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The consumer watchdog proceedings in the Federal Court against best-selling property investment author Rick Otton and his business We Buy Houses for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law has had its initial directions hearing.
Otton is the author of How to Buy a House for a Dollar. 
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties, permanent injunctions, corrective advertising and costs against We Buy Houses and Otton. The ACCC is also seeking a disqualification order against Otton.
The ACCC claims Otton made representations to consumers that by attending seminars and boot camps they would be able to buy a house for $1, buy a house using little or none of their own money and build property portfolios without their own money invested and without new bank loans.
The seminars and boot camps range in cost from $2,997 to $17,000 for a mentoring program. 
The ACCC claims the strategies do not enable consumers to buy a house for $1 but rather involve consumers acting as middlemen to facilitate property transactions between third party sellers and third party buyers.
Otton had provided a statement defending his business and book.
“It seems that the ACCC thinks that the public are fools, that they will take the title literally and think that they only need a dollar to buy a house,” he said.
“It’s a sad day when the ACCC thinks the Australian public is that foolish that they don’t understand that the dollar is just the start of the process.”
ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement that the watchdog is concerned the strategies promoted by We Buy Houses and Otton “target vulnerable consumers who don’t qualify for bank loans or who are having difficulties meeting their mortgage repayments”.
Otton came under scrutiny in 2013 <a href="/news/wa/best-selling-property-investment-authors-wa-seminars-banned-department-of-commerce">when his seminars in Western Australia were banned by the Department of Commerce</a> on the basis of misleading advertising. 
The matter is listed for a case management hearing on 26 May.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

ACCC's Rick Otton disqualification pursuit underway in Federal Court

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Omaha Beach, one of the leading summer playgrounds for New Zealand's rich and famous, has secured a recent NZ$3 million (A$2.95 million) sale price, a record for the northern end of Omaha.
The concrete block and cedar, three bedroom, two bathroom retreat pad bought by an Auckland family through Bayleys agent Mark Macky.
He told the New Zealand Herald the record price was evidence prices on the seaside spit had bounced back from the global financial crisis.
Omaha Beach is one of the leading playgrounds for New Zealand's rich and famous including Prime Minister John Key, former Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, and one of New Zealand's wealthiest women, Diane Foreman - a popular area because it is less than an hour from Auckland.
James Wilson of Quotable Value noted the Auckland coastal holiday market showed signs of strengthening but the gains were modest compared to residential areas in Auckland.
The recent NZ$3 million sale price for the '<a href="https://www.newzealand.com/au/feature/new-zealand-bach/" target="_blank">bach</a>' in sand dunes at 39 The Southern Isle at the northern end of Omaha showed it is closing in on the flashier southern end where prices already top NZ$4 million (A$3.93 million), the paper reported.
Fringed by pohotukawa trees, the house was a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bayleys.co.nz/Listings/Auckland/Rodney/Omaha/1810451" target="_blank">stylish award winning Lindy Leuschke contemporary design</a> built in 2006 offering single level living some 20 paces though the dunes brings you to that spectacular white sandy beach.
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 New Zealand holiday homes shrug off global financial crisis

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Australia's biggest private rural landholding, which includes the world's largest cattle station, is up for sale by the pioneering pastoralist company, S. Kidman and Co. 
Eleven cattle stations covering more than 100,000 square kilometres are set to be offered next month with documentation through Ernst and Young Adelaide.
S. Kidman and Co. is 98% owned by members of the Kidman family, represented by 58 shareholdings. Not all wanted to sell, The Land reported, adding last financial year the company reported a net operating cashflow of $9.3 million and paid dividends of 20 cents a share. 
But it recorded a net after tax loss of $1.4m as herd numbers declined 15 per cent because of tough seasonal conditions to 182,350 head, and their livestock market value fell about $10 million to $97.4 million.
The cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman's first purchase was in 1886: Owen Springs south-west of Alice Springs.
The business still has cattle stations across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia. 
Anna Creek Station in South Australia's outback is the largest at 23,000 square kilometres. 
The other holdings include Helen Springs in the Northern Territory and Ruby Plains in Western Australia, Durham Downs, Durrie, Glengyle, Morney Plains, Naryilco and Rockybank in Queensland; Innamincka, Macumba and Tungali in South Australia where the company is headquartered.
"This is a world class asset of international significance," said Alex Thamm a rural valuer with Colliers International.
The managing director of S. Kidman and Co. Greg Campbell said family members decided to capitalise on current demand for quality Australian agricultural assets. 
The company employs 170 staff.
The business supplies 1.3% of Australia's boxed beef exports. 
The 11 properties currently have 155,000 branded cattle with 30,000 more calves to be marked this year.
The Kidman family has $364 million net worth, as ranked 37th on the BRW Rich Family List, spread across family groups based in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States.
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Cattle king Sidney Kidman descendants list Australia's largest private rural landholding

