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Glen grove, a lifestyle home situated in a quiet pocket of the Hunter Valley, has been sold for $1.1 million earlier this year. 
Sitting on a 2.6 ha parcel, the Glendon Lane property is surrounded by established gardens, offering privacy.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2011.53.54%20am.png" alt="">
The homestead comes with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, several living spaces with views of the Hunter.
A screened Queensland room off the living room also encompasses an entertainers' dream property.
There is another self-contained cottage comprises its own bedroom, ensuite and living quarters.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2011.53.48%20am.png" alt="">
 It also features courtyard, fountain, large sheds, two bay garage and dam. 
The property is located within an hour from Newcastle and two hours from Sydney. 
Dan Jurd of Jurd's Real Estate Cessnock sold the property. 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Glengrove, a lifestyle home in the Hunter Valley, quietly sold for $1.1 million

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Six of Australia's largest banking and financial services institutions have paid or offered a total of $1.05 billion in compensation, as at 30 June 2020, to customers who suffered loss or detriment because of fees for no service (FFNS) misconduct or non-compliant advice.
This is an additional $295.9m in compensation payments or offers by the institutions from 1 January to 30 June 2020.
AMP, ANZ, CBA, Macquarie, NAB and Westpac (the institutions) undertook the review and remediation programs to compensate affected customers [i] as a result of two major ASIC reviews. ASIC commenced the reviews in 2015 to look into:
<ul>
<li>the extent of failure by the institutions to deliver ongoing advice services to financial advice customers who were paying fees to receive those services and</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>how effectively the institutions supervised their financial advisers to identify and deal with ‘non-compliant advice’ – i.e. personal advice provided to a retail client by an adviser who did not comply with the relevant conduct obligations in the Corporations Act, such as the obligations to give appropriate advice or to act in the best interests of the clients, at the time the advice was given. </li>
</ul>
The table below provides a breakdown of the compensation payments made or offered by the institution as at 30 June 2020.
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td rowspan="2" valign="top" width="99">
Institution
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="240">
FFNS misconduct
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="top" width="262">
Non-compliant advice <a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2020-releases/20-193mr-asic-update-on-compensation-for-financial-advice-related-misconduct/#note-iii">[iii]</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="120">
Compensation paid or offered
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
No. of customers paid or offered compensation
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
Compensation paid
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
No. of customers paid compensation
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
AMP
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$145,719,911
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
199,425
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$28,647,008
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
2,043
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
ANZ
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$66,653,885
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
26,461
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$39,182,569
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
1,920
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
CBA
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$167,131,529
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
54,826
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$9,354,027
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
626
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
Macquarie
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$3,970,000
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
983
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
-
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
-
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
NAB
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$368,075,052
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
626,863
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$52,185,609
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
1,623
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
Westpac
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$130,508,318
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
28,350
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$34,197,446
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
1,647
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="99">
Total
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
$882,058,695
</td>
<td valign="top" width="120">
936,908
</td>
<td valign="top" width="118">
$163,566,659
</td>
<td valign="top" width="144">
7,859
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>ASIC released REP 499 in October 2016 describing systemic failures in the advice divisions of AMP, ANZ, CBA and NAB, as well as some of their product issuers. These included the failure to ensure provision of ongoing advice services to customers who paid fees to receive those services, the failure of advisers to provide those services, and the failure of product issuers to switch off advice fees of customers who did not have a financial advise.</h2>
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Banks compensate fees for no service misconduct

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Andrew Bell’s Ray White Surfers Paradise Group scored another win at this year’s annual Ray White Queensland awards.
The awards, which saw 1,200 Ray White members online, was held over Zoom this year presented by chairman Brian White, Emily Sim, Tim Snell and Dan White.
For the 28th year in a row, Bell’s group was named the top selling office in Queensland.
There had been a strong challenge from the New Farm office.
The Surfers Paradise CEO said he was “surprised” to receive the award after a challenging year that shook the real estate industry.
“I have never been more surprised by this award than I was this year. I was quite shocked because we had the most challenging year for our office on many fronts. But what the award reminds me of is how blessed we are to have the amazing team and the culture that we have created in our business," Bell said. 
Bell’s office also won the community contribution award for their muscular dystrophy fundraiser, a cause that he’s supported for over 25 years.
The Surfers Paradise office was the most successful Queensland office by way of revenue in the residential division, recognising the group as the best property management business of the year.
“There was immense love shown last night from our team. The team felt rewarded for digging deep and doing what we do best every single day”, Bell said.
Ray White Queensland conducted 41 per cent (up from 33 per cent the year before) of all the auctions held in Queensland - including conducting over 66 per cent of all auctions in the Brisbane city area. 
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Andrew Bell's Ray White Surfers Paradise Group top selling office in Queensland for 28th year in a row

