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McGrath Estate Agents have recruited eastern suburbs specialist Albert Sassoon.
<div id="ember13025" class="feed-shared-text__text-view feed-shared-text-view white-space-pre-wrap break-words ember-view">He will be located in the soon to be opened Double Bay office to the old Edward Miller shoe shop on Bay Street.</div>
His experience within the industry spans close to two decades, most recently as principal of Belle Double Bay (2014-2019) and prior to that eight years as principal of Laing and Simmons Bondi. 
His sales record in 2019 includes achieving $5.75 million for 30 Northland Road, Bellevue Hill and $4.1 million for 26 Macdonal Street, Vaucluse.
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He sold 10/2-4 Nott Avenue Bondi twice within a two year period – achieving $5 million in September 2018, and $4.5 million in November 2016.
McGrath regional sales manager James Hayashi said it was thrilled to welcome Sassoon and his team to our sales division.
“He is well known and respected as an area specialist for premium properties within Sydney’s eastern suburbs and he will continue to focus servicing his clients in Vaucluse, Dover Heights, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay and North Bondi," Hayashi said.
The Sassoon team's first listing is Albert's house.
Fellow Belle recruit Michael Aubusson has it listed for auction, with Sassoon intending to sit out of the market for a while.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Eastern suburbs agent Albert Sassoon joins McGrath 

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The five listings from this year’s season of The Block are now officially live.
Each of the five houses has an indicative selling price of between $3 million and $3.3 million, roughly four times as high as St Kilda’s median house price of $758,000.
Located in what was once the historic Oslo Hotel (pictured in title), each listing will be updated every week as new rooms are unveiled.
The formal lounge room, main bedroom, guest ensuite and main bathrooms appear on the listings for the 38A - E homes.
Situated at 38 Grey Street, the agencies marketing the homes are Wilson Port Phillip, Hocking Stuart Albert Park, McGrath St Kilda, The Agency Melbourne and Biggin and Scott Richmond.
All the homes are four bedroom homes and the number of bathroom ranges from three to five.
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/38a-grey-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2015420828" target="_blank">first team's listing</a>, Mitch and Mark's states, their formal lounge massive and their entertainment areas flexible.
It's arranged as a four bedroom four bathroom home.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/2/Block%202019%201.JPG" alt="">
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/38b-grey-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2015420829" target="_blank">second team</a>, Luke and Tess, was favoured by the judges for their bathroom.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/2/Block%202019%202.JPG" alt="">
The <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/38c-grey-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2015420839" target="_blank">third team</a>, Deb and Andy, has focussed on a design that is a combination of "Gold Rush heritage and luxury style".
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/2/Block%202019%203.JPG" alt="">
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/38d-grey-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2015420844" target="_blank">Team four</a>, El’ise and Matt, won the highest judges’ marks for their formal living room.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/2/Block%202019%204.JPG" alt="">
Jesse and Mel, <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/38e-grey-street-st-kilda-vic-3182-2015420847" target="_blank">team five</a>, are St Kilda locals who are utilising Jesse's experience as a real estate agent.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/9/2/Block%202019%205.JPG" alt="">
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The Block Oslo 2019 homes officially listed for sale

