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A Brisbane property manager has been given a suspended jail sentence for his role in the trust account breaches of Capalaba-based Rylco property management agency.
The Cleveland Magistrate Court sentenced George Cowin to four months in jail, suspended for 12 months and permanently cancelled his license, according to Fair Trading Queensland.
He was convicted of 68 counts of failing, as an executive officer, to ensure Rylco Pty Ltd complied with the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act.
Rylco failed to pass on $15,000 of rent money to landlords and was convicted of 32 counts of failing to disburse trust money, 32 counts of not accounting to clients, one of not supplying documentation when requested, one of not supplying information about an offence, one of failing to appoint an auditor to the trust account and one of not having the trust account audited.
Rylco Pty Ltd also had its licence cancelled and was permanently disqualified from holding a licence.
Last year the firm was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $8581.80 in restitution to customers and Cowin was fined $12,000.
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Brisbane property manager avoids jail for trust account breaches

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Government welfare and tax policies benefit wealthy homeowners leaving young renters and first home buyers disadvantaged, according to a Grattan Institute report.
Policies such as exemptions for the family home from land and capital gains taxes and the eligibility test for the aged pension benefit homeowners to the tune of $36 billion a year, or $6,100 for each homeowner household, according to the Renovating Housing Policy report.
<img alt="grattan" height="363" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/21/grattan.jpg">
It found negative gearing rules and the capital gains discount provide residential property investors with nearly $7 billion a year, or $4,500 on average for each property investor.
It found help for first home buyers just pushed up prices and only benefitted sellers.
Author of the report Jane-Frances Kelly calls for the elimination of stamp duty and the introduction of a broad-based annual property tax. She says there should be reforms to tax arrangements that favour property investment.
And there should be an inquiry into the rental industry with possible reforms including extending the minimum duration of leases and increasing tenants’ freedom to make minor modifications and own pets.
The gap between those who own homes is increasingly generational and income based.
“Housing policy exacerbates, and could entrench, inequality between home owners and property investors, on the one hand, and households that don’t own, on the other,” the report says.
It found home owners have benefited from a significant largely untaxed increase in wealth due to the house price boom from the mid-1990s, particularly in the inner and middle ring suburbs.
Home owners captured most of that wealth for themselves due to the capital gains and land tax exemptions on the family home.
“But, on the whole, these households did very little to create this wealth – the value of improvements, including buildings and landscaping, determine a relatively small proportion of a  property’s price,” the report says.
“Rather, the wealth gain is largely determined by other factors like shops and parks, employment opportunities and government funded infrastructure investments and schools.
“While home owners benefit from increased house prices associated with these improvements, renters pay them through higher rents.”
<img alt="poll-results-oct-22" height="110" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/22/poll-results-oct-22.gif">
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Government policies favour wealthy property owners

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Townsville has welcomed in a new wharf and port facilities which will be used by tourist and military visitors.
The $85 million overhaul could be just the start of a redevelopment with the recent announcement of the draft Queensland Ports strategy which identified five Queensland ports which would be up for redevelopment.
The 400 crew of the American guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin were the first scheduled visitors to the site today.
The overhaul will improve visitor experiences as well as increase the port’s cargo capability.
“The port is one of Queensland’s most important, handling everything from stock and agricultural produce to retail and industrial cargo as well as meeting a host of defence needs,” transport minister Scott Emerson says.
“The Newman Government is investing in infrastructure for the port because we realise just how important it is, not just to the people of Townsville but communities right through northern and western Queensland.”
Ports in Brisbane, Mackay/Hay Point, Gladstone, Townsville and Abbot Point would be declared Priority Port Development Areas where development will be concentrated and encouraged, under the draft policy released on Thursday.
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Townsville Port's $85m overhaul open for business

