The increase in housing prices and housing debt meant risks to financial stability could be building, the RBA Assistant Governor Michelle Bullock said.

In a speech to Bloomberg online covering the housing market and financial stability, Bullock the banks have strong balance sheets and lending standards are being maintained.

But she noted &quot;there is a risk that in this environment, households will become increasingly indebted.&quot;

&ldquo;A high level of debt could pose risks to the economy in the event of a shock to household incomes or a sharp decline in housing prices.&nbsp;

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&quot;It is these macro-financial risks that warrant close watching.

&quot;Sustained strong growth in credit in excess of income growth may result in vulnerabilities building in bank and household balance sheets.&quot;

She said the central bank was &ldquo;continually assessing&rdquo; any need to consider macro-prudential tools.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8082 project_image_fid=59639]

&quot;We are monitoring the surprising and dramatic rebound in the housing market and asking ourselves whether there are financial stability risks from these developments and the accompanying rise in housing credit.&quot;

Despite some moderation during the recent lockdowns in NSW and Victoria, she noted the strength has been broad based across states and across metropolitan and regional areas and particularly in detached housing.

The macro-prudential tools would likely be &ldquo;targeted at the risks arising from highly indebted borrowers,&rdquo; Ms Bullock said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108576 project_image_fid=175139]

Tools that address loan serviceability and the amount of credit that can be obtained were more likely to be implemented.

&ldquo;Indeed we have seen such tools used in a number of countries in recent times and they could be employed in Australia should the circumstances be judged to warrant it.&rdquo;

RBA Assistant Governor Michelle Bullock said increasing housing prices and debt posed risks to financial stability

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Increased housing prices and debt could pose risk to financial stability: RBA

Big and small apartment project sites have been hit by the snap two-week shutdown imposed by the Andrews government, as leading industry figures called for calm amid the civil unrest over work site safety issues.

Salta Properties managing director Sam Tarascio, who oversees the one of the state&rsquo;s largest private developers, told The Australian that he &ldquo;supports the Victorian government in a pathway that will keep the property and construction industry safe&rdquo;.

&ldquo;We are open to working with the government and public health teams to get the Victorian construction industry back on site as quickly as possible,&rdquo; he said.

The Victorian government said it had &ldquo;no choice&rdquo; but implement a shutdown after safety inspections revealed 50 per cent non-compliance with lockdown rules.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=166464]

There were more than 350 Covid-19 cases across 150 building sites, Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The chief health officer had consequentially announced the entire industry would have to be vaccinated &mdash; at least a first shot &ndash; by the end of this week.

The construction delays will hit the estimated 320,000 workers, who will seek out the Federal Government support measures.

The site closures will hit ASX listed companies including Lendlease, Charter Hall, Mirvac and Stockland.

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&quot;The way out of this is not violence, but vaccination,&quot; Daniel Andrews said today, after 48 hours of violent demonstrations.

He said he was &quot;gutted&quot; to shut the construction sites. The Victorian construction industry had been one of the few industries that worked through the pandemic.

The Property Council of Australia expressed disappointment in the decision which it estimated would cost more than $1bn a week.

The PCA Victorian executive director Danni Hunter condemned the actions of rogue protesters, but said the government needed to lay out a plan for reopening as soon as possible.

&ldquo;Closing the industry will prevent them going to work and getting paid and it will stall projects, causing immensely costly delays, putting projects and Victorian jobs at risk,&rdquo; Ms Hunter said.

In Sydney the NSW government announced it will allow construction sites to get back to full capacity with non mandatory vaccine requirements from Monday.

The rules in NSW limiting construction sites to 50 per cent capacity if they have any unvaccinated workers will be removed as the sector implements rapid testing.

The Sydney construction sites will be allowed to have one person per four square metres, even if unvaccinated workers are present.

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The PCA advised across Western Sydney, the property and construction industries account for $19 billion in economic activity and 121,465 full-time equivalent jobs, &quot;but with COVID causing financial havoc, recovery is vital.&quot;

&ldquo;Returning construction sites to full capacity - with appropriate safeguards in place &ndash; will provide a shot in the arm for our state&rsquo;s recovery as the COVID pandemic continues to impact swathes of the economy,&rdquo; the&nbsp;Property Council of Australia NSW executive director, Luke Achterstraat said. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Resuming site capacity will also enable NSW to build the homes our state so desperately needs. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We know that Sydney&rsquo;s housing challenge is not meeting the Government&rsquo;s own target of 42,000 new homes per year.&nbsp;

&quot;The removal of the 50 per cent cap on worksites is an important step in easing the handbrake on housing supply,&rdquo; he said.

