From Tuesday 13 July 2021 you must wear a fitted face mask when you are in an indoor area of common property in a Sydney residential apartment building.

It covers strata titled, community titled and company titled complex.

Residents do not need to wear a mask inside their apartment.

It comes as a block of 29 apartments in Sydney's east has seen a covid breakout within five apartments in the complex.

The common areas where you must wear a mask include: 

a shared foyer or lobby of an apartment block; the lifts, stairwells and corridors and shared laundry facilities.

Masks must be worn by anyone entering including residents and visitors, building managers, concierge staff and cleaners.

Masks must also be worn by people providing goods and services including tradespeople and contractors along with people delivering food, mail and parcels. 

From Tuesday 13 July 2021 you must wear a fitted face mask when you are in an indoor area of common property in a Sydney residential building 

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Masks compulsory from July 13 on Sydney apartment common property

A freestanding townhouse at McKinnon in Melbourne&#39;s south east was the top weekend auction listing.

There was a pre-auction $2.16 million sale of the four bedroom, three bathroom townhouse at 33 Windsor Avenue (pictured) through Buxton.

It was snapped up in just 15 days, forcing would-be buyers into a hasty decision as to whether to compete for the offering which had been listed with $2 million to $2,075,000 price guidance.&nbsp;

The next priciest sale was $1,951,000 for a beachfront townhouse at 6A Wallum Road, Edithvale which came with a $1.85 million to $1.95 million price guide through Buxton. It had traded at $1.2 million in 2010.

The McKinnon sale offering marketed the home as &quot;in the heart of the McKinnon College zone and within a walk of McKinnon&rsquo;s latte strip and station.&quot;

<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic?source_news_article_id=105811&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/melb_cbd_tile_2.jpg" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></a>

The townhouse was designed by Pink Architecture and constructed by boutique builders, PMC Group.&nbsp;

It had four bedrooms plus home-office along with 3.5 bathrooms.

Its first-floor master-domain came with dual-vanity ensuite.

The suburbs sees the MCKN apartment project nearing its late 2021 completion.

It too is in the McKinnon Secondary Zone.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4939]

DealCorp&#39;s MCKN has five levels with 41 apartments and a streetside cafe below, with a design by Ritz &amp; Ghougassian.

Prices of available two bedroom apartments start at $755,000.

The Chadstone and Southland Shopping Centres are a 10 minute drive.

Melbourne auction vendors secured a 66 percent success rate from the 264 results of its apartment and townhouse listings.

Melbourne&#39;s prior weekend saw 285 results with a steady 66 percent success rate with a $670,000 median apartment price with the top townhouse sale being a four bedroom offering at 199A Beach Rd, Mordialloc which fetched $2.35 million.

Sydney saw 172 results with a 74 percent success rate.

Nationally there were 468 results across all the capital cities with a 68 percent success rate and a $750,000 median price.

The McKinnon townhouse fetched $2.16 million

McKinnon tops weekend auction results

Auction results across Sydney and Melbourne have remained resilient in lockdown, particularly circuit-breaker lockdowns, a report from CoreLogic advised.

It noted a larger than normal number of auctions are typically withdrawn, postponed or sold prior to the auction event.&nbsp;

And that transaction activity had slowed markedly through lockdown periods.

&quot;However a &lsquo;catch up&rsquo; in home purchases has been evident as restrictions ease,&quot; CoreLogic head of research for Australia, Eliza Owen, noted.

&ldquo;It is true that demand takes a hit during lockdowns&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317 project_image_fid=79239]

More importantly property values had &quot;remained resilient through lockdown.&quot;

Owen added stability of housing market values was likely subject to extensive government stimulus and institutional support for the sector.

Owen added these influences were &quot;far less certain going forward.&quot;

Australian housing market values had a peak to trough decline of just -2.1% through 2020, before surging 12.2% through the first six months of 2021.&nbsp;

Owen concluded by noting in the event of another extended lockdown, the future of housing demand and supply becomes much less certain if that same government and institutional support is not there.

