Live proud Spring/Summer 2022

Serenity is second nature at Frasers Landing

Live in a tranquil, riverine bushland community just one hour from Perth

A south coast summer awaits The Waterfront, Shell Cove has emerged as the must-visit destination on the NSW south coast

Invigorating the imagination at Mambourin

With a culture of fun, discovery and learning, this community is helping create more fulfilling and well-rounded lifestyles

The Quarry Our hotly anticipated new community in Brisbane

A matter of pride

I’ll let you in on a secret: when we published our very first Live proud magazine in 2018, we didn’t expect to ever do more than one. Yet here we are putting out our 9th edition.

What we didn’t know then, but certainly know now, is that once you start looking into the people, places, and stories that reflect the character of Frasers Property Australia's neighbourhoods across the country, you discover a world of fascinating tales to tell.

In this edition, they include the surprising revelation that the most important ingredient in home construction is emotion, the people power of residents and staff at our Frasers Landing community in Western Australia to rebuild a home for a pair of ospreys, the engineering marvel that is the transformation of a quarry into Brisbane’s most elevated new neighbourhood, and the science behind your shopping experience.

If there was one theme that tie all these stories together it’s pride – in quality of work, in community connection, and the future we’re all shaping together. We’re proud to bring them to you.

Cameron Leggatt Executive General Manager Development Frasers Property Australia

Mambourin, VIC

Community events around the country

NSW

1 Healthy holidays

The Waterfront, Shell Cove Shell Cove school holidays “Learn to weave” workshops, and “Big Canoe experience”.

2 Community connection

Ed.Square

Ed.Square launched their new Community Space for residents to gather. The Humans of Ed. project came to life with the formal opening of the photo exhibition by Liverpool Mayor, Ned Mannoun. The portrait and storytelling series celebrates identity, diversity and connection in the growing Ed.Square community.

WA

3 Wine tasting by Culture Vultures

Frasers Landing

The Frasers Landing social club “Culture Vultures” hosted their first wine tasting event with the head wine maker of Battles Wines.

4 Good Neighbour Series

Frasers Landing

Residents also attended a Flora and Fauna of Frasers Landing workshop as part of the Good Neighbour Series.

QLD

5 The Bee Series at Brookhaven Brookhaven

Kids of Brookhaven were able to experience the on-site beehives and make their own beeswax candles during this fun school holiday workshop.

6 Rowing with former Olympian, Michael Toon Hamilton Reach Hamilton Reach residents and the Frasers Property team took on the river for a unique rowing experience in an 8-man boat with former Olympian Michael Toon and four young elite athletes that are proudly representing Queensland nationally and Australia internationally.

VIC

7 Settlement event Burwood Brickworks Residents gathered to celebrate their recent settlements and meeting each other for the first time.

8 Walk and Learn Mambourin

At Mambourin, Wathaurong Elder Aunty Judy took a group of our young people on a “Walk and Learn” tour of our neighbourhood and shared stories.

Our communities in Victoria turned up the fun this winter with a series of free events for residents and the wider community. Highlights were the live cooking demonstrations from MasterChef Australia winner Sashi Cheliah and celebrity chef Adam D'Sylva, while the kids enjoyed fun winter crafts, snow machines, face painting and playing with the reindeer!

Humans of Ed.Square

Our Ed.Square community in Sydney’s South West has set the benchmark for urban living. It’s a vibrant, social and connected community, centred around the Town Centre which opened in 2021, loved by residents and locals from the surrounding area. Humans of Ed. is a portrait and storytelling series celebrating identity, diversity and connection in the growing community of Ed.Square. Residents and retailers have been captured in a backdrop of landmarks at Ed.Square, and share their stories of home, community and belonging.

Reena Singh

Dan Pagano

“Ed.Square is not just a suburb, it's a community.”

“It’s the little things that Ed.Square do that make it feel like home.”

Scott Chan

“Ed. has provided me a rare opportunity to connect and meet new friends.”

Jean Carlos (JC) and Milli Wong Davila

“Community is everything to us.”

Moved in: June 2021

Say hello to Jean Carlos (JC) and Milli. This beautiful family live at Ed.Square with their pup named Sapphire and growing baby boy Orlando, who at the time of the shoot was yet to officially join the Ed. family! Having moved to Ed.Square to make a home for their growing family, JC and Milli are happy with their decision to invest and are excited for the future growth of the area.

“We love what is being built herecommunity, convenience and amenities.”

The family have also loved being involved in various community events and have given time to building authentic relationships with their neighbours, “The community program is fantastic and it's something truly special to get to know the people living around us.” Milli helps lead the Ed. community parent's group and the couple also organise monthly resident meet-ups.

JC and Milli are rare gems in the treasure chest of residents at Ed. and have been an important part of what it means to foster a sense of belonging and support for the other residents in the community.

Fla Vie Bistro, Thu Thuy Bui

“I wanted to bring something different that people don’t have to travel all the way to the city for.”

Neo Body Laser Clinic, Maddie Rebello

Scan to discover more of our residents' and retailers' proud stories.

“We are all here doing the best we can for the community and each other.”

Serenity is second nature at Frasers

LandingA tranquil riverine bushland community, life at Frasers Landing means sharing your neighbourhood with a wide variety of feathered friends and native wildlife.

Frasers Landing, WA

Justunder an hour from Perth lies the city of Mandurah, blessed with magnificent beaches, gorgeous weather, and an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour. One of Western Australia’s top tourist destinations, Mandurah — which means ‘meeting place of the heart’ in the local dialect of the region’s Bindjareb people — has the laid-back, sun-kissed charm of a place that operates according to its own rhythms and oneness with nature.

Nestled on the banks of the Serpentine River, just a few minutes from town, lies a microcosm of Mandurah magic, Frasers Landing by Frasers Property Australia. Surrounded by pristine bushland, the 52-hectare riverine community incorporates a freshwater lagoon, riverside parklands, and 10 hectares of protected woodland that’s home to resident ospreys and assorted wildlife including kangaroos, bandicoots, tawny frogmouths, and splendid fairy wrens.

It is, says Frasers Property Development Director Stuart Carter, a hidden gem that’s home to wildlife and humans living side by side in harmonious coexistence.

Stuart Carter Development Director

“The conservation zone at Frasers Landing is something that has influenced the design of the entire community,” explains Stuart. “We’ve created parklands around stands of significant trees, revegetated the river corridor, and ensured that invasive plant species and weeds are kept out of wooded areas that are home to native flora and fauna. It’s meant we’ve been able to create a haven for wildlife and give local residents a close connection to the best of Mandurah’s natural appeal.”

The close connection is perhaps best illustrated by the steps local residents and Frasers Property have taken to create a home for a pair of ospreys that return to Frasers Landing’s river foreshore each year to nest.

“We had a pretty bad storm that took down the tree that the ospreys used to nest in,” says Stuart. “But we didn’t want that to put an end to the migration they make here each breeding season. So, with help of residents and Mandurah City Council, we installed a purpose-built osprey nesting pole that would provide plenty of space for them and hold up to any big winds and storms that might come along in the future. Then we waited to see if they’d come back, and I’m glad to say they did. In fact, we see them every year.”

Frasers Property Australia

Frasers Landing, WA<

The ospreys have become a bit of a drawcard with locals dropping by during nesting season to check in on their progress. The lake’s shaded and meandering walking paths pass nearby to the nesting pole, providing an opportunity to spy on what the ospreys are up to as well as spotting the occasional wild orchid and listening out for the distinctive call of a ‘Twenty-Eight’, the colloquial name for the Australian Ringneck Parrot.