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First home buyers are increasingly turning to their families for financial help, National Australia Bank analysis shows.
It found that 6.7% of its first home buyers are now using the NAB Family Guarantee product to get on the property market ladder – up from 4.8% in 2010.
Customers in the Northern Territory and Tasmania accessed the NAB Family Guarantee the most, with 14.3% and 12.1% respectively of first home buyers taking up the offer in 2015.
The NAB Family Guarantee allows customers to use money, placed in a term deposit account, to support a fellow family member to buy, while allowing their family members to earn interest in a term deposit on the money they provided as security. NAB informs customers about the risks associated with acting as a guarantor.
NAB's family guarantee product allows family member to limit their exposure to a proportion of the loan, rather than the whole loan.
Family members' exposure was often around 20% of the loan, the point at which banks no longer require mortgage insurance.
“Our figures show this product is increasing in popularity because it allows parents to gain from their support for their child’s home loan,” NAB executive general manager consumer lending, Angus Gilfillan said.
The bulk of customers using the NAB Family Guarantee so far in the 2015 financial year were aged 20-29 (73%), but there was also a large portion were aged 30-39 (21%).
“Our data shows some customers are in their 30s or 40s when they buy their first home, while at the other end of the spectrum we have also seen 3% of first home buyers using the NAB Family Guarantee this year in their teens,” he said.
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First home buyers in their 30s still need parents help: NAB

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The No Land Tax Party candidate Peter Jones is ahead of the Liberal Party in the race for the final of 21 seats up for grabs in the NSW Legislative Council.
The Daily Telegraph report the Coalition on track to win nine, Labor seven, the Greens two and the Shooters and Fishers and Christian Democrats one each.
The final results should be declared on Friday with the veteran ABC election analyst Antony Green saying he was “confident” No Land Tax will take the 21st seat.
If No Land Tax does win a seat for the next eight years, it would leave the ­Coalition with 20 of 42 upper house seats. 
The party secured the prime Group A spot on the long Legislative Council ballot.
It secured about 80,000 upper house votes with 70% of the vote counted, representing about 2% of the overall vote. 
The party, which went close to imploding in the days before the 28 March election, owes money to a large number of the 3,600 people who worked by handing out how to vote cards on election day. 
The promised wage delivery had been revised, yet again, to be undertake this week.
"I profoundly apologise," party candidate Peter Jones told 2GB's Ben Fordham.
The No Land Tax Party was initially throught to be in battle with the Animal Justice Party for the 21st spot, with the election result feared set to be challenged.
Due to human error, the Animal Justice Party was left off about 19,000 iVote ballots in the early pre-poll voting.
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No Land Tax looms as NSW Upper House policy gadfly

