<p>Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.</p>

<p>The latest application seeks approval for a multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.</p>

<p>According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" /></p>

<p>The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.</p>

<p>The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.</p>

<p>The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.</p>

<p><img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" /></p>

<p>The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.</p>

<p>Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.</p>

<p>Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.</p>


Staff Writer

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

<p>Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.</p>

<p>With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358868]</p>

<p>The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358863]</p>

<p>Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358862]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.</p>

<p>“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.</p>

<p>“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”</p>

<p>For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.</p>

<p>“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.</p>

<p>“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292862]</p>

<p>Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.</p>

<p>“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.</p>

<p>“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]</p>


Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333360]</p>

<p>Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.</p>

<p>GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Nine ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333359]</p>

<p>The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.</p>

<p>Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]</p>

<p>“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”</p>

<p>Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.</p>

<p>Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]</p>


Bask to complete Bokarina’s Sunshine Coast lifestyle precinct as final apartments are released

<p>Property development giant <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/avid-property-group">AVID Property Group</a> is approaching completion, and sell-out, of its Surry Hills apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-rathbone-23-47-flinders-street-surry-hills-nsw-2010">The Rathbone</a>.</p>

<p>The Flinders St project has sold well over half of its 32 apartments, which will sit above two retail spaces.</p>

<p>Now hitting the market are the final 14 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $1.15 million. AVID is targeting a mid-2026 completion.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51208]</p>

<p>AVID General Manager New South Wales Danny Boubli said as more apartments are introduced to increase housing options in inner-city areas, homebuyers are searching for a &nbsp;sense of belonging in addition to location, convenience and value.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“There are very few opportunities for new developments in Surry Hills, and since acquiring the site, we’ve even seen one early purchaser merge two apartments plans together, reflecting the demand for a spacious, premium offering in a prime location,” Boubli said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Demand has been strong since we launched to market – we don’t see these final apartments staying on the market for long.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Architectural firm Studio SC has designed the building which pays homage to the former 1900s Rathbone Terraces that once sat on the 990 sqm island site.</p>

<p>Boubil said the team has made every effort to create "truly liveable apartments", through&nbsp;functional floor plans, security, storage, and the inclusion of quality fittings.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=5947 project_image_fid=51207]</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sustainable design has also been implemented throughout the development, with natural light flooding each apartment, ventilation throughout, extensive landscaping and where possible, materials with a high level of recycled content and low volatile organic compound paints have been used. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Apartments range in size from 57 sqm for the one-bedrooms to the large-scale 165 sqm three-beds which are priced at $2,575,000.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5947]</p>


AVID launches final apartments at The Rathbone, Surry Hills

<p>A wave of investment, renewal and precinct growth continues to shape the northern edge of Macquarie Park, where daily life is supported by a rare combination of university activity, corporate employment, major retail, and expansive green corridors. It’s this convergence of amenity and connectivity underpins the setting for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a>, which has now topped out and is tracking toward completion in mid-2026.</p>

<p>Within this pocket of the precinct, residents move easily between the area’s key anchors. Macquarie Centre, home to more than 360 retailers, fresh food offerings, dining and entertainment, sits at the heart of local convenience and functions as a major transport interchange. The Metro, T1 rail line and extensive bus network place much of Sydney within quick reach, while surrounding arterial links support direct access to neighbouring districts.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=5829]</p>

<p>Green space remains a defining feature of the immediate environment. Lane Cove National Park stretches along the northern boundary of the precinct, offering bushland trails, cycling routes and quiet riverfront pockets. Shrimptons Creek and the campus grounds of Macquarie University extend these recreational networks, softening the urban setting and creating a daily connection to nature that informs the project’s architectural response.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> have shaped La Vera around these contrasts. The building’s northern elevation adopts an organic, curvilinear form that mirrors the natural topography of the national park. Three sculpted forms soften the tower’s profile and encourage a stronger transition between indoor living areas, balconies and the broader landscape.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223737]</p>

