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Queensland has made emergency planning changes to unlock housing supply and enable secondary dwellings to be rented out amid the ongoing rental crisis.The three-year change was suggested at the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-housing-summit-announced" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-housing-summit-announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland Housing Roundtable</a> recently, according to Deputy Premier Steven Miles.&nbsp;The planning minister said tapping underutilised housing would provide a quick solution, rather than building new houses.“Right now, most homeowners can’t rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family,” Miles said.“At the same time some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or in tents.“It just makes sense to allow existing accommodation to be occupied by someone other than a relative to provide more affordable accommodation for Queenslanders.”<div id="6iJ2T2lujJPksh0agCeVwY"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4GxNAWXsh5JaaLP70zq9El/42989f4ac213317261f4f5b30bc6c04e/GRanny_Flats_MID.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/4GxNAWXsh5JaaLP70zq9El/42989f4ac213317261f4f5b30bc6c04e/GRanny_Flats_MID.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Planning minister Steven Miles said the relaxation would be reviewed after the three-year trial period. </div></div>Peak housing body Q Shelter executive director Fiona Caniglia said they had been calling for the change for some time and it was “an immediate idea that will create some housing options”.“This approach will also provide a greater focus for many enterprises working on modular, small dwellings which are quick to build and which can be sited within existing properties,” Caniglia said.“This approach to infill development has little impact on urban environments yet can create quality small homes at very low cost.“It will be important to ensure standards for these dwellings so that people are safe. There will be some things to work through but Q Shelter is confident that this measure will help housing supply.”Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) president Shannon Batch said the changes would help address <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/rental-vacancies-new-home-sales-crisis" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/rental-vacancies-new-home-sales-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland’s housing challenges</a>.“The Planning Institute of Australia supports more housing diversity, and this change will help deliver additional housing types that can meet Queenslanders’ needs,” Batch said.“This change highlights how good planning can help address our housing challenge and reduce the barriers to more diverse housing forms.”A recent Property Investment Professionals of Australia report showed nearly 30 per cent of rental properties had been stripped out of the Queensland market in two years.&nbsp;About 45 per cent of investors had sold at least one of their rental properties, and nearly two-thirds of those investment properties were bought by owner-occupiers over the two-year period, <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sqm-research-residential-vacancy-rate-may-2022" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sqm-research-residential-vacancy-rate-may-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">representing a loss of more than 160,000 rental properties</a> in Queensland’s stressed market.&nbsp;“We had an inkling that investors had been selling their holdings over the past year or two, but these results show that even we had under-estimated the volume of rental properties that have been jettisoned from the market,” PIPA chair Nicola McDougall said.Planners have supported the move with Zone Planning Group saying it encouraged the relaxation to extend “beyond the three year commitment”.“This is a clear step forward in the right direction and immediately opens up additional housing opportunities during a period of critical housing shortages,” it said in a statement.Urbis director Michael Cattoni said it was a positve change that would ease Queensland’s rental crisis.&nbsp;“Emergency planning changes will make it easier for anyone wanting to rent a granny flat or secondary dwelling,” he said.&nbsp;“Fantastic to see small changes like this that will have a significant and immediate impact on the availability of rentals in our established suburbs.”

Planners are backing Queensland's emergency planning changes to unlock housing supply and enable secondary dwellings to be rented out amid the ongoing rental crisis...

