Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Joel Robinson

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;

Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;

"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;

"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]

Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;

“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;

"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]

Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;

Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;

Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;

Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]

A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;

Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;

"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;

"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;

"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;

There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

National property developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/goldfields-group">Goldfields</a> has appointed BINAH as its construction partner for Quartet, its new Brisbane apartment development in the undersupplied suburb of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/milton-qld-4064">Milton</a>.

Located just two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and moments from key 2032 Olympic precincts, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/quartet-milton-33-manning-street-milton-qld-4064">Quartet</a> will deliver 131 one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments priced from $1 million to $4.2 million, combining elevated design with a wellness-focused lifestyle offering.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=368000]

Goldfields’ Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan Thompson, said the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/binah-constructions">BINAH</a> marked an important milestone for the project.&nbsp;

“Bringing BINAH on board as our construction partner will allow us to bring our vision for Quartet forward with a team that has a proven track record of delivering high-quality residential projects,” Thompson said.&nbsp;

“We’ve taken a considered approach to progressing the site because we wanted to deliver the whole package. Buyers ultimately back great developers, great projects and great builders, and with Quartet, we’ve made sure all three line up.

“People want certainty, they want to know the project will be built, that the homes will be delivered as promised, and that the developer stands behind the quality of what they create. That’s something Goldfields has built its reputation on over many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367993]

BINAH’s Managing Director, Khalil Hafza, said the company was proud to be partnering with Goldfields to deliver Quartet.&nbsp;

“Quartet is an exciting project to bring to life, particularly given the level of detail in the residences and the extensive rooftop amenity planned for the building,” Mr Hafza said.&nbsp;

“Our focus is on delivering a high-quality build that brings that design vision to life and creates homes residents will enjoy for many years.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108736 project_image_fid=367999]

The facilities at Quartet have been feared towards the roof, with a&nbsp;25 metre lap pool, spa, sauna and cold plunge, and a communal barbecue area and alfresco.

Town planning was designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and brought to life by Melbourne-based architecture firm Cera Stribley.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/cera-stribley">Cera Stribley</a> Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Dom Cerantonio, said the project responds to both its riverside setting and Brisbane’s evolving urban character.&nbsp;

“Quartet has been designed to sit comfortably within its riverside context, offering a refined take on urban living through well-planned, generously proportioned residences that will stand the test of time,” Mr Cerantonio said.&nbsp;

“An emphasis on natural light, natural textures and carefully selected finishes from timber and marble to premium appliances, creates calm, considered interiors designed for comfort and long-term liveability.”&nbsp;

Construction of Quartet will commence in July 2026, with completion anticipated in Q4 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108736]

Construction to commence on 131-residence tower designed around wellness-focused living

Goldfields appoints BINAH for Quartet apartments in Milton

The first partnership between national developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> and Adelaide-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> has made a strong start, with the pair securing $21 million in unconditional sales at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-four-four-hutt-adelaide-144-hutt-street-adelaide-sa-5000">One Four Four Hutt</a>&nbsp;on the edge of the Adelaide CBD.

Over a third of apartments have been snapped up in the boutique 44-apartment project on the corner of Hutt Stret and Wakefield Road. Local downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in Adelaide's tightly-held southeast quarter have been the most prominent purchasers.

The DKO-designed, mixed-use development is one of the few new apartment projects in the precinct, an area where new housing supply has remained limited despite continued demand from buyers wanting to stay close to the CBD, Victoria Park and Adelaide's established east-end amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375378]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

"The level of early commitment reflects the confidence local buyers have in the Hutt Street precinct," Dendrinos said.

"Many purchasers are long-term east-end residents who love the area and want to stay connected to the neighbourhood. They recognise the value of a well-designed, well-located development.

"Our partnership with Otello has been central to this success, and the number of unconditional sales at this stage only strengthens our confidence in the South Australian market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151233 project_image_fid=375379]

Otello Director Daniel Harris said the sales result also highlighted the lack of new apartment opportunities within the Hutt Street precinct.