<p>Cox Director Felipe Miranda says the building’s outlook played a central role in the design process.</p>

<p>“The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park… The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies,” Felipe Miranda of Cox Architecture said.</p>

<p>Toward the city-facing side, the design shifts to a more urban expression. A gridded facade and extensive glazing capture CBD views, creating a dual strategy that blends ecological outlooks with metropolitan orientation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=5827]</p>

<p>La Vera delivers 169 residences across one- to four-bedroom layouts, reflecting the needs of young families, downsizers, first-home buyers and investors seeking long-term certainty within a high-amenity location. From the project, residents can walk to Macquarie University, Macquarie Hospital and nearby corporate offices, reach national park trails within minutes, and enjoy retail and dining without relying on a car.</p>

<p>The project is delivered by Urban Property Group, a 4.5-star iCIRT-rated developer-builder with more than three decades of experience. The company has become a leader in adopting 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), first introduced on its Parq Bexley development and now embedded into its pipeline.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=223727]</p>

<p>La Vera is the first development in Macquarie Park approved to offer this 10-year LDI policy, adding another layer of protection for purchasers and reinforcing the transparency of the construction process.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias says this assurance has become increasingly important for buyers navigating the off-the-plan market.</p>

<p>“Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been… Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share,” Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group's in-house construction team is forecasting a mid-2026 completion, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/home789">HOME789</a> appointed as the project marketer.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]</p>


La Vera delivers a nature-connected address within Macquarie Park’s core

Vacant Land

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<p> </p>
<p><span>Over the 2014-15 financial year vacant land selling prices have continued to rise across the combined capital cities. Meanwhile, vacant land prices have actually fallen over the year in regional markets.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<div>
<p>Data based on settled sales over the 2014-15 financial years shows that vacant land selling prices have increased by 6.0% across the combined capital cities. While capital city land prices are increasing, across the combined regional markets land prices have fallen by -3.4% over the year.</p>
<p>As at June 2015, the median selling price of vacant land was recorded at $258,543 across the combined capital cities and $156,500 across the combined regional markets. Median land prices in regional areas of the country are now -39% lower than those in capital cities, the widest differential since August 1990. Over the 25 years to June 2015, median vacant land prices have increased by 417% (6.8%pa) across the combined capital cities and by 422% (6.8%pa) across the combined regional areas.</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<div>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--median-vacant-land-prices.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h3>Median vacant land prices over time</h3>
<p><img src="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--median-vacant-land-prices.png" alt=""></p>
</div>
<p>While prices have fairly consistently risen, there has been a consistent trend towards smaller lot sizes. Although you pay a lot more for land you get a lot less for your money. Of those vacant land lots sold over the year to June 2015, the median lot size was 452sqm across the combined capital cities and 810sqm across the combined regional markets.</p>
<p>The median lot size has been reasonably stable across the combined capital cities over the past twelve months, whereas it has actually risen by 8.3% over the past year across regional markets. The median lot size for capital city vacant land has seemingly hit a trough having been relatively stable over the past 2 years. Meanwhile lot sizes have trended higher over the past year in regional areas.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-median-vacant-lot-sizes.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h3>Median vacant land lot sizes over time</h3>
<p><img src="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-median-vacant-lot-sizes.png" alt=""></p>
<p>With higher prices and fairly steady land areas, the rate per square metre of land has continued to rise over the past year across the combined capital cities while it has fallen in regional markets. At the end of June 2015 the rate per square metre was recorded at $557 across the combined capital cities and $170/sqm across the combined regional markets.</p>
<p>Chart 3 shows that the differential in the rate per square metre between capital city and regional residential vacant land is significant. This is a function of the high cost of vacant land in capital cities and the relatively small lot sizes. To put this in perspective, 25 years ago the rate/sqm for capital city vacant land was $66 and the typical lot size was 750sqm. Today capital city land costs $557/sqm and is only 450sqm on average. While a 750sqm lot in a capital city cost $50,000 25 years ago, today it would cost $417,800.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-median-rate-per-sqm.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h3>Median rate per square metre for vacant land over time</h3>
<p><img src="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-median-rate-per-sqm.png" alt=""></p>
<p>When looking at individual capital cities, vacant land prices are much higher than all other capital cities in Sydney. The cost of vacant land has risen sharply over the past year in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth over the past year. Typical lot sizes have actually risen across most cities over the past year but have generally fallen over the past decade. On a rate per square metre basis, vacant land in Sydney and Perth is much more expensive than all other capital cities. The rate per square metre has generally risen over the past year.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-capital-city-vacant-land.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h3>Capital city vacant land statistics - June 2015*</h3>
<p><img src="/images/2015/09/21/2015-09-21--pp-capital-city-vacant-land.png" alt=""></p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/cameron-kusher/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Capital city land prices just keep on rising: Cameron Kusher

