National developer Time &amp; Place appears to have settled on a design for its long-anticipated Potts Point project.

After several years of back and forth with local council and the NSW Government, the developer, which has spent close to a decade targeting the former The Chimes site on Macleay Street, has now progressed its plans.

Following a concept design submission last year by SJB, Time &amp; Place has lodged a full State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government, this time for a scheme designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="504d2a27-d65f-4227-8189-1e35e3376e62" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.38.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_XqFKATYHF30KnVByPxhaI9UBzmkmfn7" />

The 16-storey proposal includes 44 apartments, 21 of which will be build-to-sell. These will comprise 19 three-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom penthouses.

More than 50 per cent of the development will be dedicated to affordable housing, with 23 one- and two-bedroom apartments delivered in line with the NSW Government’s Housing SEPP.

Kerry Hill Architects said the proposal is driven by a strong response to place.

“Our proposal for a new residential building for Potts Point in Sydney is driven by a deep consideration of place,” the practice said in its submission.

“This operates on multiple levels, including a landscape approach that reinstates endemic flora of the Sydney peninsula and provides a ground-floor garden for residents, reconnecting the site to its pre-European history. A brick podium further strengthens this relationship to context, integrating planting and fine bronze detailing that references the predominant material language of Macleay Street.”

The three-level podium will be topped by a communal resident space, featuring a covered pool designed to receive direct afternoon sun in winter, a neighbouring reflection pool, dining and event areas oriented to maximise sunset views, and an outdoor exercise zone.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d3eedc1-babb-44a3-bd96-d8a42f3adf1f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.37.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Ii7.4dvqNatu5GQi6bhqNjAswrMB998." />

The design also incorporates highly crafted shopfronts and a clearly defined residential entry to activate the street. Juliette balconies to the podium residences will provide passive surveillance and a strong sense of habitation.

Above, the larger apartments are housed within a light-coloured masonry and bronze tower.

“The tower steps back in a series of gently curved volumes that reference the rich Art Deco context of Macleay Street,” the architects said. “Carefully calibrated vertical fins frame the views while providing privacy and a sense of refuge.”

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6fab60f4-3140-4469-b47a-48c781e0a30b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.28.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=e5XxrM3kzdASdKlcIACHAHbOSZhSKC9O" />

Time &amp; Place has been one of the most active developers nationally in the last 12 to 24 months. Late last year they completed&nbsp;The Queensbridge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, a mixed-use tower with 353 apartments and a hotel. They are currently selling Park Modern, 246 apartments near the famous Botanic Gardens in South Melbourne.

The developer has approval for The Burke, a mixed-use project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>&nbsp;being delivered in partnership with Woolworths. The 60 apartments, positioned above a new Woolworths supermarket, are expected to launch in the coming months. Time &amp; Place is also progressing plans for the redevelopment of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/northcote-vic-3070">Northcote</a>&nbsp;Plaza, and have recently submitted plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/time-place-unveils-plans-22-storey-south-melbourne-tower">22-storey tower</a>, another in South Melbourne.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a>, the developer has two projects in Manly: Two Tides, which is currently under construction, and an ultra high-end building on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/shoreline-manly-beach-89-90-north-steyne-manly">North Steyne</a>, fronting the beach. It is also continuing to work through the redevelopment of The Chimes building on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as Marlborough House, the redevelopment of the original David Jones warehouse building in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surry-hills-nsw-2010">Surry Hills</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Time & Place settles on design for The Chimes, Potts Point redevelopment

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/develotek">Develotek</a> is joining the likes of TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital, betting on a boom in Five Dock ahead of the 2032 mooted opening of the Five Dock Metro Station.

Develotek, which is currently developing Bianca on the Drummoyne waterfront and has plans approved for a tower in Chatswood, has filed a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">two-building project in the evolving Kings Bay precinct</a>.

The buildings, one more boutique just five storeys and the other 26 storeys, will rise from an 3,158 sqm site across&nbsp;79–81 Queens Road and 2–8 Spencer Street, will home 134 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, above ground-floor retail and five basement levels of parking.

