Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe, when announcing the cash rate would remain on hold at 0.1 per cent at its September meeting, again warned about maintaining lending standards.

But figures from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority show a big increase in mortgage lending at high debt-to-income ratios.

The figures show that debt was some six times greater than income in around 22 per cent of new home loans during the June quarter.

It was up from 16 per cent in the September quarter last year.

The RBA noted housing prices are continuing to rise, although turnover in some markets has declined following the virus outbreak. 

"Housing credit growth has picked up due to stronger demand for credit by both owner-occupiers and investors," the September minutes advised.

"Given the environment of rising housing prices and low interest rates, the Bank is monitoring trends in housing borrowing carefully and it is important that lending standards are maintained."

The prudential regulator which controls residential mortgage lending is expected to shrink the maximum borrowing capacity of customers.

Economists had thought it might happen later this year, although the latest lockdowns may prompt a pause until 2022.

It follows comments from Dr Lowe that "the delta outbreak is expected to delay, but not derail, the recovery."

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver said although the RBA did not significantly change its assessment of the housing market, "the continuing strength in housing finance and house prices is consistent with APRA announcing a formal tightening in lending standards – although it may wait till after the dust settles from current lockdowns before moving."

Tim Lawless at CoreLogic told The Australian he believes any macro prudential intervention will be aimed at keeping a lid on household debt rather than investor activity or interest-only lending, like earlier interventions.
 

APRA figures showed a sharp increase in mortgage lending at high debt-to-income ratios

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Looser lending prompts increased likelihood of stricter macroprudential lending controls

The latest Urbis report has calculated 475 off-the-plan sales in Perth were secured between March and June. 
&nbsp; 
It was the highest number of sales since the 2006 first quarter.

The top sellers were Edge Visionary Living&rsquo;s Lumiere South Perth followed by its Rivi&egrave;re project on the waterfront in Applecross which had 33 sales at close to a $2m average price.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26734 project_image_fid=153697]

Perth&#39;s average off the plan apartment price was $900,000 plus.

The report noted off-the-plan sales over the June quarter were higher than resales of existing apartments.

The 475 off-the-plan sales were worth $430 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8266 project_image_fid=158138]

The research by the property consultants suggested the uptick had been driven by wealthy downsizes seeking luxury apartments in the inner suburbs.

Buyers of new apartments qualify for stamp duty rebates of 75 per cent up to $50,000 with no cap on the purchase price.

It is available to both owner occupiers and investors.

Around one quarter of the new apartment buyers in the June quarter were investors.

Buyers of new apartments qualify for stamp duty rebates of 75 per cent up to $50,000

Perth sees strongest off the plan apartment sales tally for five years

A Darlinghurst apartment development site has been listed for sale.

The property is for sale by expressions of interest through Savills Australia and CBRE.
 
Located at 10-24 Flinders Street, it is best known as the ARQ Nightclub premises. 

Situated on the corner of Flinders and Taylor Streets, EzyMart is another of the tenants.

According to Harry George at CBRE the City of Sydney is currently undertaking a strategic review of the planning controls that govern the local area with the aim of future proofing the area as a vibrant cultural and creative precinct.

“The proposed changes to planning rules will allow for taller buildings along Oxford Street, in a bid to transform the tired strip into a massive cultural and creative precinct.

“ARQ represents an extremely rare opportunity for an incoming purchaser to secure a property within one of Sydney’s finest inner-city suburbs” he said.
 
 
Nick Lower at Savills Australia said it was the first time the site had been offered for sale in 30 years.
 
The site is zoned B2 Local Centre under the Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012. 

It has a maximum permissible building height of 15m-18m and maximum FSR of 2.0:1-3.5:1 on each site respectively. 

Lower noted the City of Sydney recently earmarked nearby Oxford Street as a key priority area for renewal and revitalisation within the Local Strategic Planning Statement (City Plan 2036) endorsed in 2020.

The draft planning proposal supports that the FSR and height limit is increased to 3.5:1-4:1 (with additional bonuses totalling 0.8:1 available) and 18m-23m, respectively, which will allowed for 6,000 sqm* (STCA) of allowable GFA across five to six storeys.
 


It has a maximum permissible building height of 15m-18m and maximum FSR of 2.0:1-3.5:1 on each site respectively

Darlinghurst mixed-use apartment development site listed

Some 123 apartment and townhouse vendors across the nation took pre-auction offers for their weekend auction offers.