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<p>The Gold Coast City Council has purchased a vacant 85 ha block of land in Yatala for $12.8 million with plans to convert it into sports and recreation fields.</p>
<p>The substantial landholding is located at 396 Stanmore Road and was owned by the Enkelmann family since the 1800s, when they relocated into the region as one of the early European settlers.</p>
<p>It was taken to market via an Expression of Interest campaign through Colliers International on behalf of Joe Welch of Hickey Lawyers, as the executors of the deceased estate.</p>
<p>Daniel Coburn, Director of Industrial at Colliers International who marketed the property said the campaign generated interest from a range of developers and occupiers considering the land was zoned future low impact industry, is on the periphery of Yatala Enterprise Area and surrounded by rural and residential properties.</p>
<p>“The unique selling points of this cleared land parcel is that it had 1.3km of road frontage and as well as 900m Albert River frontage in the northern Gold Coast corridor which is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia in terms of population growth,” Mr Coburn said.</p>
<p>The proceeds of the sale will be used in a charitable foundation to benefit local charities and in memory of the Enkelmann family.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Gold Coast City Council bought vacant 85 ha Yatala block for $12.8 million

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<p>Despite a slowdown in vacant land sales volume in 2018, the weighted average price for vacant land improved to $276,959, reflecting a 5% increase from the corresponding 2017 calendar year, according to latest Ray White's SEQ Vacant Land report.</p>
<p>Ray White Special Projects QLD agent Mark Creevey said the undersupplied development corridors including Brisbane City, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast witnessed the strongest price growth among the 10 local authorities from the year prior.</p>
<p>“The 2018 calendar year exhibited a clear slowdown in vacant land sales activity for the majority of the 10 local authorities that make up South East Queensland, with a total of 8,733 vacant lots sold, reflecting a 33.64% fall from the 2017 calendar year,” he said.</p>
<p>“The fall in sales activity is primarily considered a result of macro prudential regulation in the financial markets.</p>
<p>“This remains the single largest factor influencing the market at present, with buyers stifled by reduced borrowing capacity, resulting from lower gearing requirements and greater scrutiny over serviceability by banks.</p>
<p>“We expect price growth through major growth corridors to remain a trend into the second half of 2019, as a result of thinning supply, the recent Federal Election result, the relaxation of regulations applied by APRA to the lending institutions and recent interest rate cuts.”</p>
<p><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/2019/7/9/seq%201%20.jpg" alt=""><br>Ray White Special Projects QLD Executive Director Tony Williams said quality land supply remained the key challenge for South East Queensland in the short-to-medium term, with 2018 lot approvals down 22.26% on the year prior.</p>
<p>“Notable reductions in future supply pipelines were observed for the Gold Coast, which saw lot approvals down 46%, Logan City down 47.55% and Moreton Bay seeing a drop of 33.95%,” he said.</p>
<p>“The Redland Bay region exhibited strong results across the board with an increase in vacant lot sales of 7.02%, while experiencing price growth of 14.10% for the year.</p>
<p>“Future supply again appears to be the key challenge to the continued growth for the region, with lot approvals down 37.75% for the year.</p>
<p>“Notwithstanding the recent reduction in land sales volumes, we’re confident in the general outlook for the land market in SEQ.</p>
<p>“Enquiry levels from locals and increasing numbers of interstate and even overseas groups are strong, with limited opportunities at present to acquire sites which offer scale, access to infrastructure, approvals or even a clear planning pathway to an approval.”</p>
<p><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/2019/7/9/seq%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Ray White Special Projects QLD Executive Director Matthew Fritzsche said he anticipated a number of factors would continue to underpin the SEQ land market in the medium term.</p>
<p>“More affordable median land values between SEQ and southern markets still provides significant upside for southern buyers investing in SEQ,” he said.</p>
<p>“While continued population growth in SEQ is positive, it’s still well below peak numbers experienced in the early to mid-2000’s, highlighting the potential for further increases.</p>
<p>“Delivery and investment in major infrastructure projects such as Queen's Wharf, Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, Brisbane Live, Brisbane Airport second runway and the potential SEQ 2032 Olympic Bid, will be key factors.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/7/9/seq%203.jpg" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge.</p>
<p><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/2019/7/9/seq%203.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
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Price growth in South East Queensland land market continues

