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It’s easy enough to paint some bedrooms, sand the floorboards and call yourself a renovator. Anyone can slap paint on a wall, but knowing exactly what you need to do to improve a space and increase a property’s overall value requires expert knowledge, which many people do not have.
How do you know if the tiler you’ve chosen has quoted the right price? Will your bathroom and kitchen really take two weeks as promised – or will it drag out to two months? And should you always go with the cheapest quote?
As with all aspects of property buying and investing, renovations require careful planning and execution. Investors must bear in mind that the purpose of renovations is to maximise the property’s equity, so the profit is often in the decision-making, not necessarily in picking up the tools.
Why should I renovate?
Renovating your investment property can give you capital growth, even in a flat market. The instant profits that come from a renovation can be used to help fund any negative cash flow. At the same time, undertaking careful upgrades will prevent maintenance for years to come, giving you a hassle-free, passive investment. So far, so good – but very few property owners know how to get these results without any stress.
If the renovations are carried out correctly and with the right advice, you can make tens of thousands of dollars in equity in the first year alone. It can be as simple as new paint and new carpet, or it can be as complex as a complete gut and refurbishment.
How much should I spend?
There’s no hard and fast rule on this but it’s always a good idea to engage an independent and impartial property valuer before commencing your renovation. You can easily become emotional when buying and renovating property, but when you become too emotionally involved, it usually leads you to overcapitalise because you get carried away and believe that the more you spend on the project, the higher its final value. On the other hand, if you undercapitalise, potential tenants or prospective buyers are likely to obtain a discount on the property as it hasn’t been renovated to its true potential.
Many amateurs make renovation plans, believing that a $30,000 kitchen renovation will add $50,000 to the property’s value. A good valuer will know that homes in the street won’t sell above a certain value – even with a new kitchen – and the renovator would be lucky to add $30,000 value.
In this scenario, a valuer may suggest spending just $10,000 on simple improvements such as new cupboard doors, benchtops and flooring, which could add $20,000 to $30,000 to the equity, which is double or triple the investment.
Property valuers are best found through recommendations, internet searches or asking their industry body, the Australian Valuers Institute. I recommend you find a local valuer as they’ll know the prices in your area well, along with the type of demographics that would appeal to your particular property.
What can I do myself to keep costs down?
On much larger jobs you could pull in a quantity surveyor who can provide you with a list of what labour and materials cost on certain jobs. This will ensure you’re not overcharged. The quantity surveyor can also provide a depreciation report on the additions you have made to highlight all the deductions you can claim on your tax return.
You should also always go to tender and get a number of quotes, using the first quote to ensure that everyone is quoting “like for like” on a line-by-line basis. This is where many people get caught out.
Let’s say you’ve asked for three quotes to paint the front mailbox of your duplex. One quote includes priming, painting and weatherproofing. The next quote includes painting the letterbox and repair of the broken latch. The third quote includes painting and weatherproofing, with free paint touch ups to any scratches over the next 12 months.
Can you see how difficult it is to compare these three quotes, when they each outline different work? You need to compare apples with apples, so make sure you detail the specifics of the job, and ask each supplier to supply (in writing) the guarantees they offer, such as a fixed price, penalties should the job go overtime, warranties on workmanship and so on.
Another approach is to look at a “fixed fee” versus “cost plus”. A fixed fee will cap what you pay, but may include a fat contingency for the builder for unforeseen problems. “Cost plus” can work out cheaper if all goes to plan. If you do lots of jobs or you are completing a big project, you could always see if a builder will do a joint venture instead and work for a percentage of a profit after sale or revaluation.
Where do I start?
Start by choosing the right property, making sure it is an unemotional investment, as opposed to an emotional home purchase.
Are you looking to buy, renovate and sell, or buy, renovate and hold? If you’re selling it’s imperative that there is an immediate and almost guaranteed profit in the deal. If you’re looking to hold, you need to buy the right property that will continue to grow strongly forever. The renovation profit in a hold strategy is more about icing on the cake, maximising your rental return and ensuring you have minimal maintenance to do in the future.
Next, work out a rough time and cost budget. If you want to renovate for profit, every extra dollar you spend has to give you at least one to two dollars in added value. Be mindful of how long your renovation will take as every day costs you another 24 hours’ worth of repayment on the mortgage, with no rent coming in.
Consider adding a 20% to 25% contingency for unforeseen expenses that always seem to crop up once you strip off the tiles or wallpaper. It’s all about being prepared for the worst, so check your finances to see what funds you have available, if the renovation takes a turn for the worse.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and appeared on Channel Ten show The Renovators.
This is an excerpt from<a href="https://www.themessengergroup.com.au/shop/realestate/property-investing-the-australian-way-3/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.themessengergroup.com.au/shop/realestate/property-investing-the-australian-way-3/" target="_blank">Property Investing The Australian Way</a>, published by The Messenger Group.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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A DIY guide to renovating for profit: Where to start with property renovations: Chris Gray