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The “great divergence” of the office sector is on its way and it will deepen the divide between the haves and the have-nots in the market.Covid-19 has accelerated the flight to quality trend across the office market and JLL head of research Annabel McFarlane says B-grade assets risk becoming stranded assets.“B-grade assets will need capital expenditure to remain relevant,” McFarlane says.&nbsp;“Occupiers are considering space with a different purpose—it’s about attracting and retaining talent.“While unemployment remains low and business conditions remain strong, we expect solid demand from smaller tenants.”And the recent announcement from the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-city-net-zero-development" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-city-net-zero-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">City of Sydney Council to move towards Net Zero</a> for the city’s commercial buildings will put greater pressure on the B-grade assets.&nbsp;City of Sydney is the first local government in the country to compel developers to build energy efficient buildings in Australia’s economic engine room.The policy changes will require new office buildings, hotels, shopping centres and other commercial buildings to comply with minimum energy ratings from January next year and to target net-zero energy use from 2026.<div id="1WW8qVKTKpXgqxklBVqNZD"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1snMYIp2dOaCk56uSUoMRr/32615cc79add1adef3b9aba9ac5652db/B-gradeMID.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/1snMYIp2dOaCk56uSUoMRr/32615cc79add1adef3b9aba9ac5652db/B-gradeMID.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Brown discounts will become more prevalent as the office sector is bifurcated. </div></div>McFarlane says the policy decision would be a catalyst for further regulatory change across the country.&nbsp;“This will impact office markets and the concept of a brown discount for assets that don’t meet the demand from occupiers or investors for more sustainable assets will start to become more pronounced,” she says.“Governments, tenant organisations, investors and capital partners are making bold sustainability emissions targets.&nbsp;“It’s already clear that there aren’t enough highly sustainable or net-zero carbon office assets to meet future demand.”But the capital continues to flow into Australia’s office sector, according to Colliers head of capital markets Adam Woodward, with Sydney recording a 10-year high for offshore capital investment in the first of 2022.&nbsp;“There’s a lot of global capital in APAC, the office sector is seen as a growth sector, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne,” he says.“Australia and Japan’s office sectors are the two key markets for global capital mandates in the Asia Pacific region, they’re seen as the best markets to invest and divest in.“On a risk-adjusted basis the spread has really attracted the market.”But Woodward says the bifurcation of the office sector will be “within the next couple of years”.“The post-Covid driver is very much a flight to quality and that’s very much following where the tenants are going.“The capital values are holding for high quality assets … but there are not enough transactions at the lower end to understand flow-through effect yet. Asset owners holding out.”Australian office investment by origin<div id="2mKB1q1rWmGiUb9Nh7xHvy"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/Z7ITinE0v5hYITgnu5gbP/2987627a7290405f2fb6bb58bf564fd0/office_graphic.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/Z7ITinE0v5hYITgnu5gbP/2987627a7290405f2fb6bb58bf564fd0/office_graphic.jpg"></picture>▲ Source: Colliers </div> But the bifurcation of the market doesn’t spell doom for asset owners, according to Woodward.&nbsp;“I think there is a real opportunity for those asset owners to reposition those assets. Just like the primary assets, secondary assets can attract new markets.“ESG is very much on every investor’s radar. But its end value long term is undetermined at this point.&nbsp;“If you look at the flight to quality, better buildings and newer facilities are achieving good leasing outcomes. Occupiers want to attract and retain staff in a tight labour market. ”There will be a tipping point where B-grade office asssets will be cheap enough for investors to drive their renewal, but Woodward says this shift will happen gradually and investors will have different investment mandates.&nbsp;Confidence in the sector is growing. Sydney recorded its strongest net face rent quarterly growth since 2019 with a 2.6 per cent uplift, and 5.8 per cent year on year.&nbsp;Woodward says recent interest rates are not deterring investors in the office sector with transactions continuing to flow through the market.&nbsp; <hr> Join us when&nbsp;The Urban Developer&nbsp;presents the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2">New Workplace vSummit</a> on Thursday, September 29. The vSummit will include more than&nbsp;<a data-mce-href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2" href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 industry experts delivering insightful presentations,</a> case studies and panel discussions delving into the latest research on Australia’s workplaces and their future.&nbsp; To register for the event, click&nbsp;<a data-mce-href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2" href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-new-workplace-vsummit-tickets-409663262847?aff=tudwebsite0content0supplementary2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a> <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

The “great divergence” of the office sector is on its way and it will deepen the divide between the haves and the have-nots. But it offers opportunities for B-grade asset owners...