"One Four Four Hutt has clearly resonated with buyers, with strong early sales reflecting both the appeal of the Hutt Street corridor and the lifestyle on offer," Harris said.

"The activated ground-floor retail has also been a key drawcard, with purchasers responding to the vision of a more vibrant and connected streetscape, not just the residences themselves."

One Four Four Hutt will deliver 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of penthouses, above a ground-floor retail offering designed to further activate the Hutt Street precinct.

Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with completion anticipated in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151233]

Fortis Head of Development SA Arthur Dendrinos said the early sales reflected both the strength of the local owner-occupier market and confidence in the Hutt Street location.

Fortis makes Adelaide debut with Otello as One Four Four Hutt records strong early sales

Tasmania

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The Old Trading Store is a corner convenience store that has been a part of Tasmania for the past century.
Located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-tas-premaydena-502690694" target="_blank">1 Saltwater River Road, Premaydena</a>, the family who have owned the store for nine years is asking for $595,000 plus stock at valuation.
The 220 square metre store has 10 car spaces and is on a 1104 square metre block.
It also has its own gas pump.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/29/The%20Older%20store.JPG" alt="">
It is situated along the heart of the northern side of the Tasman Peninsula.
This building was originally constructed around 1900 and many of its period features are still visible.
The current owners have invested in a 30KVA generator wired to the store and residence in the case of power outages.
According to the owners, the store was re-roofed roughly 24 months ago along with a plumbing upgrade.
The holding also contains three bedrooms and one bathroom.
It is an 80 minute drive from Hobart.
The property last sold in 2009 for $300,000.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Century old corner store in Tasmania on the market

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Wyndarra, a Tasmania five bedroom house has been listed for sale. 
It was built in 1917 by the Shoobridge Family whose patriarch, William, introduced Hops to Australia for the production of beer.
It was offered by Ann Courtenay and Aaron Niblett from View Hobart.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-bushy+park-126714470" target="_blank">Situated at 515 Gordon River, Bushy Park</a>, the home is set over two levels with a grand entrance hall which leads to a spacious living room, and a formal dining room on the other side with valley views.
<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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%202.jpg" alt="">
The downstairs features three double bedrooms, commercial-style kitchen, sitting room and courtyard.
Upstairs are two more bedrooms, study nook, and kitchenette.
<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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%203.jpg" alt="">
Other features include the double carport, large hay/ tack shed, dressage training arena and paddocks. 
Bush Park is close to Glenora District School and 20 mins drive to the shopping centre of New Norfolk.
 <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/2018/5/30/bushy%20park%201.jpg" alt="">
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Five bedroom trophy home Wyndarra in Tasmania listed

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Corporate activity in the Tasmania rural scene is heating up as many pension funds, high net worth investors and corporate buyers continue to seek out affordable rural assets with reasonable return parameters, according to the valuation firm, Herron Todd White (HTW).
It noted recent activity can be evidenced by Laguna Bays recent purchase of a number of dairies in the north-west of the state.
It also paid attention to Farmright/PSP’s purchase of Sustainable Agri Funds Cradle Coast dairy asset for a reported $25 million and TRT Pastoral’s purchase of SAF’s King Island Aggregation for $45 million.
"The grazing and dairy space are not the only sectors of corporate interest in Tasmania at present with berries and permanent plantings such as cherries and vineyards also seeing growing enquiry and due diligence as a result of Tasmania’s ever-improving irrigation schemes and security of water, in addition to a lower more attractive price point relative to the mainland, ultimately improving investor returns," the report said.
"Current corporate listings of note in Tasmania include the 21,861-hectare Rushy Lagoon dairy/grazing enterprise with a price tag of circa $70 million and the 8,580 hectare RMS forestry portfolio which both provide great opportunities for corporate level investment in an improving market," Anusg Shaw from the valuation firm noted.
"On a more local front, our recent attendance at AGfest, Tasmania’s largest rural field day, further confirmed the buoyant local attitude in the Tasmanian rural economy which has been backed up by evidence of strong value improvement in many recent smaller local transactions, especially in the irrigation sector."
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Tasmania rural assets becoming a top target: HTW

