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The sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corporation (CIC) has secured Investa Property Group's portfolio of nine office towers.
It came after a knockout bid of more than $2.45 billion.
The Australian Financial Review described it as the biggest direct real estate transaction in Australian history.
It attracted more than 20 bids, nearly half of those came from Asia, including from China's biggest privately owned business, Fosun International Ltd. 
Bankers running the sale, Morgan Stanley and UBS AG secured bids from the United States and South Africa.
CIC and its partner LaSalle Investment Management, had been tipped as the consortium to win the battle for Investa.
China’s largest state investment fund bought 10 shopping centres in France and Belgium this month for about €1.3 billion, one of its biggest acquisitions in Europe along with affiliate AEW Europe.
Following the announcement of CIC’s acquisition of the Investa property portfolio, Colliers International have complied the charts below on Chinese investment in Australian commercial property.
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Chinese sovereign wealth fund buys Investa's nine office towers

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The home at 3 Harrington Ave, Warrawee, a five-bedroom, four bathroom new house, fetched $3.75 million at weekend auction through LJ Hooker Wahroonga agents Robert Ward and Lisa-Marie Cauchois
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/3-harrington-avenue-warrawee/Property-Details-buy-residential-9053456" target="_blank">It was a Meadowbank Home</a> which saw 350 groups turn up at its open for inspections of the home with 184 square metre living space.
There were eight registered bidders, who were mostly knocked out after bidding opening at $3.5 million, which was the price guidance.
The 934 square metre block last traded at $1.61 million by Meadowcorp Developments in late 2013.
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Meadowbank have been building homes since 1959 <a href="https://www.meadowbankhomes.com.au/content/wherewebuild" target="_blank">mostly on the upper north shore of Sydney</a>. 
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New Meadowbank Home in Warrawee fetches $3.75 million

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Tom Brinkworth, one of Australia's wealthiest graziers, is reportedly casting his eye over the country's largest land holder, S. Kidman &amp; Co.
Tom Brinkworth, who owns 100 rural properties across Australia for the production of cattle and sheep, has frequently been compared to the famous cattle king Sidney Kidman.
The S.Kidman &amp; Co business, which covers almost 11 million hectares of cattle stations – including the world's largest, Anna Creek in SA, was placed on the market in April this year with accounting firm EY.
The Australian Financial Review reported Tom Brinkworth would not be drawn on details, but had said the overall portfolio of properties may be too big for him.
"It would be a very big undertaking," he told the Financial Review whose Street Talk column say the Kidman company has enlisted independent corporate advisory firm Leadenhall to value the business after CBRE valued the properties.
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S Kidman is said to be worth at least $325 million.
Ernst and Young Adelaide is running the sale sending the information memorandum to prospective buyers last month.
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Meanwhile Macquarie Group's Paraway Pastoral and the Menagazzo family's Stanbroke Pastoral have both submitted bids for an entire portfolio of agricultural land owned by BG Group's Queensland Gas Company.
The 40 properties in Queensland's coal seam gas country, from west of Chinchilla to south-west of Dalby, is a  67,000-hectare portfolio offered on a long-term lease basis.  
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Tom Brinkworth eyes S. Kidman cattle empire

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The Belivah, Queensland home of the general manager of Plantation Homes Queensland, Paul Roots and his wife, Patricia, remains for sale.
It is in the Mt Tambourine hinterland precinct. 
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home is on 4.84 hectares of land. It has a home cinema, gym, sauna and swimming pool. Outside there is a barbque, teppanyaki grill and pizza oven. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-belivah-119544271" target="_blank">Angela Cholakos of Angela Cholakos Realty</a> initially held the listing with $1.68 million hopes.,which has been amended to $1.5 million plus.
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Plantation Homes Queensland boss lists at Belivah

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Patchdale, the Burradoo residence of veteran radio operative George Buschman and his wife Belinda has been listed for sale.
The four bedroom, four bathroom retreat sits on <a href="https://www.drewlindsay.com.au/?property=patchdale-buradoo-new" target="_blank">6200 square metres of landscaped grounds</a>.
The Boost Media executive chairman paid $2.85 million when it was bought from veteran finance commentator Bryan Frith and his wife Faye in 2008.
Drew Lindsay and Karl Zabel of Drew Lindsay Real Estate have given it an asking price of $3.5 million.
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Patchdale, Burradoo listed at $3.5 million

