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The additional funding for city-based property buyers, workers and small business owners moving to regional New South Wales could be a potential game changer, according to Chief executive officer of Raine &amp; Horne Angus Raine.
Additional funding includes the $7,000 Regional Relocation Grant, which was expanded from the start of January to include long-term renters in metro Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong and the Skilled Regional Relocation Incentive.
The Skilled Regional Relocation Incentive is worth $10,000 and encourages people to relocate for jobs unfilled by regional workforces, with a minimum relocation distance requirement of 100 kilometres.
“The incentive for skilled workers is a very smart move as it will attract key people to regional towns to help drive those economies – and of course eventually they'll buy houses – and hopefully create jobs for others to buy and rent properties.
“Given that Sydney median house prices have crashed through the $700,000 ceiling, buying a home in regional towns such as Tamworth (median house price $290,000), Wagga Wagga ($320,000), Port Macquarie ($385,000), and Orange ($331,000) makes enormous sense,” says Raine.
Raine says it’s important to do your research if you’re wanting to find a property with potential long-term growth.
“Look for regional towns with viable and growing economies and populations – the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the local council are great sources of data about the demographics of a town.
“A regional town with excellent long-term growth prospects should have decent infrastructure in place – public transport, major roads, hospitals and schools.
“The growth towns will essentially have all the lifestyle benefits we associate with city living, such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas and so on,” says Raine.
Raine says those looking to relocate should act soon as the grants will be capped by the 13/14 budget allocation of $10.4 million.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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ntrotman-Et3xWpamVh

Additional funding for NSW regional movers a potential game changer

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Wickham has been chosen as the location to boast a fully accessible interchange as part of the first stage of the Newcastle light rail line.
The announcement by the NSW Government was made over the Christmas break, but the Government is yet to determine where the light rail will travel between Wickham and the beach.
“This is about providing the first stage of a light rail system for Newcastle – connecting people to prominent, vibrant areas of the city centre, such as the Honeysuckle precinct and Hunter Street, and encouraging ongoing investment,” says Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Brad Hazzard.
Two potential short-listed light rail routes include the rail corridor and Scott Street to near Newcastle Beach at Pacific Park, or Hunter Street and Hunter Street Mall to near Newcastle Beach at Pacific Park.
The community will get to have their say on the potential routes, with a community consultation starting early this year to seek feedback.
“Both options promote urban renewal and improve access to key destinations in the Newcastle city centre – supporting Newcastle and the Hunter’s revitalisation.
“Consultation with the community, which we will start in the new year, will be critical to our decision-making about Newcastle’s future light rail system,” says Hazzard.
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian says the Wickham interchange will offer direct access from trains on the Hunter and Central Coast lines.
“A transport interchange at Wickham will help create a new business district within the emerging Newcastle CBD at the western end of Newcastle city centre,” says Berejiklian.
Hazzard says the introduction of a light rail and the interchange at Wickham will help bring jobs, residents and visitors into the Newcastle city centre.
More than 11 hectares of undeveloped land is located within 400 metres of Wickham, meaning the interchange could also trigger significant development and economic growth.
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Wickham to act as crossing point for Newcastle light rail line

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Some 3,200 new homes are to be delivered in Sydney’s south west as a bid by the New South Wales Government to boost Sydney’s housing supply.
Located in the Catherine Field precinct, the first blocks of land will go on sale this year, with homes to be available in 2015.
Some 44,628 homes were approved in New South Wales in the 12 months to October, making it the highest level since 2005, according to the ABS.
“There’s a massive housing boom occurring in NSW that is being driven by the unlocking of more land for new homes by the NSW Government,” says NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell.
“We are making homes more affordable and in the process Western Sydney is being transformed into a tradies paradise, with the creation of thousands of jobs in the construction sector,” says Farrell.
More than 60,000 first home owners received a helping hand by the NSW Government last year with an extra 2,814 grants paid out – almost an 80% increase on 2012.
“The new homes will be supported by $30 million of essential infrastructure that will be delivered or funded by the two main construction firms involved in the project,” says Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Brad Hazzard.
“This includes protecting Oran Park House through a future listing on the State Heritage Register, constructing an extension to Rickard Road, upgrading Oran Park Drive, providing land for a new primary school and building the main sewerage line.
“Catherine Field is the seventh major precinct rezoning in the Growth Centres in Western Sydney since the NSW Liberals and Nationals came to office in 2011.
“Together, those seven rezonings will see the construction of about 50,000 new houses - news every homebuyer wants to hear,” says Hazzard.
Treasuer Mike Baird says the NSW housing sector is in better shape than it has been for a decade, but there is much more work to do in order to get more first homebuyers into the housing market sooner.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Sydney's housing boom to continue with 3,200 new homes in south west

