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Property Observer recently reported that the Australian Tax Office will write to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/ato-to-write-to-110000-rental-property-owners-over-incorrect-rent-deductions/2013061262175" target="_blank">110,000 property investors</a> over concerns they may have claimed rental property deductions they were not entitled to claim.
The ATO now has sophisticated data-mining tools that pick up inconsistencies in tax returns compared with previous years,
With around two-thirds of property investors negatively gearing their rental properties, knowing what you can claim is vital.
These are seven allowable rental property deductions:
1. Claim straightaway for interests on loans
Some expenses may be immediately deductible in the income year in which they are incurred. For example, you may be able to claim an immediate deduction for interest on a loan used to purchase a rental property, purchase land to build a rental property, purchase a depreciating asset for the property - such as an air conditioner; or to finance renovations or home improvements, like a deck.
2. Claim straightaway for depreciating assets 
Deductions can be claimed in the income year in which they are incurred for the decline in value of some types of depreciating assets in residential rental properties - for example, curtains, blinds, dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, television sets and hot water systems. However, construction costs are not depreciating assets
 3. Claim straightaway for costs to repair and maintain your rental property
You can claim a deduction for the costs that you pay to repair and maintain your rental property. For example, replacing part of the guttering or windows damaged in a storm; replacing part of a fence damaged by a falling tree branch; or repairing an electrical appliance.
4. Claim straightaway for tenancy costs
Tenancy costs such as the preparation of a lease agreement, or costs associated with evicting a tenant are also immediately deductible expenses.
5. Claim deductions over a number of years for assets that are part of the property
You can claim some deductions over a number of years, including the cost of depreciating assets, structural improvements and most borrowing costs. Assets that are part of the property such as stoves, refrigerators, air-conditioning and hot water systems can be claimed over a number of years as a 'decline in value' deduction.
6. Claim deductions over a number of years for assets on construction costs
 You may also be able to claim over a number of years the cost of building, construction and structural improvements made by you or a previous owner as a capital works deduction, for example adding a room or constructing a retaining wall or fence.
7. Claim deductions over a number of years on stamp duty and other fees
Another example of expenses that need to be claimed over a number of years is borrowing costs such as stamp duty charged on a mortgage, loan establishment fees and title search fees charged by the lender. If these amounts are less than $100 in total they can be deducted immediately. Otherwise, they are generally deductible over five years or over the term of the loan, whichever is less.
This advice is sourced from the ATO. It is of a general nature only and does not constitute financial advice. Investors should seek qualified professional financial and tax advice when completing their tax returns.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Seven rental property deductions property investors are allowed to claim to reduce their tax bill

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The announcement that the $7,000 first-home owner grant in the ACT will end on August 31 – replaced by a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/act-lifts-first-home-owner-grant-to-%2412500-but-for-new-homes-only-from-september-1-fhog-fhb/2013060361890">bigger $12,500 grant for new home homes only from September 1</a> – appears to be already changing buyer behaviour among first-home buyers (FHBs).
It comes as just across the border, the NSW government extended the lifetime of its <a href="/news">$15,000 handout for new homes only until 2016</a>, having originally planned to reduce it to $10,000 from January 1.
There has been a “flurry” of FHB home loan applications, mostly for existing homes closer to the city since the changes were announced in early June, according to Paul O’Regan, head of home loans at LJ Hooker.
He estimates that around 35% of home loan applications are now from FHBs, “significantly more so than previous quarters”.
“First-home buyers traditional make up less than a quarter of the market,” O’Regan tells Property Observer.
Some though are choosing to buy new homes – even though they will receive $5,500 extra from the territory government from September 1.
The concern, says O’Regan is that developers may push up prices when there is a bigger handout on offer – something which happened when the first-home owner grant (FHOG) was doubled (and tripled for new homes) in 2008/2009 to assist the housing market during the GFC.
Most though are buying existing home in the $380,000 to $400,000 price bracket with popular suburbs being Macgregor to the west of the city and Tuggeranong to the South.
O’Regan believes the bigger $12,500 grant for new homes will benefit housing construction and employment, but is less certain of its benefits for first-home buyers, given their preference for established homes.
He believes the property investment market in the ACT will increase, with investors picking up the entry level established homes, for which FHBs will no longer receive a government handout from September 1.
He also expects that some first-home buyers will stay at home longer, delaying their purchases as they save up a bigger deposit or seek assistance from their parents.
And he expects the trend of FHBs becoming ‘renter-investors’ – whereby you continue to rent but forgo the FHB grants by buying an investment property – to rise
“For FHBs that buy an investment property, they get the rental income plus their own wages,” he says.
Not to forget that they can also reduce their tax bills by using negative gearing provisions.
Frank Pompeani, principal at LJ Hooker Tuggeranong has noticed a “slight upwards trend” in first-home buyers.
“FHBs have recognised there is good value to be found in the established market," he says.
He says somewhere like southern Tuggeranong offers good value with three bedroom houses under $400,000 on a small block.
“It’s as good value as in the last four to five years,” he says.
At the same time demand for new homes has tapered a little as some FHBs wait for the new grant to kick to get the extra savings.
But reckons there is still better value to be had buying an established home compared with a new home.
Overall, he says the announcement of the changes to the grant have been a “good stabiliser for the market prior to the election”.
“It’s a nice injection prior to the election, but neither FHBs nor sellers should panic, the value will be there."
His advice: research the market, due your diligence, ask an expert and don’t jump into the first home you see.
“If you’re buying an established home, look at 10 to 15 properties and if you’re buying a new home compare different developments in different suburbs,” he says.
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Imminent end of $7,000 FHB grant in the ACT shifting buyer behaviour: LJ Hooker