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Olympic cities event specialists Damian and Sue Rowe are selling Amaroo at Franklin.
It is their <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-franklin-128548290" target="_blank">award-winning home</a> in Tasmania. Knight Frank Hobart agent Pam Corkhill has the listing.
The couple moved to the Franklin acreage in the Huon Valley from their London apartment which came with a view of the Tower Bridge.
Sue called it an 'e-change', citing how easily things can be done remotely.
Having worked on summer and winter Olympic Games since 2000, Damian and Sue have lived for two years at a time in nine different cities around the world.
The 4.5 hectare estate won a HIA Award in 2015.
Overlooking the Huon River, the home, architecturally-designed home has three bedrooms and an infinity edge swimming pool.
There's an Italian slate feature wall and Escea gas fire in the living area.
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Award-winning Tasmania home Amaroo for sale

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The dispersal sale of one of Tasmania’s premier fine wool Merino sheep studs on the East Coast saw more than a thousand buyers from throughout the state turned up at the Okehampton Merino stud at Triabunna.
The stud was wound up after Paul Weeding passed away in October.
About 4000 sheep were on offer along with farm equipment.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-livestock-tas-triabunna-7960090" target="_blank">The 1385ha Okehampton property</a>, with 9km of coastline, was recently sold for more than $8 million to a family consortium.
It had been listed through Michael Warren at Harcourts.
Okehampton had been in the Weeding family since 1956.
The property comprises Cape Bougainville, the nearest land mass to Maria Island National Park, and includes two private white sandy beaches.
Stud genetics was Paul’s passion.
The Okehampton stud reportedly produced big-framed and heavy-cutting Merinos.
Okehampton was land granted to Maria Island penal settlement commandant Major Thomas Lord, one of the first Europeans to settle the area, in 1825.
Lord named his property Okehampton. His tomb is on the property.
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Okehampton on Tasmania's Tribune coastline sold for $8 million plus