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Property developers have concerns local investors and home buyers could struggle to find finance for their off the plan purchases - bought over the past two years - but due now for settlement as banks toughen their lending criteria.  
"This is causing alarm across the industry," said Tim Brown, chief executive of the Mortgage and Financing Association told the Australian Financial Review. 
"Many of these are first-time buyers who will not be able to fulfil their finance obligation under the contract and will lose their deposit as many of the banks will not finance any investment loan over 80% and in some cases will not lend on investment at all," Tim Brown said. 
Having put down a 10% deposit, apartment buyers typically arrange finance for the rest as the apartment nears completion - now set to find that finance has become both more expensive and harder to secure.
Many lenders now require minimum 20% purchaser funding.  
Bank are under pressure from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Reserve Bank of Australia to cool investment book activity to growth of less than 10%.
An APRA spokesperson said its aim is to "reinforce sound lending practices by setting a threshold of 10 per cent growth in authorised deposit-taking institutions' lending portfolios over a 12-month period".
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Off the plan settlement finance tightening alarm after APRA clampdown

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Sydney and Melbourne clearance rates remain strong but continue to trend lower.
But CoreLogic RP Data note Brisbane’s auction market sits at the highest preliminary clearance rate since 2009. 
This week, Brisbane’s preliminary auction clearance rate was 66.0 per cent, compared to 60.2 per cent the previous week and just 44.7 per cent last year. So far, 17 Gold Coast auction results have been reported and the clearance rate for the region is 64.7 per cent. 
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Oaklands, an Ipswich home (below) sold for the first time in a century when <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-tivoli-120113625" target="_blank">100 Mt Crosby Rd </a>at Tivoli fetched $650,000 through Ray White Ipswich.
<img src="https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/0e38edc397d82bc5d745aff40a3e8195d3162e1e574449980e3d9907a0d82cb9/main.jpg" alt="100 Mount Crosby Road, Tivoli" title="100 Mount Crosby Road, Tivoli" data-index="0">
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Prior to this week, the year to date national clearance rate across the combined capital cities was 76.9 per cent, indicating that this week’s preliminary clearance rate of 77.7 per cent is performing above this level. This week, there were 1,998 auctions held across Australia’s capital cities, with 1,307 results reported so far.
Over the previous week, 1,827 residential auctions were held with a clearance rate of 75.4 per cent. In comparison, at the same time last year 67.9 per cent of the 1,705 auctions were sold, indicating the current auction conditions remain stronger than they were one year ago.
The preliminary clearance rate across Melbourne was recorded at 76.5 per cent this week across 638 auction results. There were 845 auctions held across the city this week, up from 759 last week when the final auction clearance rate was recorded at 76.0 per cent and similarly, higher than at the same time last year when there were 736 Melbourne auctions with 68.5 per cent of homes selling. This week, there were 3 sub regions which recorded a clearance rate above 80 per cent; Outer East at 89.0 per cent, North West at 82.5 per cent and North East at 82.2 per cent. The region with the highest volume of auctions this week was the Inner region (141).
For Sydney, the clearance rate across the city this week increased, up to 82.7 per cent from 79.7 per cent last week and 75.4 per cent at the same time last year. Across the city, 841 homes were taken to auction this week, more than last week (794) and significantly higher than one year ago, when 660 Sydney auctions were held. Since mid-August, Sydney’s auction clearance rate has been trending downwards, after the city has seen a record strong performance over the first six months of the year. Despite this, the clearance rate still remains stronger than any other capital city and there are still sub-regions across the city where the clearance rate remains above the 90 per cent mark including Ryde, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and City and Inner South.
There were 80 Adelaide auctions this week, with a clearance rate of 60.6 per cent across the 33 results reported so far. Last week, Adelaide’s final auction clearance rate was 64.3 per cent, while one year ago the city saw 60.3 per cent of homes taken to auction sell.
Across Perth, 10 auctions have been reported so far with a clearance rate of 80.0 per cent, compared to just 18.8 per cent last week and 50.0 per cent at the same time last year. Perth’s clearance rate is often subjected to highs and lows given the low volume of auctions across the city.
Canberra’s preliminary clearance rate was 80.0 per cent this week across 25 results. Last week, 82.1 per cent of Canberra auctions were successful, the second strongest result for the city so far this year.
So far this week, 4 Tasmanian auctions have been reported and of these reported results there has been 1 sale.
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Brisbane auction success rate on the rise, but Gold Coast even stronger: CoreLogic RP Data

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Strong auction results again this weekend, according to CoreLogic-RP Data. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caVr-pJicB0/VbQb_HcnQzI/AAAAAAAAXKk/JsLhEF8qZZI/s1600/RP1.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-caVr-pJicB0/VbQb_HcnQzI/AAAAAAAAXKk/JsLhEF8qZZI/s640/RP1.jpg" width="640" height="334"></a> 
<div>For Sydney the preliminary clearance rate across the city this week increased, rising to 82.7 per cent from 79.7 per cent last week and 75.4 per cent at the same time last year. </div>
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<div>Sydney's reported clearance rate remains stronger than that of any other capital city.</div>
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<div>There remain sub-regions across Sydney where the clearance rate remains above the 90 per cent mark.</div>
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<div>These include Ryde, the Eastern Suburbs, the Inner West, and the City and Inner South.</div>
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<div>Meanwhile, the Brisbane market continues to recover.</div>
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<div>This week the Brisbane preliminary auction clearance rate was 66.0 per cent, compared to 60.2 per cent the previous week and just 44.7 per cent last year.</div>
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<div>It's has been a long, slow recovery since 2010/11.</div>
 