A key component of the proposal is the inclusion of 15 per cent of residential floor space as in-fill affordable housing, unlocking additional height and density under the Housing SEPP.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3ee31bf7-75ba-4bc5-b190-49885193219f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium_2.png?VersionId=730UbrduuwK3C1sO28RHjiLPUPqXqjkh" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a podium-and-tower configuration, with a five-storey street wall along Queens Road transitioning to a 26-storey tower set deeper into the site. The ground plane prioritises activation and permeability, with retail frontages and a new through-site link connecting Queens Road to Spencer Street.

At the upper levels, the tower façade has been conceived using a modular system to support prefabrication and reduce construction waste, while improving build efficiency. The splayed form draws on the geometry of surrounding industrial rooftops, reinterpreting the area’s heritage in a contemporary expression while also helping to reduce solar heat gain to east and west-facing apartments.

“This project aspires to transform a former industrial site into a connected, resilient and people-focused urban community, grounded in Country, shaped by history, and designed to enrich everyday life within the evolving Kings Bay Precinct,” said John Walsh, Principal at Plus Studio.

The proposal reflects the broader transformation of the Kings Bay Precinct under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, marking a shift from its industrial past to a higher-density, mixed-use urban neighbourhood.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abde734c-1e31-4a97-a1d2-fa9bcf31c380" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/building%20podium.png?VersionId=fNUupP6u146yEytQT31kKVRxwtACgPpP" />

Develotek is emerging as an active participant in the state’s affordable housing-led uplift pathway. The developer recently secured approval for a 34-storey mixed-use tower in Chatswood, where it similarly leveraged the in-fill affordable housing provisions to increase scale and deliver a 101-unit scheme with dedicated affordable apartments.

Their entry into Five Dock places them alongside a growing list of developers targeting the suburb ahead of its anticipated transport uplift, with Sydney Metro set to extend into the area. Major players including TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital are all progressing large-scale precinct-style developments nearby, collectively reshaping the low-rise industrial fabric into a higher-density mixed-use corridor.

The Five Dock site sits within the Kings Bay Precinct, a key renewal area under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, where planning controls support significant uplift tied to affordable housing delivery. The consolidated 3,158 sqm site is currently occupied by low-rise industrial uses, including warehouses and vehicle workshops, earmarked for transition.

First Look: Develotek joins in Five Dock apartment boom

Ascot’s Racecourse Road continues to be a hive of activity for Brisbane developers.

Following Fortis and GRAYA, which are both preparing new projects along the key strip connecting Kingsford Smith Drive and Eagle Farm Racecourse, local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skyhold">Skyhold</a> is the latest to lodge plans for its own development.

The group is proposing One One Two Residences, a boutique project comprising just seven apartments, named after its address at 112 Racecourse Road.

The proposal outlines a five-storey building on an 810 sqm site. The built form slightly exceeds the four-storey expectation under the neighbourhood plan, aligning instead with the emerging character of the strip. As the planning report notes, “the locality is characterised by a transition toward medium-rise residential development, with a number of recent developments… above the stipulated height limits.”

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec577631-8c51-4163-960e-e7b3a77d655b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot.png?VersionId=iAzQ46D4Uu1UqiS0mVnlcy9jeFKBpJIj" />

Designed by 111 with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/paul-bangay-garden-design">Paul Bangay Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a layered architectural approach with strong articulation and a subtropical response. Deep balconies, integrated planters, and a mix of masonry and textured finishes define the façade, while upper-level setbacks reduce perceived bulk. The architectural statement describes “a series of horizontally expressed layers, defined by deep balconies and a consistent robust material palette,” aimed at delivering a refined streetscape presence.

Apartments are configured as large-format residences, including multiple three-bedroom layouts and a full-floor penthouse, supported by ground-level parking. A rooftop terrace will provide communal amenities including a pool and landscaped recreation areas. The design prioritises privacy, natural ventilation, and greenery, with planting integrated across all levels to soften the building form and contribute to the public realm.

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1e1219bd-b45a-4d7f-bbc7-7207d7b2fc94" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot%20entry.png?VersionId=JIoUOLMgQ5xWpEF0etEI3ffIoIVjD7gO" />

The proposal sits within the Racecourse Road precinct, a key mixed-use spine in Ascot that continues to attract renewed development interest.

Later this year national developer Fortis will launch its own boutique development, which, pending council approvals, will be 16 apartments designed by Koichi Takada Architects, just down the street.