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As we look back on 2011, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of the year.
It was a good result to get six properties sold on last night’s finale of The Renovators in current uncertain market, even though we were expecting a much better result as all properties had been transformed significantly and renovated to a very high standard. 
The fibro cottage at 85 Harold Street, Blacktown, made $68,000 profit on a $310,000 property or 18.28% on total costs. 
The half-done house at 5 Frederick Street, St Peters was the biggest bad shock, as it sold for $770,000. This was $130,000 below the agent’s expectations of $900,000. 
The shop, at 146 Addison Road, Marrickville, which was transformed into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom abode, was the biggest good shock selling at $700,000 –  $30,000 above the agent’s expectations of $670,000. 
The weatherboard, at 51 Franklin Street, Parramatta sold dead on the agent’s expectations of $575,000. 
The ‘60s suburban at 15 Anthony Road, Castle Hill, which is no longer stuck in a timewarp.Castle Hill, sold for $730,000. This was $40,000 below the agent’s expectations of $770,000. 
The inner-city terrace, at 12 Hegarty Street, Glebe sold for $925,000 – $12,500 above the agent’s expectation of $912,500. 
Market confidence has slipped in the last six months due to the state of the national and global economy, which has led to a lot of potential buyers sitting on the fence. It's often easier for them to make no decision than to buy or sell property at the moment. 
Commentators are mixed about whether interest rates are likely to rise or fall at the moment, which is adding to people's indecision. Buyers are unsure whether to take on large amounts of debt if their mortgage is likely to increase rapidly in the future, and others are waiting for a substantial fall in rates before making a move. 
Some people will not go to a televised auction under any circumstances, even though there was a large level of interest in the properties. Bidding at an auction is like public speaking, and most people fear it more than death. To be put on the spot in front of such a large audience and on national TV would be a nightmare to a lot of people, and so they will not turn up or bid under any circumstances. 
Selling property by auction is not just about that night, it's about pre- and post-auction negotiations. A lot of property at the moment is being sold pre-auction, as agents know it's an uncertain market, and they will happily take a good offer before. For most of the properties that sold at a loss, in reality the auctioneer would have used a vendor bid or passed the property in and then negotiated afterwards and would have got a higher result. As it's a TV show it was better to get a result on the night. Many properties sell within days of the auction night and at a much higher price. For example on The Block the second property sold that same night and the third and fourth sold within three or four days at a profit. 
The contestants had to spend a 20% budget to keep everyone on the same playing field. In reality some properties might have been better off spending less as there is a point where you start to overcapitalise. Due to time constraints, they also had to hire in and pay for trades where they would normally have done the work themselves effectively for free, so they wouldn't have spent so much cash. 
They had to pay to furnish their properties rather than renting styled furniture. A lot of buyers may not value what they had spent on interiors as they have their own furniture. 
It’s a TV competition and not 100% reality of how someone might make commercial renovation decisions in practice. 
Buying, renovating and flipping is different to buying and holding The Renovators had to do things properly, e.g. replacing sewage systems, and they had to get guarantees in place. If they were selling they wouldn’t necessarily improve things that didn’t need immediate attention or didn’t need to be fixed immediately.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and was a judge on Channel Ten show The Renovators.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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Television bright lights short-changed The Renovators auction results

