, according to HTW’s March 2017 Month in Review.
The valuation firm says Robertson, Bundanoon, Colo Vale, Hill Top and Tahmoor offer better value for money than the three major towns of the area Bowral, Mittagong and Moss Vale.
“Most of these villages still have local shops, parks and schools and some have secondary rail services, but most are lacking in the larger supermarkets etc that the three main Highlands towns feature,” the report says.
“Residents of the fringe suburbs will drive to the larger towns for these services (usually a ten to 20 minute drive).”
HTW says older style houses on smaller 500 square metres blocks in Hill Top are selling from low $500,000, while new three bedroom duplexes are selling for $500,000 to $550,000.
In Robertson, a 1990s era three bedroom home on 770 square metres of land can be purchased in the low $500,000 range.
“The market in these villages has been strong over the past 12 months and that trend is expected to continue for the current period,” the report says.
“As far as advice to the first time buyer, it is always prudent to follow where planned infrastructure developments have been proposed.
“For example the recent announcement by the NSW Department of Planning that Wilton Junction has been designated as a priority growth area has brought the reality of the new township to accommodate up to 16,500 dwellings across the 4,175 hectare site located off the M5 East Freeway a step closer.
“Other areas earmarked for residential development include Tahmoor and Appin.
“Closer into the existing townships of Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale it is anticipated there will be limited releases of land predominantly restricted to subdivision of appropriately zoned larger lots.”
Property Observer found a four bedroom home <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bundanoon-124825674" target="_blank">14 Bromhall Road Bundanoon</a> (above) on a 2000 sqm corner block on the market for around $650,000.
The four bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-robertson-124733590" target="_blank">2 Blackwood Place, Robertson</a> (below) on 1000sqm and is listed with expectations between $695,000 to $725,000.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/09/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-09%20at%201.01.45%20PM.png" alt="">
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

First home buyers target Robertson, Hill Top in NSW Southern Highlands: HTW

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There is an atmosphere of cautious optimism across the Southern Highlands, according to HTW's February 2017 update.
The valuation firm says that buoyed by an 18% increase in average prices to $892,000 for the year to December 2016, the townships of Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong have been stand out performers, with access to infrastructure and price point being the main drivers of that growth.
Local real estate agents have been saying that sales activity has been brisk in the face of stock shortage, the report states. 
“This has been borne out with a 24% decrease in the numbers of sales year on year to 1,600 properties. It is fair to say the rental market is tight with lack of stock driving rent increases of minimum 10% over the past 12 months.”
For the median price of $549,000 a house such as the one at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-moss+vale-124566046" target="_blank">45 Hoskins Street</a>, Moss Vale (above) is purchasable for between $525,000 to $575,000.
Similarly a unit such as the one at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-moss+vale-124428450" target="_blank">1/8 Arthur Street</a>, Moss Vale (below) is purchasable from $400,000, which is $20,000 cheaper than the median price of a unit in Moss Vale.
<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/2017/02/14/1_8%20Arthur%20Street.jpg" alt="">
The Highlands property market is heavily influenced by what is happening in Sydney and historically lags that market by six to 12 months, HTW says. It expects to see continued strong demand for properties close to the townships at price points up to $1.5 million.
“Above that price point the market becomes less defined with the choice of residential, rural/residential and lifestyle acreage properties across the villages and hamlets coming into consideration.”
Established precincts such as Darraby Estate, (Moss Vale) Renwick and Nattai Ponds (Mittagong) and Bingara Gorge (Wilton) have seen strong sales over the past 12 months, with further stage releases scheduled for 2017.
Likewise, the soon to be released subdivisions of Retford Park (Bowral) and Throsby Views (Moss Vale) have seen strong pre-sales activity.
The recent announcement by the NSW Department of Planning that Wilton Junction has been designated as a priority growth area has brought the reality of the new township to accommodate up to 16,500 dwellings across the 4,175 hectare site located off the M5 East Freeway a step closer.
Other areas earmarked for residential development include Tahmoor and Appin.
Closer into the existing townships of Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale it is anticipated there will be limited releases of land predominantly restricted to resubdivision of appropriately zoned larger lots.
Regarding infrastructure, the state government has committed to a $50 million upgrade of the Bowral Hospital in 2017.
In September 2016, it called for expressions of interest regarding a public private partnership for the operation of the hospital.
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Sales levels strong in NSW's Southern Highlands: HTW