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ANZ has announced the retirement of David Gonski as chair of the group’s board, effective following the release of the banks full-year results on 28 October.
The outgoing chairman will be replaced by Paul O’Sullivan, who joined the board in November 2019.
Mr Gonski has served as chair since 2014 and as a non-executive director for 11 years.
“I feel it’s the right time to hand over the reins,” he said.
"I am delighted Paul O’Sullivan will succeed me as Chairman and he has my absolute confidence. Paul is an outstanding director who has already made a strong contribution to the Board and I look forward to working closely with him on a smooth transition.
I feel it’s the right time to hand over the reins to Paul. We have in place an experienced, diverse and talented management team as well as having made significant progress on our ambitions to simplify and improve our operations. Importantly, we have also taken steps to improve the governance around matters impacting our reputation, including the now well-established Ethics, Environment, Social &amp; Governance Board committee.
Serving as ANZ’s Chairman will always remain a key highlight of my corporate career.
"This is not because of any false sense of prestige, rather the honour that comes with working with so many wonderful people who are doing all they can for our customers, our shareholders and their fellow staff members." 
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David Gonski retires from ANZ chairmanship

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Fairfields, a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, secluded and private residence in Balhannah was sold for $2,050,000 through Williams estate agent Dee-Anne Hunt in May.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-balhannah-132965418" target="_blank">7 Gilleston Court</a> property in rural South Australia showcases a flexible floor plan and resort luxuries including a heated pool, sauna, wine cellar and vineyard with nine rows of aged Pinot Noir which makes approximately 300 to 400 bottles of wine.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/6/26/7_Balhannah%20Pool.jpg" alt="">
The 1.6 acre block is set in a cul-de-sac, and the solid brick home features high 9.5 ft ceilings, French doors, Parquetry flooring, two fireplaces,  three living spaces, a conservatory, granite kitchen with European appliances including Double oven and Hafele storage system, a garden teahouse with ornamental lake and Basket Range stone walling. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/6/26/7_Balhannah%20Flexible%20Plan.jpg" alt="" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;">
The residence is also equipped with Daikon zoned ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, fully automated watering system, a 30-panel solar system, two instant gas hot water systems, aerobic septic system and three phase power. 
According to Realestate.com.au, similar four-bedroom houses recently sold in Balhannah including a 960 sqm four-bathroom, two-bathroom home on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-balhannah-132408518?cid=pdp:recent-sales" target="_blank">Onkaparinga Valley Road</a> which sold for $440,000 on March 13, 2020. 
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Luxury secluded and private residence in Balhannah sold for over $2 million

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The Real Estate Institute of Australia have provided five key recommendations to the Federal Government in the lead up to the October 6 budget.
REIA President Adrian Kelly said in the mid-COVID19 world, policies to assist first home buyers into the market-place, and providing a boost to the economy through property, were at the forefront of REIA’s considerations.
“Agents, renters, investors and those looking to enter the market for the first time are all facing difficulties,” said Kelly.
The recommendations to the Treasury targeted key areas for the Government to generate economic activity that supports agents and their clients, with a focus on market entry for first home buyers.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2010.55.13%20am.png" alt="">
The recommendations are based on industry-led research and proven international models for the use of retirement savings to purchase property come from Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand.
REIA seeks the expansion of the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme to include all first home buyers and an extension of the First Home Super Saver to allow access to pre-July 2017 voluntary contributions and earnings.
“For home renovators, we continue to support the HomeBuilder initiative by recommending a lowering of the program limits. This will encourage increased uptake of the program across the board for all Australians”, Kelly said.
“Lastly, for renters and property owners, for those working in the property sector and other industries that will take longer to recover, we support the extension of JobKeeper, JobSeeker and the rental support scheme, where needed.”
REIA suggested that the successful implementation of these policies could ensure Australia’s property agents continued support to renters and home buyers, and contribute to Australia’s long-term economic resilience.
 