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Glenray Park, the historic Yetholme homestead, has been listed by Mary Moody, one of Australia's leading horticulturalists and gardening authors.
Lovingly restored and cared for over her 20 year tenure, it was built near Bathurst by Mabel Walshaw in 1908.
It has been marketed as having stunning mature ornamental park-like garden surrounding the homestead which boasts the grandeur of historical homesteads with a surge of new age sustainable living. The five bedroom, two bathroom triple brick homestead has 14 foot ceilings, five fire places, and Oregon doors and trims.
Within the 20 acre property, there is a permanent mountain spring and Frying Pan creek water. There have been cattle run on the farm on the western slopes of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
The grounds have two irrigated propagation/shade houses for the professional market gardener and chook house and home vegetable garden. 
There's a 1920s dance hall once used for community dances and meetings could be transformed into a functions room or artists studio. 
<a href="https://raywhiteruralemmsmooney.com.au/nsw/yetholme/1276127/" target="_blank">Glenray Park</a>, at 61 Porters Lane, Yetholme, has been listed through Ray White Emms Mooney for 24 April auction through Patrick Bird and Sam D'Arcy. There are $700,000 plus expectations.
Yetholme is 20 minutes east of Bathurst and two hours drive from Sydney's CBD. 
<a href="https://www.marymoody.com.au" target="_blank">The gardening author</a> who trained as a journalist in the late 1960s at the Australian Women's Weekly was a long time presenter on Gardening Australia from her then Leura, Blue Mountains home. Her memoirs included Au Revoir, Last Tango in Toulouse, The Long Hot Summer and Sweet Surrender.
She has lead tours in France and the Himalayas and has written a book and made a film on a local rural French restaurant, Lunch with Madame Murat, for the SBS Network.
Glenray Park has been listed following the death of her partner, the film maker David Hannay in March 2014. It was 2001 when the couple relocated permanently to the Bathurst district after selling Villa Florence, their Katoomba cottage.
Moody is moving back to the mountains to be closer to family, but intends keeping a small block of land with an eco-cottage.
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Gardening author Mary Moody lists Glenray Park, her Bathurst market garden retreat 

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Hotelier Ben May has listed his Sydney northern beaches home with entertainment deck overlooking Bungan Beach.
After he bought the property in 2003, Clinton Murray designed the six bedroom beach Newport house on its 1,132 square metre holding.
The master bedrooms opens onto a roof terrace overlooking Mona Vale headland. There are gardens designed by Will Dangar that compliment the plentiful hardwoods, as well as a pool.
Agent Lachlan Elders, of LJ Hooker, Mona Vale has it <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/89-myola-road-newport/Property-Details-buy-residential-8575290" target="_blank">listed for 30 April auction</a>.
The hotelier, who has the Manly Wharf Bar and Paddington’s London Hotel, expects 89 Myola Road, Newport to fetch around $6.5 million.
The home was where the singer, Pink stayed on her 2012 tour with husband, motocross racer Carey Hart, and their daughter Willow.
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Hotelier Ben May lists Bungan Beach lookout

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Retailer Malcolm Webster and his wife, Eileen, have finally sold Merrilla, their 380 hectare rural holding near Goulburn.
It was once part of a 1,000-hectare Chisholm family estate.
With prime agricultural grazing land including 1,200 metres of the Wollondilly River frontage, complete with garden ha-ha wall, Merrilla had been marketed by Christies International as one of the finest heritage homesteads of Southern New South Wales. Although it did not get a mention in G. Nesta Griffiths 1952 bible, Some Southern Homes of New South Wales.
No sale price has been given by agents Ken Jacobs and Bruce Eason, but there were last known $5 million aspirations and Fairfax Media suggest $6 million plus was actually achieved.
The homestead, which includes six double bedrooms, dates in part from 1838 and was restored under the guidance of heritage architect Howard Tanner. 
The estate, which also features a guest lodge, a greenhouse, stables and pool, comes with lawns, a tennis court and an ornamental lake. 
It was first listed in 2007 with $7 million plus hopes by the Websters with a different acreage.
Merrilla last traded in 2002 when bought from publishing entrepreneur Deke Miskin.
Title Tattle first visited the property in 1995, ahead if it being sold by businessman Michael Darling who had paid $561,659 for the Chisholm family farm in 1984. 
One of the seven historic Chisholm family residences in the district, Merrilla had been sold by the Chisholms in 1957 for $162,000.
Architect Howard Tanner who undertook the extensive restoration and renovation over nine years for Darling.
Title Tattle recalls the names of former residents Edith and Alice Chisholm could be found etched in the front window pane.
And the lasting impression of the magnificent matching bunya trees.
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The Goulburn district farm, Merrilla finally sells

