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A 635 sqm land parcel in Bonville south of Coffs Harbour has sold for $260,000.
The block in the popular Storyland gardens estate has views of the nearby Bongil Bongil National Park.
The block at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-residential+land-nsw-bonville-202119006" target="_blank">8 Mountain View Court</a> only went up $1,000 since it last traded in 2017.
Beth Andrews at PRDnationwide Coffs Harbour advised the vendor had moved overseas. 
The block with street level access is a short drive to Sawtell Beaches, cafes, restaurants, entertainment and some of the best schools on the coast.
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Bonville mountain view block sells

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A near $11 million sale may have set a new record for the Sutherland Shire.
It was the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-kangaroo+point-128766178" target="_blank">mansion at Kangaroo Point</a> completed three years ago by Celeste and Joseph Steiger, an electrical engineer who runs electric and mechanical servicing company Industrial Electric.
<div class="in-content-ad">
<div id="adspot-1x1-pos-5" class="ad" data-google-query-id="CLuspc72ktwCFRSNlgodyiMJ9w">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/31694718/domain.com.au/news/prestige_4__container__">The sale price on the three-level Kangaroo Point Road residence built over two blocks of deep waterfront remains undisclosed by selling agents John Basa and Dave Watkins, of DJW Property.</div>
<div> </div>
<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/2018/7/10/kang1.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<div>But it has been confirmed as a local buyer.</div>
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The Kangaroo Point residence offers about 900 square metres of internal living space on its 1820 square metre block which has been reportedly held by the Steiger family for about four decades.
Listed last November with $12 million hopes, the six-bedroom residence has a private beach, jetty, pontoon and boatshed.
<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/2018/7/10/kang3.jpg" alt="">
The previous high of $10.85 million was set in 2005 by the Kangaroo Point property, Waterview when it was bought by company director Allan Botros with complex vendor financing.
It was sold two years later for $6 million to boss of Glad Cleaning company Nick Iloski and his wife Lucy.
Last year a waterfront house on Cronulla’s Darook Park Road was sold for $10.3 million to Sonya Boxall, wife of UBS co-head of equities Steve Boxall.
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Kangaroo Point home sets Sutherland Shire record

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Several leasing opportunities in Melbourne’s Federation Square are on the market.
The tenancies range from 48 to 276 square metres, with including internal and external spaces, some of which have views of the Yarra River.
Prices for the tenancies start at $26,500 per annum.
According to leasing agent, Teska Carson’s Richard Munday, the tenancies on Federation Square are tightly held, such as Kirra Gallery’s 15 year current lease. 
Two spaces, Tenancies 27 (183 square metres) and 28 (276 square metres), are only available on 18 month leases.
"In terms of inquiry we have had so far with 50 calls on the first day of advertising," Munday said.
Federation Square hosts 10 million visitors more than 2000 events annually, including New Year’s Eve celebrations, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
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"Very rare" Federation Square leasing opportunities on the market

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There is an increasingly active east coast hotel market, according to iPG's first quarter 2018 report.
The market is characterised by tight conditions in the Sydney CBD, new supply in Melbourne and near double digit growth in inbound tourism.
iPG, an advisory for investors, expects buoyancy in the hotel sector to continue for the remainder of the year, driven by Chinese investor led acquisitions.
Group CEO, Michael Gu, noted Sydney remains the most significant location for investors and developers with many buyers seeking forward purchase agreements.
Melbourne recorded the highest number of transactions during the quarter.
According to Gu, an emerging trend in Sydney and Melbourne is developments converting from residential to hotels as the housing market cools.
"This should help the hotel market meet burgeoning demand for accommodation," he said.
"Sydney and Melbourne are likely to continue to be the markets with the highest activity levels and strongest ADRs, while Brisbane will also experience improving market conditions."
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Activity rising in east coast hotel market: iPG

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Global architectural firm Buchan has created a sustainably-designed facility design of Swimming WA’s latest aquatic centre, WestSwim Lakelands.
Buchan was appointed on behalf of PEET Ltd to provide architectural, master-planning and interior design services to the project.
It was completed in May.
WestSwim is a business unit of Swimming WA – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to growing the sport of swimming in Western Australia.
The 724 square metre facility includes, a pool hall featuring a five-lane, 25 metre graded-depth swimming pool, with specialised in-built teaching ledge, retail space and office facility with an additional 48 square metre outdoor entertainment area.
<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/2018/7/5/WA%20Pool%202.jpg" alt="">
WestSwim Lakelands is located on the corner of Mandurah Road and Lake Valley Drive in the new Lakelands Town Centre.
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Architectural firm Buchan designs WA aquatic centre in Lakelands