“Racecourse Road is going through a massive revitalisation and we’re proud to be a part of that transformation,” said Fortis's QLD General Manager, Dan Boman.

Nearby, GRAYA is advancing its larger-scale The Gallery, a mixed-use shop-top housing project designed to act as a “catalytic project for Racecourse Road.”

First Look: Racecourse Road, Hamilton revitalization to continue as Skyhold joins the party

Twenty-five years after launching one of Australia’s most visionary and successful masterplanned beach communities - Casuarina on the Northern NSW Tweed Coast - developer Consolidated Properties Group has unveiled plans for an $800 million sister project located 10 kilometres south, at Cudgera Creek near the coastal town of Pottsville.

CPG has taken the wraps off Caldera, a 78-hectare masterplanned village that builds on the legacy of Casuarina and aims to help address Northern NSW’s coastal housing shortage via the delivery of 550 homes built in a sustainable manner and addressing affordability and housing diversity, while also focusing on architectural and ecological merit.

Caldera is being brought to life by the same creative team that delivered Casuarina, led by Consolidated Properties CEO and chairman Don O’Rorke, Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson and renowned urban designer Brian Toyota, of architectural practice Bureau Proberts.

CPG has lodged a rezoning application with Tweed Shire Council for the Caldera site, which has been designated since 1991 as the Dunloe Park Urban Release Area, the final land release area within the Pottsville locality and one of only four remaining growth areas along the entire Tweed coastal strip. Preliminary plans for Caldera feature a 13-hectare retail and commercial precinct at the core of the village, surrounded by meticulously planned residential areas comprising around 550 homesites.

The retail hub will be anchored by a Coles Supermarket and will offer 7000 sqm of retail and 23 commercial lots designed to serve the local community and bring together curated shopping, dining, gym, wellness, childcare, medical and other essential services.

<img alt="Cons prop" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fca7dc71-4b71-45b1-bb04-5a60bd7158d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%208.34.04%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=vAKwIvLuwmTKj6blHJRYIEeXS_8lCgUx" />

The project will create more than 1500 jobs over its development cycle, according to its economic modelling, and significantly address the shortage of employment land in the Tweed.

The residential areas will encourage a sense of community via a cohesive urban design that encourages walking, cycling, enhanced resident connectivity and reduced reliance on cars via bike paths and pedestrian-friendly streets.

Homesites will include a range of options from premium ridge-top homes to affordable housing options, ensuring a community that is inclusive of different income levels and designed to appeal to a wide demographic from baby boomers to families, singles and professionals. Architectural and planting covenants on home building will support the village’s built form and protect its character.

O’Rorke says CPG intends Caldera to be a model project delivered efficiently in a dedicated urban release area and ‘very much for this region and for this time’.

“Our vision for Caldera is to create a modern coastal village with its own unique northern NSW identity,” he said.

“Building on our legacy of Casuarina, 25 years on, this new village is designed to stand apart, offering the future of modern living, balancing the natural beauty of the region with contemporary amenities and convenience.

“Caldera will be more than just a place to live - it will be a welcoming, inclusive coastal village neighbouring Pottsville that invites visitors and embraces new residents. With its strong ties to the land, vibrant lifestyle and sense of place, Caldera will set a new standard for village living in Northern NSW.”

<img alt="CPG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a5a7cf4-5f76-4ddf-bd05-c8fb77d0a787" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%208.33.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=J1CzCGD7kE7fcAMd41V4pKAf_sI4L5Jv" />

The project’s centrepiece is environmental sustainability, with comprehensive wetlands protection measures and planting of native trees, parklands, village greens and communal grounds to enhance the natural beauty of the area.

CPG will also deliver a developer-funded wastewater treatment plant to ensure zero ocean outflows and provide high quality long-term infrastructure for Tweed Shire.

A key focus is wildlife management planning, including extensive conservation controls for the West Pottsville koala population, aligned with Tweed Shire Council’s Koala Plan of Management and designed to enhance koala habitat connectivity and future population growth.

Caldera will extend the existing koala corridor by connecting koala precincts west of the Pacific Highway with populations in the north and east precincts. A koala underpass will be created under Pottsville Road to complete the connection of this important corridor. Native tree plantings will expand essential koala food sources, while approximately eight kilometres of exclusion fencing will be constructed to safeguard the koalas from urban threats.

