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The point where Meriton boss Harry Triguboff paused to smile in a 10 minute interview with Financial Review Sunday was when he spoke about interest rates and housing bubbles.
An advocate for further rate cuts until they encourage Australians to buy his high-rise apartments, Triguboff said there should be more confidence in Australia about cutting interest rate given the mining boom experience.
“If the mining boom didn’t create any great bubble in the prices of apartments then half a percent here or there [cut from the cash rate] definitely won’t cause a bubble either.
“So from that point of view we are very happy because we (Australia) now realise this,” said Triguboff.
Earlier in the interview, Triguboff said there was no boom in the housing market at the moment, nor does he want one.
“I don’t want a property boom. We are very far away from property boom. It’s not something we should worry about at this stage.”
Instead he said what was important was continuous growth in the building industry to support population growth.
“We can’t have start and stop in the building industry, we must build continuously.
“This has nothing to do with [the slowdown] in mining.
"Housing development must progress all the time and at faster rate,” he said.
Triguboff identified three things that were needed to stimulate the housing market to aid a sustained recovery.
He was once again critical of the RBA for not acting sooner to cut the cash rate, he highlighted the slowness of local councils to approve new developments as well as the actions of some building unions in parts of Queensland as standing in the way of a stronger residential building pick-up.
“Councils need to approve developments a lot quicker – they are a big bottle neck,” he said.
He said unions need to assist with production of new apartments in markets like the Gold Coast, which are weak.
Chinese investors continue to be the mainstay of Meriton apartment sales, though lower rates have resulted in some Australian buyers and investors coming back.
“We need rates to come down a lot more.
“Rates coming down so far have made it a lot cheaper to hold apartments and I am holding a lot more,’ he said, referring to Meriton stock of serviced apartments and apartments available for lease.
He also said the low rates environment and “rents creeping up” were making it more conducive for investors.
“Before they (investors) would have to pay 7.5% but now it’s 5% - that’s a big difference.
However, he says home buyers believe that the cost of renting and repaying a home loan is about the same, “so they are in no hurry to buy”.
"If prices start to continuously go up then more people will come, but prices have only now started to go up," he says.
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Further rate cuts won’t cause a housing bubble: Harry Triguboff

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The share market has outperformed the property market every year for the last 20 years, but has offered investors a roller-coaster ride.
Analysis of the performance of equities versus property by Rismark International for the Australian Financial Review shows that this outperformance was greatest in the mid to late 1990s  and in the five years preceding the GFC.
The All Ordinaries Accumulative Index (including dividends) returned nearly 24% per annum between February 2003 and December 2007 while Australian residential property accumulative indices (including capital growth and rental yields net of estimated holding and selling costs) returned 9.6% per annum.
Investing in zero risk 90 day government bank bill returned 5.88%.
However, since 2007 to the present, the share market has cost investors around 1% per annum with property performing a little better (3.7%) while 90 day bank bills would have returned 4.7% per annum.
Averaging out returns over 20 years show that the All Ordinaries Accumulative Index has returned around 9.91% per year over the past twenty years while residential property has returned 9.8%.
Holding funds in a zero risk 90 day government bank bill would have returned 5.5% per annum over this 20 year period.
The Rismark analysis shows that shares were impacted by event such as the dot.com shares bubble bursting, the rise of the bull market prior to the GFC resulting in a very high volatility rating with sharp rises and falls.
In comparison, the property market has grown relatively steadily with smaller dips following the GFC (with assistance provided to the housing market by generous first-home buyer incentives).
The research highlights that good investment portfolios are diversified between shares, property investments and cash deposits.
It also shows that holding just one investment propertyis not a good strategy.
Not only is it an illiquid investment, but according to Rismark’s head of research Matthew Hardman, individual properties have had much higher volatility than the overall housing market index “so the risk return proposition is not as good”.
A diversified residential property portfolio of around six properties offers a better risk-return proposition but is a far less liquid investment than shares, which though riskier, can more easily be sold in different quantities if cash is required.
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More liquid shares just outperform property over last 20 years - if you don’t mind the volatility: Rismark study

