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Development has begun at the GJ Gardner Variety Freedom House with Rugby League star Mark Geyer and grant recipient Jayden Taylor turning the first sod.
The GJ Gardner Variety Freedom House is a partnership between GJ Gardner Homes and Redbank North Richmond to raise money for Variety.
A GJ Gardner Hawkesbury home will be constructed at the Redbank Richmond development at cost price.
Tradies and businesses are invited to donate their time and supplies to keep costs down and raise as much money as possible for Variety.
Rugby league's Mark Geyer said if you’re a tradie or supplier who is willing to help, this is your opportunity to step up and make a difference to kids in need.
"The more time or supplies you can donate, the more help we can provide,” he said.
<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/2017/03/15/Mark%20Geyer%20and%20Jayden%20Taylor%20at%20GJ%20Gardner%20Variety%20Freedom%20House%20%20Turning%20of%20the%20Soil%204%20sml.jpg" alt="">
David Hogan, GJ Gardner Sydney West franchisee said the GJ Gardner Variety Freedom House will be our popular Hawkesbury design which has captivating, attractive features and modern, spacious living areas.
"We expect it to be a popular purchase for buyers wanting to move into the local area,” he said.
"The house will be built in the majestically situated development overlooking more than 85 acres of heritage-protected parklands.
Redbank has been master planned by renowned urban designer Brian Toyota of ML Design to be North West Sydney's premier address - an eclectic mix of traditional family home sites and grand homestead lots for growing families."
A similar initiative in both Shoalhaven and Tamworth raised more than $400,000 combined.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Development begins at GJ Gardner Variety Freedom House

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The first sod at South Australia's King George Avenue site in North Brighton has been turned to create the state's largest disability precinct.
A partnership between Minda, a non-government disability support organisation, and the AEIOU Foundation for children with autism.
The $2.3 million AEIOU centre, is funded by a $891,000 grant received through the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) and donation of land by Minda under a long-term lease.
When built, the 720m2 purpose-built centre will feature four classrooms, therapy rooms, a motor skills room, parents’ retreat, and 160m2 roofed outdoor play facilities.
Stage 2 of the development will include 11 single-story group dwellings, four single-storey residential flat buildings, and two three-storey residential flat buildings as replacement accommodation for people Minda support.
A lifestyle precinct will be built with four buildings offering medical suites, day programs, child care and recreational facilities.
<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/2017/03/14/Adel_AEIOU_Cam2.jpg" alt="">
Alan Smith, chief executive officer said the precinct will respond to calls by South Australian families for greater access to vital early intervention, in order to create positive lifelong outcomes.
“With 1 in 100 children diagnosed with autism, the clock is ticking on the short-term development window where we know a true permanent difference can be made," he said.
“Since opening our first AEIOU centre in Adelaide in 2014, we have provided affordable and effective autism early intervention to more than 40 South Australian families.
"Our new centrally located Brighton centre will ensure even more children will have access to life-changing early intervention programs each year and receive the ongoing support they need.
“AEIOU sincerely thanks the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) for its significant financial contribution to this project, and to disability support partner Minda for their generous donation of the parcel of land on which we will be located.”
Cathy Miller, chief executive officer, Minda, welcomed the start of construction of the AEIOU Centre and Stage 2 of its broader $160m+ Master Plan development.
“Minda’s Master Plan aims to create a vibrant community hub that offers leading edge accommodation and support for South Australians of all ages with disability, and we are pleased to align with AEIOU Foundation because it shares very similar values and opens up the prospect of future collaboration in areas such as research, training and development,” Ms Miller said.
“With the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme it is now more critical than ever to establish partnerships with other sector-leading organisations like AEIOU to complement our own support model, and ensure that South Australians and their families receive whole-of-life support over time if they need,” she said.
AEIOU Foundation’s centre is expected to be complete in late 2017, with Stage 2 of Minda’s Master Plan expected to take about 18 months.
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First sod turned on SA’s largest disability support precinct

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A fully leased large format retail outlet in Perth's northern suburb of Malaga is on the market through an offers to purchase campaign closing 6 April.
The property, 738 Marshall Road, features two showroom/warehouses and has total net lettable space of around 3,215sqm on a 7,575sqm landholding.
It has a total passing income of $473,889 per annum.
Jack Divitini from CBRE  said the secure lease offered with the property would attract strong interest from investors.
“Not only does it offer security of immediate income, but the property’s strategic northern location and high profile main road exposure will ensure it remains an attractive option in the leasing market,” he said.
"The property is located on a prime corner site fronting Marshall Road, with a strong calibre of nearby retailers including Bunnings, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys and City Farmers.
"Recent take up of land in the Freeway Industrial Estate nearby would have a positive impact on capital growth in the future development of the Malaga area."
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Malaga leased investment up for grabs

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The latest research from Sydney Cityscope shows that Sydney CBD commercial property sales for the three months ending February 2017 have increased in total value from the preceding quarter, according to CoreLogic’s Cityscope.
 