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EXPERT OBSERVER
If more of us were free to work from home, fewer of us would be stuck in traffic. 
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/traffic-congestion" target="_blank">Traffic congestion</a> is one of the most significant challenges facing our cities. Melbourne’s population is growing by around <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/3218.0?OpenDocument" target="_blank">325 people a day</a> and is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/booming-melbourne-to-become-nation-s-largest-city-by-2026-20190327-p5186v" target="_blank">projected to overtake Sydney’s</a> within a decade.
<a href="https://www.aaa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AAA-Congestion-Report-2018-FINAL.pdf">Identified as the most congested city in the country</a>, this was a factor in Melbourne <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/melbourne-loses-title-of-most-liveable-city/news-story/f5145850143b5801db36c75ed7d73133" target="_blank">losing its seven-year grip on the “world’s most liveable city” title</a> last year.
One obvious solution to traffic congestion, caused mostly by workers commuting to jobs in the city centre during peak hours, might appear to be building more, or bigger, roads. But a less obvious answer, and potentially a more cost-effective one, might be to increase flexible working arrangements.
<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162518301549" target="_blank">Our research</a> has looked into ways to ease congestion by reducing the need for travel in congested areas in the first place. It shows city workers definitely have an appetite for flexible work hours and practices.
However, many (36%) still can’t or don’t work remotely. Those who do work remotely do so for a small fraction of the week – 1.1 days on average – even though a high percentage of their work tasks can be done anywhere.
<h2>More roads don’t solve the problem</h2>
Traditionally, congestion has simply been accepted as the starting point, with infrastructure being built to accommodate it. However, as a report on <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w15376" target="_blank">US research</a> findings about so-called induced demand <a href="https://www.wired.com/2014/06/wuwt-traffic-induced-demand/" target="_blank">explains</a>:
If you expand people’s ability to travel, they will do it more. […] Making driving easier means that people take more trips in the car than they otherwise would.
This increase in travel uses up any extra capacity improved infrastructure might bring. As a result, <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w15376" target="_blank">traffic levels and congestion remain constant</a>.
A <a href="https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-08/Urban%20Transport%20Crowding%20and%20Congestion.pdf" target="_blank">2019 report</a> from Infrastructure Australia observes that the huge number of road and rail projects in Sydney and Melbourne, both current and planned, will not prevent crippling congestion by 2031.
<h2>What did the flexible working study find?</h2>
This issue was the motivation for our study into alternative ways to ease congestion. It identified flexible working as one possible solution.
The term <a href="https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employee-entitlements/flexibility-in-the-workplace/flexible-working-arrangements" target="_blank">flexible working</a> refers to arrangements that enable employees to adjust the number of hours they work, the pattern of those hours, or where they work. Flexible working has risen significantly in recent years, with many potential <a href="https://fortune.com/2019/02/20/four-day-work-week-research-benefits/" target="_blank">benefits</a> for both <a href="https://www.recruitment-international.com.au/blog/2018/06/73-percent-of-australian-employees-value-flexible-working-hays-reveals" target="_blank">employees</a> and <a href="https://employsure.com.au/blog/rewarding-retaining-employees-flexible-work-arrangements/" target="_blank">employers</a>. Yet few studies have examined its potential to reduce traffic congestion.
For our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162518301549" target="_blank">study</a>, we surveyed 263 city workers from ten of Melbourne’s biggest employers. We asked them about their commuting habits, existing flexible working arrangements, attitudes toward flexible working and the nature of their work tasks.
We found 64% of workers were already taking advantage of some sort of flexible working arrangements that allowed them to work from a remote location, usually at home, an average of 1.1 days a week. And 83% of them either “liked” or “loved” the ability to do this.