Ed Boyes and his wife Claire retired to Frasers Landing last year for its tranquillity and welcoming sense of community.

“It’s a very easy place to live in,” says Ed. “You can see the values that Frasers Property puts into the estate – the harmonious building styles, the attention to the natural elements, the walkways that fit the environment. It feels private, yet it’s not gated. It’s very well maintained, it’s quiet, and it’s easy to walk around and enjoy the bushland and the birdlife.”

“We see parrots, families of Twenty-Eights, willy wagtails, bandicoots, and bobtails. We even see a local kangaroo hopping down the street from time to time. I often accompany Claire on her walks through the estate, it’s very beautiful. We really lucked out with this move.”

It’s not all quiet contemplation and walking in nature though. The Frasers Landing community, with it's purposebuilt Community Centre, maintains an active social calendar, participating in wine tasting events from local producers, arts workshops, and cultural experiences including a recent bush tucker walking tour with local Nyungar couple Kerry and Trevor Stack from Goolamwiin Tours.

“It’s a wonderful community, and people can be as involved as they want to,” says Ed. “We all recognise each other on our walks and when we say hello, it’s a genuinely friendly greeting. Claire and I are on the social committee. There are some exciting events coming up – a wine tasting, the regular Neighbour Day and Cuppa on the Common. We’ve renamed our local social committee ‘The Culture Vultures’ and we go to dinner, absorb the local culture and discuss the topics of the day.”

For more information about Frasers Landing visit fraserslanding.com.au or call 13 38 38.

Frasers Landing,

Parky

Invigorating the imagination at Mambourin

With a culture of fun, discovery, and learning, Mambourin is a place conceived and curated to deliver a quality of life that’s the model for future communities.

Masterplanned communities are all about creating self-contained environments to live, learn, work and play. And at Frasers Property Australia’s Mambourin community in Melbourne’s west, the city-like conveniences both planned and under construction are set to transform this quiet little corner of Wyndham into one of the city’s most amenity-packed suburbs.

But that’s not what makes Mambourin 'new', exciting, or different. Rather, it's the commitment to create a series of inspiring environments that stimulate discovery, learning, exploration, and health and vitality, not to mention good old-fashioned fun and family togetherness.

For Frasers Property Development Director

Penny Dabner, who helped acquire the Mambourin site back in 2016 and has been the development lead ever since, the emphasis on spaces that tickle the imagination and exercise the body is key to helping residents enjoy a more fulfilling and well-rounded lifestyle.

“Central to our vision for the Mambourin community was a focus on the future families that would call it home,” says Penny.

Delivering on that promise has seen Penny and her team deliver more than $25 million of infrastructure and amenity early in the project’s lifecycle, including landscaped wetlands, BBQ and picnic facilities, more than 7.5kms of bike paths and trails, outdoor exercise circuit, and the phenomenal Barrabool district park with climbing structures, flying fox, discovery maze, basketball court, skate park and waterplay area. With something for every age group to explore and enjoy, the parks and exercise spaces have been a huge hit.

“It was all about crafting a place that inspires the imagination of the kids that will grow up here while creating convenience and connection for everyone else.”

Mambourin, VIC< <

Mambourin, VIC<

“We made a very intentional effort to deliver as much amenity up front to demonstrate our vision and ensure new residents would have places to go and things to do from day one,” explains Penny. “It’s really important to us that Mambourin is a neighbourhood that’s full of things to do and places to go to enjoy yourself.”

Barrabool Park and wetlands are the first in a series of new parks that are planned at Mambourin, each with its own character and experiences specially designed to capture the imagination of children at different stages of their development.

The second neighbourhood park at Mambourin is now under construction and, with its hill slides and climbing structures, is curated toward younger children. A third local park currently in its design phase will offer added layers of adventure for older children with bouldering, rope climbing, and a BOBITS (Bits of Bush in The Suburbs) garden for learning about native flora and fauna.

“The different parks and experiences we’re designing at Mambourin are all about extending the play and discovery options available at Mambourin,” says Penny.

“It recognises that children need different experiences as they grow up to test their skills and match their interests.”

Mambourin, VIC<

Mambourin, VIC< <

Mambourin, VIC

Club Mambourin

It’s not just kids that get to stretch themselves at Mambourin. The new residents-only leisure centre, Club Mambourin, is a best-in-class suite of facilities for exercising, relaxing, and socialising. Featuring a fully equipped gym, multi-use court, lap pool and spa, kids pool, multi-purpose function room, and cafe, Club Mambourin has quickly become the place for residents of Frasers Property’s Mambourin community to recharge and refresh.

“The feedback we’ve received from our residents since the club was opened in August 2021 has been really positive,” says Penny. “The quality of the facilities and the finishes as well as the way the spaces are managed and activated has been a much higher quality experience than perhaps many were expecting. It’s engendered a real pride of ownership over the club and a very high utilisation of the amenities.”

Club Mambourin hosts regular vinyasa yoga, pilates, and circuit classes, as well as tennis lessons, aqua aerobics, and all manner of local meetings and education sessions including gardening workshops, children’s story time, and even a disco.

“Right from the start, our vision for Mambourin has been about facilitating connection and making life fun and inspiring,” says Penny. “When I see people in the gym or meeting for breakfast at the cafe, hear kids squealing with laughter in the playground, and watch families spending time together, it’s immensely rewarding to see that vision become a reality.”

For more information on life at Mambourin visit mambourin.com.au or call 13 38 38.

Mambourin, VIC

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A south coast summer awaits

Many decades in the making, and thanks to the worldclass coastal amenity of its harbourside precinct, The Waterfront, Shell Cove has emerged as the must-visit destination on the NSW south coast.

Asuburb-sized masterplanned neighbourhood the size and scale of Shell Cove on the Illawarra Coast takes shape slowly over decades. A park here, a shopping centre there, several hundred new residents every year, a marina, a harbour, and a waterfront promenade. Then one day you wake up and realise that this visionary development is now a fullyfledged destination with a character and magnetism all its own.

A long-term joint venture partnership between Shellharbour City Council and Frasers Property Australia, Shell Cove broke ground in the early 1990s and is today home to almost 10,000 residents. The centrepiece of the community is The Waterfront, Shell Cove – a harbourside precinct incorporating a 145-berth marina (swelling to 270 when fully completed); beach; dining precinct including bars, cafes, and tavern; town centre with Woolworths and convenience shopping, as well as — under construction — a future library and community centre, and Crowne Plaza hotel.

Mathew Gulliver Development Director Frasers Property Australia

The result is the creation of an exciting new south coast tourism destination that’s proving a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, especially as The Waterfront, Shell Cove is activated with a series of irresistible drawcard experiences and events.

Chief among them is The Waterfront Markets which takes place every month alongside the marina precinct. On a recent sunny weekend, locals soaked up the sights, sounds, and flavours of Shell Cove, with live music, shopping, and great food on offer from over 40 stallholders.

Frasers Property Development Director, Mathew Gulliver, says that the markets are a community placemaking initiative that has now become a standard fixture in the neighbourhood’s event calendar.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW<

“We designed the harbour to be a place where people could relax, unwind, and get together with family and friends,” says Mathew.

Chris Homer, Mayor of Shellharbour City Council, says as The Waterfront attracts more and more people, there’ll be plenty of exciting activities and milestones for them to enjoy in the weeks and months ahead.