There were 273 sale results reported which prompted a 58% success rate.

Some 85 of the 341 listings were withdrawn amid the continued lockdowns in the three major auction markets, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

The nation&#39;s top sale was in Brisbane when $1,855,000 was paid for a high-rise riverfront reserve apartment through Adcock Prestige.

The 11/10 Lower River Terrace, South Brisbane apartment had previously traded at $1.4m in 2007 in the Southbank Apartments complex.

There were five registered bidders for the three bedroom, two bathroom 180 sqm deceased estate offering.

Situated within the Dartford Tower, there are only three apartments per floor.

The corner apartment positioned on level five came with secure garaging for two vehicles.

A $340,000 townhouse sale in Melbourne&rsquo;s Thomastown was the nation&rsquo;s cheapest weekend result.

The one bedroom, one bathroom 2/32 Spring St offering had previously sold at $298,000 in 2011.

There had been a $340,000 to $370,000 price guide through Harcourts Rata &amp; Co.&nbsp;

It was a $320 a week rental offering in late 2019.

Sydney&#39;s dearest weekend sale was the two bedroom apartment at 8/3 Bassett Street, Mona Vale, which fetched $1,279,000.

CoreLogic calculated a 69% success rate for capital city houses from 910 results showing a $1.26m median.

CoreLogic calculated there was a national $981,500 median price for apartments and townhouses

$1.85m Brisbane sale tops 58% weekend auction success rate for apartments

The national construction index contracted severely in August, according to the Australian Industry Group/Housing Industry Association.

The indexes for activity, new orders and supplier deliveries &quot;dropped steeply into contraction&quot; in August, in response to lockdown restrictions in the construction sector in Victoria and NSW, and state border closures. 
&nbsp; 
The biggest drops were in the housing (down 14.4 points to 36.4) and commercial construction (down 11.6 points to 31.3) activity indexes.

The apartment building activity index rose by 13.3 points to 32.1 &ndash; but was described as &quot;still far from its expansionary state in June.&quot;

New orders fell sharply in August indicating serious contraction as customers showed less interest in joining waitlists for supplies.&nbsp;

Builders nationwide continue to report very high prices from suppliers and importers, with more builders saying they need to pass on these cost increases to their customers.

The employment index dipped just below 50 points in August (down 11.8 points to 49.0), indicating a pause in the jobs recovery underway earlier in 2021.&nbsp;

The indexes for activity, new orders and supplier deliveries dropped steeply into contraction in August

Apartment construction withstands severe industry wide lockdown contraction

Off-the-plan apartment sales are starting to recover, according to JLL's latest residential update.
 
The report noted some residual stock from the last cycle was still in some markets, so "it may prove difficult to push prices up, and such a move may stifle recovering sales rates."

Over the medium-term, a stronger than expected rebound in high-rise construction could potentially escalate cost pressures and become a larger risk to the viability and profitability of projects, it warned.

"Therefore, we expect to see increased hesitancy from developers in commencing construction, particularly smaller scale developers without many pre-sales, which in turn could delay the next supply cycle. 

"Nevertheless, low supply levels remain a positive factor that will help the market balance and support the medium-term outlook for the apartment market over the next few years," the report noted.

Apartment market conditions have improved in 2021 as investors return the market and look to capitalise on the strength of the broader housing market and rapidly growing prices. 

"Nevertheless, it has remained a tough development environment and few larger apartment projects have progressed to construction in any market in recent quarters. 

"Current lockdowns also mean the short-term outlook is now more uncertain, but over the medium-term it remains clear than demand is likely to outstrip supply once borders reopen and swing the balance towards under-supply and strong rental pressure."

Development across the rest of the residential sector had rebounded extremely strongly, it added.

The HomeBuilder and other first homebuyer incentives have seen a boom in detached house construction across Australia. 

"In addition, infrastructure construction has also been used as a stimulus measure not just in Australia but globally.

"This surge in demand has put stress on the availability of some trades and materials, contributing to escalating construction costs across all sub-sectors."

Several factors are influencing construction costs, but primarily it is the availability of materials and labour, it noted.

The closure of the borders has restricted the inflow of skilled, unskilled, and seasonal migrant workers to Australia. 

"While borders remain closed, labour shortages are increasingly likely to contribute to cost escalations, particularly as Australia approaches full employment.