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The record-breaking Sydney weekend auction streak resumed after the Easter holidays with an initial 86.8% clearance rate reported this weekend. Melbourne auctions remained strong, recording a clearance rate in the high 70s.
Sometimes the Easter break triggers a change in energy, sometime upwards, sometimes downwards (as it did in 2014), but not this year in the major auction cities which have been both having schools holidays.
There were 525 Sydney auctions listed this weekend with another rise in numbers scheduled next weekend, before a pause in activity <a href="/expert-insights/buying/agents-ensure-anzac-day-auction-slim-pickings">for the centenary of the Anzac </a>landings at Gallipoli.
Abbotsford secured the top sale at $5,215,000, while there were nine auctions at Neutral Bay  followed by St Ives, Ryde and Wahroonga each with seven offerings, according to Australian Property Monitors.
These had been a record initial 87.5% election day auction success rate on the pre-Easter 28 March weekend as Sydney’s supercharged housing market hit eight weeks above 80%. The revised figure was 83.7%. The Easter weekend had just the 34 offerings.
There was a strong $1.28 million McGrath auction sale (below) of a Toongabbie development offering.
<img src="https://i3.au.reastatic.net/800x600/95b0ba13455400e6d1c3ec87240c68586b9973e93f35186015651ac9415b2624/main.jpg" alt="43 Cornelia Road, Toongabbie" title="43 Cornelia Road, Toongabbie" data-index="0">
The 1,552 square metre approved two lot Toongbabbie subdivision with existing three bedroom cottage had been marketed at $990,000 plus expectations.
The Abbotsford top seller had been held by the same family for six decades on the shores of the Hen and Chicken Bay. 
Selling agent Fayez Yammine of Devine Real Estate said the past record was set in February with a sale on St Albans Street at $4.9 million, well up on the suburb's CoreLogic RP Data $1.46 million median house price.
Melbourne had a 78% weekend success rate among the initial 540 REIV results.
The REIV was expecting about 670 auctions in 252 suburbs on the 11 April weekend across Melbourne.
The top Melbourne auction locations were Reservoir (11 auctions) and Mount Waverley (10 auctions), followed by Carnegie and South Yarra with seven auctions in each.
There were just the 44 auctions, mostly coastal, on the Easter weekend in Victoria.
On the busy 28 March pre-Easter weekend there was a Melbourne clearance rate of 79% on the initial 1,291 auctions reported to the REIV.
Auctions included a three-level warehouse residential conversion at 118 Victoria Street, Brunswick East, (top above) that been listed with adjusted expectations above $875,000. It fetched $917,500.
The open-air home comes with two bedrooms, industrial concrete floors, trussed ceilings, and infinity edge pool.
<a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/property-details-118-Victoria-Street-Brunswick-East/218699#.VRMrFDpMIzU" target="_blank">Jellis Craig agent Craig Shearn</a> had the scheduled auction.
It last sold at $614,000 in 2006 when Craig Shearn was quoting $500,000 to $550,000.
It had been the Youngs Motor Product premises.
The REIV reported the top sale was in Middle Park. <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/162-page-street-middle-park/Property-Details-buy-residential-8528338" target="_blank">Realestateview</a> indicates it was a 1915 single fronted terrace sold through Marshall White agents Oliver Bruce and Michael Paproth.
Top 5 Houses
162 Page St MIDDLE PARK $3,375,000 3 Edwin Rd TEMPLESTOWE $3,100,000 1 Nerolie Ct WANTIRNA SOUTH $2,210,000 259 Bridport ALBERT PARK $2,022,000 1/96 Campbell Rd HAWTHORN EAST $1,915,000
<div class="pd-content-line">Top 5 Bargain Houses</div>
3 Fuchsia Ct NEWCOMB $235,000 70 Cox Rd CORIO $237,000 19 Mortlake Av DALLAS $283,500 43 Filipi Dr ST ALBANS PARK $314,000 25 Wynnette Ct EPPING $325,000
Top 5 Flats/Apartments
23/156 Rose St FITZROY $1,400,000 80A Marriage Rd BRIGHTON EAST $1,175,000 1/8 Loddon St BOX HILL NORTH $1,170,000 33 Lilly St CLIFTON HILL $1,115,000 2/65 Park La MOUNT WAVERLEY $1,000,000
Top 5 Bargain Flats/Apartments
1/38 Balliang St SOUTH GEELONG $195,000 18/54 Balston St BALACLAVA $270,000 3/54 Cunningham St NORTHCOTE $290,000 21/81 Edinburgh St RICHMOND $300,500 6/5 Redan St ST KILDA $326,000
<a href="/news">Source: REIV </a>
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Only the slightest dip as Sydney and Melbourne auctions resume with energy after Easter