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Two adjoining Fremantle properties are being sold for the first time in their 100 year histories.
The former Princess Theatre, built in 1912, and the Princess Chambers, built in 1899, have been listed for sale.
Frank Biddles was a pioneering pearler who built up a massive property portfolio in WA until his death in 1932.
When he died his executors sold his portfolio which included several Kimberley pastoral stations, 32 properties in Fremantle, 17 in Broome and others spread throughout the metropolitan area from Rivervale to Nedlands.
But this property was left aside for his unborn grandchildren.
These two Fremantle buildings are being sold by his ancestors for the first time.
Biddles built the Princess Chambers to the design of architect Edwin Summerhayes – also responsible for The Rechabite Hall in William Street and Ancient Order of Foresters in Francis Street.
The heritage listed property, at 21-27 Market St Fremantle, is said to be a fine example of a Federation Free Classical style building, with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level, that makes a significant contribution to the streetscape.
It is a three storey painted brick building with bracketed and balustraded parapet and a zero setback from the pavement.
It has has four bays divided by engaged pilasters extending through the parapet.
Only the façade is heritage listed.
The Princess Theatre, at 29-33 Market Street, was built by Biddles to the design of John McNeece and Son.
The building facade creates the impression of being a separate building but it is actually just an extension of the Princess Chambers.
According to heritage documents, the 1,850 seater theatre cost £7,000 to build.
It opened on 21 December 1912 with a screening of The French Spy and vaudeville performances by Elsie McGuire, according to newspapers at the time.
The building operated as a movie theatre until 1969. It was then converted to commercial property with retail lots on the ground floor and offices above.
It was also home to one of the earliest incarnations of the Returned and Services League of Australia, then known as RSA, when Biddles made the basement of the Princess Theatre available to provide amenities for army and naval personnel.
The building was extensively rebuilt in 1941
It is a two storey highly decorative, rendered and truncated corner building with a zero setback from the pavement, according to heritage documents.
<img alt="fremantle_oct_18_two" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/18/fremantle_oct_18_two.jpg">
It has a bracketed and balustrade parapet, with decorative engaged low pilasters.
The 660 square metres of land on one title is <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-wa-fremantle-500921975">being sold by Knight Frank.</a>
Director Tony Delich says the building is the last piece of Biddles’ legacy and is one of Fremantle’s landmark buildings
“It has never been sold before and still belongs to his grand children who weren’t even born when he died or when the buildings were built,” Delich says.
It has 1,146 square metres of lettable area and most of the tenancies were long established, including the popular Kakulus Sister grocer.
It currently earns $278,000 per year and is being sold by an offers to purchase campaign closing on November 13.
There is opportunity for further refurbishment of unused office areas on the upper levels plus the basement area which is currently vacant.
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Heritage Fremantle theatre building listed for first time in 100 years

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Queensland’s five leading ports would be declared priority development areas under a proposed strategy released last Thursday.
Ports in Brisbane, Mackay/Hay Point, Gladstone, Townsville and Abbot Point would be declared Priority Port Development Areas where development will be concentrated and encouraged.
The ports handle 87% of Queensland’s $54.5 billion of exports and 98% of the state’s imports.
The recognition will provide those ports with a “licence to grow”, planning minister Jeff Seeney said in the draft Queensland Ports Strategy.
“The growth of these ports will be driven by greater efficiencies within these port areas and through supply chain connections that will flow from more transparent planning and approval processes ,” he wrote.
The plan aims to improve supply chain infrastructure partly through investment in transport corridors.
The plan prohibits capital dredging outside of the five recognised areas.
It will identify bottlenecks in the infrastructure networks and resource industry supply chains and aims to clearly state where any new infrastructure should be located and how the government will support the private sector in delivering strategic infrastructure.
The government would respond to industry demand for new infrastructure to open new resource regions.
The report also acknowledges that there is a push within government to facilitate private investment in infrastructure rather than government.
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Five Queensland ports earmarked for investment and development