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Non-major bank lenders accounted for more than a quarter of home loans arranged by AFG mortgage brokers in July.
The latest AFG Mortgage Index shows that non-major lenders have increased their collective share of home loans from 20.7% in March to 26.4% in July - their highest proportion of the market since AFG began reporting this rend in 2010.
‘This figure may seem unexceptional by international standards. But in Australia more than 90% of all home loans are with only four lenders and their subsidiaries," says AFG's head of operations, Mark Hewitt.
"To be seeing competition at this level is encouraging because it offers greater choice and helps keep rates down, both of which are good news for borrowers.
"Non-major lenders have grown market share among borrowers looking to refinance and investors, while maintaining their stronger market share among first home buyers."
However, the first-home buyer market slumped further with AFG reporting that just 11.6% of home loans arranged by its brokers over July were for this segment compared with 12.8% last month and 17.3% a year ago.
Investors accounted for 35.9% of home loans arranged in July with 35.2% being refinanced mortgages.
In total, AFG processed over $3.4 billion of mortgages over July, up 25% over July 2012.
"July is traditionally a quieter month for mortgages than August, and last month’s strong figure reflects reports of active property markets over the winter," says Hewitt.
"However, there is no sign of overheating in the mortgage data.
"The average new home loan last month was $401,000, the same figure as last December.
Loan to value ratios (LVR) remain steady on 68%.
Fixed home loans comprised 29% of all home loans processed by AFG – just below the all time high of 30.7% recorded in April 2013.
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Major banks lose home loan market share as FHBs dwindle: AFG 

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Listed Gold Coast developer Sunland entered into a conditional agreement earlier this month to acquire the first mortgage over Maddison Estate, the flagship residential development of collapsed developer and funder manager LM Investment Management.
Sunland will pay $24.75 million to acquire two unrelated Suncorp mortgages, one over Maddison Estate in Pimpama and another over Brisbane residential development Waterline Estate at Redland Bay.
Waterline Estate is a residential community at Thornlands developed and managed by Queensland developer Heritage Pacific and forms part of its $8 million Waterline Trust.
LM Investment Management, which managed the fund behind Maddison Estate was placed in liquidation by creditors last week.
KordaMentha and its affiliate firm Calibre Capital were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/trustees-appointed-to-gold-coast-based-lm-managed-performance-fund/2013041560407">appointed joint trustees of the $350 million Gold Coast-based LM Managed Performance Fund</a> (LMPF) by the Queensland Supreme Court in mid-April.
The proposed $1.5 billion Maddison Estate project formed part of the LM Managed Performance Fund, which now in the hands of trustees David Winterbottom and Simon Vertullo of KordaMentha.
It is due to feature 1,500 homes.
In a statement Sunland said it intended to appoint the necessary advisers to realise the value of the loans over these developments.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that acquisition of the loans would allow for the two developments to proceed with managing director Sahba Abedian saying all possibilities were being reviewed.
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Sunland acquires first mortgage over LM Investment Management’s Maddison Estate 

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Mark Bouris has called for greater transparency in how banks advertise their mortgage rates while claiming the lowest “branch” variable rate of 4.98% through his Yellow Brick Road franchise.
Bouris says banks confuse borrowers by only advertising the discount rather than the actual rate as well as through honeymoon and introductory rate offerings, which revert back to higher variable rates when the introductory term ends.
Yellow Brick Road has begun phasing out its discount variable rate advertising in favour of “true rate” advertising in an effort to present consumers with the real rate that they will pay on their home loan. 
In a statement, the company said that discounting was "originally introduced as a privilege for private banking clients...now this discounting strategy has been adopted by the industry to the point that the discounts have become the stand alone feature in advertising, leaving consumers to dig for the actual interest rate that they will pay". 
“This is a smart strategy for lenders that want to bury their true rate, but it leaves consumers completely in the dark,” says Bouris.
“We’ve received that feedback from our customers and we are taking into account how discount advertising is affecting their borrowing decisions. That’s why we have changed our positioning and are taking the first step towards true rate advertising.”
The banks also have a policy of offering the biggest discounts for borrowers that take out loans of $500,000 or more as well as favouring new customers with bigger discounts.
Yellow Brick Road’s “rate smasher” home loan – a basic home loan - is available for loan amounts from $100,000 to $750,000 but does come with a hefty 30% minimum deposit requirement putting it out of reach of most first-home buyers and aimed squarely at investors or upgraders with equity in their homes.
For loans with more features, Yellow Brick Road’s Empower home loan range charges an interest rate of 5.19% for borrowers with a loan to value ratio of 80% or lower and 5.24% for borrowers that don’t have a 20% deposit.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/yellow_brick_road.jpg" width="470" height="497" alt="yellow_brick_road">
The cheapest advertised discounted rate of the major banks is <a href="/news">5.28% offered by NAB</a> – an 85 basis point discount off its standard variable rate - but requiring a minimum $500,000 borrowing and currently available for a limited time.
Bouris claims banks deliberately confuse customers and is calling for them to keep people “educated and informed” by being more transparent about the actual rate they pay.
Yellow Brick Road recorded a 9% rise in home loan settlements for the June quarter from its empower home loan – its best quarter in its history with a total mortgage book worth $1.79 billion.
The wealth management franchise recorded a $5.1 million net operating cash flow loss for the 12 months to June 30.
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Banks deliberately burying the true mortgage rate: Mark Bouris

