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There were three sales above $6 million reported to CoreLogic RP Data this week.
A waterfront four bedroom in Balmain East, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-balmain+east-119815671" target="_blank">5A Duke Place</a> (pictured above) is third on the list, selling on August 19 for $6 million.
 
17 Milson Road, Cremorne Point, NSW, 2090, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 22 by Belle Property Neutral Bay for $6.191 million
17 Marriott Parade, Glen Waverley, VIC, 3150, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 22 by Barry Plant Monash for $6 million
5A Duke Place, Balmain East, NSW, 2041, four-bedroom house, sold on August 19 by Cobden &amp; Hayson Balmain for $6 million
5 Mawson Street, Kew, VIC, 3101, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 22 by Jellis Craig Hawthorn for $4.695 million
58/18 College Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, three-bedroom unit, sold on August 21 by Laing Real Estate Elizabeth Bay for $4.6 million
903/13 Bayswater Road, Potts Point, NSW, 2011, three-bedroom unit, sold at auction on August 22 by L J Hooker Inner City for $4.55 million
33 Nelson Street, Gordon, NSW, 2072, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 22 by McConnell Bourn Lindfield for $4.34 million
100 Lewisham Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 22 by Marshall White Armadale for $3.51 million
23 Doris Hirst Place, West Pennant Hills, NSW, 2125, five-bedroom house, sold on August 21 by Louis Carr Real Estate Cherrybrook for $3.5 million
2 Ashley Street, Tamarama, NSW, 2026, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on August 20 by Phillips Pantzer Donnelley for $3.35 million
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Three sales made above $6 million: CoreLogic RP Data

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Curtis Pitt, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, supports an efficient fairer tax system.
In the submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics he said Queensland government policies offer significant advantages to owner-occupiers over investors and investors receive tax advantages through the income tax and transfer system.
The Queensland Government has promised to introduce a new planning bill into parliament by October 2015.
"It is anticipated the new planning system will reduce development costs by reducing complexity and duplication and providing greater certainty, both to the community and industry.
"This includes simplifying the state planning hierarchy from four state instruments to two; simplifying the rules for assessment decisions; better processes for plan making, removing step by step detail from the legislation, allowing local government to be more flexible and innovative in their processes and engagement; and replacing the planning provisions with more focused standard requirements for planning schemes, improving consistency and reducing complexity."
The new planning system promises to be more transparent by removing Ministerial discretion, enhancing public reporting and by ensuring that all publicly notified application continue to attract third party appeal rights.
"The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is currently undertaking a review of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan in concert with local government. A key focus of this plan will be ensuring sufficient sites are identified to ensure the supply of housing can expand to meet the needs of a growing population.
"The Queensland government has committed to establishing an independent statutory body Building Queensland, to provide the government with expert advice on infrastructure projects, based on rigorous business cases including cost-benefit analysis and assessment of community benefits.
"This should enable more efficient land use and reduce the costs of providing new housing and the associated economic and social infrastructure.
"The Queensland government has identified housing affordability as one of the priority issues for analysis by the new Queensland Productivity Commission. The issue will be added to the forward work program so that a comprehensive analysis of the Queensland-specific factors can be made."
The MP also encouraged the inquiry to look into Indigenous home ownership. 
"In Australia only 29% of Indigenous people owned their own home in 2008. Ownership rates for Indigenous people were significantly lower in remote and very remote areas (8%) than in major cities (38%)."
In the submission to the Inquiry into Home Ownership, Curtis Pitt has observed that home ownership in Queensland has decreased from approximately 70% in 1994-95 to 65% in 2011-12.
"Total dwelling approvals have increased significantly in Queensland in recent years. They have risen by 64% between December 2011 and April 2015. However this is still below the levels reached in 2007-08.
"In recent years Brisbane residential prices have not increased as strongly as other markets, with house prices in the last five years increasing on average less than inflation. Brisbane house prices have become relatively more affordable.
The Queensland Government asserted it will work with the Federal Government to implement policies, which will improve housing outcomes in Queensland. 
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Queensland policy favouring owner occupiers, investors

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Kel Richards, the veteran Macquarie Radio broadcaster, and wife Barbara have listed in Riverview.
Richards, best known for his insights into words, has been in their older style two storey house since paying $170,000 in pre-boom 1986.
Now with modern kitchen and bathrooms, the five bedroom home has been listed through Holgate First National Lane Cove agents Scott and Tina Henry.
They expect the 580 sqm Yallambee Road property, with pool, to fetch around $2 million at its <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-riverview-120527925" target="_blank">September 12 auction</a>.
It was built in 1927 and extended in the 1970s, with the marketing saying its interiors display a wonderful sense of elegance and charm.
The radio personality has also written a series of crime novels including The Case of the Vanishing Corpse, Death in Egypt and An Outbreak of Darkness. His ABC News Radio weekend Wordwatch segment ran until 2010. 
Kel Richards currently presents Sydney radio station 2CH's Sunday night program Sunday Night with Kel Richards.
This article first appeared in The Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Broadcaster Kel Richards lists Riverview home

