Birth

A decade ago I was in the empty streets of an industrial estate south of Caroline Springs, where a new Bunnings Warehouse store was taking shape.

The iconic grand entrance was there.

But inside there wasn’t a floor.

Just rebar waiting a concrete pour.

By 2014 the streets of the industrial estate were starting to fill up.

Google Street View

And by 2020 Bunnings had disappeared behind a sea of tilt-slab concrete.

Google Street View

Death

While on Millers Road in Altona North was an unlucky Bunnings Warehouse store.

Locked up and ready to be demolished.

Replaced by a brand new $47 million, 17,000-square metre store next door.

And rebirth

Out on High Street in Epping I found a familiar green shed, but it was no longer a Bunnings Warehouse – but a furniture store.

Bunnings moved to a new site on Cooper Street in late 2015.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Birth, death and rebirth at Bunnings Warehouse appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

While a competing property developer says “don’t pay a premium for facilities you may never use”.

You’ll find the water park at ‘Jubilee‘ estate – located on the very edge of Melbourne at Wyndham Vale.

Between Ballan Road and the Regional Rail Link tracks.

The $10 million water park features water slides, a splash zone for children, leisure pool and 25m lap pool.

While the cheaper ‘New Gardens‘ estate is in the dirtbowl between Rockbank and Melton.

They promote a ‘future train station’ on their masterplan.

But trains won’t be stopping there any time soon – so you’ll need to drive 3.5 kilometres down the road to the recently opened Cobblebank station instead.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Property developer sledging in Melbourne’s west appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

Caroline Springs

We start out at Caroline Springs station, located between town and the tip.

A massive car park the only neighbour.

And the only footpath out of there filled with a fleet of rubbish trucks.

But the land in between is about to be developed.

Into a ‘fulfilment centre’ for Amazon.

Amazon Australia will open a second Melbourne fulfilment centre (FC) in Ravenhall late next year, creating around 300 jobs on completion and more than doubling Amazon’s operational footprint in Victoria.

The new facility will be located at Dexus’ Horizon 3023 estate, a 127-hectare site which adjoins Caroline Springs train station and is close to the proposed Western Intermodal Freight Terminal. Dexus has commenced works on the site, supporting more than 200 construction jobs over the development and fit-out phase. The lease for the centre was facilitated by CBRE’s Industrial & Logistics business.

The new fulfilment centre will be 37,000 square metres – almost double the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground – with capacity to house up to six million items ranging from health, household and personal care products, consumer electronics, books, clothing and pantry food and drink staples, to larger items like flat screen TVs, cartons of soft drink or nappies, and gardening equipment.

Minister for Economic Development Tim Pallas said today that attracting investment from significant global companies such as Amazon, is critical to drive our economic recovery.

“Amazon’s investment in a second fulfilment centre will bring hundreds of jobs to the western suburbs of Melbourne, providing local employment opportunities in suburban growth areas,” he said.

“We welcome this investment as a clear indicator of confidence in the state.”

AKA a big tin shed.

Tarneit

Tarneit is another railway station on the edge of Melbourne.

New housing estates sprawling across the plains.

Served by a sea of car parking.

But the Truganina Precinct Structure Plan has designated the area around the railway station as a future town centre.

But what is the first commercial development in the new town centre?

Bunnings will be the first of many retailers that will be making up ‘Tarneit Park Hub’ – the shopping precinct of our planned Town centre at Westbrook.

Bunnings Warehouse has responded to the growth of Melbourne’s western corridor, committing to a new 16,500sqm warehouse in Tarneit Park Hub.

Ranfurlie Asset Management, the retail and commercial division of the Dennis Family, is developing Tarneit Park Hub, which will total 46,000sqm when complete.

“We are excited to have secured Bunnings. It cements Tarneit Park Hub as a key retail and lifestyle asset for the region,” stated Mark Wilson, CEO of Ranfurlie Asset Management.

“Tarneit Park Hub answers the demand from the community for greater amenity, with great access, proximity to public transport and adjoining Tarneit Central it sets an excellent foundation to further enhance the precinct and build on what is already a thriving centre.” concluded Mr Wilson

Tom Perkins of Leedwell Property said that “Bunnings is a great anchor for Tarneit Park Hub. The ability to generate foot-fall seven days a week and its brand recognition in a community is unparalleled. We have recently completed leasing on a number of new developments anchored by a Bunnings and they have proven to attract quality, national retailers around them.”