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The Kameruka Estate in the NSW Bega Valley is being re-offered for sale following a breakdown in sale negotiations over the past few months.
The estate was established in the 1850’s by Robert Tooth was was credited as Australia's oldest and grandest dairy estate when sold about 12 years ago after four generations in the same family.
It last traded at around $7 million in 2007 when bought by Giles W. Pritchard-Gordon Pty Ltd.
Like the great English agricultural estates on which it is based, Kameruka has a picturesque cricket ground and team.
In its heyday the vast estate was worked by a small army of tennant farmers and produced the famous Kameruka cheese.
Chris Meares from Meares &amp; Associates said the estate was for back for sale as a whole - 1,357.32 hectares – 3,353.9 acres or in three lots.
<table style="width: 460px;">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Farm
</td>
<td>
Area in hectares (hecatres)
</td>
<td>
<img src="file:///page1image12064" alt="page1image12064" width="0.480000" height="0.480000">Area in acres (acres)
</td>
<td>
Subdivision approvals
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Home Farm (including Haldon Hill)
</td>
<td>
568.62 hectares
</td>
<td>
<img src="file:///page1image18096" alt="page1image18096" width="1.320000" height="1.320000">1,405 acres
</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Riverview
</td>
<td>
<img src="file:///page1image21544" alt="page1image21544" width="0.480000" height="0.480000">289.7 hevtares
<img src="file:///page1image22512" alt="page1image22512" width="0.480000" height="0.480000">
</td>
<td>
716 acres
</td>
<td>
15
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
Buckhurst (including Madeline)
</td>
<td>
499 hectares
</td>
<td>
1,233 acres
</td>
<td>
17
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Kameruka has an Angus breeding herd of 480 cows and 2,750 Merino wethers depastured for wool production.
“The sale should gross $9 million to $9.5 million," he said with Kameruka homestead expected to sell in a range of $5.5 million to $5.75 million, Buckhurst $2 million to 2.5 million and Riverview $1.5 million to $1.75 million.
Tenders close 21 May.
<a href="/news/bega-valley-dairy-estate-listed-by-british-owners">It was offered for sale last October</a> through Chris Meares who had negotiated the 2007 sale when it was bought by the British shipping magnate Giles Pritchard-Gordon and his wife, Lou, from Frank Foster, a descendent of brewery baron Robert Tooth.
Pritchard-Gordon, whose interests spanned farms and horse-breeding in Britain, the US and Australia, died in 2011 with the farm run from England by his widow and her four daughters.
Kameruka is an aboriginal word meaning “wait until I return".
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Kameruka Estate back on market in Bega Valley

A trio of Queensland property groups have unveiled plans for a $300 million mixed-use redevelopment of the former Noosa Bowls Club site, a proposal that would deliver more than 200 new homes in one of the Sunshine Coast's most supply-constrained markets.

Kilter Property, Frank Developments and Calile Malouf Investments are behind the plans for the 1.8-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-noosa-drive-noosa-heads-qld-4567">99 Noosa Drive</a>, which would transform the long-vacant site into a new residential precinct featuring 208 apartments, retail, hospitality and public space.

The proposal comes as Noosa continues to grapple with housing affordability and a shortage of permanent accommodation, particularly for key workers. The site's location in Noosa Junction, close to shops, public transport and employment, aligns with the direction of Noosa Council's Housing Strategy, which encourages higher-density housing within established activity centres rather than continued urban expansion.

The draft plans include 48 affordable-by-design apartments and 48 rooming accommodation units aimed at key workers. Around 2,000 sqm of ground-floor retail and food and beverage space would activate the street frontage, alongside a new public town square and landscaped open space.

