<html><body>
Credit Union Australia will maintain interest rate discounts for eligible home loan customers after being found of misleading advertising by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
CUA's advertisements for its 'Rate Breaker' home loan package promoted a 1% discount off the average standard variable interest rates advertised by the big four banks.
But the ill-displayed terms and conditions enabled CUA to change the 1% discount at any time and stipulated that the interest rate could not fall below a minimum rate of 3% per annum.
CUA will ensure all consumers who entered into a Rate Breaker Package loan up to August 31 will, for the duration of their loans, receive a discount of no less than 1% off the average of the variable interest rates advertised by the big four banks, unless it is below 0%.
ASIC Deputy Chairman Peter Kell says taking out a home loan is one of the biggest commitments a person or family could make.
“Consumers should be able to trust the promises and information provided in the marketing of home loans,” Kell says.
“ASIC expects that financial services firms will provide clear and accurate information to consumers in their advertising, and we will act when those expectations are not met.”
The advertisements featured on television, in cinemas, the CUA website, and on public transport in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
CUT has to sufficiently highlight both the 3% per annum minimum interest rate and its ability to change the 1% discount rate in all future advertising of the Rate Breaker Package and it will notify existing Rate Breaker Package customers of its undertaking to honour the 1% interest rate discount by 30 September 2013.
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Lengthy mortgage windfall for select CUA customers after ASIC investigation

<html><body>
All dominant regional property markets in South Australia are at the bottom of the house and unit property cycle according to Herron Todd White’s latest monthly report.
Southwest WA is at the start of a recovery while Alice Springs houses is in a declining market. Units in Alice springs though are a rising market.
In its capital city analysis Adelaide is at the Bottom of the cycle, Perth is at the peak and Darwin is rising.
<table style="width: 470px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="154">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col span="2" width="234">
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="25">
<td height="25" width="622" colspan="3">Stage of property cycles in regional VIC/TAS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Region</td>
<td>Houses</td>
<td>Units</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Adelaide hills</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Barossa Valley</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Iron Triangle</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mount Gambier</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Riverland</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Alice Springs</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Darwin</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Southwest WA</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Perth</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: Herron Todd White
</body></html>

Investors advised Alice Springs house market is in decline, but units are rising: Herron Todd White

<html><body>
In Queensland nine of the 14 dominant regional property markets are at or near the bottom of the market according to Herron Todd White’s latest monthly report.
Just Emerald, Gladstone and Gold Coast are in a declining market.
All other regional housing markets in Queensland are between the start of a recovery and a rising market.
The trend applies to units and houses.
In its capital city analysis the Brisbane house and unit markets were at the start of a recovery.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="154">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="234" span="2">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="25">
<td colspan="3" width="622" height="25">Stage of property cycles in regional Queensland</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Region</td>
<td>Houses</td>
<td>Units</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Cairns</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Townsville</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Whitsunday</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mackay</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Rockhampton</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Emerald</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Gladstone</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Bundaberg</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Hervey Bay</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Sunshine Coast</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Brisbane</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Goldcoast</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ipswich</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Toowoomba</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: Herron Todd White
</body></html>

Queensland regional markets at bottom of property cycle: Herron Todd White

<html><body>
In Victoria, five of the 9 dominant regional property markets are at the bottom of the property cycle, according to Herron Todd White’s latest monthly report.
They include Mildura and Shepparton.
Bendigo and Echuca are in a rising market while Melbourne is at the start of a recovery.
For units Echuca is at the start of a recovery while most others are the bottom of the market.
In the capital city analysis Melbourne was between the bottom of the market and a recovery while Hobart was in a declining market.
All regions in Tasmania are in a declining market.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;">
<colgroup>
<col width="154">
<col>
<col width="234" span="2">
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="25">
<td colspan="3" width="622" height="25">Stage of property cycles in regional VIC/TAS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Region</td>
<td>Houses</td>
<td>Units</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Bendigo</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Echuca</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Ballarat</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Gippsland</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Melbourne</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>Start of recovery - bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mildura</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Shepparton</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Latrobe Valley</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wodonga</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Burnle/Davenport</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Hobart</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Launceston</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Source: Herron Todd White
</body></html>

