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Mortgage broker Mortgage Choice has notched up a full-year net profit rise of 6% to $19.85 million.
The cash profit jumped 19% to $18.7 million.
The business wrote $12.2 billion in loan approvals, which is almost 20% higher on the prior year.
Its loan book rose to $47.4 billion.
Its network of mortgage brokers expanded, hitting 405 franchises and 549 loan writers.
Chief executive Michael Russell says it was the best result so far for the company.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Mortgage Choice takes loan book to $47 billion

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Nathan Tinkler’s mooted $120 million-plus sale to Middle East interests of his Patinack Farm horse racing empire has collapsed.
The retail billionaire Gerry Harvey has instead called in debts owed by Nathan Tinkler, taking control of Patinack Farm.
Mr Harvey intends to sell the horses as soon as in late September. <a href="https://www.2gb.com/article/gerry-harvey-discusses-nathan-tinkler#.U_aI2FZK6u4" target="_blank">He told Ross Greenwood on 2GB's Money News</a> that he had a charge over the assets.
"Tinkler was the stimulus package for the horse industry who probably dropped a couple of hundred million," Harvey suggested.
The properties are in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley and south-east Queensland, along with land outside Melbourne.
It includes a 3300 acre breeding facility at Sandy Hollow in the Hunter Valley, a 1000 acre training facility and stud at Canungra on the Gold Coast, and 950 acres of undeveloped horse country at Monegeetta, Victoria.
There's 560 horses for auction.
It has been described as being "the largest unreserved, private thoroughbred dispersal sale in Australian history," Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox told the Newcastle Herald. 
"Everything will be sold." 
Estimates place the amount of debt owed to Gerry Harvey's debt at up to $40 million, the Fairfax Media paper suggests.
The Middle East company Cibola Capital was based in the UAE.
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Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm horse studs for sale

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A Kangaroo Point, Brisbane penthouse is "under offer".
It was offered by the producer of a popular children’s television cartoon, Alan Jenner, who's moving his production company, Pen2Stage Productions, offshore to further pursue the Asian market.
 Pen2Stage has been responsible for productions including Spongebob Squarepants.
The views take in Story Bridge, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, along the city skyline to Southbank.
The two-level penthouse, at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/kangaroo-point/1170089/" style="line-height: 1.3em;">35/89 Lambert Street, Kangaroo Point</a>, is spread over 311 square metres with three bedrooms.
It was offered through Ray White New Farm agents Brandon Wortley and Peter McDonald.
It last traded at $1.7 million in 2011.
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Kangaroo Point, Brisbane trophy apartment under offer

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The historic Victorian childhood home of Ned Kelly has been listed for 20 September auction.
It comes with bluestone heritage listed cottage on a 3.5 acre block of land with a second Federation-style home which was built in the back yard since its last sale in 1999 at around $95,000.
Andrew Bellino and Rocco Di Battista, <a href="https://raywhitecraigieburn.com.au/vic/beveridge/1184770/" target="_blank">at Ray White Craigieburn</a>, have the offering at 44 Kelly Street Beveridge. Located 40 kms from Melbourne, it has long been on Ned Kelly historical trail on the way to Glenrowan.
He says the cottage remains in its original condition. It comes with features of minor architectural interest, including elegant iron grates and wood-grained ledged and braced doors.
The boyhood house of Ned Kelly was built by his father in 1859, four years after his birth. According to Heritage Victoria, his brothers, Jim and Dan, and sister, Kate, were probably born there.
The house was added to the Victorian Register of Historic Buildings in 1992 with its design unusual in Victoria showing the Irish heritage of its builder. The homestead is of cultural importance because it was the childhood home of Ned Kelly to 1863.
Historian Brad Webb says the Kelly homestead at Beveridge, Victoria, comprises a two room timber cottage built by Ned’s father John “Red” Kelly in January 1859.
"It was a typical Irish style of cottage with an earthen floor and drainage running between rooms. 
"The bluestone chimney dominated the house."
The agents decline to put a value on the offering, although Property Observer notes the street's highest acreage house has been $850,000.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
 