"Furthermore, disruptions to global supply chains and the manufacturing of products used in the residential construction industry have also contributed to the higher cost of goods.

"Builders have reported very steep rises in timber prices, while apartment developers have been more affected by cost increases to steel, copper, and cement. 

"The cost of timber, board and joinery rose 3.9% in 2Q21, to be up by 6.4% over the year (ABS) (See Figure 1). Electrical equipment also increased 4.4% in 2Q20, while other metal products increased by 4% over the year.

"Cost management and maintaining the project schedule will increasingly become a trade-off that many developers will need to consider. 

"Some developers may opt to pivot into alternative materials to mitigate cost and time pressures."

Anecdotal evidence suggests this is already happening, with many builders opting to use steel, recycled timber, or other new non-traditional building materials. However, as more demand shifts, these alternative materials are also likely to witness an increase in cost and/or lead times over the short-term.

"Contract cancellations may increase as project viability continues to decline. 

"Anecdotal evidence suggests that some detached housing developers are already choosing to compensate buyers to terminate now unprofitable fixed-price construction contracts. 

"While apartment developers are likely to be much more hesitant to tear up contracts, we may see developers increasingly attempt to rescind contracts signed prior to these cost increases"

 

Over the medium-term, a stronger than expected rebound in high-rise construction could potentially escalate cost pressures and become a larger risk to the viability and profitability of projects

Buyers told next residential apartment supply cycle could be delayed: JLL

Compared to 12 months ago, national property listings are down 26%, with the biggest falls in Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane.

Figures released by SQM Research reveal national residential property listings fell in August 2021 by 9.6% to 215,911 from 238,834 in July 2021.

It represents the lowest count of listings recorded by SQM Research since it begun its series in January 2010.

Louis Christopher, managing director of SQM Research said Sydney saw a 19.7% decline in new listings. 

"Older listings also had another monthly fall, indicating strong absorption rates across the country." he noted.

"Going forward we are cautious for the market given the likely economic damage as a result of these latest city wide closures," Christopher said.

Nationally, new listings (Less than 30 days) fell 7.8% over August 2021 to 65,948 properties on the market, though they rose 8% over the year. 

New listings dropped the most in Melbourne followed by Canberra, down by 31.2% and 21.2%, respectively. 

Over the year, new listings rose the most in Darwin, by 50.3% as they seek to take advantage of strong market conditions.

In a sign that older stock is clearing, property listings over 180 days dropped by 10.3% in August 2021 and they are down 53.2% over the year, with monthly falls posted recorded in all capital cities, led by Canberra.

The largest monthly falls in property listings in August were in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra as the lockdowns in these cities disrupted the market

National August property listings hit lowest in more than a decade: SQM

Home buyers who accessed the Federal Government&rsquo;s HomeBuilder grant to buy a property at ALAND&rsquo;s Schofield Gardens developments have begun moving into the complex.

The HomeBuilder scheme allowed buyers to secure a one bedroom property in the Schofields development for $450,000.

The HomeBuilder scheme ran from June 2020 through May 2021 and provided eligible owner-occupiers, including first home buyers, with a grant worth up to $25,000 for newly built properties.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29042 project_image_fid=165526]

The HomeBuilder scheme was introduced to help make the property market more accessible to first home buyers while also stimulating the construction industry in the face of economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis.

&ldquo;The government&rsquo;s HomeBuilder grant has meant that so many young people have accessed the property market who wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to otherwise,&rdquo; ALAND sales director Mark Bernberg said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29042 project_image_fid=165528]

&quot;Since the start of the government&#39;s HomeBuilder initiative, ALAND has been able to help at least 400 first home buyers achieve the Australian dream of owning their own home.&rdquo;

ALAND, which builds residential developments predominately through western Sydney, clocked a bumper year in sales last financial year, helped by the Federal Government&rsquo;s HomeBuilder grant.

Given the lockdown buyers have reported of not being able to shop for furniture, appliances.

ALAND, which builds residential developments predominately through western Sydney, clocked a bumper year in sales last financial year, helped by the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder grant



HomeBuilder grant recipients start moving into ALAND's Schofield Gardens

COVID-19 has had little effect to date on debt serviceability in Australia, according to the latest RMBS Performance Watch: Australia.