CoreLogic head of research for Australia, Eliza Owen, noted demand takes a hit during lockdowns

Latest lockdown could impact real estate resilance: RP Data's Eliza Owen

Property searches from New Zealand on realestate.com.au have surged to 363,000 monthly views.

Searches from New Zealand have increased by 35 per cent since April, in contrast to the UK and US, which have fallen 26% and 13% respectively.

Searches from China are 12 percent lower than last year and Hong Kong has dropped by 1 percent.&nbsp;

Overall overseas searches for properties to buy on realestate.com.au dipped in June by 6 per cent.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68834]

&quot;NZ on the other hand, is benefitting from the trans-Tasman travel bubble, which opened on the 19th of April 2021, allowing &ldquo;quarantine free&rdquo; flights between Australia and NZ,&quot; Karen Dellow, data analyst at REA Group noted.

The most popular suburbs searched in the June quarter by overseas property seekers was topped by the Gold Coast, followed the Melbourne CBD, the Brisbane Greater Region, Sydney, and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld?source_news_article_id=105255&amp;ref=news_body_link" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gold_coasttile_0.png" /></a>

The queries from New Zealand have resulted on the Sammut Group has securing New Zealand buyer interest in its recent $110 million in conditional sales in its ultra-luxury Coast project after submitting a development application only four weeks ago.

More than half of the 43 beachfront apartments have been sold, ranging from $3.5 million to $9 million, including a buyer from New Zealand.

Bensons&nbsp;Property Group&rsquo;s Gold Coast landmark development,&nbsp;Chevron One, is set to become the first luxury tower on&nbsp;Chevron Island on the Gold Coast.

The tower will rise above the new arts and cultural precinct and deliver 236 one, two and three-bedroom apartments designed by international architects&nbsp;Marchese Partners.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

The report noted luxury apartment developments across Australia remained in high demand with overseas property seekers.&nbsp;

Views to new developments in the past quarter have increased 11 per cent compared to last year.&nbsp;

The most viewed new developments on realestate.com.au by overseas property seekers includes:

111 Castlereagh, 111 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=79424]

Sirius, 2-60 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 
The Aspire Residences, 299 King Street, Melbourne VIC 
443 Queen Street, 443 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 
Aspire, 51 Latham Street, Chermside QLD

The most-viewed development, 111 Castlereagh, a luxury development overlooking Hyde Park, was most popular with property seekers in the UK and US.

&quot;The longer borders remain closed, the greater potential there is for these overseas property seekers to choose to purchase in another country,&quot; Dallow noted.

The latest ABS data showed there were 36,190 short-term visitor arrivals in May in Australia, with 79% from New Zealand.&nbsp;

Property searches from New Zealand on realestate.com.au have surged 

New Zealanders showing heightened buying interest in luxury new Gold Coast apartments

The NSW Government has announced a collaboration to develop a world-first construction assurance tool to access a residential building&rsquo;s quality and compliance with construction standards.

The Building Assurance Solution (BAS) will bring together the products and designs certificates of compliance for each building to create a digital DNA that will establish a trustworthy rating for individual buildings, so they can be compared like-for-like.

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said developing this digital technology, in partnership with KPMG, NSW Fair Trading and the insurance industry, was part of the drive to transparency in lifting standards in the construction industry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100811 project_image_fid=162902]

&ldquo;We expect this to be a genuinely world-leading piece of work that will help measure the quality and insurability of buildings by identifying which buildings are trustworthy, from measuring compliance with design and construction standards to traceability of materials all the way back to the manufacturer.&rdquo; Mr Anderson said. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;With this information, aspiring homeowners will be able to make better decisions about what could be the most significant purchase in their life, before they buy.&rdquo; 
&nbsp; 
Mr Anderson said the BAS tool will allow the regulator to easily identify and respond to defective products and take action against the riskiest practitioners by knowing which buildings they have worked on. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;This tool will show us what products were used, who made them, what testing certifications are held and, who installed and certified building work. Practitioners who build and design in NSW will now have a digital fingerprint that will attach to every project they have worked on,&rdquo; Mr Anderson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30049 project_image_fid=162882] 
&nbsp; 
Mr Anderson said the tool will allow insurers, for the first time, to easily compare buildings so they can better price insurance for buildings and the practitioners who design and construct them.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The Buliding Assurance Solution, combined with the requirement for designers and builders to lodge their designs electronically and declare they comply with the building code, will help give insurers confidence to return to the market,&rdquo; Mr Anderson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7363 project_image_fid=166645]&nbsp; 
 