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Bushranger Ned Kelly's Beveridge childhood home listed

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Some 95 years after selling its first artwork in Melbourne, Leonard Joel, Melbourne's oldest auction house, will make its Sydney art auction debut this weekend.
It will be at its new Woollahra salesroom, part of the expansionary moves by managing director John Albrecht.
Albrecht says his leased Sydney premises at<a href="https://leonardjoel.com.au/public/files/files/LEONARD%20May%20Issue%2028%20LR%20Spread(1).pdf" target="_blank"> 39 Queen Street, Woollahra</a>, “retains the original character and atmosphere of a 19th-century auction room”.
<img src="/images/2014/08/22/leonard-joeal-aug-22-two.jpg" alt="">
Photo: (L-R) John Williams and John D'agata of Leonard Joel.
Its refurbished rooms in Sydney have two distinct gallery spaces and catering facilities, with exhibition space able to be hired out.
John D’agata, the head of the Sydney office, acknowledges that the precinct was "once the antique precinct of Sydney," but goes onto suggest Queen Street has now been transformed into the most vibrant collection of designer boutiques, fantastic cafes and eclectic homeware stores.
"Nonetheless the cultural heart of the street beats strongly with Leonard Joel Sydney at number 39, sitting squarely amongst it all," he said. <a href="https://sam.leonardjoel.com.au" target="_blank">The auction is on Sunday August 24</a>.
<img src="/images/2014/08/22/leonard-joeal-aug-22.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" alt="flagtitletat" width="25" height="34" style="font-size: 14px; margin: 5px; float: left;">The Sotheby's premium art auction-house bought last year on Queen Street, Woollahra spending $2.75 million on the former shop of the interior decorator, Ros Palmer.
 The purchase of the 200 square metres of retail space reversed the recent trend of Woollahra's Queen Street fast becoming fashion central as its Dickensian antique dealers departed.
Ms Palmer relocated to Launceston where she has an antiques shop in Longford, south of Launceston, called Parkview Antiques. 
Ros Palmer, who helped furnish the Lodge in Canberra, had initial $4 million plus hopes in 2010.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-woollahra-500616075" target="_blank">30 Queen Street premises </a>(pictured below) in Sydney's eastern suburbs sold through Bill Bridges and Meagan Pokorny of Ballard Property Group.
<img src="/images/2014/08/22/woollahra%20aug%2022%20one.jpg" alt="">
The Sotheby's syndicate bought it through Woollahra Land Investments, which is directed by the art division Sotheby's Australian chairman and vice chairman, Geoffrey Smith and Samuel Cullen.
Sotheby's has been renting elsewhere on Queen Street for decades. 
The shop was last traded at $2.2 million in 2000.
Shapiro Auctioneers are at 162 Queen Street, taking the space that had been with Phillips International Auctioneers and Valuers.
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Antique dealer Leonard Joel arrives on Queen Street, Woollahra

