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GUEST OBSERVER
Mozo’s Kirsty Lamont shares the five-need-to know numbers
A year on since its last record low rate cut, the Reserve Bank has again slashed the cash rate to a new historical low 1.75 percent. Here's the five numbers you need to know: 
36 percent
Just 36 percent of lenders passed on the full rate cut last time the RBA slashed the cash rate.
$8.88 million
This is how much lenders stand to profit in additional interest each day if they play scrooge and hold onto a potential 25 bps rate cut.  In fact, three out of the Big 4 banks raked in a collective $386.7 million from failing to pass on the last RBA rate cut in full last May. 
1.18 percent
Even if lenders pass on a rate discount, home borrowers still have good reason to refinance onto a better deal with the average Big 4 variable rate 1.18 percent higher than the lowest variable rate on the market right now.
$43
This is how much an average borrower could save in monthly repayments if their lender passed on the full rate cut. Alternatively, if you ignore a 0.25 percent discount and keep your repayments the same, you could save more than $20,000 in interest over the life of the loan.   
3.60 percent
Savers can be rewarded with interest rates up to 3.60 percent despite a record low cash rate. This special rate is on ME’s Online Savings Account to customers prepared to make a weekly Tap &amp; Go purchase with their linked Debit MasterCard.
Kirsty Lamont is marketing director of <a href="https://mozo.com.au/" target="_blank">Mozo</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

RBA rate cut: Mozo's five need to know numbers

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National Australia Bank has cut the interest rate on its standard variable home loan rate by 25 basis points.
It is the full amount of the RBA's cut.
This announcement means NAB’s Variable Rate for Home Loans (Standard Variable Rate) will reduce from 5.60 percent p.a. to 5.35 percent p.a.
NAB customers with a Standard Variable Rate home loan will save an average of $47-a-month on their monthly home loan principal and interest repayments based on a $300,000 loan over a 30-year term.
NAB Group Executive Personal Banking Gavin Slater said in making the decision to change interest rates, the bank considers a range of factors.
“The circumstances of each decision will always vary and we must take into account factors such as competition, regulatory capital requirements and funding costs,” Mr Slater said. 
“Today’s decision balances the needs of our home loan customers with our shareholders.” 
Today’s change applies to Owner Occupier and Residential Investment variable rate home loans.
·         For owner occupiers with NAB’s Variable Rate for Home Loans (Standard Variable Rate) the rate will reduce from 5.60 percent p.a. to 5.35 percent p.a.
·         For residential investors with NAB’s Variable Rate for Residential Investment Home Loans the rate will reduce from 5.75 percent p.a. to 5.50 percent p.a.
NAB will also reduce its rate on standard variable business rate lending products by 0.25 percent p.a. 
The new rates will be effective from Monday 16 May 2016.
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NAB passes on full May 2016 rate cut to home borrowers