Yes, another tin shed!

Imagine how bad these development would be without structure plans?

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post What passes for ‘Transit Orientated Development’ in Melbourne’s west appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

Development in the south-eastern suburb of Clayton has been intensifying, thanks to the thousands of students studying at the nearby Monash University campus.

Looks like a normal pair of townhouses, doesn’t it?

But the real estate agent’s blurb suggests otherwise.

Great investment opportunity is now available for astute investor, who is looking for secure and huge rental cash flow (8 bedroom, 8 bathroom, 2 living area), also come with land size of 360sqm approx which is perfect for student accommodation/doctors or nurses who are working nearby or Airbnb. This north facing spacious double storey residence situated within walking distance to Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Train Station, local schools & parklands, bus stops, Clayton shopping district, Clayton Community Centre and only minutes away from Chadstone Shopping Centre.

As you walk into this fabulous architecturally designed home (Class 1B – Boarding house) with high ceilings(2.7 meters on ground floor), the flowing floor plan will lead you to the elegant open living room, plus huge modern open kitchen(with 8 bar fridge space, and 8 separate cupboards for each room) and dining area, 4 spacious bedrooms with built-in-robes, 3 rooms come with ensuite, plus disable bathroom. 4 more bedrooms with BIR (3 of rooms with ensuite) plus retreat area upstairs. Spacious outdoor area is perfect for entertainment with friends.

Just count them all – 8 bedroom and 8 bathrooms!

This example from Clayton has two “townhouses” on the block.

Which contain a total of 17 bedrooms.

High returning properties at $186,600 pa approx.

Unit 1: rent @ $100,560
Unit 2: rent @ $86,040

Located in the proposed growth zone RGZ3 these modern rooming house registered townhouses are perfect for an investor seeking an amazing cash flow near one of Australia’s largest educational institution Monash University.

Townhouse 1- Offers 9 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, entry hall, large kitchen and meals area with gas cook top leading to rear courtyard and lock up garage.

Townhouse 2- Offers 8 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, entry hall with floating floors, modern kitchen with a huge meals area, separate laundry, courtyard and lock up garage.

Though this time around, some residents will have to share bathrooms.

I found a similar looking “townhouse” over in Oakleigh East.

“Only” eight bedrooms and five bathrooms this time around.

The same applies at this block of six townhouses, that provide 29 bedrooms across the development.

This 6 year old block of 6 subdivided townhouses (29 bedrooms) stands alone!

These low maintenance homes have relevant ‘Class 1B Rooming House’ permits and have been modified to suit the strict regulations. The real kicker for investors who may consider purchasing the entire block is the returns with a combined total income of approximately $283,000 per annum making this entire development a business in itself. They are being sold with all associated furniture, bedding and appliances that a student needs to get started.

All townhouses feature a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone benchtops, tiled meals area plus a laundry, single garage, ducted heating, a private courtyard and coin operated communal laundry facility onsite.

The 4 street front townhouses are of similar design boasting 4 bedrooms including 2 upstairs rooms with walk in wardrobes and ensuite as well as a bathroom and toilet downstairs. The 2 rear townhouses are larger and feature 5 and 6 bedrooms plus an ensuite, and 2 bathrooms. (Unit 5 boasts a double garage)

Finally, I found this bizarre looking “house” fronting onto Dandenong Road, Clayton.

Once an ordinary quadruple fronted 1950s brick veneer house, a massive flat roofed cement sheet clad box has been plopped onto the top.

Giving a total of 12 studio apartments – seven in the upstairs addition.

And five in the converted house downstairs.

Creating quite a money earner.

The home has been converted to 12 studio apartments of which most have already been renovated and several are also already leased with potential rental return of over $120,000-00 per annum once fully leased.

PLUS the potential to further develop the rear backyard – facing Parker Street into more accommodation/ Town houses with own street frontage.

OR take advantage of the corner allotment as well as this excellent location and re develop the entire site into apartments. Proposed GRZ6 zoning.

And something more ‘institutional’

Over in Footscray I found this less homely looking rooming house.

Featuring 12 bedrooms with private courtyards, sharing three bathrooms.

And a business I hadn’t thought of

This house in Brunswick doesn’t look that weird from the outside.

But inside – 12 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, with two of them in the garage?