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The jubilant Minister for Family and Community Services, Gabrielle Upton, and Minister for Finance and Services, Dominic Perrottet, have announced the first sale of a government-owned heritage property at Millers Point sold at McGrath auction for $1,911,000 tonight.
The news of the sale price was broken on Twitter by 2GB, with bidding starting at $1 million.
The last public housing tenant paid $77.20 a week rent at the property which had revised price guidance of $1.3 million plus. It has water views over Walsh Bay.
An initial price guide of $1 million plus was suggested for the rundown four-bedroom heritage-listed home which has been vacant since early 2011.
“For every Millers Point property that is sold, we can build three modern properties that are more accessible and comfortable,” Upton said after the auction.
She said the sale was "a win" for the 58,000 households on the waiting list for public housing because it helps make the social housing system more sustainable and will help get new properties in the system sooner.”
But activists says that the minister who introduced the relocation policy, Pru Goward has thrice declined to commit all sale proceeds to public housing.
The first property to go under the hammer, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property/for-sale/house/nsw/millers-point/?adid=2011305320" target="_blank">119 Kent Street</a> (pictured above), received strong buyer interest with more than 200 groups inspecting the four bedroom, four level property in the first two weeks of its listing.
That was despite property inspections being strictly by appointment, with buyers teeing it up with the listing agent.
There were also more than 1,500 enquiries received through the real estate agent’s website and more than 50 pre-auction very bulky contracts were issued.
There are currently five other properties on the auction market - including through Di Jones Real Estate - as part of the government’s latest tranche of sales in the Millers Point precinct.
The original 30 or so who buyers who bought into the area over the past few years on 99-year leases are unimpressed that the latest offerings are being sold as freehold.
But it was concerns of activist tenants turning up to distrupt the auction, that there was the silly non-disclosure as to the location of the auction by the vendors, the state government.
Conditions of entry to the auction, drawn up by Government Property NSW and obtained by Fairfax Media, was intent on banning any form of video, audio or photography. 
All media outlets were to be denied entry.
Almost 600 public housing tenants will be relocated across 293 homes for the two years sales program, which has been described by critics as ''social cleansing''. Even the Pet Shop Boys during their recent visit tweeted their concern as to the relocation outcome.
There are about 220 terraces and 70 apartments.  
One of the properties is a four-bedroom 1840 Georgian house called Tarra, that has views of the Opera House from underneath the bridge.
The strict silly auction rules were reported by The SMH as including:
<ol>
<li>As the auction will be held on private property, McGrath reserves its rights.</li>
<li>Admittance to the auction is for bona fide buyers who are in a position to purchase the property on the night.</li>
<li>Due to restricted space, only pre-registrations will be accepted and only two people per group are permitted.</li>
<li>No press or media or other real estate agents will be permitted entry.</li>
<li>No video, audio or still photography will be permitted.</li>
<li>Individuals that cause disturbance on the night or during the auction process will be asked to leave or may be removed.</li>
<li>You will be asked to sign the above conditions of entry on the night.</li>
</ol>
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Vacated Millers Point four level terrace fetches $1,911,000 at private state government auction

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Strong residential sales contributed to Mirvac posting a strong profit for the year, up from $139 million to $447 million.
And Mirvac signalled plans to "accelerate releases and pushing price where appropriate." 
The property group secured $1.2 billion in residential pre-sales contracts and settled 2,482 residential lots. 
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Some 50% of Mirvac’s future expected revenue will be derived from apartments, the veteran apartment developer announced. 
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The Mirvac CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz described the year as “tremendously successful” on the profit release today.
"Our residential business performed well in FY14 with market conditions improving in key locations.
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"We acquired $248 million of residential development projects over the year, substantially restocking the development pipeline to provide long-term earnings benefits to the group. 
"All acquisitions were on-strategy and are expected to deliver a weighted average IRR of more than 18%.
"In addition to this, we completed seven englobo sales ahead of schedule, providing an opportunity for the redeployment of cash across the business." 
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Total revenue rose 26% to $1.982 billion for the year. Operating profit was $337.6 million.
Lloyd-Hurwitz said Mirvac achieved a 10.5% development return on invested capital at year end, ahead of its target of 10%, and "we substantially restocked our residential and commercial development pipeline to deliver future earnings”.
However the result suggested the strong sales and price momentum in 1H14 carried through at "slightly reduced" pace into 2H14.
"Further price growth expected, albeit at a more modest pace," it suggested though ncreased stock levels were insufficient to overcome national undersupply.
The report acknowledged high levels of activity from offshore buyers in select locations and product types.
"Demand volumes will continue to grow; driven by tight rental vacancy, population growth and strengthening economy."
The report suggested the residential recovery was "likely to extend beyond Sydney into other capital cities" as a result of population growth, sustained low interest rate environment and general undersupply nationally.
Mirvac said it was focussed on "developing and acquiring residential development projects in line with strategic mandates targeted to deliver gross margins of 18% to 22%."
 