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GUEST OBSERVER
The New South Wales State Government’s decision to disallow those with a pecuniary interest to vote on council matters is a good first step but more needs to be done to depoliticise council planning decisions. 
Any number of councillors could be considered to have ‘pecuniary interests’. In reality, who doesn’t have a pecuniary interest in decisions about development approvals in a local area? What about the councillors that are keen to stop growth and reduce the supply of housing and see their own property values rise on the back of this – is this not a pecuniary interest in a decision? 
To support the reversal of the Act amendment; Independent Hearings and Assessment Panels, made up of experts that are truly independent, should be engaged to review the decisions of planners within councils. 
The whole planning system needs to be depoliticised and quickly. Identifying pecuniary interest is so fraught we should consider leaving it to the experts,” he said. 
Councils spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually to employ urban planners to process approvals and prepare strategic development controls, and too often the decisions of these staff are overturned by councils that have a political agenda. 
The good thing about this debate is it could lead to sensible policy approaches. 
The most sensible approach is to let anyone that is a fit and proper person become a local councillor – including those with an understanding of real estate and planning controls – and take the politics out of planning by introducing independent panels to properly consider development applications. 
Only then will we get a fair system that looks after the communities’ long term interests and takes the politics out of planning.
 
Stephen Albin is chief executive of Urban Development Institute of Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://www.udia.com.au/index.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Let’s depoliticise council planning: UDIA's Stephen Albin

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Over 44 thousand Australians received home purchase assistance provided by state and territory governments between 2013-14, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Australians living in both remote and very remote areas also received some type of assistance, but the number of assisted households in those areas did not reach one thousand.
The table shows home purchase assistance provided to households, by remoteness, in 2013-14.
<a href="/images/2015/08/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-25%20at%2012.50.59%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-25%20at%2012.50.59%20PM.png" alt="" width="1504" height="590">
In the submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Inquiry into Home Ownership, AIHW also called the attention of the Committee to their online publication Housing Assistance in Australia.
"This presents information on related social housing programs as well as the First Home Owner Grant."
According to the publication, 393,844 households were in social housing in 2013-14, and the waiting lists for social housing remain long.
"Around 43,400 applicants in the community housing sector were waiting allocation to mainstream community housing as at 30 June 2014 (up from almost 36,700 in 2010). Across the three types of social housing, around 75,900 of these applicants were categorised as in greatest need."
The AIHW's annual report for the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection highlights that in 2013-14 2,588 clients were assessed as needing assistance to prevent foreclosures or for overdue mortgage.
"Of these clients 66% were provided with assistance to maintain their tenancies, 8% were referred to another agency for this assistance, and 26% were neither provided with, nor referred for, this assistance."
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare role is to develop and maintain national metadata standards. These are found in METeOR, Matadata electronic Online Repository, Australia’s repository for national metadata standards for health, community services and housing assistance information.
All data is collected by AIHW in collaboration with government and non-government stakeholders. AIHW also counts on other sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census and its household surveys, research undertaken by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, and others like First Home Owner Grant data.
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's House of Reps submission