“Since its opening in late October 2021, The Waterfront, Shell Cove has attracted over 200,000 people to the stunning harbour, marina and the local businesses here at Shell Cove,” says Mayor Homer. “It’s notable that approximately 40% of the people who have visited are Shellharbour residents, demonstrating the high value locals also place on this fantastic waterfront area.”

“With more food and beverage offerings, a hotel, community centre and library all coming soon, visitors will continue to be attracted to everything The Waterfront at Shell Cove has to offer.”

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

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“It’s got this fantastic amenity with boardwalks and green spaces beside the water. Trialling a weekend market in that spot was a no-brainer. Though to be honest, I don’t think any of us expected it to be as hugely popular as it has. It sort of proves the adage, that if you build it, they will come.”

And come they have. Research by Shellharbour City Council shows that visitor numbers to The Waterfront, Shell Cove are up by 75% since the boat harbour opened late last year.

Centre of attraction

One of those attractions is the firstever Waterfront Food & Wine Festival on October 28th and 29th. Headlined by chef Adam Liaw, and joined by renowned Indigenous chef Mark Olive, the festival is an unabashed celebration of the foodies, creators, producers, craft breweries, and distilleries that call the south coast and Illawarra home. Featuring workshops, cooking demonstrations, meet-the-maker talks and live music as well as a special celebration to commemorate the annual opening of the boat harbour, the event promises to be another well-attended activation that draws visitors into the region.

Further exposing the wonders of the Illawarra coast is Shellharbour Wild, a local marine wildlife tour operator that heads out each day from The Waterfront marina to explore the great blue yonder. Popular between May and November for its whalewatching cruises, Shellharbour Wild offers awestruck landlubbers the opportunity to see majestic humpback whales on their migration north to give birth, and south again with their calves to nurse and feed in the Southern Ocean. The rest of the year, there’s a stunning scenic cruise around Bushrangers Bay, Perkins Beach, and the Five Islands to see dolphins and fur seals.

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According to Mathew Gulliver, it’s not just the events and experiences of Shell Cove that are bringing people to the region, it’s the lure of the laid-back coastal lifestyle as well.

“The realisation of the harbourside vision has really opened people’s eyes to the attraction of living in this beautiful part of the world,” he says.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW<

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“The community is very established and highly engaged, and there’s this really amenity-rich and self-contained neighbourhood feel. We’ve particularly seen a huge spike in Sydneysiders looking to escape the city and take up residence in a place blessed with natural beauty, laidback lifestyle, and first-class amenity in equal measure.”

As the project reaches its end stages (Frasers Property anticipates completion of the entire Shell Cove masterplan in 2027), and inches closer to the release of its premium oceanside precincts, that intensity is only expected to increase.

“The scale of this development means we’ve been able to offer a range of property types for people who value different things in life,” explains Mathew. “We’ve got a stunning range of architecturally-designed townhomes for those that want the complete package, land lots for people that have their own special dream home design in mind, and harbourfront apartments for the highamenity, low-maintenance set.”

And of course, if living at The Waterfront, Shell Cove isn’t quite on your bucket list yet, from 2024 you’ll be able to stay whenever you like at the upscale Crowne Plaza Shell Cove Marina Hotel, a home away from home that’s set to put this one-of-a-kind south coast destination well and truly on the map.

For more information on The Waterfront, Shell Cove visit shellcove.com.au or call 13 38 38

Let’s go live in a Treehouse

Artist’s impression, indicative only.

to planning approval.

Midtown MacPark, NSW

The magic and enchantment of treehouses maintain a childlike wonder in our imaginations, even as we grow into adulthood. The good news is you no longer need to be a kid to enjoy them. In fact, at Midtown MacPark in Sydney, you can now live in one.

Askany child to explain the allure of the treehouse and they’ll tell you it’s a magical place that’s far from ordinary. High above the ground with the tree canopy at eye level, everything looks different and full of possibility. It’s a place to retreat to, hang out with friends, and enjoy a special kind of serenity that’s only found in nature.

From the Magic Faraway Tree and the Berenstein Bears to Bart’s Simpson’s clubhouse, treehouses capture our childlike sense of wonder, long after we’ve grown into adulthood. Peek at Airbnb or Pinterest and you’ll find hundreds of treehouse hotels tempting you with the promise of a romantic weekend hideaway. Just imagine if you could live in one full time.

Well, thanks to Midtown MacPark, the Frasers Property Australia masterplanned community in Sydney’s northern suburbs, now you can.

The third bold and contemporary apartment building to go on sale at the company’s popular new neighbourhood, Treehouse is a stunningly unique and superbly serene approach to elevated parkfront living.

Designed by award-winning architects Studio Johnston, Treehouse features a series of ‘outdoor’ rooms, known as Treehouse rooms, with soaring three-storey ceilings that punctuate the tower’s facade and create peaceful and welcoming spaces for residents to enjoy the outdoors.

Overlooking the park below, the Treehouse rooms — along with the rooftop Sky Garden above — capture the childlike wonder and magic of seeing the world from the elevated perch of a treehouse, updating it for grown up lifestyles.

According to Frasers Property’s General Manager Development NSW, Cameron Jackson, each verdantly landscaped Treehouse room will have its own character and features catering for different needs of residents at different times of the day.

“These are spaces to help you enjoy your time and expand the bounds of your apartment as you need to,” says Cameron. “In a lot of ways, they’re the apartment equivalent of backyards or private parks with dedicated seating and tables, where you can hang out with friends and socialise, or set up a laptop to work or study. We expect parents of young children will love the Treehouse rooms incorporating waterplay and rock climbing. There’s something for everyone, and it’s all enjoyed with fresh air and fantastic views.”

Cameron Jackson General Manager Development NSW, Frasers Property Australia

Midtown MacPark, NSW<

Midtown MacPark, NSW<

Artist’s impression, indicative only. Subject to planning approval.

Artist’s impression, indicative only. Subject to planning approval. Retailers depicted are fictional.

Creating an abundance of beautiful and inviting social spaces was a core consideration for Conrad Johnston from Studio Johnston.

“It’s a very different style of apartment building that delivers an exciting, new approach to apartment living,” says Conrad. “The outdoor Treehouse rooms in particular are a really creative innovation and I think they will generate a strong sense of community as people use the spaces and meet other residents. That’s where new connections will be made, and hopefully new friendships formed.”

Castles in the air

With an accent on light, airy spaces that blur the lines between landscape and architecture, the Treehouse apartments emphasise generous flow of space for stylish living and entertaining. Across its 162 apartments, there are a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments ideal for young professionals and those stepping into home ownership for the first time, as well as two-and three-bedroom apartments for expansive family living. All enjoy contemporary colour schemes and luxurious fittings and fixtures, including natural timber kitchens and forest oak bathrooms.

Poised above Midtown’s vibrant village green, restaurants, and cafes, Treehouse puts residents within walking distance of the proposed new Midtown primary school, two childcare centres, parks and playgrounds, pay-as-you-go pool and gym, as well as a community centre. Macquarie Shopping Centre, Macquarie University, and the Northwest Metro are within 600m.

“Midtown MacPark has been designed for 100 per cent walkability,” explains Cameron. “Residents can enjoy the convenience and ease of moving about their tree-lined community without the need for a vehicle at all. And the centrality of Treehouse means that you really get the best of everything right at the heart of the neighbourhood.”

Treehouse apartments at Midtown MacPark are now on sale. For more information visit midtownmacpark.com.au or call

Artist’s impression, indicative only. Subject to planning approval.

Artist’s impression, indicative only. Subject to planning approval.