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<p><span>The NSW Valuer General has released the latest official land values.</span></p>
<p>Residential land values increased by 4.4% over the year.</p>
<p><span>There had been a 14.1 per cent rise in the previous year.</span></p>
<p>The land values are for the value of the land only, as at 1 July 2018.</p>
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<p><span>One of the biggest increase was in Ku-Ring-Gai local government area where residential land values increased by 22.5% with very strong increases in land values for mixed use properties along the Pacific Highway (45.8%).</span></p>
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<p><span>Residential land values increased in the Lane Cove local government area by 17.4%, due to demand for housing near public transport, main roads and the business centres of North Sydney, Chatswood and Macquarie Park.</span></p>
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<p>Acting Valuer General Michael Parker said the land values are made by independent contract valuers following the analysis of over 46,000 sales. </p>
<p>Residential land values in the Sydney Central region recorded an increase of 2.1%, the so-called Sydney East region increased by 3.2% and the Sydney West region had a 3.8% increase.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><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/2019/1/Subscriber%20strip%20ad.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
<p>Decreases were recorded in the Georges River suburbs (-3.3%).</p>
<p><span>Rural NSW land values increased overall by 14.3% due to continued demand and firm commodity prices. </span></p>
<p><span>Most locations recorded strong increases despite the continuing dry conditions, the department noted.</span></p>
<p><span>The land values reflect the property market at 1 July 2018. Land values do not include the value of a home or other structures.</span></p>
<p><span>Mr Parker encouraged the public to visit valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au for more information on land values and the valuation system.</span></p>
<p><span>“The latest land values for all properties in NSW are available on our website along with</span><span>information on trends, medians and typical land values for ea</span><span>ch local government area,” </span><span>Mr Parker said.</span></p>
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<p><span>The Sydney East region saw its </span>strongest increases in the local government areas of North Sydney and Mosman, which showed 14.4% and 11.2% increases respectively.</p>
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<p><span>The Blue Mountains local government area had an increase of 16.6%. The Hills Shire (0.7%) and Fairfield (1.5%) local government areas had steady residential land values.</span></p>
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Ku-Ring-Gai and Lane Cove show strongest gains as NSW residential land values up 4.4% over the year

