Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Units

<html><body>
Historically Sydney embraced apartment living relatively early, in many inner suburbs there are examples of apartment buildings dating back to the 1930’s. Sydney’s appetite for apartment living has increased steadily ever since and this has resulted in a diverse stock of medium and high-density apartments to a greater extent than Melbourne.
Sydney has also alone successfully grown an urban landscape to become a ‘city of cities’ while the City of Sydney has long promoted the idea of a ‘city of villages’.
The evolution in high-density living and the continued growth of our varied urban centres has combined to help produced a rich and increasingly diverse apartment market. With each area offering interesting, diverse and appealing communities and neighbourhoods, as a result new apartment projects have also evolved in design and size to fit these different ‘cities’ and ‘villages’.
It’s a pattern of development that in Australia is unique to Sydney, much more so than Melbourne and with apartment living only going to increase, this extent of diversity appeals to many developers and buyers. It enables varied cultural outcomes to evolve and so makes each area more engaging and exciting.
One result is that we see architectural variety clearly responding to the different geographic and cultural markets that have developed. This also adds character to the city and creates different neighbourhoods that appeal to buyers.
City of Cities
Unlike Sydney, no other Australian city has developed the number of major high-density satellite centres such as Parramatta, Auburn, Bankstown, Bondi Junction, North Sydney and Chatswood.
This pattern of development is not surprising given the growing proportion of people living in high density housing. In 2001 one in seven (15.7%) of Sydney dwellings were classified as high density, by 2011 that had increased to 20.7%, today the figure is close to 30% and growing.
The highest proportions are located in the City of Sydney (70.2%) with the CBD (94.3%), and then followed by North Sydney (60.8%), Waverley (49%) and Woollahra (46.4%).
The appeal of these ‘satellite centres’ locations is somewhat surprising, as Parramatta, Bankstown and Auburn are all located some 20kms from the CBD, while Chatswood and Bondi Junction are within 10kms, which is often seen as the limits of the definition of inner-city.
However Parramatta is a great example so much so that recently a $2 billion proposal to rejuvenate its commercial hub was announced. And like Chatswood a strong high density residential market will be a key part of future plans.
City of Villages
In the 1950’s the idea of a CBD, as a district devoted to business did result in some areas becoming somewhat isolated from the wider community, and this historically residential development. Now that thinking has been reversed. Today the City of Sydney (along with most other cities) is one of the most dynamic high-density residential markets.
Taking on the idea of a series of villages, in part reflects international trends, but it’s a very positive way to help encourage and sustain residential areas and individual developments with wide appeal.
The City of Sydney has identified 10 villages, and these include the CBD and Harbour, Chinatown/CBD South, Green Square/City South, King &amp; Harris Streets, Oxford Street and Redfern Street.
With the village plan actively promoted, when we think of marketing and development goals we can see from various consultations how residents would like to see the area’s villages evolve.
What is interesting and perhaps not that surprising is that many of the key points residents look to encourage would be an exact check list for any successful development to address, including;
<ul>
<li>developing a sense of community</li>
<li>improving public transport (plus encouraging bike riding and walking)</li>
<li>supporting local services and businesses</li>
<li>solving parking problems</li>
<li>‘greening’ streets and neighbourhoods</li>
<li>promoting safe and clean public places.</li>
</ul>
For residents the idea of a City of Villages is appealing, however to meet the needs of a modern economy the long-term planning for any city needs to accommodate commercial growth and all of the associated services. Today we also see that a mix of development, including a range of residential projects clearly helps to enhance and create a more vibrant city.
As Sydney continues to grow as a ‘City of Cities’ we will continue to see further urban consolidation, much of which is based around transport connections. People and planners are attracted to existing suburbs and so the idea of a ‘City of Villages’ also makes sense, the idea allows for sensitive development while retaining local character.
Sydney’s supply of land, in particular land with reasonable access to services and employment is very limited and so both these trends are set to continue, and I think make a positive contribution to our urban environment.
Peter Chittenden is managing director for residential of Colliers International. He can be contacted <a href="https://www.projectagenda.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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pchittenden-eLqUUC8TWW

City of cities, city of villages: Peter Chittenden

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Canberra and Adelaide sit among the crowded regional cities appraised as being at the bottom of the market on the latest HTW unit property clock.
The valuation firm, Herron Todd White has issued its latest July 2015 property clock - a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are - and what direction prices are moving in.
The valuation firm has included capital and regional cities on the property clock for unit price direction.
The valuation firm also issued the property clock for <a href="/expert-insights/buying/dubbo-newcastle-and-gippsland-at-peak-pricing-in-july-htw-property-clock">house price direction</a>.
<a href="/images/2015/07/14/700_clock.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/14/700_clock.jpg" alt="">
 