Turns out it was once a corporate ‘guest house’, with rooms rented out to companies needing to accommodate travelling employees for stays of 28 days and up. As for the garage bathrooms – they served a gymnasium next door.

Looking at the sums

I got this advertisement on Facebook the other day – it looks like a normal house, but is actually a nine bedroom rooming house.

Each bedroom has a private ensuite and kitchenette, opening out onto a private courtyard.

Four bedrooms and a kitchen on the ground floor.

And five bedroom on the second floor.

The property developer’s pitch.

9 Studio Rooming House Package
One Property. 9 Incomes.
Capitalise without the subdivisional costs of 9 separate units with positively geared maximum returns of approximately 13.5%.
This site has the plans approved for a 9 Studio Apartment Rooming House, so the build is ready to go.

And the potential returns.

Quick numbers:
– Land: $270,000
– Site clear + service upgrades: $7,500
– Furniture: $25,000
– Build Contract: $670,000
Total Package Cost: $986,000
Gross rental income: $135,000
Gross rental yield: 13.7%

What about classic rooming houses?

The ‘old fashioned’ style of rooming house I picture in my head is like this one at 57 Ballarat Road, Footscray – where shared bathrooms and kitchens are the norm.

Google Street View

But they are a dying breed, as gentrification sweeps through the Melbourne suburbs. I found this writeup on an old rooming house in Elwood at realestate.com.au:

It’s not every day a property with 17 bedrooms hits the market.

Among a large common area, two shared kitchens, three shared bathrooms and a laundry, the whopping 17 bedroom property contains a mix of self-contained apartments, along with old and new boarding rooms.

Professionals Whiting & Co director Dannie Corr said the registered accommodation house, or rooming house, was extremely uncommon.

“You don’t ever see them in gentrified areas,” Mr Corr said.

“All the ones we have sold over the past 20 to 30 years have been converted into private accommodation.”

Mr Corr explained the properties were particularly popular after World War II, in order to provide housing for those migrating from Europe.

“This once was an Edwardian home, and would have been converted in the late 50s or early 60s” he said.

“There are five self-contained rooms that include a kitchenette and bathroom at the front of the home, while the remainder make use of the shared facilities.”

But decaying rooming houses still exist, the last resort for people with nowhere else to go.

Now Barry’s home is a tiny room – one of 14 – at the rear of a dilapidated weatherboard rooming house in Melbourne’s north. His possessions are stacked so high it’s difficult to get through the door. The roof leaks over his bed and the lock is broken.

The house’s volatile and intimidating landlord has made Barry’s life a misery – including throwing his possessions into a skip and assaulting him – and for all of this, Barry pays $200 a week in rent.

Ahead of the Victorian state budget on Monday, the Council to Homeless Persons is calling on the government to increase funding and hire more rooming house outreach workers, arguing they can save the lives of residents and improve their health.

Three years ago the government introduced minimum standards in rooming houses, including that operators must apply for a licence and follow standards of hygiene, safety and security.

But the reality is that many remain decrepit and hazardous environments that damage the physical and mental health of the residents.

Will today’ cheaply built townhouses cum rooming houses decay to a similar state, endangering residents while landlords profit? Only time will tell.

And a techbro related footnote

Not content with reeling in millions of dollars in venture capital to reinventing taxis and buses, the techbros of Silicon Valley also also reinventing the rooming house – from The Atlantic:

Commonspace, as he’s calling it, will feature 21 microunits, which each pack a tiny kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living space into 300-square-feet. The microunits surround shared common areas including a chef’s kitchen, a game room, and a TV room.

Worried about the complicated social dynamics of so many Millennials in one living unit? Fear not, Evans and partner John Talarico are hiring a “social engineer” who will facilitate group events and maintain harmony among roommates.

Whatever will they come up with next?

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Modern rooming houses in Melbourne appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

Photo by Rohanstorey, via Wikimedia Commons

In October 2019 the Minister for Transport Infrastructure launched the Treasury Square project:

The Andrews Labor Government has today announced the start of an expression of interest process to develop vacant transport land in Melbourne’s CBD which has the potential to create jobs and attract new businesses.

The Treasury Square site is located on the southern side of Flinders Street next to the rail corridor, and spans the area between Exhibition and Flinders streets, and Wellington Parade South.

Developing the land presents an opportunity to increase office space or new hotels or apartments in the heart of the city, close to public transport.