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<div>New data from SEQ confirms Brisbane’s residential house and land market performed strongly over 2017.</div>
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<div>Land prices are up more than 11 per cent, the Ray White Special Projects' latest SEQ Vacant Land Market Report indicated.</div>
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<div>It reports 10 major Local Government Areas responding to firming conditions with supply of vacant lots showing a sharp 31.82 per cent rise in Brisbane in the year to December 2017.</div>
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<div>Ray White Commercial head of research Vanessa Rader found a nine per cent spike in lot approvals which shows developers’ expectations of firming future demand.</div>
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<br>Ray White Special Projects Qld executive director Mark Creevey expects to see price growth continue to firm largely in south-east Queensland due to the lack of available land for development and developers focused on owner occupied product.</div>
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<div>“Given there’s been a marginal lift of three per cent in the number of projects from last year it would appear that the significant increase has been derived from established estates delivering further supply to cater for demand,” Mr Creevey said.</div>
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<div>In south east Queensland there were 18,867 lots approved in 2017, down 16 per cent on 2016 but there were 15,691 lots registered which is a 5.97 per cent increase.</div>
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<div>The weighted average vacant land price in south east Queensland lifted 2.37 per cent in 2017 to $262,534.</div>
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<div>Brisbane City Council has the highest jumps from last year with a 9.13 per cent increase in registered lots to 2,894 in 2017 and an 11.35 per cent jump in the median land price to $412,000, with a 435sqm lot being the median size.</div>
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<div>House and land package sales fell 18.44 per cent to 566 sales but prices jumped 6.91 per cent to $735,000, demonstrating the continued requirement for increased supply in the Brisbane region.</div>
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<div>“Sales slipped backwards in 2017 but DA approvals and prices keep rising which bodes well for the future - with a 31.82 per cent spike in lot registrations,” Mr Creevey said.</div>
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<div>Ray White Special Projects Qld executive director Tony Williams said the inability of the LGA to deliver approvals in prime development corridors including Caboolture West, Warner and Morayfield resulted in a dramatic drop in lot approvals by more than 50 per cent.</div>
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<div>“If this is not addressed it could potentially have future supply and price implications,” Mr Williams said.</div>
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<div>“The number of lots registered has shown a solid increase of 32.38 per cent however this increase is from 11 per cent less projects than the previous year, pointing toward diminishing future supply unless key areas are unlocked.</div>
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<div>“The Moreton Bay LGA has demonstrated a flat performance over the past 12 months with the majority of indicators showing a downward trend somewhat defying the market sentiment and demand in this region."</div>
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<div>“The Moreton Bay LGA has traditionally been a popular development corridor offering significant supply across SEQld however has experienced a decline in vacant land settlements (down 4.45 per cent) as well as the median land price which reflects $251,000 (down 1.57 per cent).”</div>
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<div>On the Gold Coast, house and land package sales fell 35.71 per cent to 261 sales in 2017, with the median price rising 3.48 per cent to $505,000. The median lot size is 455sq m with a median vacant land price up 7.54 per cent to $271,000.</div>
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<div>Ray White Special Projects Qld director Matthew Fritzsche said the Gold Coast LGA land market had shown robust results over the last few years.</div>
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<div>“The volume of vacant land sales has however shown significant reductions although it has not dampened the median price across the region. Lot values have seen sizeable gains over the past 12 months after the prior few years had recorded minimal growth which was keeping affordability in check, the decrease in average lot size being a contributing factor,” Mr Fritzsche said.</div>
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<div>“The true growth on a $ per sqm basis has been consistently positive (albeit at a slower rate) and shows encouraging signs for the market. The fall in lot approvals on the back of limited availability of greenfield land is helping push prices upward.</div>
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<div>“Other indicators such as the house and land packages value increase emphasises the ongoing demand for housing in this location, which is expected to remain similar for the rest of 2018.”</div>
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<div>The Ipswich City Council region saw a 3.31 per cent slide in lot registrations, and it’s median vacant land price slipped 3.28 per cent to $191,500. House and land package prices remained steady at $385,000, and the median lot size in Ipswich was 443sq m.</div>
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<div>Mr Creevey anticipates that both values and volumes would remain similar over 2018 as an equilibrium was found between new supply and demand.</div>
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<div>“Demand for land and house and land product in the Ipswich LGA over the 2017 calendar year remained strong with only a slight variance down from 2016 in respect to median values and sales volumes,” Mr Creevey said.</div>
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<div>“The median value for land has reduced slightly we which expect to be a result of increased competition with a number of new estates having commenced in 2017. Volumes remain significantly higher than the longer term 5 and 10 year average.</div>
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<div>“Median values are only 5.69 per cent higher than the 10 year average while the rate per sqm is 20 per cent higher due to diminishing lots sizes which highlights the importance of maintaining affordability as a key selling point in this region.”</div>
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<div>The median lot size in Logan is 421sq m, with a steady median price for vacant of $220,500 with a healthy 5.3 per cent bump in lots registered to 1,690.</div>
<div>Mr Fritzsche anticipated rates of sale to remain strong throughout 2018 with some vacant land price growth.</div>
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<div>“Rates of sale improved by approximately five per cent over this same period and are well up on the long term averages, however value levels remain fairly static. The results for the Logan City LGA show a strong increase in lot approvals over the 12 month period to calendar end 2017,” Mr Fritzsche said.</div>
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<div>“This is a reflection of a number of large master-planned communities coming online in the region, together with a number of smaller more fragmented projects being undertaken by small to medium private developers / builders.”</div>
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<div>Ray White Special Projects Qld Associate Director Andrew Burke said there was a 39 per cent fall in lot approvals to 1662 lots on the Sunshine Coast, while the number of projects rose by 17 per cent to 88.</div>
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<div>The median vacant land price rose 5.69 per cent to $269,500 and the median price of a house and land package rose 4.4 per cent to $522,000.</div>
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<div>“We anticipate further increase in demand in this location due to ongoing business confidence and continued population growth,” Mr Burke said.</div>
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<div>“Infrastructure projects such as the University Hospital, the Sunshine Coast airport expansion, Maroochydore City Centre upgrade and the mooted light rail from Maroochydore to Caloundra (Stage 1 and 2) continue to transition to a highly valuable and sustainable economy. “</div>
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SEQ house and land market remains strong