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While still heavily favouring landlords, the Sydney vacancy rate eased by 0.4 percentage points in May to 2.1%, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) figures.
The increase in the vacancy rate follows three successive months of declining vacancy rates from 1.9% in February to 1.7% in April.
The increase was driven by 0.6 percentage point rise in the vacancy rate in the outer Sydney suburbs (more than 25 kilometres from CBD) from 1.7% to 2.3%.
The inner suburbs (within 10 kilometres from CBD) vacancy rate eased by 0.3 percentage points to 1.9% while the middle suburbs (between 10 to 25 kilometres from CBD) remained unchanged at 1.9%.
A vacancy rate below 3% is said to favour landlords over tenants. “After three months in a row of residential vacancy declines we are back to levels seen in January. Despite the increase vacancy rates are still dire.” REINSW president Christian Payne Beyond Sydney vacancy rates lifted by varying degrees in most regional areas.
In the Illawarra, the vacancy rate lifted 0.1 percentage points to 1.9 per cent, led by a rise of 0.3 percentage points in Wollongong at 2.2%. The Hunter region’s vacancy rate lifted 0.3 percentage points to 2.9 per cent, with an increase of 0.2 percentage points in Newcastle to 2.1%. The Central Coast rebounded 0.7 percentage points to 2.6% and Northern Rivers and New England both jumped 0.3 percentage points to 2.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Despite a rise of 0.2 percentage points, Orana, which includes the major centres of Dubbo, Cobar and Mudgee, continued to be the hardest place to find rental accommodation with a vacancy rate of 1.6%. Coffs Harbour was again the easiest place to find rental accommodation despite the second month in a row of decline at 4.0 per cent, down 0.1 percentage points  Bucking the trend was Albury with a fall of 0.4 percentage points to 1.8% and the Riverina which fell 0.1 percentage points to 3.3%. 
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Outer suburbs lead 0.4 percentage point rise in Sydney vacancy rate to 2.1% in May: REINSW

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Lend Lease has sold its 25% interest in the Jem mixed-use retail and office building in Singapore for S$227 million (around A$189 million) amid "softer" construction markets.
The 25% interest in the building has been divested into a newly created fund called the Lend Lease Jem Partners Fund.
The profitable sale was completed earlier than expected following the opening of the retail component of the project this weekend.
Jem (pictured below) is part of a larger Singapore government project - the Jurong East’s new town centre - being developed as the first “lifestyle hub” in West Singapore.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/06/jemjune17one.jpg" width="470" height="191" alt="jemjune17one">
The development site where Jem is located was acquired in June 2010 via a joint venture between Lend Lease (25% ownership) and Lend Lease Asian Retail Investment Fund (ARIF) -75% ownership.
Over the last three years, Lend Lease has developed the site including the retail component of Jem, which opened 100% leased this past weekend (June 15).
“The Jem development is a tremendous example of our integrated business at work, bringing together an attractive project for our investors with design, delivery, development, leasing and asset management all delivered by Lend Lease.
“Strong investor interest enabled us to recycle our capital ahead of expectations and grow our funds under management in Asia,” said Lend Lease chief executive, Steve McCann.
The sale of the direct stake in Jem will lead to another strong result for Lend Lease’s Asian operations in the 2013 financial year, he added.
It will also lower Lend Lease’s effective tax rate for the 2013 financial year.
Lend Lease said that its Asian development, Australian infrastructure development and Australian property businesses were performing better than the prior year.
However, it said the underlying construction markets in Australia and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) “have softened in the second half of the 2013 financial year, “contributing to reduced earnings from the construction businesses in those regions”.
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Lend Lease sells 25% stake in Singapore commercial development for $189 million 