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When it comes to innovation and thought leadership in the global construction sector, Australia is leading the way, according to one of the world’s biggest proptech firms.Procore chief executive Tooey Courtemanche founded Procore 20 years ago.But he says when they brought the data-led platform to Australian shores in 2017 he found the Australian market was a hotbed of innovation. And it’s a market that the platform’s founder continues to mine for strong intelligence of trends that will influence the sector globally.“We have always seen the Australian market as a thought leader,” Courtemanche says.“When we first came to Australia we realised that there was a tremendous emphasis on quality and safety.“We started to build products in Australia that filled that need and then when we took those products back to the global market there was huge demand for them.”Procore provides a technology platform that Courtemanche says helps the developer, architects, contractors and subcontractors “sing from the same songsheet” to deliver projects more efficiently and on budget.“It acts as a single source of truth. The more we bring all the moving parts together the more streamlined processes become.”<div id="5ggNugH3RHByrBX5Z1oXpM"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6xq0c3A2k9ejVY5ECgPS3G/adfac4c50c1563808f8a793ad7afe2cd/ProcoreCEO.jpg" alt="Tooey Courtemanche" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/6xq0c3A2k9ejVY5ECgPS3G/adfac4c50c1563808f8a793ad7afe2cd/ProcoreCEO.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Procore founder and chief executive Tooey Courtemanche was in Australia recently, and says the country’s construction sector is a thought leader. </div></div>He says the advent of data has led to the accelerated growth of the platform and the take up of its products. In five years in the Australian market it has gone from a one-man operation to hundreds of employees.But far from resting on their laurels, Courtemanche says they are constantly looking for ways to iron out the creases in construction processes.“Right now globally there are all these ISO standard compliance issues,” he says.“We’re building a product to enable contractors to remain ISO compliant.”Courtemanche says the headwinds affecting the construction sector in Australia were being felt across the globe and contractors need to leverage data and proptech to deliver more with less resources.Procore APAC vice-president Tom Karemacher says leveraging technology and data, such as Procore, is helping contractors to extract more value from their projects and run more efficiently.“There’s a lot of openness and transparency in the Australian industry,” Karemacher says.“We ask what we need to be successful and then we go away and develop solutions in partnership with industry.”Procore just released its State of Preconstruction survey, which shows Australian and New Zealand companies were most likely to have a formal preconstruction (or design) process in place at 86 per cent, compared to 75 per cent in the United Kingdom and 72 per cent in the US.<div id="2lOQpE9UHvedwWmbB0cC8P"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7G6RxV3ph6TIBRIt80ZAyw/c5703779f8f0bbab2820dcedcc87b9b9/Procore_platform.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7G6RxV3ph6TIBRIt80ZAyw/c5703779f8f0bbab2820dcedcc87b9b9/Procore_platform.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Procore's platform has more than 400 partners, which supply the bolt-on products to help streamline the delivery of projects in construction. </div></div> The report showed about a third of Australian companies had reported they were achieving improved performance against budget and fewer project delays as a result of preconstruction.Courtemanche says about a third of Australian companies were looking to adopt data centralisation technologies in the next 12 months.“Investing in preconstruction can provide tangible returns on profit, schedule and client satisfaction,” Courtemanche says.“Many of the most successful contractors around the world focus their efforts on preconstruction because ultimately, better planned projects drive better outcomes.” <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

When it comes to innovation and thought leadership in the global construction sector, Australia is leading the way according to one of the world’s biggest proptech firms...

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Melbourne-based developer Goldfields Group and Icon Developments have won approval for their 131-apartment tower in the city-fringe suburb of Milton in Queensland.&nbsp;The 18-storey apartment tower will sit on a 1600sq m block at <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/goldfields-apartment-development-milton-brisbane" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/goldfields-apartment-development-milton-brisbane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 Manning Street</a> after the developer pieced together four adjacent sites for almost $9 million.&nbsp;Goldfields Group is expecting to break ground on the project early next year with plans to launch to the market before the end of the year.&nbsp;The tower would comprise predominantly two-bedroom apartments with 170 car parking spaces and a rooftop pool.&nbsp;The RotheLowman designed 33 Manning will have river and CBD views and heralds a new era for the emerging hot-bed of redevelopment in Milton.&nbsp;Goldfields Group chief executive Lachlan Thompson said it would add to the undersupplied Queensland apartment market.&nbsp;“We are excited to re-imagine the traditional Queenslander for the 21st century with this landmark new project that allows us to bring over a decade of built form experience across Australia into the rapidly growing and undersupplied Queensland market,” he said.<div id="2UnkgL76Ezp2pCQXjBXnSi"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3kiOIReh4V2Q8Js86YsHyO/bc8ba9d822eff5fb3405d6220ab6512a/ManningMID.jpg" alt="33 Manning Street Milton Goldfields" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3kiOIReh4V2Q8Js86YsHyO/bc8ba9d822eff5fb3405d6220ab6512a/ManningMID.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Goldfields Group and Icon Property will break ground on the landmark city-fringe project early next year. </div></div>The development will be delivered by Goldfields and joint venture partner Icon Developments Australia.Goldfields chief executive Lachlan Thompson told The Urban Developer that since entering the Queensland market four years ago with its $350-million, 1000-lot master-planned community at Ripley, Goldfields had been seeking opportunities within the inner suburbs of Brisbane.“As a national property developer, we are constantly looking for areas that offer strong development potential and we were impressed with Milton’s amenity and connectivity to all things lifestyle related,” Thompson said.“We are of the strong opinion that Milton, as a suburb, is on the cusp of significant capital value growth due to limited supply and its proximity to the bustling Park Street retail strip.”Earlier this year Goldfields <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/goldfields-grantville-greenfield-development-site" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/goldfields-grantville-greenfield-development-site" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returned to the greenfield market</a> to splash $17.8 million on a site on the Bass Coast near Grantville.“This site was reflective of [Goldfield’s] belief in Australia’s regional housing markets,” Thompson said.“We’re always searching for growth opportunities and are bullish on regional markets in areas with a diverse economy, healthy government infrastructure spend and good local amenities.”The 13ha site, on the east coast of Western Port about 100km south-east of Melbourne, will become a masterplanned residential community of 160 lots and communal open space under Goldfield’s plans.