Midtown MacPark, NSW<

Midtown MacPark, NSW<

Built with pride

More than timber and nails or bricks and cement, the most important ingredient in building a new home is an unrelenting focus on quality.

Last year, a Dutch couple made news as the first people in the world to inhabit a 3D printed home. Resembling a large boulder and lacking what many would consider ‘street appeal’, the home was made using cutting-edge robotic technology that some see as the future of housing construction—once the inevitable kinks are ironed out of course. Until then, the art and science of building new homes will remain a distinctly human endeavour.

As the General Manager - Delivery and Operations at Frasers Property Australia, Nicholle Sparkes heads the company’s construction division, overseeing design and delivery of hundreds of homes annually. She says the 3D printing of buildings is a fascinating development, but until they can match the high quality and aesthetic standards we’ve come to expect today, homes built by people will remain the norm.

“Construction is one of the oldest professions in the world,” says Nicholle. “From the moment humans fashioned tools we started building things and creating shelter. Today the construction sector is one of our biggest employers and sustains a whole range of experts and trades who build the buildings where we live, work, shop, and go to school. There’s just so much human ingenuity and know-how that would be hard to replace with robots.”

Perhaps the hardest part of construction for technology to replicate is the emotional element. The pride that those in the industry take in their work, and the particular care and attention to detail that are hallmarks of the Frasers Property approach.

General Manager - Delivery and Operations Frasers Property Australia

“The ability to stand in your customer’s shoes and understand their journey is a huge part of delivering quality outcomes,” explains Nicholle. “Every part of the construction process needs to be done and overseen by people who understand that they are responsible for helping bring someone else’s dream to life. Our Live proud tagline recognises that people have worked hard to create a home and life they’re proud of. And we mirror that by ensuring that everything we build is done with that same sense of pride.”

Modern construction methods mean bringing many different people with specific skills together to achieve a common goal. Everyone from architects, designers and quantity surveyors to carpenters, bricklayers, glaziers, plumbers, electricians, painters, carpet layers, tilers, and roofers. Oversight and coordination require rigorous and finely calibrated processes as well as a ‘measure twice, cut once’ mentality that’s shared by everyone in the Frasers Property construction team.

“There are multiple checks built into each of our construction phases,” says Nicholle. “It probably drives some of our subbies and partners crazy but being meticulous saves you a lot of headaches down the road.”

Nicholle says that one of the things that set the company apart is that there are multiple teams, and therefore multiple sets of eyes, that take a construction project forward.

“A point of difference for us is that we have distinct teams for different parts of the build and that means many checks and balances. Those teams are always talking to each other and always looking at methods to create better outcomes. If an issue comes up in construction, the construction manager makes sure the design team know. The maintenance team talk to the construction team, so they know where common defect areas occur. There’s this constant feedback loop that generates opportunities to improve.”

Nicholle Sparkes

Only human

Given the large number of trades that work on a new home or apartment build, and despite the best intentions of supervisors, things don’t always go to plan. A hinge might sag here, or a blemish of paint gets left there. Known as ‘defects’, they’re something Frasers Property focus relentlessly on avoiding, acknowledging that perfection is an almost impossible goal to deliver in every single instance.

“I think defects are a bit of a dirty word in the building industry,” says Nicholle. “It’s like if you acknowledge they are a possibility, customers will run away scared. But in my experience people prefer honesty. We strive for zero defects in every job, but if they do occur, the most important thing is what we do next. Our Care Team spring into action and get it fixed. There’s just no question that we will get it fixed, and that’s what gives customers confidence that they’re being heard and prioritised.”

“Again, I think this is something that Frasers Property does exceptionally well. We don’t just act to fix problems; we listen and learn too. That comes from understanding that this is one the biggest purchases of people’s lives and it can be very anxietyinducing for customers.

“It’s possibly a result of poor service they’ve experienced elsewhere but we find a lot of people will call us up to log a defect and they’re already gearing up to be disappointed by our response. But our ethos is, ‘well, there’s a problem, we have to fix it’. And so, we listen, and we say sorry and we make a time to set it right. Often you can hear that they’re genuinely surprised because they probably expected that conversation to go a different way.”

In it for the long haul

Reputations rise and fall on a consistent ability to deliver exceptional quality. As a company closing in on almost a century of experience in Australia, Frasers Property understand this better than most.

Their legacy can be seen in dynamic city precincts and thriving suburban communities all over the country from iconic Freshwater Place and Burwood Brickworks in Melbourne, Ed.Square and Central Park Sydney, Brisbane’s Hamilton Reach and Brookhaven, and Port Coogee in WA. Again and again, the company is entrusted to deliver some of the nation’s most important new neighbourhoods, like Bradmill in Yarraville and Midtown in Macquarie Park.

The unrelenting focus on quality has also meant that the company has assembled and retained a team of professionals who couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. It’s not unusual to find members of the construction team into their second, third, or fourth decade with the company.

Lachlan Wallace is a case in point. Starting with Frasers Property as an apprentice 12 years ago, today he’s a construction manager for the company’s built-form projects, and teaching a new generation of tradies the ropes.

“A Frasers project is special because that focus on quality and delivery is uncompromising,” says Lachlan.

“At the end of a build there’s nothing like handing over the home to a customer and experiencing the joy of that moment through their eyes.”

“It makes the long days and early mornings absolutely worth it, and I feel really lucky that I get to experience that with my team every time we hand someone the keys to their new home,” says Lachlan.

That sense of pride and commitment goes a long way to explaining why more than 90% of Frasers Property customers say they’d buy with the company again.

Says Nicholle, “We always say that a customer is a customer for life. We want them to love the experience and tell their friends. Or perhaps even to see their kids grow up and buy from us. So, every customer interaction is not just about what’s happening in this moment, it’s about how we want to be perceived into the future. Ultimately, that’s our greatest legacy of quality and care.”

A change of scenery

Set to be unveiled early next year, Frasers Property’s hotly anticipated new Brisbane project, The Quarry, is readying itself to create a breathtaking first impression.

Artist’s impression, indicative only.

NinBrisbane’s leafy north-western suburbs. For as long as he can remember he’s been distantly aware of the existence of the quarry cut into the side of Enoggera Hill in neighbouring Keperra, that due to its elevation remains largely hidden from view.

Joining Frasers Property Australia back in May 2022 in the role of Development Director for the Keperra Quarry’s transformation into a reclaimed and regreened residential community, Nick’s first visit to the site left him astonished at its potential.

“Having been a local most of my life, I’ve driven past Keperra Quarry a million times,” says Nick. “I’d never set foot on it before joining Frasers Property and I really had no idea what to expect. The first thing that hits you is how dramatic the elevation is — 190 metres above sea level at its highest point. The views are incredible. The other is how quiet and peaceful it is. At that height, the noise of traffic sort of falls away and you are really aware of the sounds of birds and breezes in the trees. It’s surprisingly idyllic.”

The surprise of The Quarry, the name Frasers Property has given to its new Brisbane community, is also something Senior Marketing Manager Danielle Graves brings up as the team puts the finishing touches on the plan to launch in early 2023.

“There’s a lot of curiosity in the local community about what’s going to happen here to transform the site,” says Danielle. “And I think when the entry road and first phase of the recreation precinct opens in a few months, people are going to be blown away by the experience. You’re going to be able to see for yourself why there is nothing else like this in Brisbane.”

Danielle Graves Senior Marketing Manager

The Quarry,

Frasers Property Australia

Enabling future residents to see and experience what life has to offer at The Quarry has been a driving force behind the project’s launch plan since Frasers Property acquired the site in December 2019.