There were 92 sales recorded for the most recent quarter with a total value of $1.201 billion, as compared to 104 sales for a total of $1.004 billion for the quarter ending November 2016.
 
However it is lower than the quarter ending August 2016, which recorded a total value of $1,853 billion.
 
For the year ending February 2017, there were 385 sales recorded for a total of $6.176 billion, compared to 384 sales for a total of $8.385 billion for the year ending February 2016.
 
The table below shows sales recorded for the last eight updates of Sydney Cityscope:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/5/Corelogic-1.jpeg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/5/Corelogic-1.jpeg" alt="">
Recent notable sales in Sydney include:
<ul>
<li>Sydney Cove AMP Building at 33 Alfred Street (above), a 26-floor offices and a theatrette plus parking with a net lettable area of 32,353 sqm, which sold for $445 million;</li>
<li>A 30-year ground lease interest in the Commonwealth Bank Place and Darling Quarter at 1 Harbour Street, two nine-storey commercial office buildings and a retail component on a site of 17,491 sqm, which sold for $192 million;</li>
<li>55 Clarence Street, a 22-storey office block with 14,962 sqm net lettable area with five floors of parking for 88 cars, which sold for $170 million through CBRE and Colliers International and</li>
<li>8 Spring Street, a 13-storey office retail building with two levels of basement parking for 21 cars, providing a net lettable area of 5,132 sqm, which sold for $69 million.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/5/Corelogic-2.jpeg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/5/Corelogic-2.jpeg" alt="">
Properties for sale in Sydney Cityscope in February 2017 include:
<ul>
<li>Telstra Plaza Building at 320 Pitt Street, a 32-storey office tower comprising 29 levels of office space with a net lettable area of 29,159 sqm, two foyer levels and ground floor retail space, for by expressions of interest closing 21 March 2017 through JLL;</li>
<li>59 Goulburn Street, a 28-level office building including three levels of parking for 126 cars, for sale by expressions of interest closing 23 March 2017 through JLL and Colliers International and</li>
<li>275 George Street, a 14-storey office and retail building with a net lettable area of 7,357 sqm, for sale through Colliers International.</li>
</ul>
Properties with space for lease in Sydney Cityscope in February 2017 include:
<ul>
<li>Chifley Tower at 2 Chifley Square, an office tower of 44 floors plus four basement parking levels for 390 cars, which has office space ranging from 150 sqm to 4,000 sqm available through Colliers International;</li>
<li>Jardine Lloyd Thompson House, 66 Clarence Street, a 13-level office building with a net lettable area of 6,660 sqm, which has office floors from level 7 to level 11 with space up to 4,260 sqm available through CBRE and Ray White Commercial Office Leasing;</li>
<li>The Challenger within the Hilton building at 259 Pitt Street, office space from levels 10 to 17 plus three levels of basement parking for 500 cars, which has space of up to 5,760 sqm available through Colliers International and</li>
<li>Telstra Plaza Building at 320 Pitt Street, a 32-storey office tower with a net lettable area of 29,159 sqm, which has space up to 5,087 sqm available through Colliers International.</li>
</ul>
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Sydney CBD commercial sales increases in past three months: Cityscope

