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Yet again the end of the financial year comes around, and it’s time to do your tax return or better – save on tax payable. Apart from the usual receipts and items claimable, for which I hope you have a more efficient system in place than the old shoe box, there are ways to save on your property investments and mortgages. Here are only a few tips on how and where you may be able to reduce your tax bill. 
1)      With four interest rate cuts since the beginning of the 2011-12 financial year, now may be the right time for you to consider refinancing your home. Do this before the end of the financial year, and the cost and saving could affect the tax payable.
2)      When refinancing consider pooling personal and car loans into your mortgage as well as store cards and credit cards. This could further reduce your monthly outgoings for the year ahead. 
3)      Did you know that the interest paid on an investment loan is tax deductable? Add to this the depreciation of the property and its fittings, any repairs or maintenance you have undertaken, any management fees or rental losses, and it could make a considerable tax deduction. 
4)      Did you know that you can pre-pay your interest on your mortgage and in terms of investment properties? This would present a welcome reduction of tax payable. If you are paying off your business premises, the same strategy may apply. 
5)      Use debt recycling strategies, where as you use existing equity to purchase an investment property with an interest-only loan and pooling the majority of your cashflow through an offset account effectively reducing the interest payable. Such strategy will allow you to claim the investment interest against your tax bill, while also reducing your loan amount. 
Obtaining sound financial, taxation and investment advice is highly recommended in order to implement the above strategies.
Robert Projeski is a leading property finance expert and the founder and managing director of <a href="https://%20www.amo.com.au" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. He has appeared on radio and TV and written extensively on property and finance matters.
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rprojeski-4QFJisNwt8

Five end-of-financial-year tax tips for property investors

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“How can I recycle debt?” you may ask, and what is the difference between “bad debt” and “good debt”? Good question. With 15 million credit cards in circulation in Australia as of 2012, consumers are all too familiar with debt.
Basically, debt that buys assets or produces income is considered “good debt,” while debt that is created by buying life’s niceties or your primary residence is considered “bad debt,” since it does not normally bring in any income.
As such, many people have a fear of debt and aim to pay their mortgages off as soon as possible, although this may not necessarily be the most effective way to use debt. However, debt that creates appreciating assets, or debts that reduce the tax you are paying or that effectively earn income, are commonly referred to as “good debt.”
When consumer confidence diminished it resulted in less borrowing by consumers, leading to recent interest rate cuts – making it an ideal time not only to consolidate debt, pool various loans and credit cards into one loan or mortgage, but also to look for ways of making debt work for you.
This is where debt recycling comes in. Let me provide an illustration:
Let’s say you own a home in Sydney on which you owe a $400,000 mortgage with an offset account attached to it.
Using the equity in your home, you borrow additional money against it for a deposit to buy an investment property. You do this with an interest-only loan.
Each month, all the income from the investment property goes into the original offset account attached to the home loan with any tax refunds generated by the investment costs also going into this account.
The bulk of your wages can also be put to work in this account using your credit card for living expenses, and clearing it at the end of each month. Plus, you can seek a tax variation so you pay less income tax every month, rather than annually, leaving even more cash flow to go into this account.
Money comes out of the offset account to meet the interest payments and other expenses related to the new investment property, but if you have bought well and done your sums, there should be enough left over for the offset balance to gradually build up, effectively reducing the interest you pay and the capital owing on your primary asset being your owner-occupied home.
Once that’s paid off, there's only tax-deductible “good debt”, and the cashflow that's freed up can be applied to either reducing that debt further or for another investment, be it real estate or other.
In preceding illustration, we can start investing earlier than if we waited until the mortgage on our home was paid off and can effectively “recycle” non-productive “bad” debt into tax-reducing and asset creating “good” debt.
However, it can be complex depending on your individual circumstances and finances. I urge you to work closely with an expert, so you don’t end up with more of the “bad” and none of the “good.”
Robert Projeski is a leading property finance expert and the founder and managing director of <a href="https://%20www.amo.com.au" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. He has appeared on radio and TV and written extensively on property and finance matters.
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How to turn bad debt into good