A Melbourne developer is sharpening its shovel to break ground on an inner-city Brisbane apartment development after it won approval this week...

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Melbourne-based construction conglomerate <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-metro-west-construction-contract" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/sydney-metro-west-construction-contract" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Acciona Geotech</a> has been greenlit by the City of Melbourne Council for its first stage development of a former industrial site at Port Melbourne.The 31-storey tower will become Acciona Geotech’s new <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/acciona-jv-wins-2bn-metro-west-project" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/acciona-jv-wins-2bn-metro-west-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">national headquarters</a>, with 9775sq m of office, ground plane retail and 181 apartments, which is expected to create up to 860 jobs and then up to 2000 jobs by 2031.&nbsp;The five-tower masterplanned community slated for the site at 150-188 Turner Street at Port Melbourne is in the Lorimer precinct within the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/fishermans-bend-vegemite-factory-wins-heritage-listing" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/fishermans-bend-vegemite-factory-wins-heritage-listing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fishermans Bend development area</a>.&nbsp;Across the five stages with building heights from 31 to 50 storeys, the project will deliver more than 1500 apartments, including about 6 per cent affordable housing, 15,803sq m of office space, more than 3000sq m of retail space and two basketball courts.&nbsp;The project, which will cost the conglomerate about $600 million, will feed into the Fishermans Bend 480ha urban renewal project, which has been identified as a priority precinct in <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/melbourne-municipal-planning-strategy" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/melbourne-municipal-planning-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plan Melbourne,</a> and will accommodate significant population and employment growth.&nbsp; City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said the development of a multi-national organisation's headquarters in the precicnt was a “massive vote of confidence in Melbourne and Fishermans Bend”.“This is such a significant development and so we have worked extremely hard on the details to get it right, and as such there are a number of conditions,” Reece said.<div id="6I2n3f2YqrVEEBhjZlxIQs"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/zicnBpSqwuGYt5HUHDsc5/852747d49d34ab8b4d570596e1cb88c9/TurnerSt_MID.jpg" alt="155-180 Turner Street Port Melbourne Acciona Geotech" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/zicnBpSqwuGYt5HUHDsc5/852747d49d34ab8b4d570596e1cb88c9/TurnerSt_MID.jpg"></picture><div>▲ A mixed-use tower with an exposed glass sided pool will set the tone for Acciona Geotech’s plans for a five-tower precinct at Fishermans Bend. </div></div>The unanimous approval was conditional upon an increase in the amount of commercial space across the masterplan, changes to the Stage A facade treatment and altering the heights of two of the buildings to create more “visual appeal”.Reece said they were mindful of “getting it right the first time” and avoiding planning errors made in other urban renewal areas in Melbourne.Acciona Geotech was granted a relaxation on carparking provisions, alowing them to frontload their car parking numbers to accommodate the 2000 workers expected to travel to the new headquarters each day.The Fishermans Bend precinct remains a public transport blackhole, which is stymying development in the area.&nbsp;According to planning documents, the RotheLowman-designed community is aimed at creating “a thriving place that is a leading example for environmental sustainability, liveability, connectivity, diversity and innovation”.“The mixed uses of the project comprise ground-level retail, carpark podium with residential skin, an amenity deck, and a blended tower of both office and residential,” the architectural design report said.“The ground level is activated by retail together with clear residential and commercial entry lobby statements, defined by arbour canopies, associated with an expressed planted podium.&nbsp;“An undercover colonnade runs the length of the plaza providing pedestrian weather and wind protection.”The tower features office space in the lower portion of the building with residential in the upper levels and a feature glass-ended pool, exposed at the podium roof level.It will set the stage for this new Turner Street mixed-use precinct.The project will now go to the state government for final approval.

Plans for a five-storey mini-city and national headquarters for a construction conglomerate have been greenlit in an emerging Melbourne precinct...