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What's in store for the property market this spring?
It all depends on which geographical and price segment you're in and it depends on what happens to consumer sentiment as that seems to be driving people as to whether they buy or not. For those investors buying in the median-priced inner-city areas, nothing has really changed financially since late 2010/early 2011, but all that demand has been whittled away with general negative thoughts on the economy and has led to most investors sitting on the fence.
They all seem to be sitting on the fence waiting for something to happen one way or the other, and it's always easy to make no decision rather than a decision. As a buyers agency we struggled to buy property in Januar and February, as prices paid were way over the top. July was very quiet but August brought in a lot more cashed-up buyers and September seems the same. Nothing has changed in the buyers' minds, they just seemed more ready, and some of these buyers have saved $700,000 in cash or have been pre-approved to $1.5 million and are looking at buying a couple, so it's not that they're struggling financially.
Spring is often a good time for real estate, sellers are keen to put their properties on the market as the warm weather hits and buyers shrug off the winter blues. We all know the property market moves in cycles and after sitting on a cold fence for the winter I think we'll see more buyers think it's time to jump down and make the most of the reduced demand. No matter how you look at it, if you're a long-term investor this reduced demand has got to mean better buying opportunities. 
How to prepare a house for sale
 The best house doesn't necessarily get the top price, it's the best prepared house and the best selling campaign with the best agent that gets it. There's a reason why the TV shows and the best real estate agencies spend time and money renovating and styling homes - it's because it works. Simply restyling a home can make a 5% to 10% difference to the sale price and you don't necessarily have to spend that much money or have exceptional renovation skills to make those changes.
It's often the simplest and cheapest things that give it the biggest wow factor. If you want to sell your property for the highest possible price you need to identify and understand the demographic that's most likely to purchase it. You then need to highlight your properties most appealing features and fix any features that detracts from that image. 
The simplest and cheapest things to work on first are: paint, carpet, re-polish floors, change light fittings and power points, kitchen cupboard doors (if the carcass is solid), re-enamel/re-paint bath and tiles, replace taps, mow the lawn, put in some plants, paint the front door and garden fence. Be wary of replacing kitchens and bathrooms with a family home as it may not be to the taste of the buyer and they won't want to pay to replace it if they think they've already paid for a new one in the purchase price. If you're selling an investment property it's a great thing to do as long as you stick to neutral palettes. 
Simple styling tips start from a major de-clutter as most people have too much 'stuff'. Depersonalise it by removing 99% of the family pictures and ornaments. Buyers need to see that it could be their home but you still need to show that it is a home rather than a bland project home. Unless you're a part-time interior designer, you may as well leave it to the professionals and bring in their professional items - it often only costs a few thousand dollars. Consider moving before the campaign and defintely don't be around for open inspections. Buyers spot you a mile off, it puts them off, makes them feel uncomfortable and they will move on to the next house. 
Picking the right agent is just as important as styling and renovating your property. The lowest commission might well get the lowest price so choose your agent on skills and personality, not on price.
You can't sell a secret, so spend some money on letting people know you property is for sale and what benefit it may offer. When it comes to the day of auction, the auctioneer is the one that will make you smile or make you cry and so as much due diligence needs to be put into them as choosing the agent. A good auctioneer can get the auction off to a competitive start and a few extra bids at the end can add tens of thousands to your sale price.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator. 
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Spring motivates undecided buyers to get off the fence