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With underlying inflation figures coming in considerably lower than expected at 0.35% for the quarter and 2.15% for the year, the lowest in 13 years, the Reserve Bank will have little choice but to cut the cash interest rate at their up-coming May meeting.
I have said it back in February, that a further cut should have taken place, followed by another in March and April.
Bringing the interest rate down would have cemented consumer confidence, increase spending and motivated property market activity, I think the RBA got it wrong.
With the consumer price index moving up by just 0.1% for the first three months of 2012 and 1.6% for the year until March, the lowest since the 2009 GFC, the RBA’s decision should not be whether to reduce the rate, but by how much.
While lifting CPI prices on services such as electricity, childcare and water/sewerage, all over 9% increase, place extra pressure on consumers, a considerable interest rate cut would not only ease the situation, but improve consumer confidence, especially in view of the pending introduction of the carbon tax in July.
Since failing to cut the interest rate at recent RBA meetings, I anticipate cuts of up to 1% over the coming few months, which, if passed on by the banks and lenders, would make a considerable difference to existing borrowers and encourage first home buyers into the market.
If the RBA were to reduce the cash rate to 3.25% and banks did pass this fully onto consumers, on a $300,000 mortgage the reduction in repayments would be $250 per month. Surely, this would enhance construction, retail and property sector activity, providing a much-needed boost to our economy.
Robert Projeski is a leading property finance expert and the founder and managing director of <a href="https://%20www.amo.com.au" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. He has appeared on radio and TV and written extensively on property and finance matters.
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RBA interest rate cut is now a must

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The Real Estate Institute of NSW has proposed several options to the state government in order to encourage first-home buyers into the market. One such scheme would allow first time buyers to pay off their stamp duty over a three-year period, making it less costly for them at the time of purchase, if adopted.

Since the laps of the stamp-duty waver for first-home buyers at the end of last year, many would-be first timers have been stalled in order to save up to meet their stamp duty obligation, resulting in a drop in first home buyer activity since.

Marketing consultant Michael Willcocks, 28, who missed out on the stamp duty relief late last year could envision getting into a property much sooner, should a stamp-duty ‘lay-by’ scheme be put in place. 

“It would cut out several months of saving up the stamp duty and get me into a property sooner,” he says. 

With housing affordability a pressing issue for first-time buyers, such a scheme would reduce the initial cost of getting into a property by spreading this out over 36 months. The adoption of a stamp-duty ‘lay-by’ scheme would surely encourage more first-time buyers to get into the market. 

Currently, there is only the original $7,000 federally-supplied first-home owners’ grant on offer, which applies only to pre-existing properties and therefore does not push for the construction of new dwellings. 

We already have a housing shortage in Australia, which is expected to fall short by over 150,000 dwellings by the year 2020, going by figures released by the Housing Industry Association last year. 

Setting out schemes that drive construction of new homes and encourages new buyers into the market would benefit both the construction and real estate industry.

Other schemes presented to the state government by the REINSW look at concessions for buyers over 65 in an aim to make it easier for them to down-size their homes.

Introducing new legislation that works toward the reduction of our housing shortage, increases affordability and hence home ownership, combined with further interest rate cuts would create an up-swing that would strengthen the property market and our economy.



Robert Projeski is a leading property finance expert and the founder and managing director of <a target="_blank" href="https://%20www.amo.com.au">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. He has appeared on radio and TV and written extensively on property and finance matters.


 
 

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Stamp duty ‘lay-by’ scheme could help first-time buyers get into the market