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Popular opinion has it that MONA, Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art, is <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-08/mona-effect-ripples-out-to-regional-tasmania/9837626" target="_blank">transforming Tasmania</a>. That the state is no longer the poor and backward cousin, the economy is booming, and we are leaders in contemporary culture.
The buzz on the streets of Hobart during <a href="https://darkmofo.net.au/" target="_blank">this year’s Dark Mofo</a> is unwaning, despite being in its sixth iteration. A tendency to hibernate through Tasmania’s cold midwinter is now a time for vibrancy and a skinny dip – at least for tourists.
However contrary to hype around this “MONA effect”, the museum’s benefits do not seem to be being shared with <a href="https://profile.id.com.au/glenorchy/home" target="_blank">Glenorchy</a>, the municipality it is located in. Glenorchy is ranked eighth most disadvantaged out of 29 municipalities in the state and includes some of the most disadvantaged suburbs nationwide.
More generally, some local artists are <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-09/mona-dark-mofo-seen-as-blessing-and-curse-for-local-creatives/9770904" target="_blank">struggling to maintain a place</a> as the MONA juggernaut rolls out its festivals, and its power and influence. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/home-prices-fall-in-cities-rise-in-the-regions/9612534" target="_blank">Hobart’s house prices</a> are rising faster than any other capital city, with increasing scrutiny on how <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-07/hobart-suburb-battery-point-quarantined-from-airbnb/9845976" target="_blank">visitor housing</a>, such as Airbnb, might be affecting prices. Tasmania is already economically polarised.
Taking a snapshot of <a href="https://tourismtracer.com" target="_blank">tracking data</a> from 472 interstate and overseas tourists in 2016, we analysed where and how tourists travelled before and after they visited MONA. Most of the visitors to MONA were from New South Wales and Victoria. They also had <a href="https://theconversation.com/who-goes-to-mona-peering-behind-the-flannelette-curtain-73369" target="_blank">higher incomes and levels of education</a>. We found that these visitors tend to take the MONA ferry to and from the museum, or drive straight there and back with no stops. Without shopping in Glenorchy or visiting other parts of the municipality, almost no benefits are passed on to this area, whether these are direct economic benefits from shopping or accommodation, or indirect benefits from social interactions and cultural exchange.
In some respects, this is unsurprising. Tourists go to places that have amenities for tourists – such as Hobart’s waterfront. Tourism and art also tends to drive gentrification – an escalation of real estate prices as poor inner city suburbs and post-industrial sites are transformed into creative chic. This wouldn’t be a good outcome for places like Glenorchy, which many of Tasmania’s low income earners call home. These are places imbued with a sense of community that supports many in non-financial ways.
Not all of MONA’s visitors are high income earners with a university education. We also found that it is MONA’s lower socio-economic visitors who are most likely to stop in Glenorchy, to shop and visit family and friends. These are the tourists who could help extend MONA’s benefits into the places most in need, without destroying these communities. To boost the numbers of lower socio-economic tourists, Mona could extend its free museum entry for Tasmanians to all visitors with government concession cards.
But the limited responsibilities of private bodies such as MONA, means that it is governments’ role to distribute the benefits of tourism and economic growth. Tourism Tasmania spends <a href="https://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/tourism-tasmania-chief-james-cretan-says-marketing-spend-yields-sensational-results/news-story/a72685b7d5c72ec6c8f94d65b7b08e73" target="_blank">millions of dollars on marketing</a>. Directing this towards the lower socioeconomic tourist market could boost visitation to tourism icons and local shopping centres and communities.
More broadly, the government urgently needs to plan for how tourism growth translates into improved health care, education and job prospects. Tourism only matters if it sustains all Tasmanians, and without demonstrated overall improvement, the value of tourism is questionable.
MONA is held in high regard by most Tasmanians. The museum and biannual festivals are described as unprecedented acts of generosity on behalf of owner David Walsh. There is widespread support for MONA initiatives: it’s vision for <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-11/mona-waterfront-vision-to-take-three-decades/8109566">Macquarie Point</a> and <a href="https://mona.net.au/in-the-works/hotel" target="_blank">Hotel Mona</a>.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/98003/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">This goodwill is likely to fade if the MONA effect simply reinforces existing iniquities. To remain relevant, MONA’s presence in Tasmania needs go beyond development proposals and sensationalist art. Government must harness tourism for the benefit of all. High tourist numbers and spending are not ends in and of themselves.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-isabel-booth-201344" target="_blank">Kate Isabel Booth</a>, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and Planning, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888" target="_blank">University of Tasmania</a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/hobarts-poorer-suburbs-are-missing-out-on-the-mona-effect-98003" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Hobart's 'MONA effect' skipping poorer suburbs

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A Zeehan four bedroom house near the west coast of Tasmania has been listed for $75,000 by mortgagees.
It is offered by Jenelle Carey from Harcourts having last sold in 2005 at $80,000.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-zeehan-128261174" target="_blank">Located at 55 Main Street</a>, Zeehan, the Tasmanian home comes with four bedrooms, open plan kitchen/lounge/dining, and sunroom.
Nestled on a 1076 square metre block, it also features reverse cycle air conditioner and three garage space.
The council rates are $1,100 per annum.
The suburb's median price sits on $79,500, according to CoreLogic. 
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Zeehan, Tasmania mining town cottage listing by mortgagee