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Australian households' financial comfort levels improved over the first six months of the year with empty nesters the most comfortable and single parents the least comfortable, according to the latest Household Financial Comfort Report from ME Bank. 
Overall, household financial comfort has increased by 4% to an index reading of 5.5 out of 10 - its highest level since the report was first established in October 2011. 
The index, based on a survey of 1,500 households, quantifies how comfortable Australians feel about their household financial situation as well as their expectations and confidence with respect to their finances on a scale of 1 (least comfortable) to 10 (most comfortable).
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/ME_BANK_SURVEY.jpg" alt="ME_BANK_SURVEY" width="470" height="175">
“The positive effects from a strong rise in share markets and to a lesser extent the Australian housing market over the past six months have boosted the value of direct investments and superannuation of most households,” says the ME Bank report. 
“Lower borrowing costs have also increased most households’ comfort with their debt burdens and boosted their cash savings. It has also improved their expectations for financial comfort during the next year and in the longer term their standard of living in retirement.” 
However, households remain cautious preferring less riskier investments and keen on saving while there has also been a rise in the proportion of borrowers putting extra money into their mortgage repayments. 
For the first time since the survey was undertaken in October 2011, savers (51%) outnumbered spenders (49%). 
“Households have preferred to pay back debt, with the number of households putting extra money into loan repayments increasing 6% to 56% in the six months to June, while investing in direct shares and bonds remained unchanged at 22% of households,” says Jeff Oughton, ME Bank’s consulting economist. 
“Overall, households’ are most worried about the cost of necessities (52% of households), level of savings and cash on hand (40%), their ability to maintain standard of living in retirement (32%), and the impact of the global economy on Australia (31%).” 
“As the Reserve Bank has continued to cut rates to stimulate the economy, Australians have continued to build a savings buffer and they remain financially cautious.” 
Empty nesters’ showed both the biggest increase in financial comfort over the past six months and the highest overall score of 5.96% - perhaps not surprising given that house prices are rising and interest rates are low. 
Apart from retirees (5% decline), all categories of households recorded an improvement in financial comfort. 
ME Bank attributes the deterioration in comfort of ‘retirees’ as largely reflecting the “negative impact of lower deposit rates on their investments given their relatively high and defensive exposure to bank deposits rather than growth assets such as shares and investment properties”.
“Unlike most other households, retirees have experienced little, if any benefit from lower borrowing rates given a lack of debt. Moreover, the vast majority of their wealth is somewhat illiquid equity in their owner-occupied home.
Perhaps a reflection of lower interest rates, the financial comfort of single parents increased by 8% over the six month period, though they remain the least financially comfortable demographic with a score of 4.89. 
Couples without any children have higher comfort ratings than those with children.
Birdhouse image courtesy of Nannette Turner /flickr.
 
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 Cashed-up empty nesters the most financially comfortable: ME Bank survey