Top apps every property investor should use

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Residents in the Waterford Rise estate in Warragul have welcomed lightning-fast internet speeds some 10 years ahead of their neighbours as part of Australia’s high-speed internet rollout.
The Baw Baw Shire mayor Cr Murray Cook activated the new fibre-optic connection last week by a click of a button.
The estate has skipped the National Broadband Network rollout queue with installation by a private operation Redtrain Network, at no cost to the developer.
When planning the estate, the developers chose to have the fibre-optic connection installed by Redtrain, which offers lightening fast speeds to residents years before the NBN rollout.
“Importantly, Redtrain has “future-proofed” the connection so that no more civil work will be required because the network is designed to cater for up to a gigabit connection to each individual house premises,” says David Setiady director of Redtrain Network
“This means that that the connection is there to cater for any commercial enterprises or health or educational institutions in the Warragul region where Redtrain deploys its network, that may need access to such high levels of bandwidth in the future,” says Setiady.
“Importantly, it will also have significant benefits for Waterford Rise residents who work in Melbourne’s CBD, with the high speeds allowing them to work from home, or ‘tele-commute,’ a number of days a week,” says Glenn Sanford general manager of Baw Baw developments..
The estate will house around 3,000 people when it is completed.
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Waterford Rise residents welcome lightening fast internet speeds ahead of NBN rollout

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A $31 million mixed-use apartment complex on the Ballina Riverfront is set to break the six-year development lull in the area if given the green light by the council.
Known as Reside Living Ballina, the former Sundowner Motor Inn site will host 36 apartments aimed at downsizing baby boomers and empty nesters.
Located at 274 River Street, the project will host 794 square metres of ground floor commercial space, including a waterfront café and restaurant tenancy and four other spaces aimed at convenience and medical service providers.
Developed by Reside Living, the apartment complex will feature 21 three-bedroom apartments, 10 two-bedroom apartments and five one-bedroom apartments.
Residents will have access to a communal vegetable garden.
“We believe it certainly heralds a new property cycle for Ballina and the move certainly reflects the developer’s confidence in the area’s strong appeal as a lifestyle destination, especially for the baby boomer market,” says project marketing agent Dean Shay of LJ Hooker Ballina.
“In addition to being one of the most established coastal towns in Northern NSW, Ballina boasts stunning beaches and waterways, and is well serviced by transport, community and commercial infrastructure.”
Shay says the opening of the $640 million Ballina Bypass and the $359 million Banora Point highway upgrade has improved driving times between Ballina and Brisbane.
Simon Green of Reside Living says empty nesters will reap the benefits of being in the centre of the town, close to shops, professional services and recreational pursuits including the local entertainment hub, Baillina RSL.
If approved Reside Living Ballina is set to launch in early 2014 and construction is planned to start mid-2014.
The project is forecasted to create 150 new jobs during the 12 month building phase.
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Reside Living Ballina could break six-year development lull

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Crown Group has unveiled a new conceptual image of its $80 million Viking by Crown development in Waterloo, and has hopes to open a new in-situ display apartment in late January.
“In an industry where it is imperative to stay ahead of the pack and find new and innovative ways to help people engage with our product, the new display apartment will allow clients to step inside a real Viking by Crown apartment for the first time,” says Crown Group director of sales and marketing Adam Sparkes.
“The brand-new image completes the picture, giving buyers a view of Viking by Crown’s bold, eye-catching exterior when completed,” says Sparkes.
Designed by MPRDG and located in Sydney’s new Green Square precinct, the development will feature floor-to-ceiling glass, a wide loggia and views to the CBD and adjoining parklands.
Its coloured panel louvres in O’Dea Avenue are expected to create an ever-changing hue on its façade.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/12/20/nicolaflicker.jpg" width="630" height="354" alt="nicolaflicker">
Inspiration for the design was drawn from the work of internationally renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam, founder of the post-war kinetic art movement and creator of ground-breaking sculpture, paintings and architecture
“Viking by Crown’s striking architecture sets it apart from other more generic developments in the Waterloo area,” says Crown Group project sales manager Anthony Falas.
“Viking by Crown is attracting buyers which the area’s other developments are failing to entice.
“It’s the epitome of low-maintenance but luxurious lifestyle,” says Falas.
Viking by Crown will feature 110 apartments across 10 storeys, 25-metre pool, gymnasium and a ground floor terrace café.
Only 10 apartments remain, including two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 123 square metres to 130 square metres in total and priced from $995,000.
Seven three-bedroom apartments remain ranging in size from 147 square metres to 273 square metres and start from $1.27 million.
The two-bedroom display apartment is set to open in late January, ahead of Viking by Crown’s expected completion date of mid-2014.
Viking by Crown began <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/crown-group-to-begin-construction-on-viking-apartments-at-green-square-waterloo/2012041754313">construction in 2012</a>.
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Crown Group unveils new Viking image 