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Large volatility in the economy, the share market or the property market is never a great thing, as it can lead to irrational decisions. However, if the share market does fall significantly, it doesn't automatically mean the property market will drop. A number of economists are predicting interest rate drops, which will give positive enthusiasm to property owners and investors. Even if property values temporarily drop slightly, lower interest rates make it more affordable to hang on to your property and so you're less likely to have to sell it. For example, my properties in the UK have now become much more cash flow positive.
Median-priced properties, especially around the inner cities, are the least likely to be affected due to the high demand and lack of supply. People will still have reasonably paying jobs and still need to live near the cities. Million-dollar-plus properties may well become more volatile as buyers are less willing to make a move and find it easier to sit on their hands and do nothing.  Good properties in good locations do typically still sell well no matter what their price if they tick all the boxes. For the ones that aren't quite perfect i.e no parking or on main roads are more likely to take longer to sell.
A lot of the media are recognising that they're in danger of getting the nation to talk themselves into a recession if they sensationalise the news too much, and so a lot of the TV news shows etc are being responsible and trying to put it into perspective. The UK is in a much worse position than Australia, and my inner-city property investments there are still worth 95% of their peak, are producing a much better cash flow and are still worth three to four times what I paid for them 20 years ago.
The temporary drop is insignificant if you look at it over a 10- to 20-year time frame and have the ability to not be put in a forced sale position.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator.
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Share market woes do not mean property will crash

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My clients include high-net-worth and aspiring high-net-worth individuals who see the current market as the perfect buyer’s market and are taking action.
Many ordinary people, on the other hand, find it difficult to make it past their first or second investment property, or to even start investing, because they don’t know how to continue the process.
The investment strategies used by the millionaires are not just practical things you can do, but the mindset you should have. I had been investing for years before a mental shift took place, when I began to see how I could transform my life by investing in property – and I did.
Anyone can make serious money from property if they follow a few key strategies, stick to their decisions and stay focused.
Top 10 secrets to property investing: 
<ol>
<li>
Buy, don’t sell Buy quality property in a blue-chip area and, where possible, never sell. Once you have one appreciating asset you can build up equity, which you use to purchase your next property.</li>
<li>
Buy blue chip It’s worth paying market value for a better property in a top suburb than it is to get a lower price for a property no one else really wants. The better-performing suburbs are often the best suburbs from decade to decade.</li>
<li>
It's time in the market, not timing the market that counts Don’t try to be a millionaire overnight. The real secret to wealth is compounding your investments. Aim for consistency.</li>
<li>
Go against the grain Do opposite to what everyone else is doing: buy when everyone sells; sell when they buy. Don’t listen to negative people telling you you’re doing it wrong. </li>
<li>
Don’t fear the gear It’s perceived that debt is dangerous. Property debt can increase your return and get the return faster. Know how much debt you are comfortable with. </li>
<li>
Be passionate about your investments Believe in your investments. It will feed your drive and keep you focused. </li>
<li>
Be driven Drive enables you to take risks that very few others would make and get to where you want to be faster. Constantly focus on the results of your investments </li>
<li>
Keep refinancing Keep tapping into the equity in your properties to buy more properties – and maybe a few luxury items along the way. </li>
<li>
Stick to your strategy Work out what works for you. Once you develop a strategy, stick to it. </li>
</ol>
10. Don't retire on property rents. Most people think they’ve got to pay property off as quickly as possible and retire on rents. But often it's the capital growth that makes the real money. 
Chris Gray is CEO of <a href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" target="_blank">E</a><a href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" title="Empire Property Portfolios" target="_blank">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator.
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Top 10 tips to investing like a millionaire

For the first time in a long time, Australia's inflation story is starting to look more like a landing than a fight.

The latest Consumer Price Index figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed annual inflation eased to four per cent in May, down from 4.2 per cent in April. On the surface, that might not seem like a major move. Inflation remains above the Reserve Bank's target range and some categories continue to record stubborn price growth.

But the significance of this result lies less in where inflation sits today and more in what it means for where interest rates are likely heading next.

The biggest takeaway is that inflation continues to move in the right direction.

Markets had been bracing for another sticky result after a period where progress appeared to stall. Instead, headline inflation came in softer than expected, helped by falling fuel prices and easing transport costs. Annual transport inflation halved from 6.6 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in May, while automotive fuel prices fell 11.9 per cent during the month following lower oil prices and the impact of reduced fuel excise measures.