The Caldera site is nestled in the hills of Cudgera Creek and benefits from its rich natural surroundings including the Pottsville Wetland, Cudgera Creek Nature Reserve and nearby Pottsville Beach.

It takes its name from the surrounding Tweed Shield Volcano and Caldera, the vast bowl-shaped depression stretching from Byron Bay to the Queensland border that 20 million years ago was the world’s largest shield volcano and which has shaped the region’s striking landscape, with Mount Warning standing as one of its most iconic features.

The development is a joint venture between CPG and Pottsville Development Corporation, which made its first investment in Pottsville more than 45 years ago and is the developer of Black Rocks By the Sea, a masterplanned community now part of the fabric of Pottsville and which was the catalyst for the construction of a bridge across the Pottsville Estuary, providing direct access to the beach.

CPG’s $1.5 billion Casuarina Beach township, 10 kilometres to the north of Caldera, commenced construction in 2000 and has become the model for modern Australian, eco-sensitive beachside development.

Consolidated Properties unveils $800m coastal village Caldera in Casuarina

Growing national developer Time &amp; Place has announced its fifth new apartment development.

With two projects in Manly and two upcoming in Surry Hills and Potts Point, the developer, which expanded beyond Melbourne just a few years ago, is now heading to Mosman. It is planning 53 new apartments on Redan Street.

The 3,233 sqm site, spanning <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-48-redan-street-mosman-nsw-2088">40–48 Redan Street</a> with frontage to Redan Lane, is located just under 400 metres from Spit Junction Town Centre. It is reported the developer paid around $100 million for the five-site amalgamation.

Time &amp; Place, founded by Tim Price and backed by James Packer’s private investment firm NPACT, has submitted the project as a State Significant Development through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

Of the 53 apartments, 42 will be released to the market, with the remaining 11 allocated as affordable housing in line with NSW Government requirements.

fjc Studio has designed the building. In its Design Report, the architect said the diverse mix of dwelling types and sizes, including 11 two-bedroom affordable housing units, 40 three-bedroom apartments, and two four-bedroom residences, will support a broad demographic, including families, downsizers, and key workers.

The development will rise to nine levels, a height encouraged by the NSW Government due to the site’s proximity to Spit Junction, which has been identified as a low- to mid-rise centre. Developments within a certain proximity to these centres are permitted increased height.

fjc said the project “achieves an appropriate density outcome for its setting by balancing increased housing supply with strong amenity performance,” adding that it “makes a measurable contribution to NSW housing supply targets through the delivery of additional dwellings and dedicated affordable housing.”

The new development will replace five existing two-storey homes.

“By aligning with the objectives of the Housing SEPP and applying careful architectural and urban design principles, the development provides high-quality residential accommodation that integrates sensitively within its established Mosman context and delivers enduring benefits to residents and the wider community.”

Mosman has become increasingly popular with developers in recent years.

Developer Abadeen has been particularly active, with Mosman Residences currently on the market and under construction on Clifford Street. It also has an upcoming Burran Avenue project, comprising just three apartments on the Balmoral Slopes, and recently secured the Midas and Honeysuckle nursery site on Military Road.

Prosker Property has a project on Redan Lane, just a few doors down from Time &amp; Place’s proposed development.

Developers including Toohey Miller, DARE Property Group, and WINIM also have projects underway in the area. In 2024, a five-year target was set for the Mosman LGA to increase housing supply by 500 dwellings by 2029.

Time &amp; Place entered the Sydney market with Two Tides, its under construction Manly development. Given its sales success, it has secured another development in the area, more boutique, facing the beach on North Steyne.

They are hoping to launch their redevelopment of The Chimes in Potts Point this year, and next year will look to take to market Marlborough House, an adaptive re-use of the landmark David Jones warehouse in Surry Hills.