This has meant 18 months of civil works and earthworks to create a public entry point to the site, landscape The Quarry’s impressive cliffside entry statement, cut in internal roads, and construct the architectdesigned residents' pavilion, which will also function as the sales centre for the project in the short-term.

“When you have a once-in-a-lifetime kind of project like this, demonstrating the vision early is critically important,” says Nick.

“Frasers Property took the decision to put a lot of the heavy investment up front to set the scene.”

That scene includes landscaped gardens and viewpoints around the pavilion as well as the first of three resident pools, village green, and a dedicated lounge area for enjoying stunning sunset views over Brisbane’s western mountain ranges. Later works will deliver a resort-style pool, splash and play area for kids, BBQ facilities, and a residents’ gymnasium.

Jeff Brown, principal architect with acclaimed Australian architectural firm Rothelowman, has led the design of the residents’ precinct and says that the beautiful and unusual qualities of the site have been front of mind as the vision for the place took shape.

Nick Kostellar Development Director Frasers Property Australia

“The reoccupation of the quarry with subtropical landscaping is a very powerful idea,” says Jeff. “Within this regenerative approach, we wanted the residents’ pavilion to embrace that idea in every aspect. Its materiality celebrates the geology of the site, with masonry blades and a huge boulder supporting the floating roof of the structure. The building looks outwards seeking interaction with the surrounding softscape of native greenery as well as the dramatic views to the quarried cliffs above and the distant mountain range to the west. The architecture is deliberately subservient to the raw power of the landscape.”

Despite its elevation and contours, the Frasers Property team have designed every residential lot to be a flat building pad, removing the need for expensive split-level design that’s often required for hillside homes. That simplicity, combined with a remarkable open space design that incorporates places for relaxation and contemplation as well as active zones for hiking and biking, is already garnering strong market interest despite no marketing for the project yet taking place.

“We’ve been keeping the surrounding community well informed with our progress,” explains Danielle. “Technically we’re not open for business yet, but we already have more than 600 people on a database who are keen to be informed as soon as we are. That’s a testament to the rarity of what’s on offer at The Quarry and its remarkable natural beauty.”

The Quarry is set for public launch in early 2023. For more information visit keperraliving.com.au or call 13 38 38

The Quarry, QLD

The Quarry, QLD

Artist’s impression, indicative only.

Look to the fundamentals

Cameron Leggatt Executive General Manager Development Frasers Property Australia

Up, down, or sideways, the property market is always moving and never static. But there are certain fundamentals you can learn that will help you navigate the cycles and make the most out of your property decisions.

Followthe cycles of the property market long enough and you’ll see your fair share of peaks and troughs. Some, like the credit crunch of the global financial crisis, had their warning signs. Others, like the lockdown-led boom last year, took most of us by surprise. Whatever the cause, market cycles are a fact of life, closely watched by those reading the tea leaves hoping to buy low and sell high.

That’s all very well and good if you’re taking a shortterm view. For most homeowners and would-be homeowners, the mid to long term view matters much more. If the home you’re looking at is somewhere you expect to live for the foreseeable future (and even longer), then the ups and downs of the property market today need to be weighed against some other important factors.

Understanding the fundamentals

The first is understanding that property values are intrinsically tied to supply and demand. Supply is a function of how many blocks of land or apartment sites developers can bring to the market each year, how quickly builders can build new homes on them, plus the number of established homes up for sale. In simple terms, demand is how many people have the desire and capacity to buy a new home. Demand goes up with population growth and goes down when economic indicators like unemployment go up.

And while movements in interest rates tend to get all the attention because they represent the cost of borrowing money, I think the more interesting fundamental at work today is the unemployment rate. While it’s true that rising interest rates dampen demand, they currently remain well within the affordable range. What’s offsetting the dampening effect of recent rate rises is the unemployment rate, which is the lowest it’s been in almost 50 years.

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Port Coogee, WA

Why does that matter for the health of the property market? Because when people have steady employment, banks feel more comfortable extending them credit for big purchases like cars and homes.

On the supply side, things are looking a little tight. The reality is that opening up new pockets of development takes time. There are acquisition, planning, statutory approvals, and construction timetables to navigate. Add to that the perfect storm of the pandemic-boom and one of the wettest years Australia has ever recorded in 2022, our supply situation is struggling to keep pace with demand, especially as borders have reopened and students and overseas workers come back to Australia.

As long as that imbalance is in place, the longer-term outlook means Australia’s property market still has plenty of life left in it.

Burwood Brickworks,

Know thyself

In my role, I have a lot of young people asking me for advice about when the right time is to buy their first home. My answer is always the same: the right time is when you say it is.

That’s because everyone’s circumstances and goals are different. And knowing where it is you’re headed and what you value most is more important than what the newspapers or your well-meaning relatives tell you. Do your research, of course. Do lots of research according to where you want to live and what’s available today versus what will be there in a few years. You want the choice to fit you well for years to come.

Stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods

Which brings me to my final point about fundamentals. In property, there are certain elements that demonstrate a degree of imperviousness to down-market cycles. A desirable location is one. Convenience and connection are another. Neighbourhood character especially.

These kinds of traits are why Australia’s property market isn’t actually the monolithic system it’s often portrayed as. Some suburbs, and pockets within suburbs, continue to perform well when other areas are declining because they’re simply better to live in and always have underlying demand.

Self-contained neighbourhoods that offer high levels of amenity and convenience, such as Ed.Square in Sydney’s south west and Burwood Brickworks in Melbourne’s east; lifestyle locations with unparalleled aspect like The Waterfront, Shell Cove on the NSW south coast and Port Coogee in Western Australia; as well as close-knit suburban communities like Brookhaven in Brisbane have the kind of enduring popular appeal that frequently sees waitlists of people eager for the next release.

As a first home buyer, one of the other things to understand is that your first home is exactly that: the first of what will likely be several properties you’ll own in your lifetime. Gone are the days of our parents and grandparents where one house served all your needs for twenty or thirty years –through marriage, children, and empty nesting. The average first home buyer today sees it differently, opting for a starter home that gets them out of renting and into ownership as soon as possible, even if that means delaying some of what’s on their dream home wish list to their second or third home purchase.

The next horizon

I do think the fundamentals, including Australia's love of property, remains healthy. At the end of the day, what I focus on is creating the kinds of communities people want to come home to, today and for generations to come. That means putting more into those neighbourhoods — walkable streets, beautiful and practical public spaces, community development, sustainability initiatives, and local retail — so that people get more out of living there. After all, it’s quality of life that’s the most important property market fundamental of all.

Brookhaven, QLD<

Burwood Brickworks, VIC<

The evolution of Noosa

From the pioneering days of T.M. Burke in 1924 through to the expansive reach of Hooker Corporation and on to the evolution of Australand into the business we know as Frasers Property Australia today, ours is a century-long history rich with stories of the development of Australia. As we approach our 100 years celebration in 2024, we’re looking back at some of those stories and places that have gone on to shape who we are and the way we live today.

There are few places in Australia as beloved in the minds of holidaymakers as the Sunshine Coast. With its pristine beaches, verdant hinterland, and perennial air of summer, this strip of Queensland coastal paradise is the second-most visited location in the state behind Brisbane; a fact that comes as no surprise to anyone that’s ventured along David Low Way during the school holidays. A lesser-known fact is that a large slice of the atmosphere and accessibility of the region is thanks to the development savvy of one Thomas Michael Burke and his son, Marcus Burke.