While petrol prices don't solve Australia's affordability challenges, they are one of the most visible and immediate costs for consumers. Falling fuel costs feed through the economy quickly, helping ease pressure on household budgets and business operating expenses.

The ABS data also showed headline inflation is now sitting at its lowest annual level in several months, reinforcing the broader trend that price growth is gradually moderating.

That trend is important because it aligns with what many economists and lenders have been saying for the last month.

Prior to this week's inflation data, ANZ, NAB and Commonwealth Bank had all shifted their forecasts, now believing the Reserve Bank had likely reached the peak of the interest rate cycle. Following the May inflation release, ANZ reaffirmed that view.

In its latest economic update, ANZ said it expects quarterly trimmed mean inflation to come in at 3.7 per cent for the June quarter, slightly below the Reserve Bank's forecast of 3.8 per cent. Importantly, the bank said that outcome, when combined with slowing economic activity, "supports our view that the cash rate has peaked".

The Reserve Bank has spent the better part of three years attempting to bring inflation under control through higher interest rates. If Australia's major banks are correct and rates have now peaked, the conversation shifts from how much higher rates could go to when they might begin coming down.

Westpac's caution comes from underlying inflation. The trimmed mean, the measure most closely watched by the Reserve Bank, increased from 3.4 per cent to 3.6 per cent annually. Housing inflation remains elevated at 6.5 per cent, reflecting ongoing increases in rents, electricity costs and new dwelling construction.

Electricity prices remain particularly problematic, rising 21.1 per cent over the past year following the removal of government rebates.

Housing construction costs are also showing signs of renewed pressure. ANZ noted new dwelling costs rose 0.9 per cent in May and are now running at an annualised pace of 8.6 per cent over the past three months. Builders continue to face higher labour, fuel and material costs, a reminder that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared.

Housing affordability has deteriorated largely because of higher interest rates rather than higher property prices alone. Even modest reductions in mortgage rates would improve borrowing capacity, increase buyer confidence and reduce repayment pressure on existing homeowners.

While August is far from a certainty, the latest inflation result has strengthened the view that the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up. For borrowers, buyers and the development sector, that alone represents a significant shift from the conversation that dominated much of the past two years.

Joel Robinson

The inflation result the property market was waiting for

Commercial property group FiveX is doubling down on its move into the residential space.

The group, founded by Joshua and Marko Berger more than five decades ago, has followed up its plans for a 39-storey tower on North Sydney's Alfred Street with a proposed 61-storey tower in Chatswood.

The new tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/815-pacific-highway-chatswood-nsw-2067">815 Pacific Highway</a>, which would be one of the tallest proposed in Chatswood in recent years, will comprise 490 apartments, 76 of which will be dedicated affordable housing and managed by Evolve Housing for a minimum of 15 years.

The project will replace the long-standing Panorama Building, originally known as the BMA Tower, a 14-storey office building completed in 1972 and designed by Hungarian-born architect Hugo Stossel. At the time of its completion, the building was the tallest structure in Chatswood and became a local landmark due to its distinctive curved form and external glass lift.

<img alt="FiveX" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="956bd299-3864-47a0-8ea6-162b5524c5d8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-24%20at%201.02.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=EWx7teUr7RcYrI9mgRytwppwt5AdUDtb" />

fjcstudio is behind the designs. Its Architectural Design Report argues the ageing commercial building no longer reflects Chatswood's role as one of Sydney's key strategic centres and that the site is ideally positioned to support significantly higher residential density.

"The site is located at the heart of Chatswood, within the TOD accelerated rezoning area that supports higher density development around the new Metro station," the report states.

"The site's role within a walkable 400-metre radius catchment is where housing, employment, retail and community uses are encouraged to cluster in support of transit-oriented living."