Time & Place to take on Mosman apartment market

Warehousing

<html><body>
Retail giant Amazon’s entry into Sydney may not be all that smooth, as its huge operational requirements may be difficult to manage initially, at least.
Amazon’s value proposition combined with its need for immense space may make it difficult to find a suitable base within Sydney, says a new report from Colliers International.
The report studied Amazon’s footprint in other global markets to determine how the online retailer would make its mark on the Sydney industrial market.
The sheer volume required by Amazon, combined with the need to deliver produce within an extremely short time-frame, means that it may struggle to find a space that meets its needs within the inner-Sydney ring, it said. 
“Amazon’s value proposition lies in its ability to offer an extensive range of consumer products at low prices by providing a unique customers experience which is dependent on delivering goods with speed, elasticity and mobility,’ said Colliers International research manager, Sass J-Baleh.
To fulfil their value proposition, Amazon’s key activity boils down to its logistics and distribution process – it requires a sufficient supply chain management. This means Amazon’s key resource is its Transit Warehouses/ Fulfilment centres, which typically occupy 100,000 sqm of space.
The report found that Amazon’s Fulfilment Centres (FCs), which is where a large majority of the goods are packed and distributed, are typically 100,000 sqm, with a global average of 64,000 sqm.
The company also relies on Fresh Food Distribution Centres, Regional Sortation Centres, Delivery Stations and Prime Now Hubs which typically occupy an average of 40,000 sqm, 30,000 sqm, 10,000 sqm and 6,000 sqm respectively.
Amazon currently operates in 14 countries and has 393 active facilities with a combined facility space of 13 million sqm. 
The Colliers report draws parallels with Canada and certain other countries to identify how Amazon might operate in Australia. 
“Canada is a country with a population greater than that of Australia, and they have only established six facilities with the population distribution concentrated into a small number of cities,” J-Baleh said.
“We already know that Amazon has recently secured one of its purpose-built FCs at Eastern Creek within Sydney’s Outer West sub-market, that is around 100,000 sqm.”
“This is advantageous as it is adjacent to the Sydney Orbital Network, providing direct access to a large share of the NSW market.”
“However, with over 64 percent of the total NSW population currently concentrated within the Sydney Metropolitan, Amazon may struggle to find facilities which will allow them to adhere to their 1-2 hour delivery time within this area.”
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Amazon faces tough entrance to the Australian market