Construction delays will hit the estimated 320,000 Victorian workers

Sydney apartment construction sites to resume, while Melbourne sees strict lockdown

A 700sqm apartment development site on the edge of Camberwell Junction has been sold to a local developer for $3.5 million.

The sale of 561 Riversdale Road was struck off market.

It was at a high $5,000 per sqm land rate, without an existing permit.

An application for construction of 14 dwellings on two lots was lodged two years ago with Boroondara City Council.

Zoned General Residential, the site is also next door to a public car parking. 

It was sold by Fitzroys agents David Bourke and Chris James.

Bourke noted it was close to medical clinics and allied health uses.

New residential developments in the area include the former State Bank site and adjoining Sofia’s, approved for 40 apartments and food and beverage.

There is also Brown Property Group’s Cookson Camberwell near the station.

The 616 Riversdale Road property was recently bought by a developer for townhouses.

They will join Blueprint Projects’ $175 million Camberwell Village (CV), and Dahlia’s $300 million Hawthorn Park on the other side of the junction.

Bourke said there are growing avenues for financing that has enticed a number of developers back into the market.

“A lack of stock brought to the market throughout COVID means there is a large volume of capital waiting to be deployed for quality opportunities,” James said.

Camberwell apartment development site sold for $3.5 million 

Heworth Holdings Group has lodged plans for a 25-storey mixed-use residential and commercial development the Chatswood CBD.

It includes 156 apartments, over 2,600 sqm of additional commercial floor-space and basement parking for 188 vehicles, bicycle racks and end-of-trip facilities. 

Heworth says the proposal, which was endorsed by Willoughby Council in May 2021, will help activate the northern end of the Chatswood CBD

“We’re excited that we’ve achieved this significant planning milestone which allows us to progress to a detailed development applicaton next year,” Heworth’s head of property, Christopher Walsh, said.

“The project will deliver a pipeline of much-needed housing stock in the heart of Chatswood.

“It’s a vibrant, mixed-use development which will activate the northern end of Anderson Street and support the future growth of the Chatswood CBD.”

Haworth expects to commence construction in 2023, upon planning approvals being granted.

Haworth Holdings recently welcomed 'gateway approval' from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, for its 44-52 Anderson Street proposal.

It is set 400-metres from the Chatswood Transport Interchange.

Heworth expects to commence construction in 2023, upon planning approvals being granted


Heworth plans 25 storey Chatswood apartment tower

Investors continue to tip metropolitan markets as offering the best investment prospects, according to the 2021 PIPA Annual Investor Sentiment Survey. 
&nbsp; 
The national annual survey, which gathered insights online from nearly 800 property investors during August, found that more than 76 per cent of investors believe property prices in their state or territory will increase over the next year.

It was up strongly from 41 per cent last year, PIPA chairman Peter Koulizos said.

&quot;Few people believed the positive investor sentiment in last year&rsquo;s survey, even though history had showed the resilience of real estate time and time again. &nbsp;

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&ldquo;When we think back to last year, which was a time of much fear and uncertainty, it&rsquo;s clear that property investors and the market in general has weathered that turbulent period better than anyone dared to hope,&rdquo; Mr Koulizos said. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The key findings found the pandemic continues to make it less likely that investors will sell a property over the next 12 months, according to 59 per cent of respondents (down from 71 per cent last year). However, about 18 per cent (up from seven per cent in 2020) said it had made them more likely to sell.&nbsp;

Queensland emerged as the winner by a serious margin with a staggering 58 per cent of investors believing the Sunshine State offers the best property investment prospects over the next year &ndash; up from 36 per cent last year.&nbsp;

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New South Wales was second at 16 per cent (down from 21 per cent in 2020) and Victoria was third at 10 per cent, down significantly from 27 per cent last year. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;While investors continue to tip metropolitan markets as offering the best investment prospects at nearly 50 per cent (but down from 61 per cent in 2020), regional markets are in favour with 25 per cent of investors (up from 22 per cent) as well as coastal locations with 21 per cent of survey respondents (up strongly from 12 per cent last year),&quot; Mr Koulizos said.&nbsp;

The two leading concerns of the investors surveyed were gaining access to lending and Australian economic conditions &ndash; &quot;the same situation as last year.&quot; &nbsp;

Nearly 62 per cent of investors believe now is a good time to invest in residential property

Investors continue to tip metropolitan markets as offering the best investment prospects: PIPA survey

A 1278 sqm Toorak Rd, Toorak apartment development site has been listed for sale.