Mirvac said the residential market was supported by strong financial fundamentals 
—  Modest credit growth does not indicate signs of overheating
—  Role of investors in the market is strong, although upgraders have grown by a greater proportion across all markets
—  Households have improved net debt positions significantly driven by increased savings.
 
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Mirvac joins the strong profit season for property developers

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Three Charterhill entities owe creditors a combined $11.5 million, according to the latest presentation of accounts.
The Adelaide-based group offered a range of services including SMSF advice, mortgage broking, real estate marketing, property management along with contract negotiation.
Charterhill Group entered insolvency in January, with many clients now caught in the wreckage of chartered accountant George Nowak’s empire.
Some related Charterhill entities are among the unsecured creditors, with about 110 clients having been caught up in the collapse having paid deposits for property purchases, previous reports suggested.
The three of the Charterhill companies have collected just the $25,000 in payments, according to their six-month presentation of accounts, The Advisor said.
The companies are under the control of the receiver, Michael Basedow of Pitcher Partners or under the control of the liquidator, Andrew Heard of Heard Phillips. 
The Charterhill Group operated as a “one-stop shop”, providing advice to clients on the establishment of self-managed superannuation funds, rollover of existing super funds into an SMSF, sourcing and purchase of investment properties, property management, insurance and taxation.
It companies included, Nova Real Estate — in administration; Lending Solutions International — in liquidation; EJ Property Developments (EJPD) (formerly known as Charterhill Group and Bentley Capital) — in receivership and Financial Wellness (trading as EZ Residential) — in receivership.
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Charterhill owes $11.5 million to creditors

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Sunland's annual $14.3 million net profit was up 5%, following a rise in residential sales.
The Queensland based developer reported 629 sales worth $389 million for 2013- 2014 which was up from 261 sales worth $128 million in the prior year.
Sunland's 629 sales were at an average price of $618,000. 
“There was a discernible shift in consumer sentiment during the second half of the financial year, contributing to increased sales across Sunland’s national portfolio, “ Sunland managing director Sahba Abedian said.
The developer secured $82 million worth of development sites across Australia with a development pipeline valued in excess of $3.2 billion.
This ­financial year it expects to launch nine projects with an end value of $1.3 billion.
Sunland, which made its name as the creators of Surfers Paradise’s landmark Q1 tower, flagged a $20 million net profit for 2015, so long as property market conditions remained unchanged, Sahba Abedian told The Australian.
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"Discernible shift" in consumer sentiment detected: Sunland

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The Barangaroo Delivery Authority has short-listed five Australian property companies to develop the two hectares of Sydney’s Central Barangaroo site. 
Mirvac Group, Grocon, Frasers Property Australia, Cbus Property and Lend Lease have been short-listed from 16 parties, according to a statement from the BDA. 
Central Barangaroo will be a mixed-use area between the financial quarter of Barangaroo South and Headland Park at its northern end.
There are the three development parcels.
The formal development bid process will now commence and the shortlisted companies will have options to submit bids that combine two or more parcels of land over two hectares of the five-hectare site.
“Central Barangaroo will be an active and diverse mixed-use area located between the financial quarter of Barangaroo South and the natural beauty of the Headland Park,” ­Barangaroo Delivery Authority chief executive John Tabart said.
Construction at Central Barangaroo is expected to start in mid-2016 and be completed in 2021.
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Developers line up for Central Barangaroo

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

mikah.m@urban.com.au

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8K0Bozug7A?si=Puwc6vx_ZO0qQZF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357510]

While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=336455]

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Joel Robinson

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370263]

The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367468]

Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367810]

The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367796]

AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370253]

As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Jonathan Chancellor

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