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Canberra in crowded bottom of the market on HTW July unit property clock

<html><body>
The property clock is a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are - and what direction prices are moving in.
The latest property clock - this time on units across Australia - has been published by valuers Herron odd White. Perth is at 3'oclock.
<a href="/images/2015/06/24/propertyclockunits.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/06/24/propertyclockunits.png" alt="" width="895" height="847">
 
Click here to see the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydney-melbourne-and-brisbane-on-the-june-2015-property-clock">Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane June 2015 property clock</a>. 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Perth in decline on the June 2015 national property clock

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Rents across Australia's capital cities grew by just 1.8% over the last year, according to CoreLogic RP Data's quarterly Rental Review.
The data provider noted the rental markets performance is the weakest it has been since the mid-2000s.
The median weekly rent for a capital city unit now sits at $410, with Darwin commanding the highest rental rate. Landlords in the Northern Territory capital are asking for $550 per week in rent at the median, which is down 1.8% from the previous quarter.
The fifth floor two bedroom, two bathroom apartment at  <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nt-woolner-414659271" target="_blank">22/3 Brewery Place, Woolner</a> is currently advertised to rent at $550 per week.
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/dawin%20unit.jpg" alt="">
It was last advertised to rent for $450 per week in April 2008, and was listed as vacant with an asking rent of $350 per week the year before. Having paid $475,000 for the apartment in April 2012, the vendors will achieve a 6% rental yield if they secure a tenant at its current advertised price.
Hobart remains the cheapest capital city in Australia for unit rentals, with a median advertised rent of $280 per week.
CoreLogic RP Data notes that overall, the performance of the unit rental market was somewhat weaker than that of the house market over the past quarter, with Hobart and Brisbane the only capital cities to see an increase in rents over the three months to December. Hobart's unit rents were up 1.8% for the quarter, with Brisbane's up 1.3% over the same period.
Canberra's unit rental declines slowed towards the end of the year, with no change recorded over the quarter, but the rents down 7.3% on a year-on-year basis. This one bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/78-10-ipima-street-braddon/Property-Details-rent-residential-8099006" target="_blank">78/10 Ipima Street in Braddon</a> is currently advertised to rent at the city's median of $380 per week.
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/canberra%20unit.jpg" alt="">
The asking rent for the 61.6 square metre apartment has not changed since December 2013. Canberra recorded the greatest drop in unit rents over 2014, while Perth landlords lowered their asking rents for units by 4.4% in the same period.
CoreLogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher said declines in Perth, Darwin and Canberra were the exceptions, but capital city rental growth remained slow across all markets.
"Given the recent high number of dwelling approvals and commencements coupled with the high level of purchase activity from investors, we would anticipate that the rate of rental growth will remain soft throughout 2015," said Kusher.
While rents in Adelaide also remained unchanged the three month period, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Darwin all recorded declines. Sydney's median unit rent was recorded at $495 for the quarter, down 1%.
Melbourne asking rents for apartments and units have declined by 1.4% for the quarter, but were up 1.4% on a yearly basis. A two bedroom apartment in the complex pictured below is currently advertised at Melbourne's current unit median, $360 per week.
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/21-14-Mitford-Street-St-Kilda-VIC-3182-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-8117090.jpg" alt="">
The advertised rent for the apartment at <a href="https://%20http:/www.realestateview.com.au/rental-properties/21-14-mitford-street-st-kilda/Property-Details-rent-residential-8117090" target="_blank">21/14 Mitford Street, St Kilda</a> has increased by only $10 per week since September 2011. Prior to that, it was advertised at $265 per week in March 2006.
According to Kusher, the performance of rental markets will largely depend on broader economic conditions.
To see CoreLogic RP Data's summary of the capital city rental markets, click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 CoreLogic RP Data's capital city unit market summaries for the 2014 December quarter: 
Sydney
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2032.png" alt="">
Melbourne 
 <img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2024.png" alt="">
Brisbane 
 <img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2026.png" alt="">
Adelaide 
 <img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2027.png" alt="">
Perth 
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2028.png" alt=""> 
Darwin 
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2029.png" alt=""> 
Canberra 
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2030.png" alt=""> 
Hobart/Tasmania 
<img src="/images/2015/01/8/Picture%2031.png" alt=""> 
Source: CoreLogic RP Data
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Unit performance weak as rental growth slows to decade low