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Geocon's latest development High Society almost sold out prior to public release, making High Society the best-selling project in Australia this year.
“We have sold 500 units with less than 10 percent of the stock remaining by day one,” Geocon Managing Director Nick Georgalis (pictured below alongside Mark Bouris) 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/2018/7/6/Geocon%20dudes.jpg" alt="">
"That’s double the record of 250 that we sold in Grand Central Towers on a single night in February."
High Society’s two 27-storey glass towers at 113 and 100 metres will be Canberra’s tallest buildings and the third release in Geocon’s $1 billion Republic development. 
Construction on High Society has commenced with an expected completion date of September 2020 due to a Goldman and Sachs deal Geocon made.
This project will contain 541 apartments, 135-room Abode hotel, 500 public carparks in addition to resident parking, and retail and commercial offerings, set in the one-hectare Republic precinct in Belconnen.
The two glass towers of High Society are the ACT’s biggest construction project since Canberra International Airport.
In conjunction with the High Society launch, Georgalis announced that Geocon had sold more than 1200 apartments this year across all of his projects, more than half of the ACT’s annual sales.
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Geocon secures sales record at High Society development

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A Melbourne based investor has paid $2.27 million on a 4.4% yield for 440 Hampton Street, Hampton.
The securely leased retail asset comprises a 180 square metre ground floor component of a three storey building, on a 180 square metre site zoned Commercial 1 with 10 metres frontage to Hampton Street and three car spaces on title located in Melbourne’s south-eastern Bayside.
According to selling agents, Teska Carson directors, George Takis and Michael Ludski, four bidders from a strong auction crowd pushed the price to more than $170,000 above the vendor’s reserve.
The property was sold subject to a brand new five year lease to Australia Post at an annual rental of $100,000 with 3.2% annual increases.
Ludski said the area had seen significant growth in recent years with a number of medium density residential and commercial developments transforming the precinct.
"What has been an upsurge in this area’s popularity, with its easy access to Melbourne’s CBD via major arterial routes, and the beach, has driven the development of new, high-profile, residential and commercial projects that have further enhanced a much sought after destination,’’ Ludski added.
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Investor pays $2.27 million for Australia Post-occupied Hampton retail building

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A Bellevue Hill architect designed house with city skyline and harbour bridge views has been offered for the first time in 54 years. 
The solid brick, classic modernist style home was designed by architects Allen, Jack &amp; Cottier, a prime example of its creators as it bares all the hallmarks of its 1960s architectural heritage.
It was listed by Michael Pallier from Sydney Sotheby's International Realty. 
Occupying approximately 684 square metres of north-west facing land,<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-bellevue+hill-127623718" target="_blank"> the 6 Sheldon Palace </a>home comes with five bedrooms, kitchen with causal dining area, living and formal dining areas flow onto extensive wrap around north facing verandahs, terraces and swimming pool. 
<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/2018/6/13/BELLEVUE%20HILL%202.jpg" alt="">
Other features include high ceilings, custom-made joinery and glass sliding doors. 
It also comes with an additional self-contained guest pavilion/rumpus/nanny quarters with independent access.
The suburb's median house price sits on<a href="/developments/bellevue-hill-nsw-2023"> $5.45 million</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
<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/2018/6/13/BELLEVUE%20HILL%203.jpg" alt="">
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AJC-designed Bellevue Hill sold for first time in 54 years