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Shares in listed property group Lend Lease fell 8% this morning after it warned that underlying construction markets in Australia and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) “have softened in the second half of the 2013 financial year, “contributing to reduced earnings from the construction businesses" in these regions.
A short while ago Lend Lease shares were trading down 7.1% at $8.64 down from $9 at the start of trading.
<div class="column" style="text-align: justify;">The share price tumble came as announced plans to restructure its construction and infrastructure business amid softer  with decades old construction firms Abigroup and Baulderstone, plus its project management and construction and infrastructure services businesses, to be transformed into three sector-based business divisions.</div>
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 It also announced plans to sells<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/lend-lease-sells-25-stake-in-singapore-commercial-development-for-%24189-million/2013061762323?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=newsplus"> 25% stake in Singapore commercial development for $189 million.</a> <h1></h1>
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The four businesses will be transitioned three businesses- one servicing the building sector, one servicing the engineering sector and one servicing the infrastructure services sector.
A decision about the branding of these businesses will be announced following stakeholder consultation during June and July.
Abigroup??? specialises in engineering, building, water and rail construction and dates back more than 50 years when it was established as Abignano Pty Limited in 1961. It became part of the Lend Lease Group in 2011.
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.
The new structure will take effect from August 1 with the aim of creating “more effective and competitive operating businesses”.
“It will enable greater leverage of skills and expertise, improved operational systems and efficiencies, said Lend Lease.
“The transition will increase our capacity for growth and facilitate more robust end-to-end client solutions,” said Lend Lease group chief executive Steve McCann.
“The combination of core skills in each of these organisations will result in best-in-class delivery capabilities.
“We will have businesses that compete for the leading market position against our external competitors in each of the engineering, building and infrastructure services sectors.
“These existing businesses have a rich and long history and this next step of consolidation will acknowledge and build on the success of this proud history.”
The transition will be headed by Lend Lease’s Australian construction and infrastructure business leaders, chief executive David Saxelby, chief operating officer, Dale Connor and finance boss, Andrew Muller.
 
 
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Lend Lease share price falls 8% after reporting "softening" construction conditions

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Melbourne-focused Asian development group Far East Consortium has acquired the remaining majority portion of the former headquarter of The Age at 250 Spencer Street for $75 million.
The site has approval for an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/ispt-looking-to-sell-majority-of-spencer-street-site-formerly-occupied-by-the-age-newspaper/2013060661961">$800 million six-tower apartment development.</a>
The property development group announced the acquisition in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange over the weekend, where it is listed.
The purchase is subject to Far East Consortium being granted approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
Far East Consortium is currently building the $1 billion Upper West Side project which features four residential towers of 2,600 apartments near The Age site. One tower is already completed with a second under construction.
The latest acquisition continues the trend of Asian-based property developers acquiring Melbourne CBD development sites for residential high-rises.
Current Asian projects in Melbourne include Hengyi Australia, the Australian arm of the mainland Chinese developer which is developing serviced apartments at The William at 199 William Street opposite the Supreme Court.
In December Malaysian developer Mammoth Empire secured a prime development opportunity on Elizabeth Street opposite a 55-storey residential tower it already has under construction.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/melbourne-cbds-tallest-residential-tower-crown-tussle/2013022858541">Singapore developer Chip Eng Seng </a>has received the go ahead for CEL Australia’s $170 million Tower Melbourne which will boast 555 apartments (and townhouses) across 71 storeys.
The 11,750 square metres portion of the 15,200 square metres site (nearly a whole city block)  acquired by Far East Consortium was put up for sale by ISPT last month with expectations of between $70 million and $80 million.
The smaller eastern portion of the site was sold to Melbourne apartment developer Central Equity for $17 million in 2010.
Far East Consortium has completed around a dozen projects over the past 20 years.
ISPT acquired the site for $66 million in 2007.
Colliers International agent Tim Storey negotiated the ­off-market campaign.
 
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Hong Kong-listed Far East Consortium acquires ISPT’s Spencer Street site for $75 million