<img alt="Noosa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2dd02f53-1360-4e51-801e-bfd61a6c980e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.44.34%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=x1iNs3BSMN6Jy7YUwaBZMHRrrKX2hMpy" />

&nbsp;

Frank Developments Founder and Director Frank Licastro said the development would continue the company's focus on architecturally-led residential projects while addressing one of the region's biggest challenges.

"Not only will this project exude a sense of luxury, it will also enhance not only the built environment but also the surrounding community," Licastro said.

"Noosa's success relies on the people who live and work here. Providing well-designed accommodation for key workers is critical to supporting the local economy and ensuring the Shire can continue to thrive."

Kilter Property Co-Founder Huw Williams said the focus was on delivering additional permanent housing while creating a mixed-use destination that benefits both residents and the wider community.

"Our focus is on delivering a well-considered mixed-use project that provides more permanent housing options, supports local workers and businesses, and delivers an exceptional product for the local market," Williams said.

"The redevelopment vision aligns with the long-term evolution of Noosa Junction as a vibrant activity centre, creating a destination that enhances the area's character while delivering significant economic and community benefits."

Calile Malouf Investments, best known for its role in Brisbane's James Street precinct and The Calile Hotel, will bring its place-making experience to the project. The company recently commenced construction on The Calile Noosa hotel and says the residential development will complement its growing investment in the region.

CMI Director Cal Malouf said the aim was to create a walkable precinct combining housing, retail and hospitality while remaining true to Noosa's character.

"We see a similar opportunity in Noosa to deliver a vibrant, walkable destination that combines exceptional housing, hospitality and retail in one integrated project," Malouf said.

Brisbane-based Cavill Architects has been appointed to design the project.

Joel Robinson

Noosa Bowls Club to be redeveloped into mixed-use apartment precinct

One of Brisbane's last major riverfront redevelopment opportunities has taken a significant step forward, with Lendlease selected as the Queensland Government's preferred development partner for the former Visy site in South Brisbane.

The seven-hectare industrial site, positioned between South Bank and West End and 1.3 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, will be transformed into a mixed-use precinct expected to deliver more than 4,000 new homes alongside extensive public open space and riverfront parkland.

The project is one of the largest urban renewal opportunities currently planned in Brisbane and is expected to play a key role in accommodating the city's growing population ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Plans for the precinct include a network of riverfront promenades and boardwalks, new public plazas, parkland, amphitheatre-style gathering spaces and shared pedestrian and cycling links designed to reconnect the long-isolated site with the Brisbane River.

The Queensland Government is targeting delivery of the first homes and key public spaces before the 2032 Games, allowing the precinct to begin contributing new housing and public amenity well before the broader masterplan is complete.

The redevelopment is also expected to support more than 3,000 jobs across planning, construction and ongoing operations.

For Lendlease, the appointment adds another major urban regeneration project to its Queensland portfolio. The developer has operated in the state for more than 70 years and has delivered a number of large-scale mixed-use precincts in partnership with government.

Lendlease Development CEO Claire Johnston said the project represented one of Brisbane's most significant redevelopment opportunities.

"The transformation of the former Visy site represents a rare opportunity to reimagine one of Brisbane's most significant riverfront locations, deliver thousands of much-needed homes, and create long-term legacy," Johnston said.

"In partnership with the Queensland Government, we have the opportunity to create a new riverside destination that will help shape Brisbane's growth and how people experience the city for decades to come.

"This is exactly the type of large-scale, city-shaping development that will provide lasting benefits for Queensland, bringing together housing, jobs and world-class public spaces."

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the riverfront transformation would deliver a thriving new community precinct.

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering this golden opportunity to unlock a riverfront jewel for all Queenslanders,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation moment to reshape a significant slice of Brisbane and deliver lasting benefits – thousands of new homes, and public spaces for all Queenslanders to enjoy well beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – unlike Labor’s plan which would have delivered zero benefits and zero new homes.

“Queensland is well and truly open for business and through partnership with the private sector, we are accelerating delivery while ensuring strong housing, community and economic outcomes."