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Australian banks are believed to have followed the same path of the global banking giants leading to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) of 2008. In order to avoid borrowers from losing their homes, the Banking and Finance Consumer's Support Association (BFCSA) urges a Royal Commission to be put in place.
"Our members have uncovered fraud, forgery and other criminal behaviour by bankers here in Australia.  
"BFCSA have found and reported the manipulation of valuations (in every case), Loan to Valuation ratios hyped up to 140% creating toxic lending activity by 17 members of an easily identifiable banking cartel. 
"Bankers deliberately approved large quantities of unverified, unaffordable mortgage loans to low income families and pensioners. Bankers ignored any known risks and failed to observe the fact that despite owning a home and debt free, the intended victim will lose everything. 
"Our nation’s elite of the banking sector suggest to regulators and parliament: 'most loans settle within 5 years'. These are 'intended 30 year interest-only loans. Customers believe they have 30 years where this system of buffer loans will work according to banker advice and strategies. The loans do not amicably 'settle'."
"People coming to BFCSA for help is proof enough of what is really taking place. Widespread bank bullying is an issue for another Inquiry." Denise Brailey, a criminologist specialising in white collar crime, wrote in the submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics Inquiry into Home Ownership, on behalf of BFCSA.
"The Banking and Finance Consumer Support Association is in fact the only known consumer group operating collectively and gathering data relating to mortgage lending and home ownership from a ‘grass roots’ perspective. Our members have evidence in their files (and ours) that show alarming patterns of bad bank lending practices. 
"BFCSA notes that 100% of all cases we have examined are infected with fraud. All loans uncovered are approved, despite the banks being cognisant of the true income as to centrelink payments etc. These loans were unaffordable from inception.  
"Only a cartel could engineer such a structure, strategy and policies in order to engage in unsafe practices from an economic point of view. Control fraud activities such as those warned against by Prof William K Black, cannot continue to be ignored as occurred in the USA and other nation states. 
"It is the banking cartel members in 2005 who boasted a $100 billion market in targeting 'ARIP’s'. Not only did this announcement expose an undesirable intention but rather is a key indicator that double the stated quota was reached. 
"We did not escape the GFC, but we did allow bankers to continue to sell unaffordable loans to vulnerable citizens. The borrowers were not buyers. They were hunted down in their homes. There is no integrity in the banking files we have uncovered. 
"A Royal Commissioner is desperately needed in Australia to ensure the 17 identifiable bankers are questioned with authority and compelled to answer tough but important questions. 
"We survey members from time to time and we can see alarming patterns emerge, along with key indicators of a crimogenic environment across all states and territories in Australia."
In the submission BFCSA also recommends:
<ul>
<li>Every customer must receive a Loan Application Form (“LAF”) copy at the point of signing. That a second copy of the LAF will also be sent to the customer after the approval. This should minimise the fraud and forgery. </li>
<li>Credit Card applications must also be copied and given to the customer. </li>
<li>Sub Prime loans must be taken off the market because they force up property prices and distort the market. </li>
<li>All commissions to bankers and banker staff be stopped immediately. That sellers are acting as agents of the Bank and this is made clear to the public. </li>
<li>That the practice of ramping up of property prices by misusing LVR’s ie 130% LVR lending, in the interest of the Australian housing market, be investigated by the AFP. </li>
<li>Lenders (as members of the Cartel) to be investigated regarding sub-prime lending as to interfering with Homeownership, to the detriment of existing home owners. </li>
</ul>
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Royal commission urged for banking industry

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The non-bank lender Homeloans has dropped owner occupied interest rates.
The cut, by up to 30 basis points, sees a reduced rate for the Homeloans FlexiChoice prime loan available for owner occupier loans from just 4.19% (comparison rate 4.54%). 
Homeloans also announced that it will waive establishment fees on standard loan applications, with legal and settlement fees and the cost of one valuation being covered by the non-bank, Ray Hair, Homeloans’ general manager of sales told Brokernews.com.au.
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Homeloans drops owner occupied interest rates

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Aspial Corporation has applied to build Brisbane's tallest residential tower.
The Singapore-based property developer wants to construct a 91-storey building at 30 Albert Street, near the Queen Street Mall.
The tower would cost $460 million to construct. The proposed multi-level residential tower comprises six levels of basement carparking; ground level lobby and retail space; 6-7 levels of podium carparking and commercial facilities; and 83 levels of residential tower. 
The Singapore-based developer is behind the tallest planned tower in the southern hemisphere, Australia 108 in Melbourne.
The 91-storey Cox Rayner-designed tower will rise 274 metres above sea level with 732 apartments.
Aspial Corporation chief executive Koh Wee Seng said the $460 million tower's proximity to the Queen Street Mall, the Queen's Wharf project and other city amenities differentiated it from other projects.
Koh Wee Seng said there was strong demand in Australia for high-quality apartments.
The proposal will be adjacent to Sunland Group’s Brisbane CBD development, the Abian Botanic Gardens development.
 
<img src="/images/2015/08/25/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-25%20at%209.00.14%20AM.png" alt="">
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Aspial seeks 91 storey Brisbane apartment block next to the Abian

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A narrow Bathurst Street, Hobart terrace has been sold after being listed at $520,000.
The two storey, two bedroom terrace sits on an 89 sq m block.
It comes with convict-laid bricks.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-hobart-120348601" target="_blank">The 1840s home </a>has fireplaces.
The Charlotte Peterswald agency had the offering after its Genevieve Lilley makeover.
"Responsible for the inspiration and design of the renovation to this Georgian residence is a prominent Sydney architect who has successfully combined the inherent character and charm of the era with modern amenities, creating this very desirable and exceptionally attractive residence," agent Debbie Heron said.
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1840s Hobart terrace offering sells after Sydney architect makeover

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A $450,000 Newtown studio apartment - sold pre-auction to an investor - was the weekend's cheapest Sydney sale.
Currently rented at $330 a week, it had a likely market rental of around $370, its McGrath selling agent Braden Walters suggested.
A 3.8% gross yield, maybe 4.2% if the rent goes up.
Beyond its secure heritage facade, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-studio-nsw-newtown-120295489" target="_blank">the second floor 31 sq m Enmore Road apartment</a> comes with shared rooftop terrace.
It last sold at $220,000 in 2003, reflecting six percent annual growth.
It was just one of seven weekend sales across Sydney at $500,000 or below with another passed in unsold at Auburn at $418,000.
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$450,000 Newtown studio the weekend's cheapest Sydney sale

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

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Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Jonathan Chancellor

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