Revenue generated from the sale will be invested into the Labor Government’s record $70 billion pipeline of major transport infrastructure across Victoria.

The expression of interest is being run by Colliers International and EY in conjunction with VicTrack and is open until Friday 8 November.

The outcome of the expression of interest will determine next steps, with any development to be subject to relevant planning controls and approvals. For more information visit treasurysquare.colliers.com.au

With the Australian Financial Review revealing in January 2020 that a number of developers had been shortlisted to produce detailed bids.

Victoria has narrowed the field to just four bidders in the race for Melbourne’s Treasury Square urban regeneration project, with developers sharpening pencils for bids that could see them pay more than $500 million for the key CBD-fringe site.

Teams led by Mirvac, Brookfield, Cbus Property and Dexus-John Holland now have until March 12 to produce detailed bids for the 13,600sq m site.

The site, on the southern side of Flinders Street, has the potential to create 130,000sq m of net lettable area for a commercial value of about $2 billion.

Enter site constraints

The Treasury Square site is quite constrained.

While strong interest in the land reflects the dearth of large commercial sites in the Melbourne CBD, the high price could limit profitability of the technically tricky project.

“They’re dreaming,” said a person close to one team that did not make the shortlist. “If they wanted that number … we’ll stand back and leave them to it.”

The site is above a rail tunnel of Melbourne’s underground loop and has an electricity substation on it.

A deck would need to be built above the site to support the three towers that would likely be built as part of any development, which would also be subject to controls to limit overshadowing Birrarung Marr public park on the banks of the Yarra River.

The deck alone could cost as much as $150 million, the person said.

With the Mernda and Hurstbridge line track pair running parallel to Flinders Street.

Tramway and railway traction power substation alongside.

Full of high voltage electrical gear.

The ‘One East Melbourne’ development curving along the footprint of the Burnley and Caulfield Loop tunnels that run beneath.

And then twelve more railway tracks.

Not to mention fourteen tracks between Exhibition Street and Federation Square.

So what will they build?

Treasury Square sounds like an exciting project – but the renders shown on the accompanying website suggest otherwise.

The development is just a tiny wedge of the land between Federation Square and Richmond station – the Mernda and Hurstbridge line track pair, and electrical substations.

With three towers proposed along Flinders Street.

Maybe a mix of hotel, office and residential.

Stacked in different ways.

Or just three office towers.

Forming a wall of glass along Flinders Street.

Swap the glass for brick, and you’ve got the Gas and Fuel Towers!

Previous developments at East Melbourne

The first land to be developed was at the corner of Wellington Parade South and Jolimont Road, on what was once the ‘Collingwood Sidings‘. They were cleared of tracks during 1987 and 1988 and then offered for sale.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jolimont_Workshops_and_yard_overhead.jpg

The first stage being the lowrise ‘Eastside’ complex of neo-Georgian apartments developed by Becton during the 1990s.

Followed by the high rise ‘One East Melbourne’ development next door completed in 2010.

Consisting of a 19-storey residential tower with 85 apartments; a 6-storey commercial building includes three levels of car parking, 5,500 square meters of office space over three levels, and water wise rooftop garden; and 22 townhouses designed by Edgard Pirotta.

Further reading

• Princes Gate Towers at Wikipedia
• Demolishing the Gas and Fuel Towers, Culture Victoria

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Treasury Square – the Gas and Fuel Buildings reborn? appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

The story starts in July 12, 2010 when it was announced that 26 homes and 84 businesses on Buckley Street would be compulsorily acquired by the State Government to make way for the Regional Rail Link project.

The back story

I wrote about the acquisition back in October 2011:

By my count a total of 24 houses are to be acquired on Buckley Street, as well as the Footscray Senior Citizens Centre. Of these, only a few properties around Victoria Street are actually in the path of the new tracks, with the rest of the route running through what are currently backyards and garden sheds.

The original project timeline stated the transfer of properties was to commence in July 2011, with the completion of land purchases occurring by August 31, and demolition work following in the fourth quarter of 2011 leading into early 2012.

But it wasn’t just private properties that were acquired to make room for the new railway – the Footscray Senior Citizens’ Centre was also in the way, and had to go.

It took up a substantial site on the corner of Windsor and Buckley Streets.

Also acquired was David Matthews Park, located next door to the Senior Citizens’ Centre.

The park wasn’t much.

But it provided as small pocket of greenery among the narrow streets of Seddon and West Footscray.