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<p>A vacant New Farm block of land with one of the best views in Brisbane has fetched $11.3 million in a deal secured through Place Projects.</p>
<p>The site cost $255,000 some 32 years ago in 1986.</p>
<p><em>The Courier-Mail</em> reports the buyer of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-residential+land-qld-new+farm-202138222" target="_blank">33 Moray Street</a> is expected to build Brisbane’s most expensive family home on the site.</p>
<p>The property had been on the market for over a year.</p>
<p>It reflected about $10,000 through Place Projects agent Syd ­Walker.</p>
<p>The vacant block looks across the river towards the city skyline with views over the iconic Story Bridge. </p>
<p>"<span>This property has been on the watch list of countless developers over the years," the marketing said.</span></p>
<p><span>The 1,103sq m lot was sold by Jane Gibson, the widow of celebrated Brisbane architect Robin Gibson, who acquired the site in 1986 for just $200,000.</span></p>
<p><span>Gibson designed some of Brisbane’s most well-known civic buildings including the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank.</span></p>
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Vacant New Farm building block fetches $11.3 milion

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<p>Sydney Roosters star and keen property developer James Tedesco has sold a vacant land parcel he hasn't touched for five years.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-nsw-spring+farm-202095282" target="_blank">The Spring Farm block</a> does now come with approval for a double storey home with attached granny flat.</p>
<p>Tedesco will have nearly doubled his money if it sold at the top end of the $649,000 to $699,000 price guide when offered by My Property Consultants Shannon McDonnell, who found a buyer in just 12 days.</p>
<p>Tedesco paid $348,000 in 2013 when he was at the Tigers.</p>
<p>There are plans for a four bedroom main home with three living areas, media room, study and alfresco, while the granny flat has one bedroom.</p>
<p>The 25 year old fullback, who has said he is loving his time at the Roosters, has been developing property for the last few years.</p>
<p>He has a four townhouse project at Lurnea, each two storeys overlooking a lake, as well as a home at Menangle Park. </p>
<p>Tedesco joined the Roosters this year after spending five years with Wests Tigers where he started his career.</p>
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Roosters star James Tedesco sells vacant Spring Farm block 