The minister advised KPMG will work with developers, including Mirvac, to demonstrate the application of the BAS tool to their new projects. 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Ultimately this tool will help establish NSW as the best place to run a trustworthy construction business, giving the cowboys nowhere to hide and consumers confidence &nbsp;they&rsquo;re buying an apartment that will stand the test of time,&rdquo; Mr Anderson said.

The BAS tool will give the cowboys nowhere to hide and consumers confidence, NSW state government minister Kevin Anderson said

Mirvac among Sydney developers steering apartment building purchasing to quality transparency

A local family has listed a 1.4 hectare site in the Fisherman&rsquo;s Bend precinct in Port Melbourne with industry expectations to fetch $30 million plus with interest tipped to come from &quot;the full suite of developers including local, national and international.&quot;

The property at 525 Graham Street, Port Melbourne is set to attract interest from the apartment developers, with the site&#39;s planning controls allowing for significant height and density to be achieved.

Located within the Wirraway precinct, the property is currently occupied by a large warehouse has been the longstanding base of Frank Walker&rsquo;s National Tiles.

It will provide the purchaser with holding income of $410,000 incl. GST plus outgoings during the development application period.

Savills agents Julian Heatherich, Benson Zhou and Clinton Baxter have been appointed to handle the sale.

<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic?source_news_article_id=105156&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/melb_cbd_tile_1.jpg" style="width: 720px; height: 480px;" /></a>

The Fishermans Bend Framework predicts that the precinct will support 80,000 new residents and 80,000 new jobs, with the population expected to grow by 1500% in the coming 20 years.

The Savills marketing notes the transformation of the urban renewal area is &quot;set to escalate in the coming years after some challenges since the precinct&rsquo;s initial rezoning in 2012.&quot;

Major investment by the state government will be underpinned by the transformation of General Motors Holden&rsquo;s former headquarters into a STEM employment hub supporting over 30,000 new jobs.

&ldquo;With the Fisherman Bend Infrastructure Contributions Plan set to be finalised in the near future, we&rsquo;re forecasting a real boost in development in Fisherman&rsquo;s Bend, particularly considering the current strength of the residential market, and the unrelenting demand for the city fringe&rdquo; Mr Heatherich said.

Current projects in the suburb include Port Lane at 201 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89720]

The Fishermans Bend Framework predicts that the precinct will support 80,000 new residents and 80,000 new jobs, with the population expected to grow by 1500% in the coming 20 years.

The property adjoins Goodman Group&rsquo;s recent retail project which features a full-line Woolworths supermarket and Dan Murphys, while on the opposite corner of Plummer Street, the Fisherman&rsquo;s Bend Secondary School is almost complete ready for the first round of enrolments in 2022.

&ldquo;The delivery of key amenity and infrastructure on the neighbouring sites unlocks the potential for quick development of the site&rdquo; said Mr Heatherich.

Mr Heatherich noted that an opportunity of this scale is rarely brought to market. The site has been held by the family for 34 years.

The 1.4 hectare site has been held by the family for 34 years 

$30 million Frank Walker's National Tiles apartment development site to test the waters at Fisherman’s Bend

The NAB chief economist Alan Oster tips the RBA will lift the cash rate to 2 percent by 2025 from the current 0.1 percent.

His forecast comes despite the official advisory from the central bank.

&quot;They are still saying that they don&#39;t expect to see, on their central forecasts, rate rises until 2024.

&quot;But if I&#39;m reading between the lines, I&#39;m saying they are opening themselves up, if the environment is sufficently strong, to start increasing rates in 2023.