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Home ownership for first home buyers critical to the 2020 budget: REIA

<html><body>
ME is going below 3% p.a. on its variable rate Basic Home Loan with cuts of up to 59 basis points.
ME’s lowest variable rate for new customers will become 2.58% p.a., one of the most competitive comparable rates in the market – and the lowest advertised variable rate the bank has ever offered.
New and refinancing owner occupier customers paying principal and interest with a minimum loan balance of $150,000 are eligible.
ME General Manager, Home Lending Andrew Bartolo said ME’s Basic Home Loan was already very simple, with no frills or fancy features and no ongoing account keeping fees.
"Cutting variable rates below 3% p.a. for this product will make it even simpler and better value for our customers.”
As an example, eligible customers with a 20% deposit can apply for the 2.58% p.a. variable rate (a 59 basis point reduction) and those with a 5% deposit can apply for the 2.99% p.a. variable rate (a 53 point reduction). The headline rate changes are as follows:
 
<table class="x_MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="302">
Product
</td>
<td valign="top" width="85">
Previous Rate % (p.a.)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="76">
Change % (p.a.)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="132">
New Rate % (p.a.)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="302">
Basic Home Loan variable rate owner occupier – principal and interest (new and refinancing customers)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="85">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="76">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="132">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="302">
LVR 80% or less
</td>
<td width="85">
3.17
</td>
<td width="76">
-0.59
</td>
<td width="132">
2.58
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="302">
LVR more than 80% (LMI applies)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="85">
3.52
</td>
<td valign="top" width="76">
-0.53
</td>
<td valign="top" width="132">
2.99
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 All changes are effective from 28 August 2020. Only applications submitted on or after this date will be eligible for the new rates.
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ME offers lowest ever below 3% no-frills variable home loan

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Fairview Rise, a luxurious Hampton inspired residence, in Hahndorf, South Australia has been sold for $2,073,860 through Williams estate agent Dee-Anne Hunt. 
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-acreage+semi-rural-sa-hahndorf-133711234" target="_blank">249 Fairview Road </a>property has four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, two living quarters, and separate studio, two carports and a separate garage or workshop. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/6/26/5_Hahndorf_Studio.jpg" alt="">
The main bedroom has its own walk-in robe and ensuite, while all remaining bedrooms have built-in robes. The bathrooms have under floor heating, floor to ceiling Italian imported tiles, free standing baths, spacious double showers and brushed gold tap ware.
The 5.96 ha parcel of land is also equipped with a bore, dam pumps, 120,000 litre concrete rainwater tank with new pressure pump which supplies the house, 22,000 litre rainwater tank for firefighting and irrigation, a large shed with vehicle access pit of approximately 12m x 12m, three softly undulating paddocks, zoned irrigation for lawns and gardens, a 2.5kw solar system, and new septic system. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2020/6/26/5_Hahndorf_Land.jpg" alt="">
Built in c. 1978, the solid brick home has been renovated and extended this year. This includes being re-wired and re-plumped throughout, a new kitchen and butler's pantry featuring a Shaker cabinetry, Caesarstone bench tops, and European appliances. 
The residence was last sold for $910,000 in 2019. 
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Hahndorf's luxurious Fairview Rise sold this month for $2 million 

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The beachfront Queensland market continues to boom despite closed borders. Billionaire developer Bob Ell has emerged as the buyer of a beachfront on Mermaid Beach that was listed for just three days.

He's apparently paid close to $22.5 million for the home and its ocean views.

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2010.09.25%20am.png">

But he and wife Bridget, who have four children under 16, will retain the family’s main residence on the riverfront at Budds Beach property.

Mr Ell told The Gold Coast Bulletin it was a family-motivated decision.

“The kids are all rather sporting-minded and love the beach and the ocean,” Mr Ell said.

“This buy will enable them to burn off a bit of energy whenever they get restless and to perhaps lap up the surfing culture that’s synonymous with the Gold Coast.”

They recently offloaded their holiday home at Noosa for $9.6m to publican John Taylor, the owner of Victoria’s Grovedale Hotel, Barwon Heads Hotel and Torquay Hotel.

The Mermaid Beach home he recently acquired was built for racing industry figure and former realtor David Henderson and family. It was completed in 2012.