<img alt="fjc" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d198f5e-cc71-4175-9357-be6ec7207473" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-24%20at%201.18.27%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=5WUFc3IYBPvhQMBUYLCsjJhzdcVeYodE" />

The proposal has undergone two rounds of review by the NSW State Design Review Panel, with the design evolving through an extensive assessment process focused on design excellence, public realm outcomes, residential amenity and the integration of affordable housing.

fjcstudio says the residential component provides a diverse mix of apartment typologies, supporting a broad demographic and contributing to housing supply in a highly accessible location close to major transport, employment and retail infrastructure.

The application follows FiveX's plans for a 39-storey tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">275 Alfred Street</a>, which it <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/275-alfred-street-north-north-sydney-nsw-2060">submitted through the same NSW Government pathway</a> in December. That's for 184 apartments.

Recent activity in Chatswood includes Hyecorp launching its Archer Street project, Celine, and Develotek securing approval for a 34-storey tower.

First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans

Bridgewell Capital and SLD Development seem to be bullish on the Killara apartment market, filing plans for a second new development next to the Killara Golf Club.

The new plans are for 79 apartments across an amalgamated 4,989 sqm site on Buckingham Road.&nbsp;The project has been designed by BKA Architecture and is being assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing and Infill Affordable Housing reforms. It is just 300 metres from&nbsp;Killara train station.

The majority of the apartments are three-bedrooms (46), with 23 two-bedroom apartments, seven one-beds, and three four-bedroom apartments. 17 of the apartments&nbsp;are proposed as affordable housing, representing 15 per cent of the project's gross floor area, allowing the development to access additional floor space and height incentives available under the NSW Housing SEPP.

There will be 131 resident and visitor car spaces, and more than&nbsp;1,450 sqm of communal open space. Landscaped areas would account for approximately 45 per cent of the site.

<img alt="Killara" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="75ef5ef7-a53b-4932-a8f1-38f63169eec9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-24%20at%2011.04.00%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=d_lG1A1StDaMQilljy25Fr8SF1BnAmKE" />

The site currently contains three detached dwellings and occupies a prominent position on the eastern side of Buckingham Road, with frontage to an area that has already begun transitioning towards higher-density housing. Existing apartment buildings of up to six storeys surround the site, while the Killara Golf Club forms its southern boundary.

The application has been lodged as a State Significant Development due to the affordable housing component and the scale of the project.

According to the design report, the proposal has been shaped by the area's evolving planning framework, which is encouraging greater housing density around transport infrastructure.

"The site sits along a growth area anticipated to undergo transformation in line with broader trends across New South Wales, driven by the implementation of the Low and Mid-Rise and Transport-Oriented Development State Housing Policies," the report states.

"Being within 800 metres walking distance to Killara Train Station, the project seeks to provide high-quality apartments designed for various family sizes, located in a vibrant landscaped setting."

The Upper North Shore suburb has become one of the most closely watched testing grounds for the NSW Government's housing reforms. A number of developers have moved quickly to consolidate sites around railway stations across suburbs including Killara, Lindfield, Gordon and Roseville, where the new planning settings are creating opportunities for apartment developments that would previously have been difficult to achieve.

The likes of Aqualand, Hyecorp, Holdmark and Vermont Property Group have projects in the region.

Bridgewell has several developments in the pipeline. Last September they submitted plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/bridgewell-capital-seeks-55-apartment-project-in-killara">55 new apartments</a> at&nbsp;23-25 Lorne Avenue in Killara, just the other side of Regimental Park from their new project. In May they filed for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-bridgewell-plots-120-apartments-and-childcare-centre-in-maroubra-town-centre">120 apartments in Maroubra</a>.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Bridgewell, SLD Development double down on Killara Golf Club

Sydney developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-element">Central Element</a>&nbsp;is doubling down in Drummoyne, lodging plans for a boutique apartment development on St Georges Crescent, only one-kilometre down the road from its first Drummoyne development, Bianca.