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EXPERT OBSERVER
We’re great at rationalising our own actions, whether it’s profiteering or eating meat.
Hating bankers seems to be something of a global bloodsport, and this has only been intensified by the <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/financial-services-royal-commission-51154" target="_blank">many scandals</a> coming out of <a href="https://financialservices.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Financial Services Royal Commission</a>.
But what often gets overlooked in times of mass gibbeting is the human cost. Far from the pin-striped-suit-wearing-cigar-chewing-fat-cat stereotype, the Australian employees in the banking sector are (mostly) just like the rest of us.
The emerging field of behavioural ethics shows us we are all motivated by self-serving interests and that, under the right circumstances, most people will act in ways that are opposed to their own moral principles.
Psychological research has revealed what is referred to as the <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/real-men-dont-write-blogs/201406/why-we-dont-give-each-other-break" target="_blank">fundamental attribution error</a> – a tendency to blame an individual’s character for bad outcomes.
In essence, we believe people who lie, cheat or steal do so because they’re bad apples. It is for this reason we feel justified in dragging them over hot coals.
Although satisfying to our sense of retributive justice, this is often unjustified.
Studies show when people are given the opportunity to cheat without getting caught, they will do so in order to benefit themselves, but <a href="http://journals.ama.org/doi/abs/10.1509/jmkr.45.6.633?code=amma-site" target="_blank">just enough</a> so they don’t see themselves as immoral.
We also know unethical behaviour tends to follow a slippery slope. Dishonesty increases overtime and people adapt to their behaviour (it feels more normal), leading to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.4426" target="_blank">less activation of the amygdala</a> – an area of the brain associated with perceptions of threat.
But, what leads good people to do bad things in the first place?
Studies on <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-102811-173815" target="_blank">ethical fading</a> reveal when people are focused on other factors (for example, the importance of meeting performance goals) they become less aware of the ethical dimensions to their decisions.
There are also a myriad of ways people use <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963721414553264" target="_blank">motivated reasoning</a> to downplay the ethical consequences of their actions.
From bankers to burgers
If you think these biases are limited to bankers, think again. In my own research I’ve become fascinated with the psychology of meat eating. Why? Because it’s terribly common while also posing an ethical dilemma for almost all of us (me included).
Although a very large majority of us eat meat, many are also squeamish when it comes to the production of that meat. We don’t like to think of the harm associated with factory farms. In fact, very few of us can stomach the idea of killing an animal, yet we’re happy to eat lamb roast on Sundays and burgers in between.
So how do we resolve this tension between our desire to eat meat and the harm this brings to animals? We engage in all the same practices bankers have been accused of recently.
Our work shows we actively <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167211424291" target="_blank">downplay the mental lives of animals</a>, such as their capacity to experience pain or harm. This is so the ethical consequences of our behaviour appear less troublesome.
We have also traced these strategies – designed to protect us from the discomfort associated with the ethical implications of meat eating – all the way to how our <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1088868316647562" target="_blank">societies and institutions are structured</a>. Abattoirs are kept out of sight, we use euphemisms such as beef (versus cow) or pork (versus pig), and we promote the idea eating meat is <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315001518" target="_blank">natural, normal, and necessary</a>.
Unconscious bias, cultural veils, and a little humility.
Contrary to our retributive desire to hang wrong-doers out to dry, the evidence suggests we’re all prone to ethical failures.
Our self-serving biases are often unconscious, and we live and work in social systems that are sometimes designed to incentivise unethical behaviour and protect us from the consequences of our actions.
Bankers talk of profits rather than people. They have managers, boards, and shareholders who set and <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/banking-inquiry-reveals-need-to-get-rid-of-incentives-for-selling-home-loans-20180325-p4z64v" target="_blank">incentivise</a> financial goals and targets, not ethical ones.
Can the banking sector improve its ethical scorecard? Most definitely yes. We must, however, view this as a systemic issue.
Just as those of us who consume burgers need to take a walk down humility lane, the banking sector needs to recognise the various pitfalls that have become ingrained in its very culture.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/99209/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">At the end of the day bankers are no more or less prone to the same ethical failures than the rest of us. Recognising that fact is the first step towards creating an open and safe culture where we can all admit our moral frailties without fear of becoming the next casualty of the blame bandwagon.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brock-bastian-135" target="_blank">Brock Bastian</a>, ARC Future Fellow, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722" target="_blank">University of Melbourne</a>
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.
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Why we should be slow to point the finger at bankers

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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-lifestyle-nsw-berry+mountain-7927978" target="_blank">Glenworth</a>, Berry Mountain set on 98.8 acres, has been sold for an undisclosed amount to an undisclosed buyer last month.
Marketed as "possibly the most prestigious, stately residence in the district" it is placed in a unique location on Berry Mountain, overlooking Berry and beyond to the sea (pictured above).
Glenworth is a Victorian two storey home (pictured below) built in 1880 by James Wilson, the esteemed first mayor of Berry.
<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/2018/7/5/Berry%202.jpg" alt="">
With extensive outbuildings and sufficient shedding to store all forms of farm machinery, this property is both residence and a rural holding that is divided into 7 grazing paddocks.
Two small creeks emerge from sources on the property upon which a 2nd dwelling, previously a caretakers cottage, set well apart from the main holding resides, providing the opportunity to create a private home for visitors or holiday letting.
Glenworth was previously held by one family for 67 years.
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Berry Mountain trophy home, Glenworth sold

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]

The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]

The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

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Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

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The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

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The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

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Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

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Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

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Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

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