Mildura and Shepparton among the half of regional Victorian property markets at bottom of price cycle: HTW

<html><body>
Albury is one of the five NSW regional housing markets still at the bottom of the property cycle, according to Herron Todd White’s latest monthly report.
The four other regional locations at the bottom of the cycle are – Central Coast, Tweed Coast, Wollongong and Coffs Harbour.
Wagga Wagga and Canberra/Queanbeyan are listed as the areas in a declining market.
Orange and Tamworth are both at the peak of their cycle for houses and units.
For units, Griffith is at the start of recovery as well as Newcastle.
The house and unit markets in Sydney were considered to be rising.
<table style="width: 470px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="154">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="234">
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col width="213">
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="25">
<td height="25" width="601" colspan="3">Stage of property cycles in regional NSW</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Region</td>
<td>Houses</td>
<td>Units</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Albury</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Bathurst</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Canberra/Queanbeyan</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Central Coast</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Dubbo</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Griffith</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Mudgee</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Newcastle</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
<td>Start of recovery</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Orange</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Sydney</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
<td>Rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Tamworth</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
<td>Peak of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Tweed Coast</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wagga Wagga</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
<td>Declining market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Wollongong</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
<td>Bottom of market - rising market</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20">Coffs Harbour</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
<td>Bottom of market</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
Source: Herron Todd White
</body></html>

Investors advised Albury one of five regional NSW markets at bottom of property cycle: Herron Todd White

<html><body>
The Perth property market is at the peak of its property cycle with house sales declining, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.
And unit sales are still increasing but the rental vacancy for units is now steady, compared to a severe shortage for Perth houses.
In Sydney new unit sales are now frequently selling for above their potential resale value, though demand for new units and the volume of unit sales have dropped down slightly.
And there is now a shortage of rental houses compared to demand in Sydney.
In Melbourne, Herron Todd White’s assessment remains the same as last month – it’s at the bottom of the property cycle at the start of recovery, though new units are frequently selling for above their potential resale value.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-1-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-1-small.gif"></a>
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-2-big.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/08/htw-aug-21-graph-2-small.gif"></a>
</body></html>

Perth at peak, Melbourne at bottom of property cycle: Herron Todd White

<html><body>
Saul Eslake, chief economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch says any potential property recovery in Australia will be led by investors buying established homes, pushing prices up.
He says first-home buyers face too many hurdles to enter the market meaning the recovery will be led investors – who typically buy established homes rather than newly built properties.
"An investor-driven recovery is much more likely to put upward pressure on prices and is less likely to induce new dwelling supply, which is the opposite of what the Reserve Bank wants, and what the country needs," Saul Eslake, chief economist of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"If [this] is right then I think that would be a very regrettable development from a social point of view."
It echoes comments by columnist Robert Gottliebsen, who predicts there will be a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/robert-gottliebsen-forecasts-mother-of-all-dwelling-booms-driven-by-property-investors/2013081864307?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news">“mother of all dwelling booms”</a> led by property investors.
"Australians are going to rush for bricks and mortar," he wrote on Business Spectator, saying the boom will come from three reasons.
"First is a dramatic push to lift the demand for dwellings by banks offering cut mortgage rates thanks to Reserve Bank Governor Glenn Stevens.
"But second, and just as importantly, there is reluctance by banks to fund new supply.
"In any commodity if you inflate demand and squeeze supply, prices go through the roof.
"Thirdly taxpayers will subsidise the boom via a massive increase in the use of negative gearing via both personal and superannuation tax breaks.
"Longer term, that will damage the economy and the Reserve Bank will have to take responsibility for pulling the price boom trigger.”
 
<hr>
CORRECTION: This article has been updated since initial publication. Saul Eslake tipped a property "recovery" as compared to the initial report of him tipping a property "boom".
 