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South-east Queensland developer Aria Property Group has won approval for its 21-storey apartment tower at 58-60 Leopard Street at Kangaroo Point.It’s the second cliffside apartment tower the developer will build within the inner-city suburb following the recent practical completion of Riviere down the road.&nbsp;A two-storey home at 58 Leopard Street, and a low-rise commercial building at 306 Vulture Street, will <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-plots-cliffside-apartment-tower" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-plots-cliffside-apartment-tower" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make way for the 103-apartment</a> Rothelowman-designed tower.&nbsp;But there is no news from the developer on when it plans to launch to market or break ground on the apartment project after it <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-starts-construction-arm-post-condev-collapse" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-starts-construction-arm-post-condev-collapse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">started its own construction arm</a> this year to complete a project following the demise of builder Condev.The project will be the developer’s latest in a long list of collaborations with Rothelowman architects and RPS landscape architects.The approved development is aimed at owner-occupiers looking for inner-city location and amenity.<div id="1PjpXxWP2D5wsBiYdfrety"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5KxErWfWD6sLZr6iviTkM3/a6cd454f346aabb4782b4800123cb325/Untitled-1.jpg" alt="Aria Group's Riviere project, now being built by Aria Group's Riviere Constructions. Source: Aria Group." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5KxErWfWD6sLZr6iviTkM3/a6cd454f346aabb4782b4800123cb325/Untitled-1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Aria Group's Riviere project, now being built by Aria Group's Riviere Constructions. Image: Aria Group. </div></div>It will be opposite the under-construction Cross River rail station as well as Woollongabba stadium, which will be <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-olympics-2032-development-infrastructure-projects" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/brisbane-olympics-2032-development-infrastructure-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">redeveloped into the city’s Olympic Stadium</a>.The development will include 40 two-bedroom apartments on the building’s lower levels between level four and 13; 50 three-bedroom apartments across all 20-levels of the building; and four-bedroom configurations between levels 14 and 20.The 13-storey development, Riviere, is on a 2600sq m site at 470-480 Main Street, which is also on one of the most elevated points of the Kangaroo Point cliffs.After the collapse of builder Condev, Aria Group moved quickly to launch its own construction arm to restart and complete the $50-million apartment project.Work on the 124-unit Bates Smart-designed development recommenced on March 24, two weeks after Condev’s collapse, but with an actual loss of just five days’ work.Completion of Riviere is slated for the first quarter of 2023.Meanwhile, Aria Group’s plans for <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-s-urban-forest-plans-scrapped-after-court-appeal" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/aria-s-urban-forest-plans-scrapped-after-court-appeal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Urban Forest at West End</a> were scuppered this year following an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.It is now pursuing a healthcare scheme in its place. Aria won approval for a significantly scaled-back apartment tower, reducing its original plans from 32-storeys to 20, in November. But the project no longer stacked up.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Aria Property Group has won approval for its 21-storey apartment tower, hot on the heels of practical completion of another one down the road...

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Plans for a nine-storey apartment tower one block back from Palm Beach, with arches to rival the leaning tower of Pisa, have been lodged with the Gold Coast City Council.An ageing brick apartment complex would make way for a 23-apartment tower on the 817sq m site at 1199 Gold Coast Highway under the proposal from Jefferson Lane Developments Pty Ltd, a business registered to Gold Coast local Brent Freeman.&nbsp;The tower, designed by Raunik Design Group Architects, would comprise 13 two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom apartments.The nine-storey tower, to be called Saltwater, would also include two basement levels for 38 carparking spaces.It’s the latest in a slew of proposed apartment towers in the emerging Palm Beach market on the Gold Coast, where medium-rise boutique developments are cropping up.&nbsp;According to planning documents, the ground floor would include communal open space with a pool and spa, an outdoor lounge area, yoga room and gymnasium, as well as two ground-floor apartments.