Only 2% said none of their work could be performed from an alternative location. A majority of participants, 58%, indicated they could do at least half their work duties out of the office. Some 30% of the workers indicated 80% or more of their work duties could be performed remotely.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/288868/original/file-20190821-170951-a5jci6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/288868/original/file-20190821-170951-a5jci6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Breakdown of participants in flexible working survey. <a class="source" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162518301549" target="_blank">Author's research</a>, Author provided
Technology enables these flexible working opportunities. Laptops, smartphones, high-speed internet and cloud access were highlighted as the must-haves for remote working.
Many of us no longer need to travel to a fixed location to work because the tools of our labour are located there. The tools of our labour are now in our back pockets or work satchels.
<h2>Finland shows what’s possible</h2>
Urban congestion is a growing problem worldwide. Today, <a href="/news">55% of people live in urban areas, a figure expected to reach 68% by 2050</a>. The use of motor vehicles is also growing rapidly.
But access to flexible working is growing around the world too.
Finland, a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190807-why-finland-leads-the-world-in-flexible-work" target="_blank">pioneer of flexible working practices</a>, recently adopted a new <a href="https://nordiclaw.fi/new-working-hours-act-of-finland-enters-into-force-1-january-2020/" target="_blank">Working Hours Act</a>. It will give a majority of full-time employees the right to decide when and where they work for at least half of their working hours.
A similar flexible working bill was introduced to the UK Parliament in July by Conservative MP Helen Whately. She <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49003413" target="_blank">said</a>:
The 40-hour, five-day working week made sense in an era of single-earner households and stay-at-home mums, but it no longer reflects the reality of how many modern families want to live their lives.
Our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162518301549" target="_blank">evidence from Melbourne suggests</a> the appetite for, and availability of, flexible working will continue to increase as more people do it and more millennials take up leadership roles.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/290005/original/file-20190829-184234-ircnwd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/290005/original/file-20190829-184234-ircnwd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
A small reduction in peak-hour commuter numbers could make the difference between being able to squeeze onto a train or not. <a class="source" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.flickr.com/photos/14027144@N00/94288580" target="_blank">Runs With Scissors/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-NC-ND</a>
If the 64% of workers who now work remotely 1.1 days a week increased this to five days a fortnight, this could cut the number of daily commuters to Melbourne from <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2011/files/report_125.pdf" target="_blank">572,000</a> to 440,500 a day. If the remaining 36% of workers were also able to work remotely 50% of the time, daily commuter numbers would fall further to around 337,500, a total reduction of 41%.
Even much smaller reductions in commuter numbers could have significant impacts on congestion. An <a href="https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/DBAssets/InquirySubmission/Summary/52831/Sub13%20NRMA.pdf" target="_blank">NRMA submission</a> that advocated flexible working hours and practices to a 2013 NSW parliamentary inquiry noted:
As a rule of thumb, when traffic on congested roads reduces by 5%, traffic speeds increase 50% (even if this only means going from 20 to 30km/h) […] A small reduction in the amount of passengers during peak hours can sometimes make the difference between being able to squeeze onto a bus or train, or not.
In this era of growing urban congestion, an increase in flexible working practices appears to have serious potential for easing the strain on our roads and transport networks. Isn’t it about time we asked ourselves if we could all be a bit more flexible?<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122130/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434" target="_blank">John L Hopkins</a>, Theme Leader (Future Urban Mobility), Smart Cities Research Institute, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767" target="_blank">Swinburne University of Technology</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/flexible-working-the-neglected-congestion-busting-solution-for-our-cities-122130" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Flexible working, the neglected congestion-busting solution for our cities