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It's not enough to just have a beach weekender anymore.
Tech billionaire Michael Cannon-Brookes and wife Annie have now added a rural retreat.
Their weekender Joadja Creek Farm, cost the Atlassian co-founder $3.3 million.
It is 390 hectare hobby farm in the small heritage registered town of Joadja, some 140 kilometres from Sydney in the Southern Highlands. 
The secluded farm is surrounded by native bushland, with horse riding trails and wildlife aplenty.
The four bedroom home was architecturally designed in 1996 by the Haege family with wrap-around verandahs and sits amid an orchard.
Its on Joadja Creek with water holes, three dams and a bore.
Brookes has been Centennial Park based since 2015 when he secured Braelin, the $12 million Lang Road trophy home.
He owns a $8.7 million Palm Beach holiday home.
The couple own a Centennial Park home bought from luxury car dealer Ian Pagent and wife Marianne for $12 million.
The Californian bungalow style home built in 1918 for Sir Allen Taylor, a former lord mayor of Sydney is set for a makeover given the family's need for more bedrooms.
They have just spent $7.05 million on the Double Bay trophy home SeaDragon, the 1936 Professor Leslie Wilkinson designed Mediterranean style villa while they await the renovations.
It was sold by QC Francis Douglas through Sally Hampshire at Laing+Simmons inconjunction with Sothebys International.
This article first appeared in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
 
 
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Mike Cannon-Brookes buys rural retreat in NSW Southern Highlands

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The Coles supermarket in the NSW Southern Highlands town of Moss Vale has been sold to MPG Funds Management for $9.45 million.
Located at 13-19 Kirkham Street, the property comprises a 2,500 square metre freestanding Coles supermarket – the only full line supermarket servicing the catchment.
The property, which is situated on a 7,199 square metre strata title site, is currently leased to Coles until 2025, generating an estimated income of $561,547 per annum.
CBRE’s Justin Dowers and Nick Willis, who negotiated the sale on behalf of a private Victorian investor, said the sale reflected one of the strongest freestanding supermarket transactions in New South Wales this year translating to a yield of 5.9%.
MPG Funds Management’s Brett Gorman said the property’s strong tenancy profile presented an attractive addition to the MPG Retail Brands Property Trust, which targets well-known tenants on long term leases.
The sale follows the recent transaction of Dan Murphy’s in Wagga Wagga through CBRE on a 5.3% yield to a private Sydney based investor.
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Coles in Moss Vale sells for $9.45 million

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Society hairdresser Joh Bailey has sold his current country equestrian holding on Sydney’s outskirts along with an inner-city pad with hopes to buy in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Bailey and his partner, ­Michael Christie, a professional equestrian, sold near Camden for $1.537 million plus at recent auction.
The Oaks property on <a href="https://www.acreagesales.com.au/3253242/" target="_blank">The Old Oaks Road</a>, had been bought in 2008 for $692,000.
Decorated in classic Hamptons style with a touch of Ralph Lauren glamour, it sold for just over its ­reserve price to a local horse owner through the United Acreage Marketing Group.
It had been extensively renovated.
The property includes five bedrooms, a full-sized dressage arena, post-and-rail fencing and bores and dams.
Mr Bailey has also sold a 37sq m one-bedroom apartment in Rushcutters Bay for $540,000, through McGrath agent Ben Collier.
The apartment, which Bailey inherited from Suzanne Pritchard, known for her bright orange post-modern quiff, sold before auction. 
A fixture on the Sydney social scene for decades, Pritchard died suddenly in her Rushcutters Bay apartment from a heart attack in 2015.
"She would shop at David Jones every day," her long time hairdresser and confidant Joh Bailey told someone who was interested.
Her story was actually fascinating as she famously appeared one of the Happy Little Vegemites in the 1950s. 
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