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Tasmania is in the grip of a rental housing affordability crisis. What do local governments do to help?
Rural areas in particular lack rental options. To find housing, older people living in rural areas may often face a heartbreaking decision to leave their community.
We wanted to know whether local governments recognised this issue and actively helped seniors to continue living in their communities. We found much more. Local governments have not traditionally been recognised as housing providers, yet many of Tasmania’s 29 local councils do provide subsidised accommodation.
How bad is the problem?
Local councils have been forced to intervene because the state is in the grip of an affordable housing crisis. In Hobart, rental vacancy rates are as low as 0.3%, the lowest of any Australian capital city. The average weekly rent of A$440 is 30% of median weekly household income. That’s the rental equivalent of being in mortgage stress.
Lack of other options has meant that some families resort to camping out and living in caravan parks while they try to secure rental accommodation. Tasmania’s extremely low vacancy rates combined with high rents, lower socioeconomic status, and highly decentralised population means that finding accommodation can be exceptionally difficult.
There are just over 54,000 rental properties throughout Tasmania. Housing Tasmania, the public housing provider, owns about 13,000 of these. Roughly 20,000 are owned and rented privately, as opposed to through a real estate agency.
The estimated shortfall of rental housing is about 5,000 households for Hobart and 29,200 households across the state.
Impacts on older people
The rental housing crisis has particular repercussions for older people who rent. Rising numbers are facing homelessness for the first time. Current health policies aimed at older people remaining in the community rather than in aged care may make matters worse.
Half of the Tasmanian population is 42 or older, the highest median age of any Australian state. Recent research has found that someone renting privately at age 45 is likely to be “highly impoverished” in retirement.
With housing need increasing, pressure is growing on all levels of government to help resolve the crisis.
What local councils do and why
We invited all of Tasmania’s 29 local governments to participate in an online survey. We received responses from 19 local government areas, 12 of which were complete.
Of those that responded, three councils provided local rental accommodation for older people. Two provided this at below-market rent specifically for those on low or fixed incomes. For example, in June 2017, Central Highlands Council advertised residential units for lease to low-income, local retirees.
Asset tests were not always applied. This meant older farmers who needed to be more centrally located for health reasons were able to apply.
Where councils identified that they leased properties targeted at seniors, most of these were bought or built in the 1980s with state and federal funding support. These grant programs no longer exist.
Only one local council indicated it was actively building more accommodation for seniors. When complete, this would provide 60 rental properties. This council had a higher proportion of people approaching retirement combined with a highly decentralised population.
In contrast, another council stated that it believed interest in council-supplied rental accommodation was declining.
This comment tallies with state government statements gathered as part of a 2016 study. The researchers stated that the number of applicants for state-owned seniors housing in the northern region was declining. Consequently, age restrictions were in some cases “relaxed” to fill vacancies.
Our study also identified regional differences in council approaches. Larger urban-based municipalities were less likely than their rural counterparts to own property targeted at the seniors group. But they were more likely to provide assistance in other ways.
The importance of our findings
Given Tasmania’s ageing population, tight rental market and increasing numbers of older women falling into homelessness, these responses require further investigation.
Local governments in Tasmania actually used a surprisingly diverse range of approaches to support local housing of older people. Some provided council land to third parties for building seniors accommodation. Others hosted public forums to highlight sale and rental accommodation suitable for seniors in their council areas.
Less popular forms of financial assistance were rates remissions and fee waivers for planning and building approval fees on applications for seniors and aged care facilities.
Councils also identified that they provided rental accommodation and accommodation support to a range of other cohorts, not just older people.
These findings highlight the importance of better understanding the diverse ways in which local councils can support housing in their communities. The roles of rural councils are particularly important to explore, given the socioeconomic disadvantages entrenched in these communities.
Better understanding the community benefits of such activities may encourage more councils to provide housing. It may also encourage state and federal governments to consider again supporting local governments in providing accommodation, particularly for older people.
Erika Altmann, Property and Housing Management Researcher, University of Tasmania
Lea Coates, Adjunct Researcher, University of Tasmania
Megan Woods, Senior Lecturer in Management, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/94739/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The authors acknowledge the contribution of Jen Newman, of Regional Development Australia – Tasmania, to the research and this article.
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/councils-help-with-affordable-housing-shows-how-local-government-can-make-a-difference-94739" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Tasmanian councils' help with affordable housing shows how local government can make a difference

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The retired restaurateur Margaret Hart and her retired developer husband Roger Hart have listed their Gardners Bay, Tasmania home with $1.9 million plus hopes. 
The SMP Architects-designed home sits on a 1.48 hectare lot overlooking the bay.
With three bedrooms and four bathrooms, the home is listed through Abi Freeman of Charlotte Peterswald.
<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/2018/4/6/TAS%203.jpg" alt="">
It combines steel beams and polished concrete floors with Tasmanian oak joinery and extensive north-easterly glazing to capitalise on the water views.
The master bedroom occupies the first floor and there’s a separate studio and workshop.
<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/2018/4/6/TAS%204.jpg" alt="">
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Restaurateur Margaret Hart lists Gardners Bay, Tasmania trophy home