In 1927, the elder Burke visited the Tewantin / Noosa area and saw its potential. Acquiring land just south of the existing Noosa township, he launched Noosa Beach Estate, where securing your own slice of paradise could be facilitated with a £10 deposit (about $900 in today’s money) and £1 a month over 7 years.

Spectacular location aside, the advent of the Great Depression and the Second World War slowed development of the estate to a virtual stop. After languishing for a quarter-century, renewal came in the form of a deal with the just-elected National Party state government in the mid-1950s.

With ambitious plans to build a new coastal highway between Bribie Island and Noosa Heads, premier Frank Nicklin cut a deal with T.M. Burke. In exchange for building the David Low Way, Burke’s company—now under the stewardship of his son, Marcus— would develop three townships along the route: the revitalised Noosa Beach Estate (now renamed Sunshine Beach Estate), Marcus Beach, and Peregian Beach.

Development continued right through the ‘70s and ‘80s, with the region blossoming thanks to the infrastructure built by T.M. Burke and the undeniable attraction of the climate and lifestyle. Today, the Sunshine Coast is one of the most iconic and alluring destinations in the country.

Read more about Frasers Property and our history at frasersproperty.com.au

Our magnificent Noosa Beach Estate map, 1928, Frasers Property Australia archives.

Sunshine Coast, 1970s. Image courtesy of Heritage Noosa.

The Development of Australia

It’s been famously said that ‘we shape our buildings, and thereafter they shape us’. And it’s not just buildings — the design of our cities and suburbs also shape who we become as people and communities. The fascinating story of how exactly urban development does this is the theme of a new video and editorial series created in partnership between Frasers Property Australia and realestate.com.au, called The Development of Australia

Lookclosely at the suburbs of Australia, and you’ll see the history of the nation written in its architecture and urban form. From the early settlers' sandstone colonial buildings and Gold Rush-era Victorian terraces to inner-city workers' cottages and the classic midcentury 3-bedroom brick veneer in the suburbs, the way we live has evolved as our population has grown and the opportunities of modernity have been realised.

But it’s not just our homes that have changed. According to the most recent Census data, we live in smaller households than we did a decade ago, with fewer family members sharing with us. We are delaying marriage and having children later in life. We’re renting longer too. And even taking into account a significant increase in regional migration in recent years, the density of our cities continues to grow rapidly.

Reflecting the twists and turns of our multifaceted history as well as the contributions and character of our multicultural population, the development of Australia is always in perpetual motion. Divining the future of where we’re headed is the theme of a fascinating video and editorial series commissioned by Frasers Property Australia in partnership with realestate.com.au, called The Development of Australia.

Across eight information-packed video episodes featuring commentary from leading industry experts, the series unpacks an array of property-related topics including community development, urban design, architecture, affordability, apartment living, sustainability, and lifestyle.

In her role as General Manager - Brand and Customer at Frasers Property Australia, Emily Wood commissioned The Development of Australia with a firm view that the stories to be told throughout the series reflect an important aspect of the Australian experience.

“Australians are a pretty property-obsessed people. Even if we’re not buying it or selling it, we’re talking about it in some way,” explains Emily. “So it made sense to tap into that conversation in more depth than the common topics of house values and availability.”

Emily Wood General Manager - Brand and Customer Frasers Property Australia

Published monthly across realestate.com.au’s website and YouTube channel, each episode—and accompanying article—is a self-contained fount of wisdom on a select topic. Taken together they form a deeply comprehensive exploration of the macro and micro forces that shape the way Australians live today.

Tobias Johnstone, General Manager, Content and Growth at REA Group says the symbiotic relationship between people and place is one that doesn’t get talked about enough outside the worlds of architecture and design, and that opening up that story in a topical and informative way is the driving force behind the series.

“The series brings together Australia’s brightest minds across urban design, architecture, economics and social sciences to provide rich insight into our unique built environment,” says Tobias. “It’s a story of where we’ve come from and where we’re headed. You don’t need to be a property buyer or seller to engage with this series; it’s for anyone curious about how we’ve shaped the places we inhabit and, in turn, how these places shape our lives.”

Scan to follow The Development of Australia series.

“We really wanted to get into the way Australia’s development reflects who we are as people. How have our communities evolved? What does increased mobility and changing demographics mean for where we live and how often we change homes? How are developers balancing increasing urbanisation with greener spaces and sustainability initiatives? It’s all explored in The Development of Australia series.”

Back to the movies

As the lights go down and the music swells, there’s no feeling quite like the excitement and anticipation of going to the movies. With summer approaching and a hot new slate of films set to be released, it’s no wonder cinema attendances are surging.

The history of cinema — and cinemagoing — in Australia stretches all the way back to 1896 when the very first paying audience filed into what was then known as Harry Rickard’s Melbourne Opera House in Bourke Street to watch a short film as part of a variety show. The experience was no doubt a far cry from the visually astounding blockbusters of today, nonetheless it marked the beginning of a love affair with ‘going to the movies.’

And like all great loves, there’s been some ups and downs…

The high point would come a century later in 1996, according to data compiled by Screen Australia. In that year, more than 70% of Australians reported that they visited the cinema, with the average frequency of cinema-going a staggering 11 times per year. But much like video killed the radio star, the growth in sophistication of home theatre systems and blockbuster television, followed by the birth of internet-connected devices and streaming platforms, capped off with a world-wide pandemic that kept people at home for a few years, has seen cinema take its fair share of body blows.

But don’t count it out just yet. Cinema attendances have soared in 2022 off the back of blockbuster releases including Top Gun Maverick (the highest grossing film of the year), Jurassic World: Dominion, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and the Oscar-buzzworthy Elvis biopic by Australian director, Baz Luhrmann.

While this slate of hotly anticipated films combining big movie star names and spectacular special effects are one part of the story, they aren’t the whole picture. In fact, movie attendances started their precipitous climb well before this suite of blockbusters were released.

According to Felicity Armstrong, General Manager - Retail Investments who oversees a retail portfolio that includes three Frasers Property retail centres with cinemas — Ed.Square in Sydney’s south west, Burwood Brickworks in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and Dendy at Coorparoo Square in inner Brisbane — people are flocking back to the movies because they miss the big screen theatrical experience.

“After a couple of years of being stuck at home, people are exercising their freedom again,” says Felicity. “They want to go out. They want to meet friends and go to the movies together. They want that shared experience again. I think cinema has that pull because it’s such an immersive sensory experience, you don’t just see it or hear it, you feel it. Even with the best home theatre system, that’s not something you can replicate at home.”

Bigger. Better. Brighter.

That immersive experience has improved rapidly in recent years. From bigger screens to plusher seats to luxurious experiences and in-cinema dining, it’s never been more enjoyable to go to the movies. And it’s not just the physical venues themselves. Thanks to advances in digital technology and crystal-clear surround sound, the auditory experience is next level. Recent films like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune have such meticulously-crafted sound effects designed specifically for the big cinema experience that the director is on record as saying that sound is “one of the tools that still makes the theatrical experience worth going for.”

Judging by the numbers, audiences agree. Attendances have never been stronger at the Reading Cinemas at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre and are practically booming at Ed.Square Town Centre’s Event Cinemas.