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
We are living in the most explosive era of infrastructure expansion in human history. The G20 nations, when they met in Australia in 2014, argued for between US$60 trillion and US$70 trillion in new infrastructure investments by 2030, which would more than double the global total value of infrastructure.
Some of the key players in this worldwide infrastructure boom are huge investors such as the World Bank. The past few years and decades have seen the rise of major new investment banks, such as the recently founded Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the dramatic growth of funds such as the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).
The new banks, along with traditional big lenders such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian, African, and Inter-American Development Banks, are very fond of funding big infrastructure such as roads, dams, gas lines, mining projects, and so on.
Some people had hoped that these banks would promote sustainable and socially equitable development, but it now seems that they could end up doing precisely the opposite.
<h2>The infrastructure tsunami</h2>
The next few decades are expected to see some 25 million km of new paved roads, thousands more hydroelectric dams, and hundreds of thousands of new mining, oil and gas projects.
The environmental impacts of the modern infrastructure tsunami could easily dwarf climate change and many other human pressures, as thousands of projects penetrate into the world’s last surviving wild areas. Roughly 90 perch t of the new projects are in developing nations, often in the tropics or subtropics which harbour the planet’s biologically richest and environmentally most critical ecosystems.
In these contexts, new infrastructures such as roads can open a Pandora’s box of environmental problems, by promoting widespread deforestation, habitat fragmentation, poaching, fires, illegal mining and land speculation.
For instance, our research in the Brazilian Amazon has shown that 95 percent of all deforestation occurs within 5.5 km of a legal or illegal road.
In Brazil, 12 new dams planned for the Tapajós River (and their associated road networks) are expected to increase Amazon deforestation by nearly a million hectares. Across the Amazon, more than 330 dams are now planned or under construction.
In the Congo Basin, an avalanche of new logging roads has opened up vast areas of rainforest to poachers armed with rifles and cable snares. As a result, the past decade has seen two-thirds of all Forest Elephants slaughtered for their valuable ivory tusks.
<h2>Fears of fast-tracking</h2>
Brazil’s BNDES has been heavily criticised for funding scores of environmentally and socially harmful projects, such as mega-dams in the Amazon. Fears were raised that China’s AIIB would behave similarly, especially when it announced that it would be using “streamlined” procedures for evaluating its projects.
Such fast-tracked procedures would differ from those used by other major lenders such as the World Bank, which after years of criticism have gradually implemented measures designed to limit the environmental and social impacts of its projects. Even these safeguards are often inadequate, as I and others argued in a recent article, but at least they are a big improvement over past practices.
When China opened up its AIIB to other countries, 30 nations initially joined as founding members. Many of these are western economies, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.
At the time, many observers hoped that the bank’s broader membership would encourage the AIIB to moderate its hard-charging stance — perhaps fostering environmental and social safeguards more akin to those of the existing major lenders.
<h2>Race to the bottom?</h2>
But in fact the exact opposite appears to be happening. Rather than the AIIB raising its game, the World Bank recently concluded a review of its environmental standards — a move that has been criticised as weakening its environmental and social safeguards.
It is doing so, it says, in order to keep up with “new and varied development demands”. This is widely seen as a response to increasing competition with other investors such as the AIIB.
What will this mean? The global economy has slowed for the moment, giving environmental planners a tiny window of breathing space. But make no mistake, the infrastructure tsunami is still happening. If the global economy rebounds to a degree, the feeding frenzy of projects seen in recent years could easily return.
This could be bad news for the global environment and socially disempowered peoples. For instance, a 2009 analysis found that many developing nations had become “pollution havens” for projects funded by China or Chinese investors, who were attracted to nations with weak environmental controls. Notably, other advanced (OECD) economies showed no such tendency. 
Will other major lenders follow suit? Will there simply be a “race to the bottom” among big lenders in order to remain competitive? Only time will tell.
The other key question revolves around the role of western nations that are parties to the AIIB, such as the EU members and Australia. Do they have enough influence and determination to make a difference? With China, India and Russia holding the biggest shares of the bank’s capitalisation, it’ll be an uphill battle.
Right now, for the environment and human rights, the signs are all pointing in the wrong direction.
Bill Laurance is distinguished research professor and Australian Laureate, James Cook University and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bill-laurance-4358" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Development banks threaten to unleash an infrastructure tsunami on the environment

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A historic former church in Essendon has been sold for $1.45 million through CBRE's Joshua Twelftree, David Minty and Sandro Peluso.
The 1003 Mount Alexander Road 267sq m site features a 1870s gothic-style church.
A private local medical practitioner bought it from a private investor to use as a medical facility.
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Medico buys former Essendon church premises

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Australian Volunteers International is the latest not-for-profit group to offer its substantial innercity Fitzroy, Melbourne premises for sale.
More than $6 million is tipped for 71-75 Argyle Street, set on the northeast corner of Fitzroy Street.
There's potential for an 11-level structure on AVI’s 1049-square-metre block, which includes a historic double storey building.
It is being marketed by Savills’ Nick Peden, Clinton Baxter and James Lockwood.
The Collingwood-based Smith Family sold its 1139-square-metre site to local builder Pace Development Group for $8.8 million some two years ago.
The a few weeks ago, the Salvation Army secured around $7 million selling its historic estate, Cloyne, at 12 Chapel Street, St Kilda, to another charity-related owner occupier.
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Savills lists AVI development site in Fitzroy