“The design accommodates the proposed apartments within a medium-rise tower form embracing south-east Queensland sub-tropical design influences,” the planning report stated.<div id="4COZjTaWvFchWTl1cbetpj"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5QD5lazdbda2MtFLDAHOD1/c33cf72f46d0d1f07a4932fb3a7e02f2/SaltwaterMID2.jpg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/5QD5lazdbda2MtFLDAHOD1/c33cf72f46d0d1f07a4932fb3a7e02f2/SaltwaterMID2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Saltwater will rise to nine storeys with views to the coast and the hinterland. </div></div>“The arrangement of indoor and outdoor living spaces provides a seamless transition with all apartments afforded good quality outdoor living spaces that benefit from roof cover for climate protection and views orientated north-east or south-east to take advantage of the surrounding coastal setting.”The corner site has three street frontages and provides permeable activation along the Gold Coast Highway, according to the report, and is reportedly the developer's third acquisition in the Palm Beach area.“The built form and architectural language of the development embraces a sub-tropical coastal design that is reflective of the surrounding Palm Beach locale, with expressive form and finishes embellished by a tiered landscape design that provides connectivity to all road frontages.“The proposal will facilitate an increase in residential density that rejuvenates the site in an appropriate urban environment benefitted by ease of access to a range of community and social infrastructure and the nearby Palm Beach District Centre.”GV Property Group highlighted this site as a prime beachside corner location and approached the owners directly. GV Property director Antonio Mercuri said they amalgmated the site for the developer. “We negotiated with the 6 individual owners for 2 months to finalise a deal,” he said.&nbsp;It’s another vote of confidence for the resilience of the boutique Palm Beach market, following Brisbane-based developer <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/palm-beach-gold-coast-graya-tower-development" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/palm-beach-gold-coast-graya-tower-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graya moving into the market</a> with a luxury beachfront apartment block called Ripple, down the road.Brothers Andrew and Rob Gray in partnership with Mike Walsh acquired two of the eight units in the existing brick apartment block 12 months ago for about $3 million at 2 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach.The developer has lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council for the Plus Architecture designed Ripple, which will comprise 17 apartments and two two-storey beach houses at ground level on the 1730sq m site.&nbsp;Graya managing director Rob Gray said while some developments were being paused or mothballed on the coast, he was confident in the Palm Beach market.<div id="2uHckuPtjm76rFn0gRovFl"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/50kNRndUirvVI3tqTBeEy0/35fe666357464116c15f6630ab532a19/RippedMID1.jpg" alt="2 Palm Beach Avenue, Palm Beach" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/50kNRndUirvVI3tqTBeEy0/35fe666357464116c15f6630ab532a19/RippedMID1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Plus Architecture took style cues from the beachfront position to create a skinny tower at Palm Beach for Ripple.&nbsp; </div></div>Another developer consortium is tapping the Palm Beach market with a collection of four-storey townhouses that will test the <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/futuristic-beach-houses-gold-coast" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/futuristic-beach-houses-gold-coast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">futuristic beach house concept</a>.Burgeoning Gold Coast developer Luke Vaughan has teamed with Australian construction executive Geoff Pontefract and Sri Lankan investor Buddika Kulasekara to develop seven four-storey townhouses on a Palm Beach site.The trio has lodged plans for the development, to be called Jasmine on 24th, with the Gold Coast City Council. It is on just 810sq m across 9 and 11 Twenty Fourth Avenue at Palm Beach, through a put and call option.&nbsp;Meanwhile an ambitious proposal for <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gold-coast-mega-towers-plan-no-pie-in-the-sky" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/gold-coast-mega-towers-plan-no-pie-in-the-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia’s tallest tower</a>, a landmark $400-million vertical neighbourhood at Southport, continues to divide public opinion.&nbsp;The two-tower development would comprise two slender supertowers—a 100-storey apartment building and a 60-storey office building.It is earmarked for a vacant 1245sq m site at 1 and 6 Park Lane, next to the Southport bowls and tennis clubs, and would deliver 193 apartments and 12,693sq m of office space.