“Burwood is a really well-established suburb and the cinema at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre has quickly become a favourite among locals, seeing a 40% increase in visitation in June alone,” says Felicity. “At Ed.Square, we’re seeing a slightly different story, which is people coming in from a much wider catchment area to spend time at Ed.’s Town Centre, which includes our Eat Street dining precinct, shopping, and entertainment zones. June was a particularly strong month primarily supported by the ‘NSW Dine & Discover’ vouchers with cinema sales doubling from the previous month and dining retailers reporting an increase of 40% in visitation. I think it’s a real testament to the fact that people are craving high quality experiences in places where they can meet up with friends and family. Going to the movies together is a big part of that.”

Felicity Armstrong

General Manager - Retail Investments Frasers Property Australia

With a massive slate of summer movies on the way, including Marvel movies, Black Adam and Wakanda Forever, as well as James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, and Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, it looks like the lure of the silver screen is set to continue to shine brightly.

Find out more about our retail business and shopping centres at frasersproperty.com.au/retail.

Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, VIC

Ed.Square Town Centre, NSW

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Healthier home design a breath of fresh air

A vastly healthier and energy efficient building standard with a funny German name is creating a good deal of Australian interest thanks to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events. Can better designed homes keep us safer? The physics of Passivhaus design say yes.

In the early hours of a warm Spring morning in November 2019,

Sydneysiders awoke in alarm to the smell of smoke. After checking ovens and stovetops, electrical wiring, and assuring themselves that the iron hadn’t been left on, there came the dawning realisation that the smoke in their homes was from the huge Gospers Mountain bushfire burning out of control 300kms away.

It marked the beginning of a recordbreaking couple of months of extraordinary air pollution in the country’s most populous capital and a spike in health effects including asthma and breathing-related hospitalisations. It also sharpened efforts to ensure new Australian homes better protect its inhabitants from harsh outside conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and airborne smoke particles.

Seemingly purpose-built for these conditions is the Passivhaus design standard, a German innovation that built on decades of improvements being made by architects, builders, and physicists around the world to create more energy efficient homes. The idea is that better design can ‘passively’ keep a home at a comfortable natural temperature inside without needing to run a heater or air conditioner frequently, if at all.

Kate Nason is a Sustainability Advisor with Frasers Property Australia and Chairperson of the Australian Passive House Association, the country’s peak advocacy and education body for the adoption of Passivhaus principles, which include minimising the spots in a home where air can leak from the inside out or the outside in.

Kate Nason Sustainability Advisor Frasers Property Australia

“There are a number of ways that Passivhaus design creates a more comfortable home,” says Kate. “They include an insulation layer and membrane that keeps your home at a comfortable temperature, double or triple glazed windows, proper solar orientation, and of course eliminating air leakages and thermal bridges in the home where heat can travel. Taken together they create remarkably energy efficient homes and markedly healthier internal environments, which is really noticeable when the air outside isn’t at its best.”

Kate says the fires of 2019 and the increased time spent inside in the last couple of years has brought into sharp relief the many deficiencies and shortcomings of conventional building design in Australia.

“We know from recent fire events, that smoke particles in the air can easily reach dangerous levels, especially for people who suffer from asthma or respiratory conditions,” says Kate. “And what we saw at that time was just how poorly some homes are at keeping the bad air out, making it harder for people to maintain a healthy indoor environment for their families.”

Life, Point Cook VIC<

“We talk a lot about the energy efficiency of Passivhaus design and rightly so. It can reduce your energy consumption by 90%. But the other frontier is health and wellbeing. There are fewer places for air to leak and the ventilation system is continuously removing pollutants and odours as well as preventing mould and condensation. The result is a home that’s far healthier to live in.”

Passive House Plus

Of the 40 or so homes that have achieved Passivhaus certification in Australia, almost all have been bespoke design and builds, perhaps contributing to why the standard hasn’t yet entered the mainstream. Kate and her colleagues from Frasers Property’s Development and Sustainability teams have set out to change all that with a groundbreaking pilot project at the company’s now sold out community, Life, Point Cook.

The pilot involved building two identical homes in the same street, one to Passivhaus standard and the other to normal building code. By monitoring the energy and air quality performance of both homes through smart meters, Frasers Property hopes to share its findings with the wider industry and encourage more widespread adoption of healthier building standards.

Aesthetically alike and in keeping with the facades of other homes in the development, the passive home has achieved Passive House Plus certification, a first for a major national developer in Australia. In addition to air tightness, continual thermal insulation, solar access, double glazed windows, and a heat recovery ventilation system that ensures a continuous flow of fresh air indoors, the home generates all the energy it needs through onsite rooftop solar panels, even storing its excess in an on-site battery for no-cost charging of electrical vehicles.

Sarah Bloom, Frasers Property’s General Manager Development VIC, says the next step is to influence supply chains to ensure that passive homes can be built at volume across the country.

“Some of the construction materials we used, such as double-glazed windows for example, are fairly specialised. Those had to be imported from Europe,” says Sarah.

“The key to making Passivhaus design more broadly available in the future will be to improve supply chains and local production of these kinds of products and techniques. That will mean more cost-effective outcomes and an acceleration in these technologies and techniques becoming part of standard home design in Australia.”

Passive House at Life, Point Cook, VIC<

Life, Point Cook VIC<

Quality Comfort Good insulation Energy efficient

Sarah Bloom General Manager Development

VIC, Frasers Property Australia

Judging by the interest that the Point Cook pilot has generated, greater levels of adoption may be just around the corner.

“After its completion, we opened the Point Cook passive home up to industry and public tours,” says Kate. “They were extremely well attended and apart from being a way to get a feel for the homes, they also debunked the myth that a passive house has to look ‘different’ than a volume home design, which is obviously important for mass market adoption.”

Ticking all the boxes

For Elena Mardoyan who bought the house for her family to live in, the biggest selling point was the quality of the build contributing to the comfort of the home.

“I saw the listing on realestate.com.au but to be honest, I initially didn’t read all the details as I’d grown cynical about property advertisements promising things that didn’t exist,” said Elena. “But when I first came to look at the house, it ticked all the boxes and I thought: ‘That’s mine!’”

“The principles of good insulation and sealing behind the Passivhaus technology is something I’d seen quite a bit of in Europe. And when you have lived in Europe, you really appreciate doors and windows that don’t leak.”

In addition to eliminating drafts, keeping out dust and pollutants, and regulating internal temperatures, Elena has discovered that the home is a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life outside.

“The double glazing stops the road noise. With Point Cook Road being quite busy, and me being a light sleeper, this is a great bonus,” she explains.

Combining healthier indoor conditions with dramatic energy efficiency, the better building standard with a funny German name looks set to enjoy an exciting Australian future.

Scan for more information or call 13 38 38.

The science of shopping

The chemist, the baker, the grocer, the barista. They’re all key to making your local shopping experience the best it can be. But have you ever wondered how they got there? The science of good retail means it’s all by design and never left to chance.

When was the last time you thought about the little community of retailers that co-exist down at your local shopping centre?

If you visit regularly, chances are you’ve acknowledged, even subconsciously, that it provides what you need in terms of conveniences and services, as well as comforts like cafes, entertainment, and places to take the kids or meet with friends. None of that is by accident or guesswork. In fact, getting the right mix of experiences and retailers in a shopping centre requires a good deal of science, as the team from Frasers Property Australia will tell you.

“What's interesting about retail is because everyone goes to a shop, everyone thinks that they understand what works and what doesn’t,” says Felicity Armstrong, Frasers Property’s General Manager - Retail Investments. “Personal experience is an important factor but isn’t always universal. What we do at Frasers Property is look at the specific communities we're trying to serve, gather as much information about those communities as we can, and tailor a response that fits.”