As late as December 2011 the park was still open to the public, despite the neighbouring buildings being long gone.

But as the Regional Rail Link project commenced, the entire park was fenced off.

Work on the project was completed in 2014, with the surplus land along the north side of Buckley Street being replanted with grass, but fenced off from public access.

Including the site of the former David Matthews Park, marked by a trio of tall gum trees.

Community agitation begins

A little bit closer to the city was another plot of land, located at 94-104 Buckley Street. Once warehouses, the site was also acquired to make room for the Regional Rail Link project.

During the project, the site was used as a works compound.

Once work was completed, the land then sat empty, leading local residents to start a campaign for it to be handed over to the community as parkland.

Push for park on surplus RRL land
October 28, 2015
Benjamin Millar
Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay – Star Weekly

Buckley Street resident Daniell Flood is fighting for the land at 96-100 Buckley Street, compulsorily acquired in 2011 for the $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link, to be turned into community open space.

About 80 homes and businesses along and near Buckley Street, including the Footscray Senior Citizens Centre, were bulldozed to make way for the project.

Surplus land not used when the rail link was completed will be sold to developers unless bought by a state government agency or Maribyrnong council.

“There is no open space in the area yet there are going to be around 800 new apartments built around the site,” Mr Flood said.

“It’s probably the last piece of government- owned land around here.”

The Regional Rail Link Authority has deemed 96-100 Buckley Street to be surplus, along with a 200-metre long strip stretching west from Middle Footscray station at 130-176 Buckley Street.

RRLA spokesman Paul Frawley said the land had been offered for sale to other government agencies and Maribyrnong council as per state government guidelines.

“Any land not purchased by another government body will be listed for public sale in the new year,” he said.

Star Weekly reported in March that residents want 130-176 Buckley Street to be gifted to the community as a park.

Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said she was willing to discuss the future of the sites with Maribyrnong council. “If council is interested in the land then I’m interested in working with them to get the property,” she said.

“The thing that is of interest to all of us is the amount of green space available in Footscray, particularly in regards to some of the apartments approved under [former state planning minister] Matthew Guy.”

Maribyrnong mayor Nam Quach said the council would be interested in discussing the future of the land parcels. “[But] it’s important people realise council doesn’t own the land and there are many aspects to look at, such as safety and location,” he said.

As you can see on this diagram shared on the ‘Buckley St Park’ Facebook page, the number of apartments in Footscray is skyrocketing.

But the campaign for a new park came to nothing – in March 2016 the State Government refused to hand the land over for free, and the Maribyrnong City Council decided against paying $5.5 million to acquire it.

The result – the land was put on the open market.

Purchased by a developer in December 2016 for just under $5 million, they will build a $60 million tower housing more than 100 apartments on the site.

And the final twist of the knife

April 2017 saw the strip of land at 130-186 Buckley Street put up for sale – former home of the the Footscray Senior Citizens’ Centre and David Matthews Park.

Sounds like a joke, doesn’t it – State Government demolishes a park and community facility to make way for a much needed railway expansion project, and instead of giving it back to the community once they are done, they flog it off to property developers to build apartments, putting even more stain on existing infrastructure.

And what about Middle Footscray station?

Back in December 2011 the Melbourne Metro Business Case listed one of the benefits made possible by the Regional Rail Link project:

RRL tracks to be slewed at Middle Footscray station; Land acquisition on south-west corner of Victoria Street.

Accommodate 17 metre platform extension down end to allow for 230 metre platform; opportunity with RRL property acquisition to provide DDA compliant access solution.

Access to Middle Footscray station is currently via this steep ramp to Victoria Street.

With the land along Buckley Street now sold off, I wonder if provision of a DDA compliant access point to the station will ever happen.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Selling off parkland on Buckley Street, Footscray appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

‘The Reserve’ is located across the road from the future Tarneit station, and in 2013 proponent Asset1 Developments were selling the connection hard.

The same applied down the road at ‘Manor Lakes’, where the Regional Rail Link tracks run through the middle of the Dennis Family Corporation developed estate.

As work on the project progressed, artists impressions of the actual station appeared in their advertising, such as billboard at the estate entrance in December 2013.

Back in 2013 research by real estate agent PRD Nationwide found a $40,000 difference in median prices for houses in Melbourne’s western suburbs with rail access, versus those without. I wonder how much property prices have risen around the two new Regional Rail Link stations?