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Melbourne’s most slender tower has been approved for Southbank, measuring just 12 metres wide at its narrowest point.
Minister for planning Matthew Guy approved the tower today, which will stand 240 metres high with 73 storeys.
“Melbourne is proud to be developing some of the most innovative and advanced skyscraper designs in the world,” says Guy.
“While other skinny buildings are called ‘pencil towers’, this building displays a slender, twisting flower stem design. 54 Clarke Street has strong architectural features to ensure it embodies a slender, sophisticated style all the way from a 'webbed' foundation at ground level.
“This proposed skyscraper at 54 Clarke Street is similar to slender skyscrapers in major cities overseas, like New York’s skinny towers One Madison Park or 785 Eighth Street,” says Guy.
The tower, designed by Melbourne architectural firm BKK (Black Kosloff Knott) will feature 256 apartments and a ground-level café.
The tower follows in the footsteps of Melbourne’s first skinny building -the Phoenix building – at 108 Flinders Street.
Guy says there are six built or approved buildings in Melbourne that are taller than the 54 Clarke Street site, but none as slender.
“Melbourne's engineering, design and construction skills base provides a strong foundation for investment and highly skilled employment growth into the future.
“This is a key part of the Coalition strategy of growing the economy, and increasing jobs for our future,” says Guy.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Guy approves Melbourne's most 'skinny' tower for Southbank

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Noosa Heads is on the cusp of solid price growth and sales activity over the next 12 months after prices slipped more than 25% following the GFC.
“I expect the market to regain a considerable part of that lost ground during 2014,” says Tom Offermann of Tom Offermann Real Estate.
Offermann says the busy springtime activity has set the scene for recovery.
“Noosa is still in early recovery mode – we are six to nine months behind the Sydney and Melbourne markets,” says Offermann.
Offermann says his agency is recording a 74% clearance rate, compared with just 42% at the same time last year.
Prior to the September election, Offermann says the market wasn’t really responding to lowering interest rates or the value on offer.
“Everyone was waiting for someone to go first.
“After the election a number of long-standing properties for sale started selling and buyers sitting on the sidelines felt they were missing out.
“They knew they had to jump in quickly as their choices were being depleted,” says Offermann.
Offermann says there is still great value around, but the longer investors leave it, the higher the prices they will need to pay to get into a limited market.
Overseas buyers represented about 5% of sales and were predominantly expatriates living in Asia and Europe.
The median house price in Noosa Heads is $672,500, a 14.3% decline in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The median unit price is $465,000, a 35.9% decline in the past five years, according to RP Data.
A three-bedroom cottage on Samara Place is on the market for $519,000.
Situated on a 530 square-metre block, the property last sold in 2007 for $520,000.
It is listed with Jason Wedge of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-noosa+heads-115439359">Century 21 Conolly Hay Group Noosa Heads</a>.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/18/noo1]}
On the other end of the spectrum, a four-bedroom home on Nairana Rest is on the market for $1.55 million.
Situated on 506 square metres, the home last sold in 2009 for $1.3 million.
It is listed with Kate Cox of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-noosa+heads-115373915" target="_blank">Richardson &amp; Wrench Noosa Heads</a>.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/18/noo2]}
 
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Suburb spotlight: Noosa set for price growth and sales activity in 2014

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All land lots in the masterplan development The Fields successfully sold at auction, with majority of buyers flocking from adjoining suburbs.
Located 45 kilometres from the Sydney CBD in Schofields, the 14 residential land lots went to auction last week with around 70 people attending.
“Typically land in this area is sold by a ballot system which is based on ‘first in best dressed’. However an auction sale allows buyers to compete for land on an even playing field,” says Laing+Simmons Hurtsville managing director Matthew Matthews.
The smaller lots of 350 square metres were priced from $320,000 with some larger lots securing $382,000.
The lots sold to a mixture of buyers, including builders who plan to offer house and land packages, as well as local couples and families.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/schofields-land-lots-in-latest-development-to-be-released-via-auction/2013120166683">The Fields</a> has an expected completion date of August 2014.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au">ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Local buyers flock to bid at The Fields

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.

&nbsp;

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" />

&nbsp;

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]

Nicola Trotman

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