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Assistant Minister for Financial Services Jane Hume announced that financial advisers will be given up to an extra two years to upgrade their professional standards and qualifications.
The Morrison government concession means that currently operating financial planners will have until January 2022 to pass a financial advice exam and until January 2026 to graduate from a financial advice university or TAFE degree accredited by Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority, she said.
Labor shadow minister for financial services Stephen Jones slammed the delay, he said "the government are being negligent and dragging their feet on urgent reform." 
Some financial adviser lobbyists were grateful for the changes but said they didn't go far enough.
In particular, the executive director of the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals, Peter Johnston said the government should give further leeway to advisers specialising in life insurance and income protection.
"Risk insurance advisers should not need a four-year degree. They should need a 12-month refresher diploma in risk insurance because they're only dealing in that area," he stated.
 
Senator Hume said the financial advice exam was available only in capital cities and would not be available in regional areas until September 2019.
"The extension of the exam will ensure that all advisers, including rural and regional advisers, will have two years to sit the exam, as originally intended," she said.
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Financial advisers given extra two years to upgrade their professional qualifications

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Outgoing secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department Martin Parkinson has condemned “entrenched disadvantage” in Australia, in his valedictory address on leaving the public service.
Parkinson also warned it was imperative that Australia did not allow “the kind of retreat from openness and vilification of differences” that had happened in some other countries.
During his long career Parkinson headed the climate change department (now defunct) and treasury (from which he was sacked by Tony Abbott), as well as the prime minister’s department, where he will now be succeeded by Phil Gaetjens, formerly Scott Morrison’s chief of staff and most recently head of treasury.
In his Monday address Parkinson said Australia had not had “the rising income inequality at the top end” of the United States and much of western Europe, “although wealth has become more unequally distributed off the back of rising house prices”.
But this was a “low bar”, he said.
“Our history has bequeathed a degree of entrenched disadvantage that should be seen as a disgrace in any country, but particularly one as developed as Australia,” he said.
More than half of those in the bottom decile in 2000 were still in the lowest 20% 15 years later, he said.
Ideally, people should only be at the bottom of the income distribution spectrum temporarily due to life events, not whole families and communities sentenced to it for generations.
If you want a single thing to blame for the disadvantage we see in Australia, particularly in our remote areas, look no further than an understandable lack of hope. With those kind of odds, anything else would be irrational.
A key to evening people’s chances was to have the best education system that could be achieved and a culture valuing learning, Parkinson said.
He said Australia would need to use all its advantages to sustain its prosperity and security in the future. These included its multicultural society, a merit-based culture and a market-based approach.
There are really only two choices for this country. We can take pride in our diversity and use it as an advantage when interacting with the world, or we can hunker down behind borders and slowly gnaw at each other.
Parkinson said that “to their credit, our parliamentary leaders have maintained a remarkable commitment to an open economy and social cohesion, despite immense pressures the other way”.
On the international front, Parkinson said many regional and global institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the G20 and APEC, were struggling.
It’s particularly hard for the WTO to enforce trade rules when the largest countries are openly flouting them.
The United States largely built this order in its own image, under-writing it with security guarantees. We benefit immensely from this order and must help support it wherever we can.
Parkinson reflected on his disappointment at his dismissal as treasury secretary. “I received the ‘wooden spoon’ as head of the treasury in 2013 – a job I enjoyed and in which I aspired to follow the nation-building work done by predecessors such as Chris Higgins, Ted Evans and Ken Henry.
"It was a drawn out departure, and I couldn’t even look forward to sitting on the couch to watch a care free game on the weekend as the Essendon Bombers also had a terrible season.”The Conversation

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-grattan-20316" target="_blank">Michelle Grattan</a>, Professorial Fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865" target="_blank">University of Canberra</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/martin-parkinson-declares-entrenched-disadvantage-in-australia-a-disgrace-122410" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Martin Parkinson declares 'entrenched disadvantage' in Australia a disgrace: Michelle Grattan

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Lendlease Engineering, together with its joint venture partner CPB Contractors, has secured the $644 million contract to undertake the major bulk earthworks package at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
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This extensive package of works includes delivery of the detailed design and construction of earthworks and drainage for the new airport, as well as topographical design for the entire airport precinct.
It is one of Australia’s largest ever bulk earthworks infrastructure projects to be awarded outside of the mining sector.
Dale Connor, the CEO of Lendlease building and engineering, said up to 500 people are expected to work on the important stage.
"Lendlease has a long history of participating in the development of Western Sydney and we look forward to delivering this next stage of the Western Sydney International project”, Connor said.
“As Western Sydney’s future aerotropolis, the work on Western Sydney International will be a major contributor to the economic and social development of the region.
"This project gives Lendlease the ability to provide further skills, training and employment opportunities across Western Sydney."
The airport is being developed in stages by the Federal Government-owned Western Sydney Airport in response to passenger demand.
Stage 1 will see a single runway airport constructed with capacity for up to 10 million passengers a year.
The first package of works, also undertaken by Lendlease and CPB Constractors, began in September 2018.
The new bulk earthworks package will commence early next year and is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
 
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Lendlease win contract for Badgerys Creek airport earthmoving 

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A part of the historic Cyclops toy factory in Sydney inner west is up for sale. 
The warehouse at 40-76 William Street in Leichhardt is being marketed by Knight Frank agent Demi Carigliano.
The 6,931sqm property consists of a 10,060sqm commercial building spanning four levels that is rented to a self-storage facility.
It is the last part of the original warehouse, with the remainder having been converted into apartments.
The remaining part of the old toy factory will be offered to the market for the first time in 30 years.
“Investors can either keep it in its current use as a self-storage building, reposition or re-adapt the existing building into a commercial or food and beverage hub or undertake a residential or commercial redevelopment of the site, subject to council approval," Demi Carigliano said.
He suggested the site has the potential to become a precinct similar to The Grounds of Alexandria, Tramsheds in Glebe or the Cannery in Rosebery.
There are no heritage restrictions on the property to prohibit or restrict development.
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“This is one of the largest freestanding buildings in this area.
“The property has a three-street frontage, including 88 metres on William Street.
It’s also in close proximity to the Leichhardt light rail station.
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Historic Cyclops, Leichhardt toy factory listed with development potential 