Set on the pricey Hedges Ave, the mansion was designed by Paul Uhlmann and is on one of the largest lots in the street at 1,215sq m with a 30-metre ocean frontage.

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2010.08.16%20am.png">

It was sold for $16.5m in 2017 in a deal handled by the agency in which Mr Henderson previously was a principal, The Professionals Mermaid Beach.

The buyer, and the seller to the Ells, was Rosa Raso, wife of Sam Raso, whose Molendinar-based Austworld group makes high-end plumbing products and has six offices across the country.

Nat King and Amir Mian of Amir Prestige sold the home to Ell after the short listing with a $25 million asking price.

<h2>Queensland properties selling now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24422]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90553]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730]
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Beachfront trophy home in Mermaid Beach sells in three days to Bob Ell

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Property Observer has over the years compiled a list of the top renovating tips from many experts, which could shape your plans during the COVID-19 renovation spree.
Top Renovating Tips
1. Chris Gray (Property Empire) Start by choosing the right property, making sure it is an unemotional investment, as opposed to an emotional home purchase.
Are you looking to buy, renovate and sell, or buy, renovate and hold? If you’re selling it’s imperative that there is an immediate and almost guaranteed profit in the deal. If you’re looking to hold, you need to buy the right property that will continue to grow strongly forever. The renovation profit in a hold strategy is more about icing on the cake, maximising your rental return and ensuring you have minimal maintenance to do in the future.
2. Shaynna Blaze (Selling Houses Australia) Assess your lifestyle.
Before working out the design and layout of your home, the first thing for any renovators to ask themselves: how do I like to live? Is your lifestyle casual? Do you like to entertain? Do you hate cleaning or noise? These different lifestyles will not only effect how the layout is but also the surfaces and colours you end up choosing.
3. Andrew Winter (Selling Houses Australia) Put your hard earned cash where it shows.
Make sure you put your hard earned cash where it shows. Quality kitchens and bathrooms will always add value to your home and a smart façade will make your house the envy of your neighbours.
4. Amanda Talbot (Stylist and author) 5% of the value of your house should be in your kitchen
Your kitchen needs a wow factor, including good storage; quality hardware, drawer runners and soft closing draw mechanisms. 5% of the value of your house should be in the kitchen.
5. Cherie Barber (Renovating For Profit) 1% of the value of your house should be spent on your bathroom
Aim to spend between 1% to 1.5% of your current property value on your bathroom renovation. If your property is worth $400,000 you would spend around $4,000 renovating it.
Once you know your budget, allocate your money according to how immediately obvious each component is. If the vanity is the first thing you see when you come through the door, spend more money on a nice vanity, splashback and mirror. Your bathroom is the second most important room in your house, besides your kitchen, in terms of adding real fiscal value.
6. Angus Kell (Archicentre) Go Green
Go green and cash in on the latest change in buying behaviour. Buyers can’t get enough of solar hot water, rainwater tanks and drip-feed irrigation systems
7. Patrick Bright (EPS Property Search) Avoid doing the work yourself to “save money”
A small budget means there is always a temptation to do some or all of the work yourself to save money but DIY renovations can easily backfire. If the quality of workmanship is substandard this will diminish your sale price, possibly eliminating any profit you might have made in much the same way as under-capitalising on a renovation.
8. Lisa Montgomery (Vogue Financial) Landscaping is important
The indoor/outdoor room is now a popular part of the Australian lifestyle, so allow for a percentage of your overall budget to be spent on landscaping so you can complement the work you’ve carried out inside the house. Even if your budget is modest, basic greenery and clean, functional outside areas will only improve a property’s appeal.
9. Nick Tobias (Tobias Partners Architecture) Research your architect.
Establish a shortlist of architects you feel are best equipped in terms of aesthetic and technical prowess. Spend time reviewing the work of different practices, including speaking to past clients. Remember to keep things simple, trends come and go.
10. Carolyn Burns-McCrave (House Rules, Burns-McCrave Design) Work from the inside out
A good floor plan is at the heart of a successful design and that each space should be tailored to the people who live there. Burns-McCrave says to work from the inside out; creating spaces that function and flow before thinking about colours and accessories.
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10 DIY renovation tips for home owners

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.

Joel Robinson

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]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

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Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more international and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

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The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

Staff reporter

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