Developers are flocking to the underdeveloped southern end of the Gold Coast filing plans for boutique medium-rise apartment developments close to the beach ... 

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“I think every time it rains, builders have PTSD.”Sydney is on track for its wettest year on record and <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/alison-mirams-robertsco-five-day-work-week-construction" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/alison-mirams-robertsco-five-day-work-week-construction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Roberts Co chief executive Alison Mirams </a>says a forecast third La Nina weather pattern will savage the industry.&nbsp;“From January to July we lost 75 working days due to wet weather, which means we only managed 46 per cent productivity,” Mirams says.&nbsp;“It’s the toughest construction market I’ve seen in my 30 years in the industry.”Mirams is crossing fingers and toes that the forecast triple dip La Nina is just a storm in a teacup. She says contractors need some relief from the “triple whammy” of the pandemic, double-digit inflation and wet weather.&nbsp;But Mirams believes builders and contractors will start to push back on the number of wet weather days in contracts and seek more flexibility.&nbsp;Traditionally, builders and contractors have borne the risk of wet weather.But Gadens law firm partner Paul Calvert says the dial needs to shift.&nbsp;<div id="b8gKREzDSKaJ3ZiqR1aAT"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7iHXC76NcW4ZSXWqcE2S8D/72d882e92fa8eac99d1d5be1ff484f5b/2.jpg" alt="Toughest market in 30 years: the construction sector is facing having to deal with the third unseasonably wet summer on top of labour and material shortages." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/7iHXC76NcW4ZSXWqcE2S8D/72d882e92fa8eac99d1d5be1ff484f5b/2.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Toughest market in 30 years: The construction sector is facing having to deal with the third unseasonably wet spring-summer season. </div></div>He says the risk of wet weather delays to build out programs was significant in the face of a third La Nina event, and he is expecting an uptick in the number of liquidated damages claims made against contractors into the future.&nbsp;Calvert says builders and developers need to work more collaboratively to ensure projects are completed within reasonable timeframes.“Be realistic and be commercial, give flexibility where you can,” Calvert says.&nbsp;“After two La Nina weather events in a row, there’s now a general trend away from taking the risk on wet weather.&nbsp;“Contractors are now putting in a proper contingency for wet weather in contracts and asking for wet weather to be an extension of time.”But <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/construction-costs-risk-developers-come-to-table" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/construction-costs-risk-developers-come-to-table" target="_blank" rel="noopener">time is money</a> for developers.Calvert says every project is different, but where the project’s feasibility is contingent on the project being finished by a certain deadline, developers need to ensure they are adequately budgeting for the soggy conditions.If the weather is bad, then a contractor or subcontractor has an increased risk of not achieving practical completion and incurring liquidated damages, however, Calvert says, passing the risk downstream may not be good for the project.<div id="5pgv9A9NP9Mft9rqUT6Wmd"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/77untUZnOfPPMTTFm5RR1m/4a7da6a4e475d9f3381711400700212e/Mid_article_resizes.jpg" alt="Leading building firm Hutchinson Builders is using weather data to plans the coming months." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/77untUZnOfPPMTTFm5RR1m/4a7da6a4e475d9f3381711400700212e/Mid_article_resizes.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Leading building firm Hutchinson Builders is using forecast data to plans the coming months. </div></div>“Principals on projects that have been materially affected by wet weather may wish to consider whether there is a commercial benefit in granting an extension of time,” he says.<div id="5pgv9A9NP9Mft9rqUT6Wmd"></div>“While the commercial drivers will vary from project to project, making a commercial decision to grant an extension of time under the contract could help to prevent future disputes and claims.”Queensland <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/australia-biggest-construction-companies" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/australia-biggest-construction-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">construction firm Hutchinson Builders</a> is using forecast data to program construction timeframes more realistically.&nbsp;“We build in Far North Queensland right down to Hobart and everywhere in between, but it’s still not easy to predict above average inclement weather like we’ve seen recently,” Hutchies director Russell Fryer says.“We’ve had this third La Nina on the radar for a little while and have done what we can to make provision where possible. Our sites around the country have access to the latest weather advice and we are continually reviewing our strategies to manage the impact of poor weather.”Fryer says typically they were factoring in 15 per cent of wet weather days per annum, but in 2022 this jumped to 38 per cent in New South Wales, which he says is challenging.But Fryer says Hutchies’ clients are working with them collaboratively to manage the risks in these unpredictable circumstances.&nbsp;<div id="6EcUwT3JRuFeKWwOHCO8JB"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3dadCz80kHppAV7LniDEFo/5e1ff8953efaa8535b2f76f8be76da12/1.jpg" alt="Weather is about the only thing we can’t control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt and adjust, says Mosaic’s Monahan." data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/3dadCz80kHppAV7LniDEFo/5e1ff8953efaa8535b2f76f8be76da12/1.jpg"></picture><div>▲ Weather is about the only thing we can’t control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt and adjust, says Mosaic’s Monahan. </div></div><a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mosaic-secures-milestone-gold-coast-tower-approval" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/mosaic-secures-milestone-gold-coast-tower-approval" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South-east Queensland developer Mosaic</a> has its own construction arm, which managing director Brook Monahan says helps them consistently deliver on build programs against the backdrop of “persistent headwinds such as market or weather conditions”.“Weather is about the only thing we can’t control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt and adjust to ensure we keep as tight a grip as we can on programs,” Monahan says.“As both the developer and builder our end goals are aligned. And being a private company, we are already continually analysing our many concurrent building programs to ensure they are as efficient as possible, but we never fail to include contingencies to help minimise unforeseen delays, which there nearly always is.”Monahan says being flexible with onsite teams and sub-contractors as well as diligently managing their procurement program is key to ensuring timely delivery on projects in this unpredictable landscape.The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting the La Nina weather pattern to peak in late spring or early summer.&nbsp;But it could be a weaker system than the one that plagued Australia’s east coast this year and led to flooding.&nbsp;Staring down the barrel of further wet weather, one thing is certain—the pressure is on for projects to get out of the ground as soon as possible for the best chances of less wet weather days impacting developments.&nbsp; <hr> You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. <a href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans" data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/membership-plans">Click here to learn more.</a><div id="2GhuueZl01Zwo2aFfjNVi2"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg" alt="TUD + Banner" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/12UMq5eMSEOh0QxJVBYaDt/d7507cf4ceb1365cc9ce7eaff84d06cc/tud___banner.jpg"></picture></div>

Staring down the barrel of a third La Nina weather event, builders and developers are tearing up the rule book to make sure their projects get out of the ground...