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The Beach House Lane retail strip in the heart of Bondi Beach has been listed by the Melbourne-based property developer and investor GLG.
More than $30 million is tipped by Stonebridge Property Group for 178 Campbell Parade.
The centre is 100 percent leased to 14 retailers.
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Bondi Beach House Lane retail listed for sale

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The St Kilda boarding house The Gatwick is set to become an upmarket hotel, as the kennest buyers enter the final stages of negotiation.
Listing agent Jonathan Walls, from Lemon Baxter, says a sale is imminent of the infamous Fitzroy St building.
“Surveyors have been appointed to go through the property to make sure it’s going to configure the way they want to it to be configured,” Walls told Realcommercial.com.au which last year reported the property was expected to fetch between $12 million and $14 million.
The hotel’s sale comes with vacant possession but an extended settlement of period of 12 months, to allow its many permanent residents to find alternative accommodation.
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The Gatwick on Fitzroy Street nears sale

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On the eve of the Federal Budget, Four Corners reported on the white-hot issues of housing affordability and negative gearing.
It spoke of a generation left wondering if they will ever own their own home.
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2016/05/02/4451883.htm">Reporter Ben Knight</a> explored the housing crisis locking younger people out of home ownership and the negatively geared world of investors building their nest eggs.
He then reported on what he called agents spruiking the investor-led property gold rush and worrying evidence of fraudulent loan applications which could leave banks and consumers dangerously exposed.
It aired on Monday 2nd May at 8.30pm EDT. It is replayed on Tuesday 3rd May at 10.00am and Wednesday 4th May at 11pm.
It can also be seen on ABC News 24 on Saturday at 8.00pm AEST, <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/" target="_blank">ABC iview</a> and at <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/" target="_blank">abc.net.au/4corners</a>.
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Worrying investor-led property gold rush: 4 Corners

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The nation's cheapest weekend auction result was $202,000 for a West Footscray one bedroom apartment.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-west+footscray-122306818" target="_blank">19/132 Rupert Stree</a>t offering last sold in 1990 at $45,000.
Last listed at $190 a week rental earlier this year, the apartment had auction price guidance of $185,000 plus.
A decade ago the rent was $135 a week.
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West Footscray $202,000 the nation's cheapest weekend result

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<div>
<div>GUEST OBSERVER</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Water leaks and water damage have been highlighted as a common and major maintenance issue for apartment buyers and owners, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair.</div>
 <div>
Faulty workmanship, poor design or poor quality materials and ageing are the major factors in apartments or high rise buildings developing water leaks. </div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Water leaks are one of the major issues facing the ongoing boom of apartment building as major cities consolidate with high rise buildings and suburban areas undergo revitalization with increased apartment developments.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Older apartment buildings usually have increased problems due to lack of maintenance. Statistics from Archicentre's pre purchase inspections between 2010 and 2015 show that across Australia 4 percent of dwellings have a major water problem and 34 percent have a minor problem which, if not rectified could develop into a costly defect.</div>
<div>
 This compares with 31 percent having a minor problem in the 2001 to 2010 period indicating that the problem is getting worse. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>One common leak problem occurs with balconies constructed above another unit.  It only needs one leak caused by a poor sealing job or a broken tile or a blocked drainage point to cause substantial damage to an adjoining property. 
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In one Archicentre inspection of balconies in an apartment complex with over 100 balconies, nearly all had a similar leak impacting on the apartments below.  Intrusive inspections of selected balconies revealed waterproofing problems leaving the property owners with substantial repair bills.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With over three million Australians living in apartments and that number set to increase dramatically with an ageing population and the general population increasing, the maintenance of both old and new apartment buildings will place an increasing financial pressure on Owners' Corporations and their property managers. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Water has a number of ways of impacting on apartments including:</div>
<ul>
<li>Poor sealing of balconies. </li>
<li>Lack of roof maintenance. </li>
<li>Lack of maintenance on windows and external doors. </li>
<li>Deterioration of tanking for below ground car parks and basements.  </li>
</ul>
<div>Water is a very destructive fault as it has both short and long term impacts which can make an apartment uninhabitable.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Apart from water damaging plaster board and causing structural timber rot, it can also have a major safety impact on an apartment if water enters electrical fittings and a major health impact caused by damp and mould.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As part of Archicentre's pre-purchase property inspections on apartments for prospective buyers, signs of water damage are high on the agenda because of their potential high impact long term on a buyer's investment.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It is important for people buying into apartment complexes to realise they are not only financially responsible for their own apartment but also for common areas which can include car parks, basements, lifts, lobbies and recreation areas.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Summary of water damage in Australian homes</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sample of Archicentre pre-purchase inspections 2010 to 2015 - 12,050 dwellings in this sample.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A major problem is defined as affecting the integrity or structure and costing more than $10,000 to repair. 
</div>
<table><tbody>
<tr>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1"> </td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">NSW</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">VIC</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">QLD</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">SA</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">WA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">Minor</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">43%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">31%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">40%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">35%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">Major</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">9%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">3%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">7%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">5%</td>
<td rowspan="1" colspan="1">4%</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Robert Caulfield is director Archicentre and can be contacted <a href="https://www.archicentre.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Leaks, water damage can be major cost for apartment owners