“Those responses can be quite unique. People might think every neighbourhood shopping centre is the same, but they're actually not. There's nuance in every single market.”

Over the years, the Frasers Property retail team have developed a sophisticated data-driven approach to determining the right tenancy mix and customer experience in their centres. That approach includes the layering of multiple data sources, such as demographic analysis, purchaser behaviour, projected population growth, and good old fashioned first-person observation.

Ed.Square Town Centre, NSW<

“The approach we take is to build the most comprehensive picture we can,” explains Felicity. “I'm sure there are others that rely on one set of data to develop their retail mix, and that's fine. But for us, that's just not enough. We want to be more informed than that. So, we get out there in the area to understand what it’s like to be a local.”

“You have to get intimately involved. We drive the streets and observe things like how many cars are in the driveway and whether there are kids' bikes on the lawn. That tells you a lot about household composition. We also check out where locals are currently doing their grocery shopping. Are people doing basket shops or trolley shops? What's on the shelves? What type of product range is the supermarket stocking?”

“That kind of keen anthropological observation is key to getting a complete picture of the opportunities,” says Megan Wong, National Marketing Manager with Frasers Property’s retail team.

“The real work for us begins once we're open and trading, and we can see how people are experiencing the centre,” says Megan. “That's when we start to fine tune how we're managing the asset and how we're leasing and mixing. We're observing all the time what people are doing, how they're interacting with the space, and when they're coming and going.”

The wisdom of experience

At the company’s Ed.Square community in Sydney’s southwest, observations from Ed.Square Town Centre’s first year of trading revealed that it was already becoming more than a local destination.

“The Ed.Square Town Centre is very much the heart of that community and we were always confident that it would be a much-loved neighbourhood asset, especially with the mix of restaurants, shopping, and entertainment we put in there,” says Megan.

“But what we’ve seen is that there is a whole other cohort of people who are travelling from further away than we had anticipated to come to our food and beverage and entertainment offering. So that gives us confidence as we plan stage two of the Town Centre, to introduce even more of that experience.”

It’s a similar picture at the award-winning Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, where time spent speaking with customers has revealed some surprising drawcards.

Ed.Square Town Centre, NSW<

Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre, VIC<

Recognised as the world’s most sustainable retail centre, Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre required the Woolworths supermarket to save energy by putting doors on its chilled section fridges. This seemingly innocuous action has resulted in customers travelling from several suburbs away because the ambient temperature inside the store is simply more comfortable to shop in. It’s a data point that the Frasers Property team learned from hanging out at Burwood Brickworks and asking customers their thoughts on the new shopping centre.

“It’s an incredibly important thing to do,” says Megan. “You can’t just build a multimillion-dollar asset like this and then walk away. You have to stay close to what’s happening on the ground. There are always new things to learn that you can use to improve the shopper experience.”

It would be easy to think that the countless hours that the Frasers Property retail team spend on data capture, observation, and analysis means their jobs are dry and boring. Nothing could be further from the truth, says Felicity.

“I can see how people would think that. But the science of retail exists because of the emotional connection we hope people will make. Their neighbourhood shops should feel like a place they own –it’s their local, their place to take the kids for ice-cream, or meet up with friends for lunch or dinner. And I think that’s something we do exceptionally well at Frasers Property: integrating retail so it becomes an extension of their residential community.”

Megan Wong National Marketing Manager Frasers Property Australia

Ed.Square Town Centre, NSW<

Geneva.

Small, but perfectly formed.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s home to more diplomats and bureaucrats per square mile than almost anywhere else on earth, Geneva is anything but boring. Tucked away at the southern tip of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and rubbing shoulders with France and Italy on either side, this small but perfectly formed European city packs an outsize punch when it comes to food, culture, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable experiences.

Here are the top tips from Fraser Suites Geneva on how to get the most out of your time in their exceptional city.

Scan to explore Fraser Suites Geneva.

Chocolate

Ok, let’s get this out of the way up front. You’re in Switzerland and you’re going to want to try the chocolate the country is world famous for. One of the best ways to indulge your sweet tooth is purchase a Choco Pass, which will get you in the door at 7 of the city’s best chocolate shops and presented with a tasting plate of their finest delectables to tantalise your taste buds. You’re welcome.

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The Old Town

For all its bustling modernity, the ancient history of Geneva can be found along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town. Home to the spectacular St Peter’s Cathedral completed in the 13th century, as well as the medieval Bourg-de-Four Square — the oldest place in Geneva, where the Romans traded their wares more than a thousand years ago. Today, it’s a lovely place to grab a coffee, indulge in some fondue, or peruse the local galleries.

Mountains

A little over an hour outside Geneva is the charming French town of Chamonix. Its special claim to fame is that it sits at the base of the highest mountain in western Europe, Mont Blanc. If you’re the outdoorsy type, scaling such a mountain is truly one of life’s bucket list experiences. For those that prefer a slower pace, most of the mountain and the surrounding valley can be seen from cable car. Over in Zermatt, you’ll find perhaps the most famously shaped mountain in the world: The Matterhorn. If you can’t quite place where you’ve seen it before, it’s the Toblerone mountain.

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is spectacular all year round, but it really comes into its own during summer. Locals flock to the foreshore in the evenings to swim, picnic, and listen to local DJs spinning sets at dusk. One of the best ways to experience the lake is on top of it. Try your hand at paddle boarding, where the view to the bottom of the lake through crystal clear waters is simply astonishing. And don’t worry if you fall in and accidentally drink some, the water is practically Evian.

Fraser Suites Geneva

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Geneva’s premium shopping district, and a short stroll to the lake, Fraser Suites Geneva is an ideal base for exploring the city and surrounds. Elegant self-contained apartments come with free WIFI access, Nespresso machines, and quality French L’Occitane amenities.

About Frasers Property

Since 1924, Frasers Property Australia has created stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods that enhance the way people live life together.

Over a century, we’ve built up experience and a track record in developing homes and communities across Australia, as we’ve evolved to become the Frasers Property Australia of today. This began with T.M. Burke, one of the country’s first national property development businesses in 1924, through to Hooker Corporation in the middle part of the twentieth century, Australand from the 1980s, eventually to become Frasers Property in 2015. Over that time we’ve developed more than 145,000 properties for Australian families.

History

Dating all the way back to 1924, our reputation and legacy is built on 100 years of Australian placemaking.

Quality

Everything we focus on speaks to our unwavering commitment to excellence and quality.

Care

Our approach to care is much more than merely customer service. It’s an attitude to go further for each and every customer.

Belonging

Our purpose as a business is to create stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods that enhance the way people connect with each other.

Communities we’re creating

NSW Ed.Square Fairwater Midtown MacPark

The Waterfront, Shell Cove

VIC

Berwick Waters Burwood Brickworks Encompass Carlton Five Farms

The Grove Mambourin Parkside Parkville Wallara Waters

Yarraville (coming soon)

QLD Brookhaven Hamilton Reach Brunswick & Co Minnippi Quarter

The Quarry (coming soon) Newstead (coming soon)

WA

Baldivis Grove Baldivis Parks Frasers Landing East Green Port Coogee Queens Riverside

At the end of the day, what we focus on is creating the kinds of communities people want to come home to, today and for generations to come. That means putting more into those neighbourhoods — walkable streets, beautiful and practical public spaces, community development, sustainability initiatives, and local retail — so that people get more out of living there.

Cameron Leggatt Executive General Manager Development Frasers Property Australia

Find out more frasersproperty.com.au

Frasers Property Australia