The new project at 15A-21 St Georges Crescent,&nbsp;a&nbsp;1,701sqm north-facing site overlooking Iron Cove, will have 45 apartmnts across 10 levels. Eight of the units will be dedicated to affordable housing.

The site sits within walking distance of Drummoyne Village, Birkenhead Point, ferry services and the Bay Run, and offers harbour views towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and CBD skyline.

Designed by MHN Design Union, the development will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside resident amenity including a gym, landscaped communal open space and three levels of basement parking.

The project has been lodged under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, with Drummoyne Village identified as a town centre capable of accommodating additional housing supply.

Central Element acquired the site earlier this year as part of its continued expansion across Sydney's eastern suburbs, lower north shore and inner west.

The developer's current pipeline includes luxury apartment projects Pearl Bondi and a separate development on Lamrock Avenue in Bondi, a residential project in Barry Street, Neutral Bay, and a mixed-use seniors living community in Greenwich.

Central Element Managing Director Nathan Chivas said the project would address a shortage of new owner-occupier housing opportunities in Drummoyne.

"While we're seeing a significant shift across Canada Bay as major infrastructure investment, population growth and planning reform drive a new chapter for the region, in suburbs like Drummoyne there remains a genuine shortage of new boutique luxury housing opportunities for owner occupiers," Chivas said.

"Sites of this nature are increasingly difficult to secure, particularly those that combine a north-facing aspect with direct water outlook. Our St Georges Crescent project responds directly to the market demand, offering a level of exclusivity, outlook and lifestyle in the highly sought after suburb."

The development application has been lodged with the City of Canada Bay Council, with the project expected to launch to market in early 2027.

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Central Element seeks second Drummoyne apartment development

The NSW Government has unveiled plans that could deliver around 1,300 new homes across Nowra and Kiama, continuing its push to unlock housing in well-located regional centres along the South Coast.

The proposals, now on public exhibition, would pave the way for around 830 homes in Nowra and a further 450 homes in Kiama, while also introducing affordable housing requirements and increased building heights in key locations.

The larger of the two proposals is centred on Nowra, where the NSW Government is seeking to rezone land within the Mandalay and Riverfront precincts.

The Mandalay sub-precinct, located close to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, Nowra Library and the city's aquatic centre, could accommodate around 530 new homes. Around 30 per cent of housing delivered on Homes NSW-owned land would be dedicated to social and affordable housing, equating to roughly 100 homes. Building heights would increase from the current two-storey limit to between three and six storeys.

A separate rezoning proposal for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct would unlock a further 377 homes while creating stronger connections between the Shoalhaven River and the CBD. The plans include building heights ranging from five to 12 storeys, floor space ratios of up to 2:1 and a requirement for two per cent affordable housing.

Together, the two proposals would deliver more than 900 homes across the broader Nowra area, reinforcing the city's role as one of regional NSW's key growth centres.

The housing push builds on previous infrastructure commitments in the Shoalhaven, including government funding aimed at supporting thousands of future homes in West Nowra through upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure.

Further north, the NSW Government is also progressing plans for the former Kiama Depot site, a two-hectare parcel near Kiama's town centre.

The rezoning proposal would transform the former industrial site into a residential community capable of delivering up to 450 homes. Buildings would range between six and eight storeys, with at least 10 per cent of homes allocated as affordable housing. The proposal also includes approximately 600 parking spaces and improved walking and cycling connections.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the proposals are designed to increase housing supply in locations close to jobs, transport and services.

"For too long, families have struggled to find somewhere to live, and activating underutilised sites allows us to deliver the new homes these families need," Scully said.

"The Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of unlocking well-located sites close to transport, jobs, and town centres and building the homes our communities need.

"These rezonings are about removing barriers to housing delivery and making sure land is put to better use so more people can find a place to call home within the communities they choose."

The latest rezonings form part of the Minns Government's broader strategy to accelerate housing delivery across NSW, particularly in established centres where existing infrastructure can support additional population growth.

Community consultation on the proposals is now underway, with feedback set to inform the final planning controls before the rezonings are determined.

Chris Gray

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