An entity directed by HSN's Rafi Assouline and Rebel Property's Allen Linz has filed plans for an impressive new precinct in Woolloomooloo.

The major mixed-use development would transform a prominent William Street site into a new residential village anchored by affordable housing and a large public park.

The proposal, submitted as a State Significant Development Application, covers 164-172 and 174-194 William Street, a 6,398 sqm site between Forbes Street and Dowling Street on the southern edge of Woolloomooloo.

Designed by fjcstudio in collaboration with Bangawarra, Studio Bright and Tribe Studio Architects, the scheme would deliver 227 apartments across four residential buildings ranging in height up to 18 storeys, alongside retail space, public domain improvements and a new publicly accessible park.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eb59b7c-914a-4a5c-b849-3a56749f5e93" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.18.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=mxM6EEqeoLjrCiTlCzTKTvzpKuh6kSkH" />

It's another design scheme for Rebel, who took <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-rebel-property-group-takes-woolloomooloo-precinct-to-nsw-government">concept plans to the NSW Gov late last year</a>.

The latest plans will be a mix of 167 build-to-sell apartments and 60 affordable apartments, with the affordable housing component representing 15 per cent of the project's gross floor area. The apartment mix includes 12 one-bedroom, 53 two-bedroom, 89 three-bedroom apartments and 13 penthouses, while the affordable housing component would comprise 42 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b3d4553-8a8c-4af5-aa8c-519ffb1e28c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_Yb6ibN7eDnOtQjCNDK2eviORa4qzgv." />

Rebel Property is seeking to take advantage of the NSW Government's infill affordable housing bonus provisions under the Housing SEPP, which provide additional floor space and height in exchange for the delivery of affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years. The planning pathway allows a 30 per cent increase in floor space ratio and building height where 15 per cent of the development is dedicated to affordable housing.

&nbsp;

At the centre of the development is a 1,356 sqm sunlit public park designed to become a new community gathering space at the gateway to Woolloomooloo. The park would be complemented by a network of pedestrian laneways connecting William Street with the surrounding streets, improving permeability through what is currently a largely impermeable block.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="257af931-a393-4007-8c6d-7219796df58d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=KAHy94GrhaReFsWTGDKfy39EDJ8gEEv4" />

The design team says the public domain has been heavily influenced by the site's topography and Aboriginal cultural heritage, drawing on the escarpments, gullies and landscape characteristics that historically defined the area before urbanisation. The landscape design has been developed in partnership with First Nations consultancy Bangawarra.

The project would be delivered across four separate buildings. The William Street East and William Street West buildings, designed by fjcstudio, would contain the majority of the apartments. Melbourne-based Studio Bright has designed the Forbes Street building, while Tribe Studio Architects is responsible for the Dowling Street building.

Rebel had secured approval for the concept plans late last year.