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The latest statistics from Onthehouse/Residex for August growth paint an interesting picture of the disparity of unit prices across the country.
Here are Australia’s regions and cities, from lowest to highest for median unit value.
Tas Country
$201,500 SA Country
$228,000
Hobart
$259,500
Vic Country
$261,000
Adelaide
$305,500
WA Country
$310,000
QLD Country
$315,000
NSW Country
$323,000
Brisbane
$369,000
ACT $403,500
NT $403,500
Darwin
$433,500
Perth
$455,000
Melbourne
$461,500
Sydney
$582,500
Source: Residex
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Where is it cheapest to buy units in Australia? The capital city and regional roundup

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Sydney’s most affordable property reported sold at weekend auction was a one bedroom apartment in Narwee, in the southern suburbs.
The top floor 5/33 Graham Road unit sold for $325,000 <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/apartment-unit-flat/nsw/narwee/?adid=2011409446" target="_blank">through L.J Hooker Riverwood</a>, according to Australian Property Monitors, under instruction from NSW Trustee &amp; Guardian.
The 1986 block's last and highest previous sale was $319,000 when a one bedroom apartment sold earlier this year, and then was put up for $310 a week rental. Based on these figures the sale would reflect a yield of about 5%.
The median price for an apartment in <a href="/news">Narwee</a> is currently $421,000, which is a down from last year's price spike of $550,000 an apartment.
The median asking rent for apartments in Narwee is currently $380 a week, according to RP Data. 
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andreadixon-oif3j7eKne

Narwee one bedder Sydney's cheapest auction sale

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Many are speculating that Queensland will be the next big growth market for units, with unit rental yields sitting as high as <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-top-suburbs-for-unit-rental-yield-around-the-country-ultimo-shines">11.5% in some parts of the state</a>. 
But just how well priced are Queensland’s units? Brisbane and Gold Coast’s median unit price was $359,000 for the March quarter. Property Observer looks at the March quarter’s sales to see just what went for Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s median unit price.
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-broadbeach-115734699" target="_blank">2/31 ARMRICK AVENUE, BROADBEACH</a>  <img src="/images/2014/05/01/whale%20beach_0003_4.jpg.jpg" width="800" height="600"> This two bedroom, two bathroom ground floor unit in the Gold Coast sold for $360,000. The apartment is tiled throughout and includes a large balcony for outdoor entertaining. Part of a small five unit complex, Unit 2 attracts $34 per week in body corporate fees. Sale price: $360,000 Bedrooms: Two Travel to CBD (Gold Coast): Walking distance 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-nundah-115662756" target="_blank">3/29 OLIVER STREET, NUNDAH <img src="/images/2014/05/01/nundah.jpg" width="800" height="600"></a> Vendors purchased this two bedroom unit in 2009 for $347,500, selling it five years later for $357,000. The unit has two bedrooms and bathrooms, with a balcony entertaining area. Nundah, eight kilometres north east of the Brisbane CBD has seen significant gentrification in recent years. Sale price: $357,000 Bedrooms: Two Travel to CBD (Brisbane): 14 minute drive
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-nundah-115662756" target="_blank"> </a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-toowong-115601139" target="_blank">3/9 CADELL STREET, TOOWONG <img src="/images/2014/05/01/toowong.jpg" width="800" height="600"> </a> A two bedroom apartment in this eight unit complex sold for $360,000 earlier this year. The unit attracted a price well below the median for units in the suburb, which sat at $439,000 last month. Within walking distance to the train station, the apartment has carpeted bedrooms and tiled living areas. Sale price: $360,000 Bedrooms: Two Travel to CBD (Brisbane): Six minute drive
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-new+farm-116283803" target="_blank">11/229 MORAY STREET, NEW FARM <img src="/images/2014/05/01/new%20farm.jpg" width="800" height="600"> </a>This newly renovated one bedroom apartment in New Farm sold for $350,000. Its modern interiors are of a superior quality to the other units featured on this list, but this apartment has only one bedroom, with 55 square metres of total floor space. The air conditioned unit is situated in a two storey complex, and in April 2013 was advertised to rent at $370 per week. Sale price: $350,000 Bedrooms: One Travel to CBD (Brisbane): Nine minutes drive<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-new+farm-116283803" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-new+farm-116283803" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-new+farm-116283803" target="_blank"> </a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-woolloongabba-116091847" target="_blank">6/25 REIS STREET, WOOLLOONGABBA <img src="/images/2014/05/01/wooloongabba.jpg"> </a>
This Woolloongabba two bedroom apartment was sold in February for $360,000. It was purchased by the vendors for only $10,000 less in 2009. Two kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, Woolloongabba has a relatively dense apartment market due to its proximity to the Brisbane CBD and the opportunity to capitalise on river views. The median unit price in Woolloongabba was $410,000 for March. 
Sale price: $360,000 Bedrooms: Two Travel to CBD (Brisbane): Five minutes drive
</li>
</ol>
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