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Most property-watchers are aware of the Tasmanian property boom, with attention focused on Hobart as the national leader for capital city price growth, for suburbs with the shortest time-on-market and for the nation’s lowest vacancy rates.
But there’s more to the Tassie story than Hobart. The second city Launceston is also thriving.
Launceston has seen good price growth in the last 12 months, with double-digit increases in the median house prices of several suburbs. This market also features vacancies below 2% and strong rental yields above 5.5%. 
And the future looks strong, starting with the underlying economy – always pivotal in the fortunes of property markets.
The Launceston City Deal, financially supported by all three levels of Government, has secured Launceston’s future as a “University Town”. 
Under the plan, Launceston will be the recipient of serious spending on infrastructure for industries such as education, construction, the Defence Force, transport and forestry. Launceston General Hospital is being upgraded, new industrial estates are emerging and new housing estates are opening up. 
In the 2016 Census, the population of Launceston was 81,000. Other reports suggest around 100,000 live in and around Launceston. 
It is one of Australia’s oldest cities and is home to many historic buildings, including the General Post Office. It’s the commercial hub for northern Tasmania’s agricultural and pastoral activities which, in recent years, have evolved from the growing of apples to viticulture. 
Wool is also an important industry while $130 million has been spent on the Meander Dam and irrigation infrastructure to support the agricultural sector. 
Launceston has a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, minerals and resources, commercial shipping, tourism and educational facilities. 
Human pharmaceuticals manufacturing earns the region about $130 million each year. Tasmanian Alkaloids, located near Westbury, is the largest exporter of opiates from which codeine and morphine are derived. The company employs 200 local people. 
Premium beer drinkers will be familiar with the name James Boag. The Brewery employs around 150 and produces 76,000,000 litres of beer annually. 
Manufacturing makes the largest contribution to the local economy, earning over $1 billion per year. George Town Seafoods announced in April 2016 that it will double production at its processing facility. The business employs 70 people in peak production periods. 
The Bell Bay Aluminium smelter, about 45km from Launceston, is one of the state’s biggest employers claiming 1,500 direct and indirect jobs. 
Tourism employs 2,500 and is worth $340 million a year to the local economy. Around 1.29 million passengers used Launceston airport in 2015, and following a redevelopment completed in mid- 2016, the airport expects to cater for two million passengers each year by 2030. 
Numerous wineries operate along the Tamar Valley which produces about 40% of Tasmania’s premium wines. Another main attraction is Cataract Gorge, home to the longest single span chairlift in the world while Launceston is often called the ‘Garden City’ because of its many parklands. 
Launceston Airport offers regular flights to Melbourne (where travellers can connect with international flights), Sydney and Brisbane. 
Launceston is now one of the leading property markets in regional Australia, attracting mainland investors. The city features prominently in The Price Predictor Index published by hotspotting.com.au, as it has several suburbs with growing sales activity, while the nearby West Tamar LGA also has growth markets. 
Affordable Invermay (median house price $248,000) typifies the growth in this region, the number of annual sales leaping from 64 in 2017 to 99 early in 2018. 
The increased sales activity has delivered a median price rise of 8% in the last 12 months. 
On the other side of the North Esk River, the inner- city of Launceston has seen the median house price grow 23%, resulting in a median price of $449,000. 
The median house price in Newstead, another inner- city suburb with 121 annual sales, has risen 13% to $365,000, while Norwood is up 13% to $348,000. Further out, the median house price in Hadspen is $315,000 following a 14% rise in 12 months. 
Interstate buyers have become common, attracted by the state’s affordability, combined with positive developments in the city. 
Agents have reported that about 30% of buyers in Launceston hail from Sydney - and many intend to move to Launceston rather than buying for investment purposes. 
 
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
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