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A five bedroom bay view house in Sydney’s Northbridge sold prior to auction for $3.95 million – the most expensive sale of the week, according to RP Data.
The north-facing house on 809 square metres at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-northbridge-114814091" target="_blank">69 Kameruka Road</a> comes with three bathrooms, a home theatre room and a blue mosaic tiled wet edge gas heated pool.
The house is spread over three floors. Entry is via the ground floor veranda, past the media room and two bedrooms into a large open plan kitchen, dining and living area with spotted gum flooring.
The kitchen includes Corian benchtops and Miele appliances including a steam oven, an island breakfast bar and a large walk-in pantry.
The open plan living area leads onto a north facing undercover terrace with views over the bay. It has a remote motorized sunshade, electroplated stainless steel balustrades and Himalayan sandstone pavers.
Stairs off the living room lead down to the lower ground floor with two bedrooms and rumpus room which leads onto a Himalayan sandstone paved terrace and lawn.
The top floor consists of the master bedroom with a walk in robe and an ensuite. It has a private balcony with views.
There is a double lock-up garage as well as a single lock-up garage with approved plans to build a double.
According to RP Data it last sold for $1.825 million in 2004.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/PO_Strap_new.jpg" width="470" height="60" alt="PO_Strap_new">
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Northbridge house with bay views the weekend's most expensive sale: RP Data

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The Reserve Bank of Australia has toned down concerns about borrowing conditions in the minutes for its rate hold on October 1.
It says the effects of its latest rut cut in August still has further to run.
“House prices and turnover had increased and leading indicators pointed to a pick-up in dwelling investment over the period ahead,” the minutes say.
“While credit growth remained moderate, there were signs of an increased appetite for borrowing, most notably among investors.”
The Bank says policy stimulus had had sufficient influence on the economy though it wouldn’t rule out another rate cut.
“Members agreed that the Bank should again neither close off the possibility of reducing rates further nor signal an imminent intention to reduce them,” it says.
“The Board would continue to examine the data over the months ahead to assess whether monetary policy was appropriately configured.”
The Bank says household interest payments continued to decline over the June quarter and conditions in the established housing market had strengthened over 2013.
“House prices increased by around 2.5% over the September quarter and by 5.5% over the year. However, the value of the dwelling stock relative to household income remained below the levels that had prevailed for most of the past decade,” the Bank says.
“Auction clearance rates remained well above average and turnover had picked up over recent months. Loan approvals for established dwellings for both owner-occupiers and investors had increased strongly over the past year. While the growth of housing credit remained moderate, it was edging higher, with stronger growth in investor credit.
“Dwelling investment had declined a little in the June quarter following a soft patch in building approvals earlier in the year, but dwelling construction remained higher than a year earlier and forward-looking indicators pointed to a further recovery in the second half of 2013.”
In September the Bank made note banks should maintain prudent lending standards.
Commonwealth Bank analyst Gareth Aird says the bank is maintaining an easing bias.
"The comment, 'that the Bank should again neither close off the possibility of reducing rates further nor signal an imminent intention to reduce them' was identical to the August and September Board minutes.  To us, these comments suggest that further changes to the cash rate are data and AUD dependent.  And they indicate that the Bank retains a mild easing bias," Aird says.
He predicts the there will be a rate hold in November depending on further job information.
"In our view, the things that the RBA will most closely be monitoring for future policy direction are (i) labour market conditions; (ii) inflation; and (iii) the AUD," he says.
"Last week’s labour force data showed that conditions in the jobs market remain soft.  The headline unemployment rate fell, but only because of a drop in the participation rate.  We expect softness to continue over the near?term, as does the RBA. 
"On the inflation front, the QIII CPI prints next week.  Another weak reading may see the probability of a November rate cut increase.  At this stage the market expects rates to stay on hold in November.  And we agree that the cash rate will be left unchanged on Melbourne Cup day.  The near?term path of the AUD will be impacted by what happens in the US and in particular with regards to the US debt ceiling issue and Fed asset purchases.
"We continue to think that the current 2.5% cash rate is the low point for this cycle."
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RBA open to rate cuts over coming months