It comes with a 24 metre frontage to Toorak Road zoned General Residential.

Set b between Grange and Orrong Rds, it is being offered for the first time in 70 years.

Teska Carson agents Luke Bisset and Matthew Feld expect 549 Toorak Road to attract a high level of interest from a broad range of buyers including investors and developers.

``This is an extraordinarily good opportunity, subject to council approval, to capitalise on what is currently a relatively strong market for luxury apartments.
 
``Based on nearby developments, there is precedent for a four level building located within walking distance of Toorak Village,’’ Mr Bisset said.
  
It is currently a three level building with12 strata-titled, two bedroom, apartments with a current income of $162,264 per annum.

The marketing suggest there was a potential, fully-let income of $224,304 per annum.

Offers are due October 7with expectations circa $9 million. 

The Toorak development site is being offered for the first time in 70 years

$9 million hopes for Toorak apartment development site

A local builder/developer has paid $8.5 million for a Rockdale apartment development site.

Located at 401-405 Princes Highway, the 1,306sqm site yielded significant interest from the broader market due to the lack of quality DA approved sites, according to its Savills selling agents.
 
The deal was negotiated by Nick Lower and Selin Ince.

The site came with favourable B4 Mixed Use Zoning with approval for 43 apartments, two ground floor retail shops and three levels of parking spanning seven levels.

The site offers 3,181sqm of net lettable area (residential) and 257sqm of net lettable area (Commercial).

The approval was for 14 x One (1) Bedroom Units, 23 x Two (2) Bedroom Units and 5 x Three (3) Bedroom Units.
 
Nick Lower said the sale price reflected a unit rate of $197,674.

The price was $1.5 million over the vendor expectations.

Located at 401-405 Princes Highway, the 1,306sqm site yielded significant interest

Rockdale 40 apartment development site sells for $8.5 million

Stockland has confirmed its acquisition of a 140ha site at Beveridge, building on its strong residential pipeline in Victoria.
 
Located 36 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD, Stockland will commence sales and initial site works in mid-2022.
 
The acquisition at Beveridge follows other recent purchases in Victoria at Armstrong Creek, near Geelong, and Wattle Park at Tarneit.

The site at 75 Stewart Street and 261 Beveridge Road is adjacent to Stockland’s existing Cloverton community in Kalkallo.

The 140-hectare site will see Stockland build around 1,400 homes in a future masterplanned community located within the rapidly growing Mitchell Shire Council in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor.

The site is the largest permit-approved project within the Beverage area and allows for development of housing, a town centre and other mixed-use precincts, schools and open space, all anchored via a proposed train station.
 
Stockland Communities CEO Andrew Whitson said the acquisition from Ouson Group came at a time when the outlook for the masterplanned community market is positive, supported by low mortgage rates, access to credit and an ongoing preference for low density living, bolstered by more time spent at home as a result of greater workplace flexibility.

"The future masterplanned community will be complementary to our vision for the nearby Cloverton community with a focus on liveability and community,” said Mr Whitson.
 
Stockland’s General Manager of Residential for Victoria, Mike Davis said Cloverton is set to become the metropolitan hub of Melbourne’s north and will provide future residents at Beveridge with essential services and amenity with health and tertiary education infrastructure included in future plans.
 
Cloverton is home to more than 2,500 residents with the community’s first primary school to open in 2022, with planning for a further two schools well advanced.

Stockland has over $2.6 billion invested in Victoria.

Olsen had held the property on an extended settlement agreement since 2016.



Stockland will commence sales and initial site works for Beveridge in mid-2022

Stockland secures Beveridge masterplanned community site

Queensland has become a sanctuary for first home buyers with one postcode standing far above all others, Toowoomba&#39;s 4350.