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As pressure builds on the Queensland government to address housing supply issues, it has taken the extraordinary step of commandeering the Redland City Council’s housing strategy.&nbsp;In a letter sent to the Redland City Council this week the Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he would be exercising powers under the planning act to “urgently undertake the strategy and consider what amendments are needed to the City Plan to facilitate the range of housing needs identified by the strategy”.Miles, who is also Minister for Local Government and Planning, had warned the council in June this year that he would use his ministerial powers to address the problem if the council continued to refuse to update its housing strategy.&nbsp;The minister wrote to the Redlands Council chief executive Andrew Chesterman in June, stating that multiple requests to update the housing strategy had been made since 2018 with no action to date.&nbsp;But the council has claimed it has sufficient supply to meet the ShapingSEQ planning benchmarks, while other south-east Queensland councils were not meeting the four-year supply requirement.&nbsp;Miles said the Redland City Council's housing strategy had not been updated since 2011 and did not account for the “significant population and housing challenges in the past decade”.The current Redland City Council housing strategy targets 66,200 dwellings by 2031—but there is already 65,200 dwellings across the local government area, which Miles said demonstrated its redundancy as a planning document.&nbsp;“Redlands has been asked repeatedly to update its housing strategy but has declined to do so,” Miles said.&nbsp;“The people of Redlands—now and into the future—need affordable homes urgently.”Walker Corp's 10-year bid to win approval for its Toondah Harbour housing development at Cleveland is ongoing as it faces a native title claim in the Redlands.The $3-billion project, pictured, would add 3600 dwellings to the local government area.&nbsp;Earlier this week the Palaszczuk government <a data-mce-href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-housing-summit-announced" href="https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/queensland-housing-summit-announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced a Housing Summit</a> in October to address the ongoing issues around housing affordability and supply across Queensland.&nbsp;Miles said the solution required urgent partnership between all levels of government and those who have responsibility for housing.&nbsp;

As pressure builds on the Queensland \ Government to address housing supply issues, it has taken the extraordinary step to commandeer the Redland City Council’s housing strategy...

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Mirvac has confirmed its commitment to reinstate a retail offering on the site of the flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre in Brisbane’s inner north.Mirvac spent about $233 million to buy the site in 2016 and outlaid a further $35 million for upgrades in 2019 before floodwaters swept through the centre in February this year.But the developer’s 2022 annual report showed the abandoned shopping centre was worth just a fraction of what it was, now valued about $90 million.More than 100 retail tenancies were torn up in May this year as Mirvac grappled with what to do with the site.It could well be an opportunity to reimagine the site with residential and commercial components, similar to the evolutions of other shopping centres around Australia, including Vicinity Centres’ Box Hill proposed development.Vicinity is ramping up its $2.9-billion development pipeline as it looks to unlock the 1.5 million sq m of developable land across its 60 suburban malls.&nbsp;Speaking at the Property Council Queensland breakfast on the retail sector this week, Lendlease general manager of operations for retail development Marnie Devereux said retail was constantly evolving with a focus on user experience.“Today, consumers make choices on where to shop, play and stay based on a retail offering that aligns with their ever-changing needs,” Devereux said.“We’re exploring urban growth opportunities across the Lendlease managed portfolio, including Sunshine Plaza in Queensland.“These urban growth centres are traditional retail cores on large landholdings. They offer opportunities to introduce mixed-use, predominantly residential and commercial, and they offer benefits in doing so.“Particularly when sites are centrally located, have great transport links, have low site utilisation, have surrounding amenities, and beneficial planning fundamentals always help.”<div id="2UOf9p8X0IvUDGl9bAwSRD"><picture><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/29eyQSf53ndyOl7JtgD1ai/7e734741e032eb9461b331180ba826f2/ToombulClosed.jpeg" alt="null" data-mce-src="//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/29eyQSf53ndyOl7JtgD1ai/7e734741e032eb9461b331180ba826f2/ToombulClosed.jpeg"></picture><div>▲ It is unclear what the timeframe is for planning and delivery of a new retail offering on the site of the flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre. </div></div>The Brisbane City Council has suggested that a portion of the Toombul lower carpark could be returned to parkland to help mitigate ongoing flood risks to the site as Mirvac undertakes consultation on what the new Toombul Shopping Centre should comprise.The Urban Developer believes Mirvac intends to announce plans for the shopping centre site late this year.In May this year it announced the shopping centre was beyond repair due to flood damage and mould but Mirvac rejected claims it had planned to raze the centre and replace it with high-density residential buildings.What is apparent however is that new plans for the site will need to include flood-resilience measures following the Bureau of Meteorology’s confirmation of a third La Nina weather pattern, which is associated with increased rainfall.Devereux said shopping centres no longer needed their land banks for expansion as they were no longer undergoing large-scale extensions.“We are strategically reconfiguring existing built form, making it work harder,” she said.&nbsp;“Being flexible and adaptive and agile in moves towards change, and responses to change, are going to be really critical.”

Mirvac could follow in the steps of other shopping centre owners to remix its retail offering as it looks to revive its flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre...