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John Symond, founder of Aussie Home Loans, said rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia are not working as well as they have in previous years.
He says despite interest rate cuts being a boon for buyers, they are indicative of poor conditions.
“It’s all been negative... We’re going to be in a hole. We’re going to be in debt for many years to come,” Symond told 2GB’s Ross Greenwood last week.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has said the rate cuts are giving a much needed boost to the housing sector but Symond says the recovery isn’t strong enough.
“We’ve seen a slight uptick for the past four to five months but there’s certainly nowhere near the speed of recovery that we’ve seen following interest rates cuts before,” Symond said on Money News.
“It’s still very negative. They’re still very cautious and rightly so. There’s not working yet but the market is better than what it was 12 months ago.
“People are cautious and whether it’s buying homes or people go out shopping, confidence drives people’s spending. And right now, it’s marginally better than what it has been but still nowhere near the level that the economy needs.”
And he said valuers are making it difficult for home-buyers, especially first-home-buyers to buy a property.
A disparity between bank assessments and buyer assessment means buyers are unable to secure loans for properties they want to build or buy.
“Valuers are still very cautious and that really does create a gap because if someone has a 10% deposit and the valuer knocks it down by $50,000 that might only be 5% but all of a sudden...they’re out of the game,”
“Even with existing properties it is still the biggest single problem that they all put their hand up is valuations, even on existing properties.
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Rate cuts not working well enough: Aussie John Symond

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Developer Harry Stamoulis wants to build a 404-metre office tower at 555 Collins Street in Melbourne.
If approved and built would be the tallest building in Australia – 16 metres taller than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/tallest-building-in-southern-hemisphere-approved-for-melbourne/2013031759915">Australia 108</a> which was approved in March.
The 82-storey office tower (pictured below) still needs planning approval from state minister Matthew Guy, but he has already relaxed planning controls to allow the Stamoulis Property Group to apply.
Next week Melbourne City Council will debate a motion that notes with concern the recent decision of the Minister for Planning to remove the overshadowing protection afforded to the Yarra River since 1982.
<img height="264" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/555collinsapril29flicker.jpg" alt="555collinsapril29flicker">
Stamoulis bought the site from the state government in 2002 for $40.7 million, Fairfax Media reported at the time.
The building, Enterprise House, is a 23-storey office tower, leased primarily to NAB. The bank holds the 23,700 square metre lease until the end of 2013. It renewed its lease in 2010.
<img height="260" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/555collinsapril29one.jpg" alt="555collinsapril29one">
At the time Stamoulis said it planned to refurbish the building into “A-grade accommodation” in 2014.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, has slammed the proposal saying it will cast a shadow over the Yarra’s Southbank.
"I don't have a problem with tall buildings, but can't allow them here there and everywhere," Doyle told 3AW.
"We don't want Surfer's Paradise on the Yarra.”
The site used to be home to the Federal Hotel and Coffee Palace, built in 1880. It was one of the largest and ornate city buildings at the time. It was demolished in 1973 to make way for speculative office development.
The current tallest building in Australia is the Q1 tower in the Gold Coast at 323-metres.
The Stamoulis family have an estimated fortune of $459 million, primarily from the proceeds of the 2004 sale of its Gold Medal soft drink empire. Their property holdings now include Melbourne CBD office buildings, factories, a golf club in Victoria's Yarra Valley, an apartment block in Athens and an island in the Ionian sea.
Images courtesy of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skyscrapercity.com/">https://www.skyscrapercity.com</a>.
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Proposed 404-metre tower for Melbourne at 555 Collins Street

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The Brisbane suburbs with the top yields for houses could earn investors a 6.2% gross yield, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland.
Durack and Inala – postcode 4077 – top the list of Brisbane suburbs with high yields at 6.2%.
Property Observer completed a brief survey of the suburbs to see the reality on the ground. Most yields came close though yields in Wakerley were somewhat below published figures.
Brisbane suburbs rank quite low compared to the rest of Queensland. The top Brisbane locality is beaten by 23 other localities in Queensland.
The median sale price in the locality is $283,804 with a median weekly rent of $337, according to the REIQ.
According to RP Data, median prices in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Durack</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Inala</a>, in the outer south west, dropped 2.4% and 4.6% respectively.
A four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-durack-112515023">12 Dongola Street, Durack</a> (pictured below) is listed for sale at $575,000. The house is currently leased at $750 per week giving a potential gross yield of 6.78%.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/brisbaneapril23one.jpg" width="470" height="346" alt="brisbaneapril23one">
It is being sold by agent Linh Vo from Ray White.
A three-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-durack-111547215">4 Briset Street, Durack</a> is under contract after being listed for sale at $265,000. It currently rents at $270 per week giving a potential gross yield of 5.3%.
It is being sold by Thu Van from Brisbane Real Estate.com.au.
A three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-inala-108051601'" target="_blank">10 Monoceros Street, Inala</a> (pictured below) is listed for sale at $269,000. Agent Matt Moran from Ray White markets the property as having $300-plus per week rent potential giving a potential gross yield of up to 6%.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/brisbaneapril23two.jpg" width="470" height="316" alt="brisbaneapril23two">
According to the ABS, postcode 4077 has a population of 25,157 people with a strong immigrant population. According to the 2011 census, 57.7% of respondents have both parents born overseas and 23% recorded Vietnamese as their language spoken at home.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Bald Hills</a>, number two on the list, has gross yields of 5.5% according to the REIQ.
The median price in the outer northern suburb is $365,000 and the median weekly rent is $387. According to RP Data, the median price increased 1.8% last year.
A four-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-bald+hills-113075491">11 Portico Place, Bald Hills</a> was listed for sale at $340,000. In March it was advertised for rent at $355 per week giving a potential gross yield of 5.43%.
It was being sold by David Kopelke from Ray White.
A three-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-bald+hills-112127015">125 Miles Street, Bald Hills</a> (pictured below) is listed for sale at $395,000. In May last year it was advertised for rent at $380 per week, giving a potential gross yield of 5%.
<img alt="brisbaneapril23three" height="349" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/04/brisbaneapril23three.jpg">
It is being sold by Carl Calio from Calio &amp; Scott.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Wakerley</a>, in the outer south east, has yields of 5.4%, according to the REIQ. The median price is $529,250 and the median weekly rent is $547.
According to RP Data, the median price dropped 3.2% in the last year.
A four-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-wakerley-113261135">13 Lexey Crescent, Wakerley</a> is listed for sale at $495,000. It is currently leased at $470 per week giving a potential gross yield of 4.94%.
It is being sold by Debbie Evans from livinghere.
A three-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-wakerley-113368203">612 Manly Road, Wakerley</a> is listed for sale at $379,000. It currently rents at $300 per week giving a potential gross yield of 4.12%.
It is being sold by Tony Dean from James Dean Residential.
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2013/04/brisbaneapril22one.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/04/brisbaneapril22onethumb.gif"></a>
Source: REIQ
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Durack and Inala top the REIQ Brisbane's 12 highest yielding suburbs for housing investment

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Depite the obvious strengthening in the 2013 property market, there has only been a slight improvement in estate agent price estimations since the Easter break.
Melbourne agents have seemingly slightly tweaked their auction sale price expectations, according to the latest Property Observer analysis.
But homes that sell at auction are still selling well above pre-auction price guides provided by agents, albeit by a slightly reduced amount.
Before Easter, a survey of 142 Melbourne auction sales found <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/melbourne-autumn-residential-auction-prices-fetching-well-above-price-guides/2013041160327">83% of sales fetched above pre-auction price guides</a>. Those 83% sold, on average, for 9.55% above the upper price bracket of the pre-auction price guide indication.
A new post-Easter survey of 69 Melbourne auction sales has found slightly more sales, 86%, exceeded price guides but they were slightly closer to the upper price bracket – an average of 8% over.
Of the 69 sales analysed, 22, or 32%, of them sold more than 10% above the upper price bracket. That’s compared to 30% of the pre-Easter auction sales.
The shift in near accuracy - or buyer over-bidding hestitation - came amid the homes selling for more than $1 million.
Before Easter, 91% of homes analysed which sold for more than $1 million went for above pre-auction price estimates. And 48% went for more than 10% above the upper price bracket of the price guide.
Those that sold above went for an average of 15% over.
But in the post-Easter results for the $1 milllion plus category, 85% sold for above pre-auction price estimates and 23% for more than 10% above.
Those that sold above went for an average of just 5.3% over.
The analysis comes from auction results recorded by National Property Buyers. The sales are usually desirable homes that National Property Buyers deems to somewhat worth buying for investors.
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Only a mild improvement in Melbourne auction price guidance since Easter break

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A bluestone church in Hexham, Victoria, has been listed for sale, just 50km south-east of where a church in the southern Grampians sold recently for double pre-auction price expectations.
The 1862-built St Andrews Uniting Church has reported price expectations of between $150,000 and $200,000.
It is being sold by Rob Rickard from Elders in Mortlake and Camperdown.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/dunkeld-church-sells-for-nearly-double-expectations/2013041560397">A 1914-built church</a> in Dunkeld, 250 kilometres west of Melbourne, sold earlier ths month for $230,000, which was nearly double its price expectations going into auction.
The vendor bought the latest listing, a Hexham building, at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-hexham-113453443">Roger Street</a>, from the Uniting Church two years ago and made some slight alterations before deciding to now sell.
“He’s decided he doesn’t have the time to put in it, but feels that somebody else should have the opportunity,” Rickard told Fairfax Media.
Rob Rickard was the selling agent in February 2010 when it sold for $162,000, almost triple its reserve of $60,000. There were 200 people at that auction with bids coming from New South Wales, South Australia and Melbourne.
The church closed in 2009 due to a dwindling congregation.
The auction includes the pews and pulpit.
Planning documents say the church is one of the oldest churches in the district with a distinctive crenellated bell tower and landscaping.
According to heritage documents it was designed by Andrew Kerr of Warrnambool “in a most unusual castellated mode”.
It was formerly a Presbyterian church, St Andrews.
Other buildings of heritage interest in the town include the Temperance Hall built in 1876, and the police building built in 1860.
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Hexham's 1862 church listed in Grampians

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Melbourne house price growth outperformed Sydney in the March quarter, according to Australian Property Monitors.
Melbourne’s median house price grew 3.6% over the quarter to $538,922 while Sydney’s grew 1.6% to $673,681.
Andrew Wilson, APM’s senior economist, says, “Melbourne was the standout performer."
Year on year, Sydney price growth is still outperforming Melbourne though, growing 4.2% compared to 3.7% in Melbourne.
"Sydney has now posted consecutive quarters of record level median house prices to clearly move from the recovery phase that commenced early in 2012 into a solid expansionary phase of cyclical house price growth," Wilson says. 
Sydney’s median house price is at a record high.
In Sydney, the median apartment price dropped 1.6% over the quarter after a 3.6% rise in December. In Melbourne median apartment prices rose 2.6% over the quarter, the third consecutive rise.
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"This is the best performance by the Melbourne housing market since the March quarter of 2010.
"Melbourne’s median house price has now risen by 3.7% over the past year but remains 4.2% below its previous peak level," Wilson says.
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Across the nation, house prices grew 1.7% over the quarter and 3.2% over the year. Apartments dropped 0.7% though they are still 0.7% up for the year.
Wilson says this is the best start to the year for country since strong conditions in 2010. He says there is little sign of this changing.
“Buyer activity is set to increase through the remainder of 2013 driven by growing optimism and record low interest rates that have likely bottomed out," he says.
But he says the extent of continued growth will depend on the performance of both the national and local economies.
The national median house price has now risen solidly for two quarters in a row, up by 1.7 % over the March quarter.
Brisbane house prices increase for the third quarter in a row for the first time in three years.
Adelaide and Canberra buck the national trend with median house prices falling over the March quarter.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/apmapril24one.gif" width="470" height="275" alt="apmapril24one">
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Melbourne house price growth outperforms Sydney in March quarter: APM

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Melbourne’s newest pedestrian laneway is open for business after Australand put the final touches on 357 Collins Street.
The reborn laneway, Fulham Place, has 1,800 square metres of retail which is fully leased and includes a 140-seat food court and dine-in restaurants.
Ground floor tenants include fashion label Thomas Pink, restaurant Vapiano, Crema Espresso Café, and Café Mesh, run by the proprietors of about 15 other café operations in Melbourne.
Lower ground retailers, around the food court, include Japanese store O-Bento, sandwich shop Nashi, café Basic Bites, Thai store Rock the Wok, popular burger joint Huxtaburger, Vietnamese store Roll’d, restaurant/Café Mr Banks, juice shop Feeling Fruity, JPG’s Shoe Repairs and convenience store Trafik.
The lane is closed to pedestrian traffic from 10am to 3pm.
The 22-level office building now offers 30,286 square metres of lettable office space, with 74% of that already leased to Commonwealth Bank with 13,543 square metres, telecommunications provider Service Stream with 7558 square metres, property investment group Growthpoint with 361 square metres on the top floor and investment group Wilson HTM with 770 square metres.
Almost the entire upper section of the building remains vacant including tenancies with access to exclusive outdoor terraces on the 12th and 15th storeys.
The building has been awarded a 5-Star NABERS energy rating and has extensive bicycle facilities and parking for 41 cars.
The energy efficiency is due to reduce outgoing costs normally associated with office tenancies with the total outgoings estimated at $102.5 per square metre including common area cleaning.
Energy costs in the building are expected to be less than half those of a 4-star awarded building.
The building was completed in late 2012.
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Finishing touches put on Melbourne's newest laneway off Flinders Lane

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A Point Piper harbourfront mansion - nicknamed the Bank and Olufsen house - has sold for about $34 million, reputedly to a Chinese buyer.
The McWilliam family had bought the property for $24 million in 2006.
The three-level residence was built in the mid-1980s by Brian Johnson of Pennant Properties.
Singer Elton John nicknamed the house the Bang and Olufsen house due to its distinctive tinted glass stereo speaker design spotting it while sailing Sydney Harbour.
After an unsolicited $11 million offer from Elton John which didn't progress preceded Brian Johnson's sale of the property for $11.25 million to the Taechaubol family in 1990. They then sold it to the McWilliam's.
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Point Piper mansion sells for about $34 million

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Australia needs to rework its superannuation system to cope with a wave of five million expected retirees by 2033, according to Westpac’s BT Financial Group chief executive Brad Cooper.
Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce lunch in Sydney last week, covered by The Weekend Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald, Cooper warned the superannuation system will fail many, despite it being the biggest pension system in the world relative to GDP.
He encouraged political parties to work together to build a system that encourages more voluntary contributions, otherwise the system will be unsustainable. But he said any tax breaks should cut out once people reach a certain level of wealth.
He said should be a formal target on how much super should aim to provide in retirement.
“To shift most super balances towards a healthy income replacement rate, we need to acknowledge the importance of voluntary contributions in our system,” Cooper said.
He says to live comfortably, retirees need to be earning 65% to 70% of their pre-retirement income, but at the current rate many won’t be able to achieve that.
“Take a 20-year old male who enters the workforce and earns an average salary of $72,000 during his working life,” Cooper said.
“He receives 12% compulsory contributions, makes no voluntary contributions and retires at 65.”
Johnson said at a rate of return of 5%, the figure used in recent government announcements, he will earn just 51% of his average salary.
“So, on the compulsory super payments alone, a person earning the average salary cannot get near the preferred income replacement rate of 70%,” Cooper said.
“When you look at the adequacy of compulsory super contributions, you realise that even those earning $90,000 a year or $120,000 a year will also have a large shortfall. They will replace just 45% and 37% respectively.”
Only those who earned $40,000 a year in their working life would reach the 70% standard, but only because of top-ups by age pension.
“Without a government age pension, they would only replace 31%,” Cooper said.
He said this should be ringing alarm bells as the system was designed to ease the burden on future generations of paying for age pension.
With retirees to represent a larger share of the economy, Cooper said that it makes economic sense to foster a system that allows retirees to live comfortably and spend on services.
“Regardless of what we think of the financial challenges facing the governments of today, they’ll be many times worse in 20 years if we do not create an adequate system of savings,” Cooper said.
“If today’s 30-year-olds are the government ages pensioners in 2050, our future economy is in real trouble.”
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Superannuation system will fall short: Westpac’s BT Financial Group chief executive Brad Cooper 

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Another portion of Sir Graham McCamley’s rural empire in central Queensland has been listed for auction.
Two aggregations of 15,186 hectares and 46,184 hectares have been listed for sale through Elders Real Estate Rockhampton.
The listings include Tarrus, Royles, Oakleigh, Stoodleigh, Tanderra and Glenprairie estates.
They go to auction on June 5 in Rockhampton.
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McCamley lists more of his rural empire

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

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