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An unlicensed Melbourne conveyancer operating in Glen Waverley has agreed to stop operating her business and to return all money earned while providing these services.
Thorany Zhang operated HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic) without a conveyancer’s licence as required under the Conveyancers Act from August 2011 until in May 2013, when Consumer Affairs Victoria, became aware of information that she was unlicensed.
She has acknowledged she contravened the Conveyancers Act and Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) and has offered an undertaking to the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria.
She confirmed that HMT Conveyancing Services had stopped operating.
Zhang gave an undertaking to the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria that she would:
<ul>
<li>refrain from carrying on a conveyancing business until she is licensed</li>
<li>not advertise or promote herself (or any business she owns, controls or operates) as being licensed to carry on a conveyancing business until it is</li>
<li>within seven days of signing the undertaking, transfer any open conveyancing files to a licensed conveyancer and notify the relevant consumers of the transfer and contact information for the licensed conveyancer</li>
<li>return (within 14 days) all remuneration received for conveyancing work from August 2011 to July 2012 and December 2012 to January 2013</li>
<li>disburse (within seven days) all money held in the HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic) trust account to the appropriate people</li>
<li>notify the Acting Director (in writing) that she has complied with these undertakings</li>
<li>immediately notify the Acting Director (in writing) of any further complaints she receives about HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic).</li>
</ul>
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Unlicensed Melbourne conveyancer stops operating following Consumer Affairs action

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Former Dural mortgage broker Hee Seng Lee, 58, has pleaded guilty to six charges including making false statements and providing false documents to lenders to secure approvals for home loans totalling almost $7.5 million.
He is the third person in the last 12 months to plead guilty to charges brought by ASIC in relation to submitting fraudulent loan applications to lenders.
Five of the charges carry maximum penalties of either 5 years imprisonment or 10 years imprisonment. One carries a fine of up to $11,000 or two years imprisonment, or both Lee submitted the loan applications between April 2006 and March 2011. The 12 applications related to loans ranging from $160,000 to $1.5 million and included applications that were in his name. The false statements related to the income and/or employment of the applicant and the false documents included payslips, taxation returns and notices of assessment purportedly issued by the Australian Tax Office. At the time of the offences Lee was a director of A &amp; H Vision Mortgage Group Pty Ltd which traded as H Lee’s Finance Co and Loan Care &amp; Co.
ASIC cancelled A &amp; H Vision’s Australian Credit Licence on 3 January 2012. 
Lee appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court earlier this week and admitted to providing the applications and supporting documents to the lenders knowing they were false or misleading.
Lee also admitted to one charge of creating false documents.
Lee has been granted conditional bail with a sentence to be handed down in the Sydney District Court on 9 August  The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.
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Former Sydney mortgage broker pleads guilty to submitting false documents to support $7.5 million in home loan applications

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The federal government has announced that it will charge a 0.05% levy on bank deposits up to $250,000 from January 1 2016.
The levy will be charged to the banks - not savings account holders - but the banking industry has already indicated that costs will be passed on to bank customers.
The Australian Bankers Association hit out at the levy with chief executive Steven Munchenberg calling it “unnecessary” given that Australia has one of the safest banking systems in the world.
Munchenberg told ABC News there was a possibility the levy would be passed on to borrowers
“The problem will be that if we don’t pass it on to those customers with savings, then it will increase the funding costs of banks because we are largely funded through deposits,” he said.
The announcement of the levy was made by federal treasurer Chris Bowen, who said the money would go into a Financial Stability Fund to be used in the event of a bank collapse to protect mum and dad investors.
“It'll be quarantined from the rest of the Budget and just put aside in case there is ever a need with a bank getting into trouble in Australia - bank, a building society or a credit union,” Bowen told Channel Seven.
"It hasn't happened in Australia for quite a while, but we can't be complacent. The Reserve Bank, APRA, ASIC, have all suggested to us that this is a good idea."
It is forecast to raise $733 million in its first 18 months – the money will be counted as revenue in the budget.
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Banks may pass on new government deposit levy to mortgage holders

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Two of the biggest names in construction will disappear following the completion of the restructure of Lend Lease.
Abigroup and Baulderstone will now operate under the Lend Lease brand.
Abigroup, dates back more than 50 years when it was established as Abignano Pty Limited in 1961.
Baulderstone is one of Australia’s largest building and engineering companies and has an even longer history with its establishment dating back to 1926, It has built some of Australia’s most iconic buildings including the heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, Sydney's Anzac Bridge, Brisbane's Story Bridge, Melbourne's Etihad Stadium and Adelaide's Convention Centre.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/lend-lease-restructures-business-divisions-with-future-of-abigroup-and-baulderstone-brands-uncertain/2013061662317">In June, Lend Lease announced</a> that it would restructure its construction and infrastructure business with Abigroup and Baulderstone, plus its project management and construction and infrastructure services businesses, to be transformed into three sector-based business divisions - building, engineering and services.
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Abigroup and Baulderstone brand names disappear into restructured Lend Lease

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Larry Schlesinger

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