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<p>Residential land costs in key markets have reached a new high, says HIA senior economist Shane Garrett.</p>
<p>Vacant land in Sydney is now over $1,000 per sqm.</p>
<p>“Today’s HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report indicates that the median lot price nationally increased to $256,683, an increase of 8.5 per cent on a year earlier," Garrett said.</p>
<p>“Across Australia, land turnover is down about 9 per cent on a year ago.</p>
<p>“The speed at which land price is increasing is a concern as it compounds the housing affordability problem.</p>
<p>The results are contained in the latest edition of the HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12.16px;"><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/2017/10/24/Landsales.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p>Garrrett suggested land supply policy has to be central to making real and sustainable progress on housing affordability.</p>
<p>"This requires improved outcomes with respect to financing of housing infrastructure, monitoring and timely reporting on land release and speeding up zoning and subdivision process,” he said.</p>
<p>CoreLogic’s commercial research analyst Eliza Owen says record high lot prices over the past five quarters are likely to have contributed to worsening affordability and influenced the unprecedented level of high density residential development that is currently under construction.</p>
<p>“As the Australian economy shifts from residential to non-residential construction, demand for vacant residential land may shift in location and scope," Owen said.</p>
<p>"New and prospective infrastructure developments such as the inland freight rail and Badgerys Creek Airport will open up new employment and development opportunities further from the metropolitan regions which may stimulate demand for housing in areas with a more affordable price tag."</p>
<p>Over the year to June 2017, price pressures in the market for residential land were most intense in Melbourne where the median price increased by 19.6 per cent over the previous 12 months.</p>
<p>The pace of land price growth was also strong in Sydney (+9.8 per cent) and Adelaide (+8.0 per cent) over the same period.</p>
<p>Land price gains were more modest in Perth (+5.0 per cent) and Brisbane (+0.1 per cent) over the same period.</p>
<p>Hobart was the only capital city to experience a reduction in the median land price over the year to June 2017 (-15.8 per cent).</p>
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New Sydney land costs top $1,000 per square metre

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<p><span>GUEST OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>The announcement </span>by NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes that plans have been made for Wilton New Town and that the boundaries of the Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Area are to be extended is good news for managing Sydney’s growth.</p>
<p><span>Sydney’s growth needs new greenfield development as well as inner-city urban renewal.</span></p>
<p><span>A number of Urban </span><span>Taskforce members are developing sites in the </span><span>Wilton and Macarthur areas and they will be encouraged by the government’s announcement of the expanded growth area.</span></p>
<p><span>The go</span><span>-ahead for Wilton New Town will give a focus to development in the area and ensure that jobs are able to be located in the region. The extension of the growth area boundaries to include the land release </span><span>areas of Menangle Park and Mt Gilead will ensure an ongoing supply of new housing sites.</span></p>
<p><span>Care will need to be taken about the cost of </span><span>levies that contribute to the funding of infrastructure to ensure that the levy costs do not over inflate the cost of new homes. Clearly contributions will be needed towards necessary infrastructure but Government also has a role to ensure timely delivery of this </span><span>infrastructure.</span></p>
<p><span>As </span><span>Sydney grows from a city of 5 million to 8 million over the next 40 years the boom in inner city apartment buildings must be balanced by medium density dwellings and by houses built on green field sites like the Greater Macar</span><span>thur Priority Growth Area.</span></p>
<p><em>Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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