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Brisbane auction market in recovery: Pete Wargent

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The Wentworth Courier quickly cottoned onto the mooted purchase in Woollahra by a then mystery Channel 7 Sunrise identity after Di Jones Woollahra sold a three-bedroom terrace for around $3.7 million at recent auction.
The View Street property had sold through Jane Schumann and Gary Sands who tipped offers around $3.5 million.
The 32-year-old, Sunrise EP Michael Pell has now emerged as having bought from designer Tim Dyroff, who'd spent perhaps close to $200,000 on renovations after buying it for $2,825,000 in May last year.
It had also sold for $3.03 million in 2005, having been built with 216 square metre living space in 2000.
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<div><img src="https://resources3.news.com.au/images/2015/07/26/1227457/591211-48a7ea72-333e-11e5-8361-c04dc8d2464e.jpg" alt="Sunrise EP Michael Pell's new abode in Woollahra." width="650" height="488"></div>
 Title Tattle suggests Michael Pell could perhaps assist Di Jones with doing something about their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HluZgHpaI4" target="_blank">underwhelming video promotion</a> for their property listings.
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Sunrise's Michael Pell buys $3.7 million Woollahra home 

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Gladstone buyers - home buyers and investors - have been told by the ANZ bank that they will need a 30% deposit given the property market remains quite volatile. 
Other towns reportedly where the higher deposit classification has changed include Roma, Miles, Chinchilla, Blackwater, Rolleston, Cracow and Dysart.
According to mortgage broker Greg Hill, the ANZ in particular has taken a conservative position in funding to towns like Gladstone, and many other smaller towns, "they have classified, for want of a better word, as mining towns."
"The ANZ don't stand alone as Gladstone does also appear on restricted postcode lists with a number of other lenders, and changing policies across the lenders brought on by this increased scrutiny of Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not simply limited to lending limits."
A borrower quoted by <a href="https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/gladstone-classed-mining-town-one-big-four/2716668/" target="_blank">the Gladstone Observer</a> in its extensive coverage noted only two of the four major banks were interested in borrowers with 20% deposits - National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank.
With house prices in Gladstone sitting at around $346,000, the average buyer would need a deposit of just over $100,000.
An ANZ spokesperson told the local paper the change reflected the localised downturn in Gladstone because it was dependent on the mining sector.
Gladstone Home Loans mortgage broker Peter Miller said Gladstone was not a mining town.
"Thousands of people work in industry. Gladstone is self-reliant, it doesn't need mining.
"Mackay is more of a mining town and it's not on the list."
In 2011 the central Queensland coastal town of Gladstone, 550 kilometres north of Brisbane, emerged as a property investment hotspot as vacancy rates tumbled in Gladstone, falling from 4.1% in March 2010 to just 1.4% in 2011, and rents have gone up for all categories of housing.
According to the July 2011 Herron Todd White report, “soaring rents [in Gladstone] are still attracting investors into the market, with very good yields currently available”.
“The Gladstone residential market continues to perform strongly with values still climbing, and heightened activity due to the announcement of major LNG projects in October 2010 and January 2011,” the report says.
“Modern properties are still in high demand and are obtaining the best yields, especially when furnished. There are still opportunities to make a profit in the construction of new dwellings, with end values generally exceeding the total of construction and land costs.”
The latest June 2015 vacancy rate data from the REIQ revealed regional Queensland struggles following the resources downturn but with the claim some of the hardest hit towns are entering a stabilisation phase.
"We can see those towns, where employment rates are stronger and opportunities are greater, that the rental market is recovering more quickly. The State Government has announced a range of regional infrastructure projects in its recent budget and these will doubtless impact on the vacancy rates in the coming quarters," REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.
The Gladstone vacancy rates sits at a high 5.2%.
 
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The REIQ classifies vacancy rates of 2.5% or below as tight and rates of 2.5% to 3.5% as healthy. Vacancy rates of 3.6 per cent or above is classed as a weak market. 
Banks periodically have flagged Queensland and Western Australian localities as ‘high risk’ due to their single industry basis. 
In 2011 the <a href="/news/qld/moranbah-and-port-hedland-unsustainable-single-industry-mining-boom-hotspots-westpac">suburbs they had placed on the list were</a>:
• Blackwater (4714)
• Moranbah (4744)
• Dysart (4745)
• Middlemount and May Downs in the Isaac region (4746)
And in Western Australia:
• Roebourne (including Karratha, Baynton, Bulgarra and Pegs Creek, 6714)
• Port Hedland (including South Hedland, 6721)
• East Pilbara (6753)
 
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Banks insisting on 30% deposit for property buyers in Gladstone and other Queensland mining towns

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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[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

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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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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