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Latest figures from the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) show that building approvals fell by 7.8% in February, seasonally adjusted, following a rise of 1.1% in January, further placing pressure on the RBA to cut interest rates at today’s RBA board meeting.
With median property prices on the decline across all states and approvals for private sector housing down by 3.4% in February and a 15.8% drop in approvals for other dwellings, such as units and apartments, we can only hope that the interest rates will receive another cut soon.
Whether at today’s or at the May 1st meeting, the RBA will have to cut the interest rate to reinvigorate the market and make up for the slump we have seen since the last cut. While I can understand the RBA’s caution over the past two months, especially in view of the European financial climate, it has become obvious that further cuts should have taken place.
In order to strengthen the real estate market, boost new dwelling construction to meet the housing shortage and encourage market activity especially from first home buyers, an interest rate cut is a ‘must have’.
If we really wanted to invigorate the real estate market, perhaps, easing of planning costs and delays, an amendment of capital allowance provisions to enable accelerated depreciation of new rental dwellings and a national reduction of stamp duty obligations for first time buyers would be steps worth considering.
Cutting the interest rate, reducing the cost base of new housing, increasing housing supply, and boosting affordability are not only worthy aims, they are essential to a more productive economy. Housing is shelter and a necessity of life, and we should make curbing its shortage a high priority when making budgetary and legislative decisions.
Robert Projeski is a respected property finance expert and the managing director of <a href="https://www.amo.com.au" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>, an independent mortgage management firm with over nine industry awards to its name. 
 
 
 
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RBA should cut interest rates today

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Anyone who has ever had to pay off a mortgage will tell you they would love to pay it off before the term, but most people will continue to chip away at their loan on autopilot. A proactive strategy can cut your loan term from 30 years to less than half in some cases.
<ol start="1">
<li>Pay your mortgage as you receive your income, e.g. fortnightly. Doing this cuts down on interest payable and will save you a lot of money over the course of your home loan. If you are super focused, pay your mortgage weekly, which will reduce interest further again.</li>
<li>Set up an automated recurring payment for your mortgage payments. This is usually free of charge and means that you are always on time and can’t overspend on other things, leaving you short to meet your payment obligations.</li>
<li>Park the large lump sum into your mortgage account e.g. if you get $2,000 back from your tax return, receive dividends from other investments or get bonus payments from your job, make a large payment towards your mortgage. These large lump sums can cut years worth of interest off the loan.</li>
<li>List your regular expenses and you will find 1 or 2 items that you can do without. This will make a big difference to either your cash flow, freeing up disposable income to park in your mortgage account.</li>
<li>Make a habit of going only to the ATMs of your bank. The charges (usually $1 to $2.50 per transaction or account enquiry) can easily add up to a nice little amount that can remain in your pocket rather than a banks or ATM provider or go towards your loan. (see #6)</li>
<li>Increase your repayments while rates are stable. You can cut up to two years off the lifespan of your loan by paying an extra $20 to $50 on each payment. This may just mean cutting out an extra cup of coffee here or there or once a week taking lunch to work rather than buying it occasionally.</li>
<li>Have your wages paid directly into your home-loan account - you will need a loan with re-draw or line-of-credit type facility so you can have unlimited access the funds for living expenses etc. This will greatly reduce the interest that you pay as the interest is debited at the end of the month and usually calculated daily.</li>
<li>Offset your loans with a savings account. This is called mortgage offsetting, where as the amount in your savings account (earning interest) is calculated/subtracted against the actual interest charge against the loan amount, then the interest is calculated only on the balance. For example, if your loan is $400 000 and you have $100 000 in savings, this equate to $300 000 on which you actually pay interest. This of course greatly reduces the amount of interest you effectively pay and will save you years on your home loan.</li>
<li>Perform a mortgage health check. Sometimes you just have to admit your loan might not be the best for you anymore. Your loan may have been superseded as a product. Interest rates may have changed drastically, leaving you better off with a variable rate than a fixed one. In that case, look at re-financing whether it is with your existing lender or a different one. Go to a home loan lender or broker to make sure you do get the best deal. Don’t just go to one provider as usually they will only offer you their products. To get a full scope of available options talk to a specialist who has access to various funds and lenders. They are in a competitive market and will try to gain your custom – let them earn it.</li>
<li>When re-financing, consider pooling or consolidating any other loans eg. (car or personal) and credit cards (with a much higher interest rate) into the one loan as the savings often will outweigh the slightly higher loan amount. 
</li>
</ol>
To give your home loan the free ‘home loan heath check-up’ log onto <a href="https://www.amohomeloans.com.au">www.amohomeloans.com.au</a> 
Robert Projeski is the MD of multiple award-winning independent lender <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amo.com.au">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. 
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Ten tips for paying off your mortgage faster

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

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While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

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Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

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Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

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A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

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Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

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While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

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The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

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“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

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Robert Projeski

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