</body></html>

Property recovery to be led by investors: Saul Eslake

<html><body>
Director of property advisory group Chan &amp; Naylor Ken Raiss has called for a rate increase by the Reserve Bank of Australia in what he calls a dose of tough medicine.
He has dismissed recent rate cuts by the RBA saying they are sugar fixes trying to stimulate near term future growth.
“While approximately 35% of home owners have a mortgage and therefore may have an excuse to briefly celebrate, the flow on benefits of an interest rate cut are futile for business lending, job creation or for older Australians in particular who rely on income derived from savings,” said Mr. Raiss.
He says a gloomy forecast of 2.2% economic growth and a 6.7% 2014-15 unemployment rate by the National Australian Bank shows the economy is unwell and needs some healing.
“Now that Australia’s economic well-being has been laid bare, any further saccharine fuelled rate changes will do more harm than good, as it hides the real world of a sick economy,” Raiss says.
He says a near-future rate rise may seem anathema to many but combined with economic reform it may be the "tough medicine" required to restore the country to pre-2007 levels.
“The new Government must cease abrogating monetary policy to Treasury,” Raiss says.
“Whilst some tough tax related questions now need to be asked, we also need to focus on restoring the health to the vital organs of a functioning economy, namely employment, growth and sustainability.
“A future rate rise may make borrowing more expensive, but enlightened homeowners that have jobs will be happy to pay this slight impost, as will those who depend on their income and living standards from higher interest rates.”
</body></html>

Chan & Naylor calls for RBA rate rise tough medicine

<html><body>
Negative gearing will not be addressed by either a Labor or a Liberal government in the near future, Labor senator Doug Cameron has told Triple J’s youth programme Hack.
“Negative gearing is a huge issue that is raised with me continually. The government at this time has said that we’re not going to deal with negative gearing,” he told Hack recently.
“But there are a range of issues that we will have to look at and maybe negative gearing will have to come into that mix in the future. But zoning, infrastructure costs, excessive regulation, outdated planning policies, and transaction taxes, as well as negative gearing – these are all issues that we will have to look at.”
Liberal senator Marise Payne, also on the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/triple-j-hack/hack-wed-14-august">election housing special</a> of Hack said they won’t be touching it either.
“We don’t have that in contemplation at the moment. But I think that some of the issues which increase the challenge for purchasing for young people in particular are exacerbated by the lack of land that is released for construction,” Payne said.
“That not only pushes up prices but increases the housing shortage. While those land releases policies are often dealt through the state and local governments it doesn’t stop the commonwealth government from assisting where that is a problem.”
Meanwhile Joel Pringle from Australians for Affordable Housing told Tony Eastley on Radio National that negative gearing fails to deliver new housing.
“What we know is that negative gearing as it currently stands is a failed policy. It doesn’t deliver new housing. Over 90% of negatively geared properties are actually existing housing stock,” he said on Thursday.
“So it’s not lowering rents in the way it’s meant to be. So we know it’s failing to deliver on its aim.”
Meanwhile economist Saul Eslake has told The Border Mail he believes negative gearing should be abolished as keeps prospective home buyers out of the market.
“It has not been an effective instrument for increasing the supply of housing, which would be a legitimate policy objective,” he said.
“Negatively geared investors enjoy tax breaks, which, of course, are funded by higher taxes on the rest of us indirectly, in order to compete with would-be owner-occupiers to drive up the price of established housing.
“It is hard to think of anything that would do more to make it easier for people, especially young people who want to buy their own property, than to abolish negative gearing.”
</body></html>

Negative gearing a non-debatable topic for both parties

<html><body>
Chris Gray has the latest Residex figures on his property show tonight.
Purchase or Pass airs on the Business Channel at 6.30pm.
Tune in or check the Property Observer website for Purchase or Pass updates.
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisGrayEmpire"><img alt="chrisgraytweet-aug-16-one" height="185" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/08/chrisgraytweet-aug-16-one.jpg"></a> 
</body></html>

Chris Gray has latest Residex figures

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Alistair Walsh

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News