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The Agency has reported an annual $4.2 million EBITDA loss, which is up on its prior $3.1 million annual loss.
The listed estate agent announced it had identified $2.8 million in cost cutting measures, The Agency told the Australian Securities Exchange this morning.
The group reported a net loss before income tax of $7.7 million compared with $3.9 million in the prior year.
There was no update from the company which is currently in discussions with a number of parties in relation to the refinance of a debt facility ahead of its maturity which occurs on 30 September, 2019.
The company's share price recently <a href="/news/the-agency-dips-to-record-low-share-price">hit an all time low of 6.7 cents</a>, today they are trading even lower 6.4 cents per share with no movement since the ASX closed on Friday.
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The Agency Group Australia was announcing its results for the year ended 30 June 2019.
The Agency reported annual group revenue of $31 million, an 86 percent increase year-on-year on FY2018 when it was $16.8 million.
The growth followed prior 75 percent growth and 70 percent growth during its initial two years.
The agency saw 2,419 sales, up from 667 sales for FY18.
It was $2.5 billion worth of property sold.
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The increase in revenue was primarily due to a 31 percent increase year-on-year in combined gross commission income to $38 million. In FY18 it was $29 million.
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At the completion of FY2019, the company also had 3,430 listings, up 43 percent on the 2,401 listings at the end of FY18. 
Property management reported a record total of 4,337 properties under management, up 29 percent.
The company also reported an increase year-on-year in the number of agents recruited, up from 185 over the year to 272 agents as at 30 June 2019.
The Agency Group reported cash receipts of $33 million for the FY2019, a 120 percent year-on-year increase on FY18's $15 million.
The Agency Group reported $44,000 net cash from operating activities for the June quarter as a result of an increase in cash receipts for the period.
The financial results only include six months of operations from Top Level Real Estate - the McGrath rebels - following completion of the acquisition in mid-January 2019.
The EBITDA loss of $4.2 million included $1.3 million of one-off, non-recurring costs expensed this year, primarily associated with the Top Level transaction (i.e. legal, accounting, professional services, corporate advisory, financing and office fit-outs, etc ).
The company would have had a normalised EBITDA loss of $2.9 million, excluding the Top Level expenses.
Its cash at end of financial year was $2.6 million.
"The company has already identified and has begun implementing $2.8 million in cost savings that will be delivered in FY20," it advised.
Trade payables have blown out from $7.4 million to $13.6 million.
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The Agency reports bigger loss and announces $2.8 million cost cutting

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Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond said the government is putting too much pressure on lenders over stringent customer living expense checks.
He said the housing recovery may be at risk because lenders are "running scared" with about a fifth of customers who would previously have been given loans now being denied for fears if being pursued by regulators.
"I think regulators are going too hard. I think government's got to get involved and say that look we just want to have responsible lending, we don't want to make conditions so easy that anyone can get through," Mr Symond told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"It’s got to the point where lenders and credit people are running scared, you’ve just got to be a bit careful here. We’ve got a very brittle economy, we’re still travelling OK, housing has taken a hit, it’s getting off the ground. Lenders have all been in the firing line of the royal commission," he added.
The remarks come as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is consulting with the banking industry on responsible lending laws.
The chief executive of the Australian Banking Association, Anna Bligh, said she thought ASIC was "going to a great deal of care to get it right" when she commented on responsible lending.
"We need to have strong customer protections, but we don’t want to lock down access to credit to the point where harms the economy,” Ms Bligh said.
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John Symond says the banks should ease the stringency of checks on home borrower expenses

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A Port Pirie, South Australia mortgagee home has seen it's asking price slashed to $89,000.
The house is being offered for less than it sold for in 2004 when the home transacted at $102,500.
Since it was placed on the market 381 days ago, it has seen it's asking price slashed $46,000.
Sean Manfield of Wardle Real Estate is marketing the property.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-port+pirie-129080722" target="_blank">8 Swan Street</a>, the three bedroom one bathroom abode has one carport space and six garage spaces.
Set on 864 sqm, the home was built in 1954.
Following the 2004 sale a DA was submitted in 2007 for a garage/shed with a build value of $9,037.
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Port Pirie, SA mortgagee listing slashed $45,000, now below previous sale price

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

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

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

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

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

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

Staff reporter

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