Joel Robinson

First look: HSN, Rebel, advances Woolloomooloo precinct plans

A locally heritage-listed furniture showroom on Water Street is set to become the centrepiece of a new mixed-use residential development as local developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group">Keylin</a> seeks approval for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lotus-on-water-street-290-water-street-fortitude-valley-qld-4006">Lotus on Water Street</a>, a 15-storey project on the Fortitude Valley side of Spring Hill.

The proposal spans 290 Water Street and 137-141 Warry Street, combining several properties into a 2,869 sqm site that sits between Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill and the rapidly evolving Victoria Park precinct. Keylin's plans would deliver 132 apartments alongside new retail, hospitality and commercial space, while retaining and repurposing the historic Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom that fronts Water Street.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-teece">Jackson Teece</a>, Lotus on Water Street comprises a 12-storey residential tower rising above a three-storey podium and communal rooftop terrace. The development includes 76 apartments classified as multiple dwellings and a further 56 units proposed as short-term accommodation, designed to be flexibly used as either accommodation or permanent residences. The apartment mix comprises six one-bedroom, 54 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom homes.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9822bb79-6c49-49c9-95ba-319e8c8d81c3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20front.png?VersionId=ioW8zbN4UVebbLetTFuv92t.HkdgfR5e" />

Residents would have access to an extensive rooftop recreation level spanning more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space. Plans include a pool, gym, sauna, infrared sauna, yoga area, library, private dining room, barbecue facilities and landscaped entertainment spaces, making the rooftop the project's largest shared amenity offering.

At street level, the proposal focuses on the adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings along Water Street, where 518 sqm of retail and commercial space is planned across shop, office and food and drink outlet uses. A permeable residential lobby would be positioned between the retained heritage buildings, creating a pedestrian connection between the historic streetscape and the new tower behind.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="269cf3e0-7d13-48bf-a318-05a00deb5c10" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20podium.png?VersionId=DLXmTCLsp6GOcLpQ0h.0z7wKCw59EhN_" />

The heritage retention strategy is central to the scheme. The development application notes that the Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom and adjoining heritage buildings will remain, with only non-significant structures on the site earmarked for removal under a previously issued Heritage Exemption Certificate. Levels one and two of the new podium are recessed behind the heritage façades to maintain their prominence within the streetscape.

Jackson Teece has drawn inspiration from the site's manufacturing history when designing the podium. The planning documents state that the façade incorporates perforated metal screening that references the woven and rattan furniture historically produced on the site. Cascading and climbing plants are integrated throughout the podium to soften the building's presentation and screen parking levels behind. The landscape strategy also informs the project's name, Lotus on Water Street, drawing on the historic Spring Hollow waterholes that once ran through Spring Hill and the blue water lilies associated with Meeanjin, Brisbane's traditional name.

The proposal also incorporates the neighbouring property at 141 Warry Street, currently occupied by a healthcare service. The existing building would remain, with nine dedicated parking spaces allocated within the new development to support its ongoing operation. In total, Lotus on Water Street proposes 117 car spaces, including 110 resident spaces and seven visitor bays, alongside 100 bicycle spaces.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70cf07bc-4fd8-4e70-92dd-be8b21c4e4f0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20site.png?VersionId=txlxrJImM0Sm_vTzHVKh5DDUkyL_CiiA" />

The site sits within the Spring Hill East Precinct of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan and is positioned around 650 metres from both Fortitude Valley Station and Exhibition Station. It is also within walking distance of the King Street precinct, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Quarter and Victoria Park, which is earmarked to become a major venue precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Planning documents describe the location as a key gateway between Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley and highlight the area's increasing importance as new transport infrastructure and Olympic-related investment reshape Brisbane's inner north. The development team argues the project will contribute additional housing supply while activating a section of Water Street that has historically received less investment than other parts of the Valley.

Keylin has become increasingly active across Brisbane and southeast Queensland, assembling sites in strategic inner-city locations. They are currently selling and delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria Spring Hill</a>, just over 140 apartments due for completion in 2027.

Keylin plans heritage-led Lotus on Water Street apartment development in Fortitude Valley

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

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Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

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“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

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Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

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Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Jonathan Chancellor

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