The survey by mortgage broker platform Hashching revealed where first home buyers are finding their way onto the housing ladder,.

It suggests the plight of the embattled group in New South Wales and Victoria was creating demand in other states.&nbsp;

The analysis reviewed over 3000 property transactions this year by mortgage brokers.

Of these 3000, around 50% were transactions by first home buyers.

Queensland&#39;s Toowoomba saw 20% of all Queensland first home buyer transactions with nearly postcode 4352 (St Aubyn) taking second place with 4% of transactions, followed by 4655 (Walliebum) with 2% of transactions.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107345 project_image_fid=172022]

New South Wales is effectively the polar opposite of Queensland, Hashching CEO Arun Maharaja said.

In NSW, first home buyers are the least concentrated of all Australian states - postcode 2145 (Pemulwuy) is the only one to pull away from the pack, with 2% of first home buyer transactions.

Victoria&#39;s joint top spot was shared by two postcodes: 3977 (Devon Meadows) and 3064 (Roxburgh Park) who both represent a 2% of transactions.

&ldquo;Before beginning the analysis, we had a hunch we&rsquo;d see high levels of concentration when it comes to first home buyers,&quot; Mr Maharaj said.

&quot;The group has the most in common with each other - younger, lower budgets and often employees over self employed.&nbsp;

&quot;This would lead to areas with a sweet spot of good commuting options into capital cities, affordable housing and/or nearby recreational areas seeing high transaction numbers.&rdquo;

This hunch was broadly correct for Queensland, Tasmania, West Australia, South Australia and the ACT.

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In the ACT, postcode 2615 (Dunlop) takes the top spot, with 11% of all transactions, followed by postcodes 2902 (Kambah) and 2914 (Amaroo) with 10% each.&nbsp;

First Home Buyers in the ACT are being pushed to the outskirts of Canberra, in all directions, the report noted.

South Australia sees postcode 5606 (Port Lincoln) lead the pack with 8% of transactions, followed bypostcodes 5159 (Flagstaff Hill) and 5043 (Ascot Park) with 6% of transactions.

West Australia&rsquo;s first home buyer capital is postcode 6230 (Bunbury) with 6% of overall transactions.&nbsp;

WA first home buyers are also finding opportunities in northern Perth, with postcode 6065 (Pearsall) representing 5%, while neighbouring 6027 (Mullaloo) represents (4%) of transactions.&nbsp;

Tasmania is the most concentrated market of all, with the top three consisting of neighbouring Hobart postcodes. Postcode 7008 (Lenah Valley) took 12% of transactions, with neighbouring 7000 (North Hobart) a close second at 11% and 7018 (Tranmere) across the bridge coming third with 9%.&nbsp;

The analysis showed high levels of concentration when it comes to first home buyers in some states

Hashching reveals its first home buyer hotspots

Mortgage stress is spiking in outer suburban communities, according to analysis by Digital Finance Analytics.

It shows between 50 and 70 per cent of renters and mortgagees in key outer suburban locations "are in trouble." 

The analysis identifies 12 mainly outer suburban areas of Sydney and Melbourne where over half of the households are financially stressed. 

Based on a rolling sample of 52,000 households, the survey shows the overall proportion of mortgage holders struggling with their finances rising from 33% in February last year to 41% in July this year.

Close to 89 per cent of homeowners in Campbelltown were paying down mortgages they couldn’t afford, DFA suggest.

At neighbouring Narellan and Mount Annan it was 80 per cent, with Liverpool at about 77 per cent.

DFA had pinpointed Melbourne suburbs Fountain Gate, Narre Warren, Berwick and Hoppers Crossing has having high mortgage stress.

True Savings director Pete Steel said the financial position of the households in mortgage stress was unsustainable.

“Increasing prices are creating marginal aspirational purchasers,” Mr Steel told News Ltd papers. 

“They end up paying with only a 5 per cent deposit or they lean on the bank of mum and dad.

Borrowers changing to part-time work or unemployment in lockdown was in part behind the stress, he noted.

The analysis identifies 12 mainly outer suburban areas of Sydney and Melbourne with high stress among owners and tenants


Mortgage stress spiking in outer suburbs: DFA

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]

Jonathan Chancellor

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