&quot;Probably late in the back end of 2023,&quot; he told the NAB podcast last week.&nbsp;

&quot;And I would still say that when they go they will go fairly quickly.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3490 project_image_fid=92411]

&quot;So I would expect to see the first rate rise go from 10 basis points to 50 basis points and after that probably go 25 each quarter.&nbsp;

&quot;So within 12 to 18 months, I can see 2 percent compared to 0.1 percent at present.

&quot;But that is in 2025,&quot; he concluded.

Oster&#39;s comments were made before National Australia Bank&#39;s latest monthly survey found that business conditions slid 12 points to 24 in June and business confidence fell 9 points to 11 given increasing coronavirus cases and lockdowns saw business confidence and conditions pull back from record highs last month.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102256 project_image_fid=163757]

After this month&#39;s RBA meeting the RBA governor Philip Lowe advised it will not increase the cash rate until actual inflation is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per cent target range.

&quot;The bank&#39;s central scenario for the economy is that this condition will not be met before 2024,&quot; Dr Lowe said.

It had previously advised &ldquo;2024 at the earliest.&rdquo;

However the cash rate futures market for June 2023 rose to 0.53%, up from 0.44% prior to the RBA&rsquo;s meeting, indicating that the market expects rate hikes before 2024.

NAB's Alan Oster sees a rapid lift in interest rates by 2025 from the current 0.1%

NAB tips 2 percent cash rate by 2025

CFMG Capital has expanded its Queensland portfolio with the acquisition of a new development site at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast.

The acquisition adds to its project pipeline of projects worth more than $450 million.

The project pipeline is servicing the significant demand for vacant residential land located within inner-ring suburbs of major capital cities.

Set in the Northern growth corridor The Outlook at Yandina will be developed as a boutique residential community just 20 minutes from Coolum.
 
There will be 21 residential homesites with views through the leafy hillside towards the ocean. Lots will be priced from $330,000
 
The project is fully approved with construction due to commence in June.
 
The site, acquired off-market direct with the vendor, has a total on-completion value of $7.3 million.
 
CFMG Capital has also secured project sites at Burpengary and Bellmere elsewhere in the Northern growth corridor.
 
These strategic acquisitions together with other recently acquired project sites take the total project pipeline to more than 1,500 allotments.

Its Queensland sites are: Elevate, Ormeau Hills;
Middleton Park, Logan Reserve;
Lomandra Park, Bridgeman Downs;
Mayfair Lane, Rochedale;
Solander, Park Ridge;
Birchwood Estate, Park Ridge; and
The Outlook, Yandina.
 
The company operates two core divisions; a residential communities development business with a pipeline of more than 1,500 lots and a residential funds management business that has raised more than $100 million in third-party equity.
 
The acquisitions are funded through new capital raisings via the CFMG Land & Opportunity Fund
 
Over the last 12 months to fund has returned approximately $13 million to investors at the forecast rate of return per annum with many investors rolling their capital back into the fund. 

Since January 2021, new funds raised by the CFMG Land & Opportunity Fund have offered a targeted return ranging from 8.95% to 10.95%
 
CFMG Capital General Manager Andrew Thomson said the new sites provided a good opportunity to add new lots after with CFMG Capital having transacted $135 million in vacant land allotments in the last financial year.
 
Since the start of HomeBuilder in June last year, it secured more than 450 sales across its projects.
 
“We are now reaching the stage we need to replenish our pipeline, particularly in Queensland, to be ready for the next stage of growth.
 
“Migration to Queensland is approaching the best levels in years, which means strong demand for new house and land in high growth corridors.”
 
CFMG Capital has two residential subdivisions in Victoria, The Millstone, Melton South and Acacia Village, Wollert.

It also has a presence at Newcastle in New South Wales.
 

CFMG Capital has a pipeline of projects worth more than $450 million

CFMG offer $330,000 homesites at The Outlook at Yandina near Coolum

Housing markets have continued to strengthen, with prices rising in all major markets, the RBA has noted. Housing credit growth had also picked up, with strong demand from owner-occupiers, including first-home buyers.