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Three rate hikes of even 25 basis points by the central bank could deliver a bigger increase in debt-servicing costs for households than 10-11 rate hikes did in the mid-1990s, according to Macquarie Bank’s head of economic research, whose analysis adds to the debate on the impact of the economy in the event of a housing market crash.
Macquarie Bank’s James McIntyre found after studying previous tightening cycles in the mid 1990s and turn of the century, the first of which involved 11 quarter-point hikes, that the subsequent surge in households' debt servicing ratio -- interest costs as a portion of disposable income -- would be achieved with less than a third of those hikes today, thanks to record high private debt levels, Bloomberg reported.
McIntyre, however, doesn't expect a rate increase until early 2019 when core inflation is likely back inside its 2 percent to 3 percent target.
"The RBA's reticence about further increases in household debt-to-income ratios is clear when you begin to consider how potent interest-rate rises might be from a debt-servicing perspective,'' McIntyre was cited by Bloomberg as saying.
“At the current level of debt-to-income, we estimate that three to four 25 basis-point rate hikes would deliver a bigger increase in debt-servicing costs for households than 10 to 11 rate hikes did in the mid-1990s.''
He said the other difference between the periods is a wider spread between the cash rate and lenders' mortgage rates: from 180 basis points to about 375 basis points. Current households' debt levels are at a record 187 percent of income and a one percentage point increase in the RBA's cash rate would, excluding further increases in lenders' borrowing rates, push the household debt servicing ratio beyond 10 per cent,  the analysis found.
RBA Governor recently sounded an alarm, saying inflation will only rise slowly but the combination of record high household debt to income when wages were growing slowly was a “sobering combination”.
Even the OECD said recently that a potential hard landing in the property market could morph into a recession fuelled by record high household debt.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/17/700_bloomberg.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<div><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/2017/03/17/700_bloomberg.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div>
SOURCE BLOOMBERG 
<div id="adspot-300x250-pos3"> </div>
<div>The Bloomberg article cites a hypothetical scenario where the Federal Reserve turns aggressive in lifting rates, the Australian dollar tumbles, and the RBA seeks to tame a subsequent boost in inflation with monetary policy: too much household debt would pose a risk of the central bank crushing the economy with the hit from rate rises.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Frontier Advisors, a consultancy for institutional investors, similarly said this week that while household debt serviceability is currently manageable given the record low rates, the risk is when they increase.</div>
<div>
It analysis found that Australian house prices are 15 to 20 per cent overvalued, and that a rate rise of more than 1.5 per cent would imply a higher level of overvaluation -- at which point a correction would become more likely. The Melbourne-based consultant said it doesn't expect a house price collapse.
"Given the sensitivity of the housing market to monetary policy, this is likely to provide a cap on how high interest rates will rise,'' said Chris Trevillyan, director of capital markets and asset allocation research at Frontier.
"The RBA will avoid triggering the kind of house price collapse that will have a major impact on bank capital.''
</div>
</div>
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Future RBA rate hikes' impact likely far greater than previous cycles: Macquarie economist

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The number of Australians who consider property as the best place to invest their savings has fallen to its lowest level in more than 40 years, according to the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
The latest survey found confidence has fallen since September 2015 to an all time low of 11.6 percent.
In a breakfast briefing this week Michelle Bullock from the Reserve Bank said the worry is what happened in the United States - a big downturn in housing prices and negative equity
"Hopefully what we've done with strengthening the resilience of the households and the banks means they can withstand that sort of thing if it happened," she said.
The Age reported Bill Evans, Westpac chief economist said the result showed a clear increase in risk aversion.
"Consumers are saying: yes we expect [real estate] prices to rise, but we are a little cautious," he said.
"There is no doubt there is nervousness about the sustainability of the prices."
 
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Confidence in property investment falls to lowest level in 40 years

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The Property Industry Foundation's annual Charity Sailing Day, will be held at Royal Brighton Yacht Club late March to raise money for youth charities including the Lighthouse Foundation and Whitelion/Open Family Australia.
The event, sponsored by Brookfield is on from 10am to 7.30pm Friday 24 March.
John Bertrand, AO and America’s Cup winning skipper is event patron. He said the PIF is partnering with its charity beneficiaries and the property industry to build homes to reduce youth homelessness.
“The biggest challenge to breaking a vicious cycle and climb your own Everest is not having a community of support," he said.
He will meet with some of the young people to give them encouragement and guidance on their journey to making a positive change in their life.
The Property Industry Foundation is currently looking for volunteers for the event.
To participate, <a href="https://www.pif.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>
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PIF sailing to raise funds for homeless youth 