Early works on the precinct are expected to commence in April 2027.

Lendlease selected to deliver transformative South Brisbane riverfront precinct

Eddy Haddad's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> is levelling up its approved Wollongong development, as the coastal city south of Sydney continues to prove popular in the high-density development space.

Level 33, a longtime developer in the Wollongong area, has gone through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority to upsize its approved two-tower development on the corner of Crown Street and Gladstone Avenue, just 100 metres from Wollongong Station.

The developer currently has approval for 252 apartments across two buildings rising to 19 storeys. It is now seeking approval for 33 and 38-storey towers that would deliver 467 apartments, including 67 affordable homes.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bka-architecture">BKA Architecture</a>, the development would comprise apartments above a three-level podium with around 1,100 sqm of retail space, along with basement parking for 448 vehicles.

According to the Urban Design Report by BKA, the proposal has the capacity to "reinforce the precinct's identity by strengthening links between health, education, and transport services, while also contributing to Wollongong's ongoing evolution as a key regional centre."

Wollongong is somewhat in vogue. Between Level 33 and Urban Property Group, the two developers have several thousand apartments planned across the city.

Level 33 is currently delivering Easterly Wollongong, one of its most boutique projects to date with just 21 high-end apartments, as well as Atchison &amp; Kenny, a 329-apartment development due for completion later this year.

The developer plans to redevelop the 13,088 sqm WIN Grand megasite into <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crown-square-216-238-keira-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Crown Square</a>, a new $500 million precinct with nearly 600 apartments. It also has more than 900 apartments planned for the former Bunnings Warehouse site at the intersection of Gipps and Flinders streets.

Urban Property Group is also playing a major role in the city's transformation. Its five-tower Keira Place precinct will deliver more than 800 homes, and it has recently lodged plans for a further 300 apartments near Wollongong Station.

First look: Level 33 upsizes Wollongong apartment towers

Just a week after filing plans for the final stage of its major Keira Place masterplan, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has unveiled another significant housing proposal in Wollongong, this time targeting a prominent site opposite North Wollongong Station.

The developer has lodged a State Significant Development Application for a 38-storey mixed-use tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-4a-flinders-street-north-wollongong-nsw-2500">4-4A Flinders Street</a>, around one kilometre north of the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place precinct</a> currently taking shape on the edge of the CBD.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b6428f1-6405-4038-8476-897de440e90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium.png?VersionId=QLqEvK0OuCEwRC47oHNftrw2B1YqaHF8" />

Designed by Studio.SC, the proposal comprises a 38-storey mixed-use development containing 303 apartments, including 45 affordable housing units, alongside 174 co-living residences. The scheme also includes ground-floor retail space, extensive landscaping and public domain improvements.

Studio.SC noted in the proposal it "outlines a vision for a landmark transit-oriented mixed-use development centred around North Wollongong Station, designed to support the city’s future growth while responding to the NSW Government’s housing and planning reforms."

The architecture firm said the proposal responds to the opportunities and constraints shaping future growth within the 400-metre catchment of the station and represents "a coordinated and future-focused approach to urban intensification, contributing to the long-term evolution of North Wollongong as a connected, walkable and high-density station precinct."

The site occupies a strategic corner bounded by Flinders Street, Station Street, Stafford Street and the Princes Highway, directly opposite North Wollongong Station.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 38-storey North Wollongong tower as Keira Place expansion gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7863adad-1f71-4022-b850-f44b252738fd" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/flinders%20podium%20a.png?VersionId=WsU7av0g8_8R2tGHWxgHeFSlhu7yeY1V" />

The proposal follows Urban Property Group's recent submission for the second and final stage of Keira Place, which would deliver a further three buildings comprising 657 homes opposite Beaton Park. It builds on the first stage, which features 150 apartments across two towers and recently commenced construction.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said breaking ground on the first stage marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/urban-property-group-unveils-trio-of-towers-for-next-stage-of-new-wollongong-precinct-keira-place">Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place</a>

First look: Urban Property Group plans next major Wollongong tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/arada">Arada Australia</a> has wasted little time expanding its ambitions in Campsie, lodging plans for a second major project in the rapidly transforming town centre just months after unveiling its three-tower One Campsie proposal on Beamish Street.