The Standard &amp; Poor&#39;s Performance Index (SPIN) found Australian prime mortgages arrears fell to 0.90% in June from 1.15% the same month a year earlier.&nbsp;

It noted the resilience of household balance sheets, bolstered by government stimulus measures and low interest rates, has enabled many borrowers to build up repayment buffers, cure prior arrears positions, and stay on top of their mortgage repayments.&nbsp;

&quot;Strong property prices have also enhanced refinancing options for many borrowers by boosting equity positions in their home loans,&quot; it noted adding that financing is a common way for borrowers to self-manage their way out of arrears.

While some borrowers have transitioned from &quot;mortgage deferral 1.0&quot; to formal hardship programs in the second quarter, it has not had a noticeable effect on overall prime RMBS arrears performance.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=155355]

&quot;This is because it has been offset by fewer new borrowers entering into arrears thanks to low interest rates.

&quot;Prepayment rates also bear testimony to the competitive lending environment and refinancing options available, with prime and nonconforming prepayment rates increasing in the second quarter and year on year.

The report acknowledged the lockdowns gripping New South Wales and Victoria will crimp economic activity, with many businesses shuttered.&nbsp;

&quot;The impact on debt serviceability will be more sector specific, though.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103179 project_image_fid=167475]

&quot;Self-employed borrowers in affected areas and industries are more sensitive to cashflow pressures caused by loss of income compared with full time, pay-as-you-go employees, who can continue to work remotely with minimal effect on household income.&nbsp;

&quot;This will put some pressure on arrears for self-employed borrowers, and more so in the nonconforming sector, where such borrowers are more highly represented.&quot;

Across the broader household sector, the buildup in savings will enable many borrowers to stay on top of mortgage repayments, despite an expected deterioration in economic conditions while lockdowns persist. Borrowers are more likely to pay down debt than spend during lockdowns, which will help to keep arrears low, the report suggested.

Strong property prices have enhanced refinancing options for many borrowers by boosting equity positions in their home loans

Extended lockdowns to put pressure on home loan arrears for self-employed borrowers: S&P

Aqualand&rsquo;s flagship $420m development Blue at Lavender Bay is now complete.

Off the plan buyers are moving in to 61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point. 
&nbsp; 
Blue at Lavender Bay has 130 luxury residential apartments.

Blue&rsquo;s final sales release this month includes just 30 residences.&nbsp;

The remaining apartments include: 
1 bedrooms from $1,160,000 
2 Bedrooms from $1,750,000 
3 bedrooms from $4,100,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5770 project_image_fid=24110]

Aqualand is now preparing to bring to market its latest masterpiece, Aura North Sydney.

Aqualand&rsquo;s new hospitality arm, Etymon, has been launched set to provide concierge services.

Aqualand&rsquo;s vision is to bring the 5-star hotel experience to its developments by combining traditional concierge services with lifestyle management for the first time. 
&nbsp; 
Accessible 24/7 to Blue owners and residents, Etymon&rsquo;s highly experienced concierge team can make dining reservations and theatre bookings, welcoming guests, managing everything from parcels to parking, planning itineraries or finding the perfect gift. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We wanted to elevate the level of concierge service within Aqualand developments to set a new standard within the Australian luxury apartment market,&rdquo; explains Lisa Hobbs, Etymon CEO.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Our emphasis is on delivering a hospitality style service that stands out to residents as having their needs, wants and desires at the centre of our approach.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re taking our lead from New York, China, Singapore and Hong Kong luxury apartment living, where applying hotel services and a hospitality ethos to homes isn&rsquo;t new. People will select their residence based on the concierge provided and are well prepared to pay for their services,&rdquo; she adds. 
&nbsp; 
Etymon&rsquo;s The Club will custom-fit its services with options will including home management (grocery put away, coordinating tradespeople, watering plants and vehicle maintenance) and home event planning (dinner parties, children&rsquo;s birthdays and more). 
&nbsp; 
In October, Etymon will also launch a new restaurant at Blue&rsquo;s base for fine dining in the North Sydney precinct. Part bistro, boulangerie and traitor, Loulou will by spearheaded by head chef Billy Hannigan (ex-The Ledbury and Bistro Guillaume), general manager Lucas Christofle (ex-Half Acre), bar manager, Colin Tam (ex-Charlie Parker&rsquo;s) and sommelier Shun Eto (ex-Icebergs).

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7559 project_image_fid=25809]

Blue’s final sales release this month includes 30 residences

Aqualand off the plan buyers move into Blue

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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