The central bank noted there has also been increased borrowing by investors.

&quot;Given the environment of rising housing prices and low interest rates, the bank will be monitoring trends in housing borrowing carefully and it is important that lending standards are maintained.&quot;

The board indicated its remained committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions to support a return to full employment in Australia and inflation consistent with the target. &quot;It will not increase the cash rate until actual inflation is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per cent target range,&quot; the RBA governor Philip Lowe advised.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78490]

&quot;The bank&#39;s central scenario for the economy is that this condition will not be met before 2024.&quot; It had previously advised &ldquo;2024 at the earliest.&rdquo;

However cash rate futures for June 2023 rose to 0.53%, up from 0.44% prior to the RBA&rsquo;s meeting, indicating that the market expects rate hikes before 2024.

The statement noted the economic recovery in Australia is stronger than earlier expected and is forecast to continue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62315]

But despite the strong recovery in jobs and reports of labour shortages, inflation and wage outcomes remain subdued. &quot;While a pick-up in inflation and wages growth is expected, it is likely to be only gradual and modest.

&quot;In the central scenario, inflation in underlying terms is expected to be 1&frac12; per cent over 2021 and 2 per cent by mid 2023.

&quot;In the short term, CPI inflation is expected to rise temporarily to about 3&frac12; per cent over the year to the June quarter because of the reversal of some COVID-19-related price reductions a year ago.&quot;

Prices are rising in all major markets, the RBA noted

RBA reaffirms no cash rate rise until 2024 

Home loan credit issues were the second most complained about matter in complaints lodged with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in the past 12 months.&nbsp;

AFCA receives 70,000 financial complaints in 2020-21 with 9 percent (6300) on home loan credit matters.

Home loan issues stood at 13 percent of complaints in the prior financial year.

Overall complaints were down 12 per cent on 2019-20.

The most complained about money product was credit cards.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147572]

AFCA reviews consumer disputes with banks, insurers, super funds, investment firms and financial advisers.&nbsp;

It secured more than $240 million in compensation and refunds after consumers sought AFCA&rsquo;s help, as well as outcomes such as fee waivers, debt forgiveness and apologies.&nbsp;

AFCA has now helped to secure more than $610 million in compensation and refunds, and over $220 million in remediation payments, since starting operation on 1 November 2018.&nbsp;

Individual consumers and small businesses can also access the free ombudsman service.&nbsp;

A preliminary data snapshot as of June 30 also shows that nearly 70 per cent of the 70,000 cases were resolved by agreement after AFCA brought the parties together, and that nearly 60 per cent of cases were resolved within 60 days.&nbsp;

The most complained about product in 2020-21 was credit cards, accounting for 14 per cent of all complaints, followed by home loans (9 per cent) and personal transaction accounts (8 per cent).&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3459 project_image_fid=147571]

Home building insurance complaints rank among the top concerns.&nbsp;

With credit cards, the most common issues were default listings and unauthorised transactions &ndash; the latter accounting for 11 per cent of card complaints.&nbsp;

Government support, business relief measures and a steadying economy had a positive effect on complaint levels in 2020-21, including complaints involving financial difficulty, AFCA&rsquo;s Chief Ombudsman, David Locke said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Significantly, complaints involving financial difficulty were down nearly 40 per cent from the numbers we saw the previous year,&rdquo; Mr Locke said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a great outcome and reflects the positive response from government and industry to the impact of COVID.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5490 project_image_fid=78492]

&ldquo;However, it&rsquo;s too early to say we&rsquo;re out of the woods yet. It may be some months before we know the full impact of the end of government emergency support and assistance from financial firms such as deferred loan repayments.&quot;

Overall, complaints were down 12 per cent on 2019-20.

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is a non-government ombudsman service providing free, fair and independent help with financial disputes. 
&nbsp;

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) is a non-government ombudsman service providing free, fair and independent help with financial disputes.

Home loan complaints made to AFCA dip

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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