Footnote

I took the lead photo back in 2009 from Manor Lakes Boulevard, looking south towards Lollypop Creek and Greens Road. Back then it was just a future ‘transport link’.

While today it is a ten metre deep concrete walled cutting, with a pair of railway tracks running down the middle.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Property developers and Regional Rail Link appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

This is Manhattan. Big city, tall buildings, and a vibrant nightlife.

Photo by Francisco Diez from New York City, USA, via the Wikimedia Commons

And this is Melbourne’s “Upper West Side” – a collection of cookie cutter apartment towers built atop the former Spencer Street Power Station at the arse end of Lonsdale Street. Comparing it to New York is a long bow to draw, isn’t it?

However this is “Manhattan Place” in Tarneit – a housing estate located on some empty paddocks out the back of Werribee, located about 25 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and with no shops or jobs available unless you jump in your car.

The main selling point of the estate is the block size, which the since closed website for Manhattan Place points out:

Land that gives you room to breathe, with plenty of space for the kids to play and for you to entertain friends.

Manhattan Place in Tarneit is where you have the rare luxury of living on 700m² plus allotments that give you room to breathe.

Finding an affordable apartment that is 700 square FEET in the real Manhattan would be a tall order!

For those of you using real units of measurement, 700 square feet is just over 65 square meters – roughly a one bedroom apartment.

The developers then move their pitch towards families looking for their second or third homes, and invoke a comparison with New York.

Be among neighbours with the same strong family values. People who value success from working hard ~ and who truly appreciate the style, elegance and sophistication that Manhattan is famous for.

Since the estate is out in the middle of nowhere, and not the middle of the city, the developers have to point out the real world is only a short trip away.

Your home will make entertaining a pleasure, swift freeway access to the theatres, restaurants and social life of the city. A short trip to magnificent ocean beaches, the world class Werribee Park Zoo, ready access to excellent schools, shopping, public transport and local sporting and fitness facilities.

And then mention the restrictive covenants in place to prevent people “not like you” from trashing the place.

Part of the charm of buying land at Manhattan Place is the freedom you have to choose your own architectural design and builder to create the luxury home of your dreams. There is the reassurance of knowing that the building and landscaping standards guarantee an environment of quality and character that protects your investment. It all combines to make Manhattan Place the place to live.

Manhattan Place is located at the corner of Sayers Road and York Avenue, Tarneit – Melway reference 234 K4.

A dead ringer for New York, isn’t it?

2020 update

Found a new one – Grand Central Tarneit.

Located right on the edge of Melbourne, halfway to Geelong.

Just another cookie cutter housing estate.

I wonder how long until that ‘proposed’ Riverside station gets built?

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Melbourne’s misleadingly named housing estate appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

However on my recent trip to Hong Kong I still couldn’t escape them, as I browsed the internet from my hotel room.

Off to a different website – and another advertisement for the same Central Equity property expo.

You can’t escape it, can you?

Footnote

Targeting online advertising to visitors from a specific physical location is known as geotargeting. As for Australian property developer advertising their apartment developments to overseas investors, it isn’t anything new.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Aussie property developers and Asian investors appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.

Lion dances.

Firecrackers.

Dragon dances.

And the Dai Loong dragon procession.

However, the more profitable part of the festival are the commercial stalls: some are just selling food or drink, while others are putting on the hard sell. First up is the Commonwealth Bank trying to drum up business from the Chinese community.

An industry that wasn’t around a few years ago was mobile phone carriers: today companies like LycaMobile and Lebara promote their cheap overseas calls to many migrant communities, pitching themselves as a more convenient alternative to prepaid calling cards for those wanting to save their pennies.

As for those people with a bit more money to spend, Melbourne’s property developers are more than happy to speak to you. The most well known is Central Equity: who have spent almost 20 years trying to get Melbourne’s Chinese population to invest in their cookie cutter apartment towers located all over Southbank.

Not to be left out, “Melbourne’s Inner City Apartment Specialists” were also out looking for potential clients.

And down the road another property developer is spruiking their latest apartment complex to potential investors.

During my journey along Russell Street I found another half-dozen property developers drumming up business: since they turn up each year I am assuming they manage to chase up a bit of interest.

Post retrieved by 35.215.163.46 using

The post Property developers and Melbourne’s Chinese New Year Festival appeared first on Waking up in Geelong.