The UAE-backed developer has now taken aim at one of the suburb’s most strategically positioned sites, filing a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/10-north-parade-campsie-nsw-2194">33-storey mixed-use tower</a> at 10 London Street and 43 North Parade, directly opposite the future Campsie Metro Station. The proposal is currently on public exhibition and represents another significant vote of confidence in Campsie's emergence as one of Sydney’s key transit-oriented growth centres.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the development would deliver 156 apartments above a podium containing retail and commercial space, creating a new residential and commercial gateway to the town centre. The scheme also includes a four-level above-ground parking podium and a dedicated residential amenity floor featuring wellness and recreation facilities. At least 10 per cent of the apartments would be allocated as affordable housing for a period of 10 years.

The proposal occupies a 1,631 sqm site bounded by London Street, North Parade and Dispensary Lane, immediately adjoining the future Metro station precinct and just metres from Beamish Street’s retail and dining strip. According to the Urban Design Report, the project seeks to deliver "a great place that prioritises human-scaled experience and provides spatial improvements to the area."

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="175a8324-015b-4856-abe3-ce6f23199fa7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium%20campsie.png?VersionId=742UGwXFhFBX4GEl6wX4PYIWREAgn6il" />

Woods Bagot describes the tower as a key marker within Campsie's next phase of growth.

"Located directly opposite the new Campsie Metro Station on North Parade, 10 London Street is a thoughtfully composed 33-storey mixed-use tower that contributes to the ongoing transformation of the town centre," the Architectural Design Report states. The report says the project is intended to provide "high-quality homes within a vibrant, connected urban environment, while helping define Campsie's future skyline."

A strong emphasis has been placed on the public realm. The ground floor incorporates over 500 sqm of retail space and active frontages along both London Street and North Parade, while the podium is wrapped by extensive landscaped planting intended to soften the building's scale and strengthen the pedestrian experience. The development would also widen surrounding footpaths and improve connections between the Metro station and the broader town centre.

Above the podium, residents would have access to more than 1,400 sqm of communal amenities, including a pool, gym and landscaped recreation spaces. A distinctive green-wall treatment extending across four podium levels forms a major architectural feature, helping differentiate the project within the emerging high-density precinct.

The tower's design is closely tied to the broader Campsie Town Centre Master Plan and the arrival of Sydney Metro. The Urban Design Report notes the proposal "directly supports the Campsie Town Centre Master Plan by delivering new homes in a location explicitly identified for growth, improved accessibility, and high-quality urban renewal." It adds that the project contributes to the master plan's vision for a strengthened town centre supported by thousands of new homes around the future Metro station.

<img alt="First look: Arada doubles down in Campsie with 33-storey Metro-front tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bfd17654-253e-489a-bade-6278d63db412" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/base%20campsie.png?VersionId=3roJPMQGs36dazpkhvpvbDDP73Ld.Ica" />

The application follows Arada Australia's recently lodged One Campsie project at 124–142 Beamish Street and 16–18 Ninth Avenue, where the developer is seeking approval for 346 apartments across three towers rising 24, 32 and 39 storeys. Together, the two proposals would cement Arada Australia as one of the most influential developers shaping Campsie's future urban form.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-arada-files-for-trio-of-apartment-towers-in-campsie-town-centre">First Look: Arada Australia files for trio of apartment towers in Campsie town centre</a>

Arada Australia entered the Australian market in 2024 and has rapidly assembled a significant development pipeline across Sydney. Alongside its Campsie holdings, the developer is soon to launch <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wattle-green-2-fishburn-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Wattle Green</a> in Castle Hill, and has expanded its local operations following its acquisition of construction firm Roberts &amp; Co.

Located around 14 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD, the site sits at the centre of one of Sydney's fastest-changing middle-ring precincts. The Metro conversion of Campsie Station, combined with Canterbury-Bankstown Council's master planning framework, is driving significant residential intensification around Beamish Street and North Parade, with thousands of new homes expected over coming decades.

Jonathan Chancellor

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