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The owners of the Giant Koala, out the edge of the Grampians, have stepped up a marketing campaign for the massive beast, listing it on eBay.
Rob and Julie-Anne McPherson have been trying to sell the Giant Koala for more than eight months now, but potential buyers have had trouble securing finance.
“We just had a couple from Melbourne who were keen and wanted it but couldn’t get the money. Because it’s rural the bank want a 50% deposit. Finding someone with $250,000 is a bit scarce,” Rob McPherson told Property Observer.
The initial price for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/The-Giant-Koala-Tourist-Complex-/161122818437?pt=AU_Business_Industrial_Businesses_for_Sale&amp;hash=item2583ab1985&amp;_uhb=1">eBay auction</a> starts at $450,000 plus stock. There have been no bids so far but there have been around 1000 views on the listing.
McPherson says he put in eBay more as an advertising technique than a legitimate aim to sell through the website.
“I just said to the missus have a look on eBay and see what business and there were a few and we said we’ll put the koala on it and advertise.”
The koala was built in 1988 by Dutch sculptor Ben Van Zetten for Beryl Cowling.
The McPhersons are selling the property to focus on their catering business and a V8 super car simulator business which they have recently sold.
They took over the Giant Koala five years ago and it now earns nearly $300,000 per year.
It includes the giant koala sculpture, a café/restaurant, a mini-zoo, a gift-shop, tourist information centre, a Koala Educational centre inside the koala and a two bedroom residence, with an 8-person spa.
The koala, at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ballaratrealestate.com.au/index.cfm?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2197635&amp;realestate=5829_Western_Hwy_DADSWELLS_BRIDGE_VIC_3385">5829 Western Highway, Dadswells Bridge </a> is being marketed by Colin McIntosh from Ballarat Real Estate.
He has it listed with a business buyers guide of $150,000 + SAV and a freehold buyers guide of $400,000.
McIntosh says they have revised price expectations since listing.
“We’ve had a massive amount of interest. Rob has virtually had people from all over the country speaking to him,” McIntosh told Property Observer.
“He had so many interviews with radio and television and newspaper all over the country, it’s a unique operation and they’re very good operators.”
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The Giant Koala Grampians tourist attraction let loose on eBay

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Don’t trash your holiday apartments or you’ll get in trouble – that’s the message Strata Community Australia is telling schoolies.
Year 12 school leavers face criminal charges if they damage apartments rented out for their notoriously boozy post-exam holidays.
SCA President for NSW, David Ferguson says he feels compelled to issue the warning and that his counterpart in Queensland had done the same thing.
“Not only is the destruction of someone else’s holiday apartment wrong it can result in the owner asking the police to lay charges for criminal damage. Having a criminal record before you even begin to live in the real world is not a great start,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It will make it hard to get a job and may even make it difficult to travel overseas as some countries will not issue visas to people with a criminal record.”
He says apartment owners who do let out their apartments for schoolies rentals should reinforce with their short-term tenants that any damage must be paid for and that charges may be laid depending on the extent of the destruction.
“Owners also need to be aware that they can themselves face penalties if their tenants create a nuisance of themselves through noise and anti-social behaviour,” Ferguson says.
Schoolies runs from November 16 in Queensland and November 23 for New South Wales and Victoria.
Are you an investor who’s had their place trashed by schoolies? Email us <a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Schoolies warned not to trash apartments

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First home buyer lending has dropped to its lowest point since April 2004, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The proportion of first home buyers being lent money has dropped to 13.7% of borrowers for August, down from 14.7% in July.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/14/abslending.jpg" width="470" height="172" alt="abslending">
The Real Estate Institute of Australia says this is far lower than the long-run average proportion of 20.1% despite eight interest rate cuts since November 2011.
“In large part, this drop can be attributed to State Governments withdrawing previous levels of support for first home owners buying established dwellings and it is established dwellings that 80 per cent of first home buyers prefer,” REIA President Peter Bushby says.
“With the proportion of first home buyers remaining consistently below the long term average, despite the latest figures incorporating all the interest rate cuts, this and a review of inefficient state taxes such as stamp duty, need to be a high priority issue for the new Government.”
In trend terms the number of owner-occupied finance commitments rose by 0.6%, the lowest monthly increase, since January.
There were increases in trend terms in all states except Western Australia with the largest increase in the Northern Territory, up 2.3%.
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First home buyer lending drops to lowest point since 2004

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.

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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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