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The fortunes of Clive Palmer’s five-star Coolum Resort have sunk dramatically, a local tourism operative has claimed.
It follows Palmer renaming of the former Hyatt Regency Resort the 'Palmer Coolum Resort', the reported sacking of hundreds of workers and the loss of its premier event, the Australian PGA, which this year will be played at Royal Pines.
Noel Mooney, president of Coolum Business and Tourism, told The Australian that the original investment by Palmer was treated as a very good for the local economy but that things have since soured.
"Nothing (at the resort) seems to make sense now.
"Nothing flows or matches up. Occupancy there has been down to 2% and 3%
“Before (under Hyatt's management and higher occupancy) the tourists would venture out and spend money in the retail areas,” says Mooney.
Court documents obtained by The Australian from Palmer's battles with Hyatt in the Supreme Court last year reveal it had a much higher occupancy but was losing money when he bought it in mid-2011.
The mining billionaire and now political candidate in the seat of Fairfax <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/mining-magnate-clive-palmer-snaps-up-sunshine-coast-resort/2011070650722" target="_blank">acquired the five star former Hyatt Regency resort</a> and adjoining golf course from Lend Lease at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast in July 2011 and has since renamed it Palmer Coolum Resort.
Last year, Palmer severed ties with the Hyatt group, which had the management rights for the resort for 12 years.
The newly branded resort includes a portrait of the mining magnate in the lobby, a restaurant called the Palmer Grill and most recently, a new car museum with 30 vintage cars from Palmer's private collection including a 1954 Aston Martin.
He has reportedly scaled back plans for a dinosaur theme park.
 
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Occupancy rates at Clive Palmer’s Coolum Resort now in low single digits

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Fund manager Moss Capital, run by former Macquarie Bank director Bill Moss, has acquired the Manning Mall in Taree from Mirvac for $32.6 million.
The sub-regional shopping centre (pictured below) in the Mid North Coast NSW town has 11,300 square metres of retail space and is anchored by Target and Coles.
<img alt="mosscapitaljune17one" height="294" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/06/mosscapitaljune17one.jpg">
The funds management business plans to spend a further $150 million in retail assets, The Australian reported.
Mirvac acquired the Manning Mall for $32.5 million in November 2006 and spent a reported $15 million refurbishing it in 2009.
It was valued at $33 million as of June 2012 with turnover of $48 million per annum.
It is Moss Capital’s second regional NSW retail acquisition after it acquired the Griffin Plaza at 2 Yambil Street for $14.75 million in November last year.
The 7,225 square metre neighbourhood shopping centre was purchased from Millennium Asset Management on a yield of around 10.5%.
Bill Moss managed Macquarie Group’s global banking and real estate businesses as part of a 23 year career at the investment bank.
He founded, grew and led Macquarie real estate group to where it managed over $23 billion worth of investments around the world.
Commenting on the latest acquisition, Moss Capital’s head of real estate, Michael Baliva, said Manning Mall fitted its investment criteria "given its non-discretionary focus, robust cash flow, attractive acquisition yield of 10.4% and its strong growth in centre sales following the closure of a competing Coles supermarket in the immediate area".  
“The centre will deliver our investors high risk-adjusted returns with forecast income distributions in excess of 10 per cent per annum; significantly more attractive than from A-REITs investing in similar assets.”

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Moss Capital plans more shopping centre acquisitions after $32.6m Manning Mall, Taree purchase

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Westpac will from Tuesday (June 18) cut its two and three-year fixed-rate home loan rates below 5% for package home loan customers.
The bank will cut both rates by 10 basis points to 4.99% for new borrowings under its premier advantage package offering.
The bank <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/westpac-lead-the-big-banks-below-5-on-nfixed-home-loans/2013020659208">briefly flirted with a 4.99% interest </a>rate for its two-year fixed rate home loan from February 7 to March 19.  
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Term
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<td>
Previous Rate (Stand Alone) %
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<td>
New Rate (Stand Alone) %
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New Rate (Premier Advantage Package) %
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Change %
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1 year
</td>
<td>
5.44
</td>
<td>
5.44
</td>
<td>
5.24
</td>
<td>
-
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<td>
2 year
</td>
<td>
5.29
</td>
<td>
5.19
</td>
<td>
4.99
</td>
<td>
-0.10
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<td>
3 year
</td>
<td>
5.29
</td>
<td>
5.19
</td>
<td>
4.99
</td>
<td>
-0.10
</td>
</tr>
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It follows a host of lenders recently cutting their fixed-rate home loans with demand for the product rising to one in three borrowers, according to the May mortgage approval figures from Mortgage Choice.
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Today HSBC</a> cut its two-year fixed-rate home loan to 4.59% for a limited time and its three-year fixed rate home loan to 4.79%.
Official ABS figures show a fifth of borrowers fixed their home loan rate in April.
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Westpac cuts two and three fixed-rates below 4.99% 

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ANZ has left its standard variable mortgage rate unchanged at 6.13% following its monthly independent interest rates review.
The bank decides on its interest rate settings on the second Friday of every month.
It was the only major bank to pass on more than the 25 basis points cut from the cash rate by the RBA in May.
The bank cut its standard variable mortgage rate by 27 basis points on May 10 - the first time it has cut its interest rates by more than the RBA since implementing its independent interest rates review policy 18 months ago.
Variable interest rates for small business lending also remain unchanged said ANZ.
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ANZ leaves variable mortgage rates unchanged at 6.13% 

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

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Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

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One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Larry Schlesinger

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