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The NAB will increase its standard variable rate for owner-occupiers and investor property loans.
The standard variable rate for owner-occupiers will increase from 5.25 percent to 5.32 percent.
Investor property loans will increase from 5.5 percent to 5.80 percent. 
The standard variable rate increase may add an extra $13 a month on a $300,000 principal and interest mortgage.
The increase came after the US Federal Reserve increased its key interest rate.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Network Seven the increase by NAB is certainly not welcome.
"But as you know, the banks obviously have to manage their own affairs, and they have funding costs," he said.
In the NAB's March Global &amp; Australian Economic Perspective report, group chief economist Alan Oster noted the RBA is becoming increasingly focused on financial stability considerations, particularly household balance sheets in the context of a re-acceleration in house price growth in Sydney and Melbourne amidst elevated levels of household debt. 
"Recent comments from RBA officials raise the possibility that macro-prudential measures may be stepped up and we now consider a further rate cut as unlikely in this environment," he said.
"We have removed our expectation of a 25bp rate cut in late 2017, although continue to flag the risk of further monetary policy easing at some point given our concerns about economic growth and the labour market in 2018.
"As a result of our RBA view change, we are revising up our 2018 AUD/USD forecast slightly while maintaining our 0.70 end-2017 projection. A weaker AUD is still likely on a combination of further US interest rate-driven US dollar strength, lower commodity prices and potentially some deterioration in risk sentiment from current elevated levels. 
"Dwelling investment increased 1.2 percent in Q4, although that only partly unwound the Q3 decline – a subdued result given the anticipated rebound from temporary weather-related disruptions and the record level of construction projects in the pipeline.
"There are, however, signs that the contribution of dwelling investment to economic growth may soon peak.
"New medium-density approvals have come off sharply from their highs, although they are still at elevated levels (especially in Victoria). Meanwhile, housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne continue to defy belief in 2017, with property prices showing no signs of slowing despite tightening credit conditions and concerns about affordability."
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NAB hikes rates for owner-occupiers, property investors

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The former Turramurra home of Australian tennis legend Tony Roche has been sold pre-auction for $3.5 million.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-turramurra-124760230" target="_blank">The property</a>, which was purpose built by Roche in 1982 following his retirement from tennis in 1979, features a full size tennis court.
It was the prototype for the “Rebound Ace” court used for tournament courts in the early 1980’s.
As one of only a handful of tennis courts of its kind, many championship players have been said to have visited the home to practice on the court prior to tournaments, including Ivan Lendl who Roche coached while owner of the property.
Some 60 people viewed 91B Eastern Road, Turramurra through the course of the marketing campaign, Di Jones Real Estate Sales Agent Adam McKay said.
The large single-level home on 3290sqm features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and two car parks.
The Eastern Road property was purchased by the current vendors in 1989 for $1,130,000.
It had a price guide of $3,300,000 to $3,600,000. 
Born in 1945, in Wagga Wagga, the left-handed won titles from 1965 to 1978. He coached New Zealander Chris Lewis to the Wimbledon final in 1983, Pat Rafter to No.1 ranking and two US Open titles, Ivan Lendl to eight grand slam championships and No.1 ranking, Roger Federer to the Wimbledon title in 2005.
Inducted into Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998, Roche retains property at Turramurra, but no longer at Port Stephens.
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Former Turramurra home of tennis ace Tony Roche sold

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A Broadbeach Waters mansion has been sold for $4.6 million.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-broadbeach+waters-123930834" target="_blank">171 Monaco Street</a>, the north facing property sits on 2130 sqm of land and has 90 meters of waterfront frontage and opposite Albert Park.
It has floor-to-ceiling windows and imported light fittings as well as polished limestone, honed marble and granite floors as well as cedar plantation shutters.
The grand circular driveway is able to accommodate eight cars in its garage and has a porte cochere entry.
Four large bedrooms have walk-in robe and luxury ensuite while the master bedroom has a balcony that overlooks the water, pool and city views.
Five bathrooms have polished limestone and marble vanities while the guest suite has a bar, kitchenette and retreat overlooking the river.
<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/2017/03/12/171%20Monaco%20Street-2.jpg" alt="">
The gourmet kitchen features a walk-in pantry, Miele appliances, built-in wine fridge and coffee machine.
Other features includes a 25 meter pool with sandy beach, two outdoor pavilions, security alarm and video intercom as well as remote control gates.
Located between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach it is minutes to the beach, Pacific Fari shopping centre, Jupiters Casino, restaurants and cafes.
The property was offered through Genc and Co agents Isaac Genc and Maria Genc.
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Broadbeach Waters mansion sold for $4.6 million

Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Staff reporter

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