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Changing occupier requirements are the main driver behind the growing sophistication of industrial property. Warehousing has historically been one of the more passive property types however growth in eCommerce and the globalisation of logistics have driven innovative changes to internal fit out requirements. This is leading to greater complexities for occupiers and developers. 
Distribution centres are now far more dynamic – goods are moving faster, higher clearances are required and there is greater demand for natural light and better performing slabs. Occupiers are changing with third party logistics (3PL) experiencing enormous growth and supermarket groups becoming more sophisticated in how they move goods through their distribution channels. Ecommerce providers frequently require specialist internal design and fit out of their warehouses. 
While change is occurring, there is still a wide variation in how occupiers are utilising their space. From highly automated picking systems requiring very little human interaction to boxes on the floor with paper based systems tracking stock levels, the evolution depends on the rate of change in the industry in which the occupier operates. 
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Change 1: eCommerce 
Growth in eCommerce 
More retail trade is moving to eCommerce, although it still remains relatively small compared to traditional bricks and mortar retailing. Although in recent months the weakening of the Australian dollar and the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on goods bought online from overseas has led to a slowing of eCommerce, it is forecast that for some product types, there will continue to be erosion of spending in traditional bricks and mortar retailing. 
The biggest challenge for eCommerce in Australia is the cost of getting goods from the warehouse to consumers. The vast distances that need to be covered and the insatiable demand from consumers to get goods quickly can make delivering goods particularly expensive. For many operators, rent on a warehouse is a secondary consideration compared to the cost of logistics. 
For traditional retailers with an eCommerce presence, the majority of purchases are still filled out of store. There are generally no specialist online warehouses or special systems developed within existing warehouses to fulfil orders. An exception to this is for particularly large items (e.g. fridges) that are delivered directly from a warehouse to customer rather than from a store when an online order is made. 
This is starting to change for larger retailers. Major supermarket chains previously filled online orders from a store hub but are now starting to use “dark supermarkets”; basically a supermarket in a warehouse, inaccessible to consumers, where staff fulfil online orders. The perishable nature of grocery items means that it is likely that these dark supermarkets will need to be located in each capital city, as opposed to just one location. 
For pure eCommerce groups, the way that they warehouse their goods and handle delivery depends on the type of product they sell, the size of the business and where they source their goods. For most groups, a 3PL service is utilised. The extent to which they use 3PL differs with some using them for delivery only, with others using them for the full end to end service. At its most complete level, 3PL can be used for an eCommerce provider to provide a service from when a consumer presses “buy” on an online site to delivery or even return if the item.
<div class="page" title="Page 6">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
For large groups selling non-perishable goods that can be delivered in a small parcel, having only one warehouse in Australia makes the most sense. The cost of delivering goods in Australia is generally not dependent on distance and the nature of eCommerce means that it is difficult to predict where the next order will come from. Most products are produced offshore and hence close proximity to a major port is also generally a requirement for occupiers. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 7">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Change 2: Globalisation of logistics 
Logistics has gone global and is becoming more complex and sophisticated in how it operates. There have been some major changes to ownership in the logistics industry. Toll Group has now become part of Japan Post, Australia Post is now the sole shareholder in Startrack and has been rapidly reinventing itself as a logistics service provider, while global giant Brookfield has made a takeover bid for Australian freight logistics company Asciano. 
These changes to ownership structure, as well as increased usage of 3PL services in Australia has meant enormous growth in the amount of industrial floor space these groups occupy, as well as significant investment in more sophisticated and automated warehousing facilities. The forecast growth these groups expect is also aggressive. Many of them are now looking to partner with developers of industrial facilities, particularly those with significant land holdings, to ensure that they are able to access a pipeline of development. 
A new term for very large warehouses has also emerged. Campus Style Distribution Centres are now a requirement for major groups such as DHL and CEVA, both of which are looking at distribution centres now in excess of 75,000sqm. This trend to larger facilities, able to handle greater quantities, is expected to continue to be a trend in global warehousing. In Asia, most cutting edge facilities are now at least 150,000sqm with the Interlink in Hong Kong comprising 213,000sqm and Logistic Republic – Taipei Park in Taipei expected to comprise 264,000sqm on completion. 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 8">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Change 3: Design 
Who are the leaders in warehousing design? 
Historically warehouses have been relatively simple buildings and there was very little focus put on the internal fit out. This has changed and the most sophisticated warehouses now have slabs that can handle greater loads, larger cubic capacity and high bays. To enable the best use of this space, greater use of robotics and high-tech picking systems are being implemented. 
There is however still significant divergence from these highly advanced warehouses with more simplistic designs still commonly in use. At a broad level, it is primarily the large 3PL groups, as well as large supermarkets and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) groups that are the most advanced. The scale required by these groups, as well as the speed required to move goods, makes significant investment in fit out worthwhile. They are looking to create improved efficiencies in better designed buildings. 
Another driver of greater cubic capacity, as well as high bays, is the location of the warehouse. In a market such as Melbourne where land availability remains abundant, it is unlikely there will be as much demand. This contrasts to Sydney where land costs are significantly higher. 
There is a greater focus on the indoor working environment of warehouses. This is to allow better working conditions for staff, but also better conditions for storing goods. Better ventilation, constant temperature and high security are a greater focus. The ability to operate the warehouse 24 hours a day is also frequently a greater consideration. 
Sustainability continues to play a role and more facilities are moving to a 6 Star Green Star rating. The focus is however less on committing to minimum targets but looking to achieve demonstrable cost efficiencies. Developers are looking to add value to occupiers and this can include offering such inclusions as power off facilities, advanced monitoring and geothermal generation. 
High tech retrieval systems start to make a mark 
There are still only a few occupiers that are using high tech retrieval systems. The capital costs are so high and hence this restricts investment for many occupiers. Spending on research and development of these systems is however continuing to increase and costs are expected to come down significantly over the next decade, to the extent that there will continue to be less people required to operate a warehouse. 
There is a range of how sophisticated occupiers are being in the use if retrieval systems. At the most advanced level, automated robotics have the ability to completely do away with forklifts however these are too expensive for most occupiers. Mobile automation appears to be having quicker take up. An example of this is mini forklifts that are able to operate on any surface. These forklifts are highly mobile, allow for higher stacking and provide the ability to pick one item, instead of taking a whole pallet. 
Nerida Conisbee is national director of research for Colliers International and can be contacted <a href="https://www.colliers.com/nerida.conisbee" target="_blank">here</a>.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
 
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

Warehousing

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Warehousing

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News