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<p>There is stagnation in the industrial development market in Rockhampton.</p>
<p>Most projects in growth precincts within the industrial market in Rockhampton were undertaken during the last market boom and development of industrial land has been fairly stagnant in recent years, according to the latest report from Herron Todd White (HTW).</p>
<p>The valuers noted that the industrial precincts in Gracemere are slowly being absorbed by the market.</p>
<p>There is still development soon to be undertaken within the Gracemere Industry Park (near Toll), with land to the rear approved to be developed into medium and light impact industrial allotments.</p>
<p>It is unknown when this land will be developed.</p>
<p>The valuers stated that the Livingstone Shire Council has been releasing industrial lots to the market within its Gateway Business and Industrial Park.</p>
<p>The estate comprises six stages in total with a proposed 71 lots.</p>
<p>The lots range in size from 2,000 square metres to 1.3 hectares.</p>
<p>Stage 2 has been developed and is currently available for sale.</p>
<p>The valuers at HTW believe "this supply of industrial land will provide for Yeppoon’s industrial market for some time".</p>
<p>"Major infrastructure projects that will assist in stimulating growth of the industrial sector will be the proposed Ring Road project as well as the Rookwood Weir."</p>
<p>In general, the industrial market for the first half of 2018 has continued at a steady pace.</p>
<p>The report forecasts that recovery of the coal price and green shoots within surrounding mining towns as well as local infrastructure projects will help the "recovery of the industrial market" in Rockhampton for the remainder of the year.</p>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Stagnant industrial development market in Rockhampton: HTW 

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<p>Adjoining Melbourne buildings at 187 and 189 King Street have been sold to investors.</p>
<p>They went for $4.89 million and $5.32 million respectively.</p>
<p>Both were sold by private families who had used the properties for restaurant businesses.</p>
<p>The 187 King Street premises was double a-storey building on 187 square metres of land, sold fully leased to Hanabishi Japanese restaurant.</p>
<p>The double-storey building on the 186 square metre site at 189 King was sold vacant possession.</p>
<p>Generational changes of ownership prompted both sales, CBRE's Alex Brierley advised.</p>
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Hanabishi Japanese restaurant Melbourne premises fetch $4.89 million

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<p>Elder House in Adelaide has been sold for $26 million to an unnamed, local, private investor. </p>
<p>The five-level building was constructed in 1937 with sandstone facade, as the head office of Australian pastoral icon, Elders.</p>
<p>JLL director Roger Klem secured the sale on behalf of Challenger Life.</p>
<p>The property has 12,135 square metres of office accommodation.</p>
<p>It has 6500 square metres of modern office space partially leased to the Australian Institute of Business.</p>
<p>Klem confirmed the purchaser intended to partially occupy the building. </p>
<p>“This property will immediately benefit via the City of Adelaide’s 10-gig input and the new owner is well advanced with key tenant negotiation," he told <em>The Adelaide Advertiser</em>.</p>
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Elder House, Adelaide sells for $26 million

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<div>
<span lang="en-AU">While the RBA are likely going to leave official interest rates on hold when they meet next Tuesday, it </span>hasn’t stopped lenders hiking rates out-of-cycle. </div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div>
<span lang="en-AU">Heritage Bank is the most recent to hike rates, joining </span>Bank of Queensland, AMP, Auswide and IMB in raising variable home loan interest rates over the last week. </div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU">The increased cost of funding has put the squeeze on banks’ profit margins and some lenders are choosing to pass some of the cost onto borrowers.</span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div>
<a id="LPlnk206699" href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/home-loans" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span id="LPlnk206699" lang="en-AU"></span></a><span lang="en-AU">RateCity spokesperson Sally Tindall said if the bank bill swap rate (BBSW) continues to rise we will see more lenders joining the party.</span>
</div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU">“Banks are weighing up whether they can wear the rising costs, or hike rates and risk customer backlash."</span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU">“After months of negative press generated by the Royal Commission, our banks are treading a fine line."</span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU">“We’ve seen a handful of smaller lenders hike rates, but so far nothing from the big four."</span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU">"It will be interesting to see how long they hold out.” Sally stated.</span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/28/Ratecity%20graph%202.JPG" alt=""></span></div>
<div><span lang="en-AU"> </span></div>
<div>In the decade prior to 2008, Australia’s major banks moved their variable rates in line with the cash rate. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>When the RBA made a cut, so did the banks and by the same amount.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As a result, the margin between the RBA cash rate and the major banks’ standard variable rates was consistently 1.8%, while the margin between their discounted variable rates was roughly 1.2%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But as the global financial crisis unfolded, the costs of funding started to climb.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In January 2008, the major banks made their first out of cycle rate hike in almost nine years, sending shock waves through the public and resetting the industry standard for how interest rates are set.</div>
<div> </div>
<div> <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/6/28/Ratecity%20graph%201.JPG" alt="">
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the last decade banks have been making their pricing decisions based on a wide range of competing factors, leading to an ever-growing gap between the cash rate and the banks standard and discounted variable rates.  </div>
<div> </div>
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More out-of-cycle home loan rate hikes to come: RateCIty

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<div align="left">The quickest path for first time buyers to purchasing a house in Greater Brisbane is Ipswich, according to a report released this week by Domain.</div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left"><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/18487925-426b-4b11-a5cb-c5dddfbaa68c.png"></div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left">The report noted first home buyer numbers have risen in Queensland, likely stimulated by the First Home Owners’ Grant, an incentive available for new homes valued under $750,000, providing a first home buyer $20,000.</div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left">Introduced in 2016, this measure was only meant to last for six months but was extended due to its popularity and as of 1 July, Queensland is set to reduce this grant to $15,000.</div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left"><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/2018/6/28/IPSWICH.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left">Indicative of Ipswich price potential, 3 Quarry Lane, Ipswich (pictured above) a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom sold for $315,000 three months ago.</div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left">“In Greater Brisbane, the time needed to save for an entry level deposit on a house has increased by one month from last year, bringing the total time to 4.2 years, while the time to save for an entry level deposit for units fell by three months, to 3.3 years,” Domain noted.</div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left"><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/b9eac2bc-b23a-4645-922e-628d7c43b03e.png"></div>
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Ipswich ranked the quickest FHB path to house ownership in Greater Brisbane: Domain

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<p><span>Entry level home buyers in Greater Melbourne experienced jump in the time taken to save for a house, adding an extra eight months from last year according to a report released this week by Domain. </span></p>
<p><span>"This is likely an impact of the influx of first home buyers increasing demand at the lower end of the market</span><span> since the Victorian government abolished stamp duty for first home buyers, an increase of 37 per cent compared to last year”, stated the report </span><br><br><span>“Those looking to purchase quickly can look to areas like Melton, where the entry house price is $424,000 and the time to save a deposit is 4.3 years."</span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/665a9107-e074-4cb3-b1dc-722845f7c7e4.png"></span></p>
<p><span>There was a indicative sale at 3 Cassia Road, Melton (pictured below), a three bedroom, two bathroom house, which sold for $448,000 last month.</span></p>
<p><span><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/2018/6/28/Melton%203%20Cassia%20Road.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p><span>"For house hunters looking to be closer to the CBD, areas like Maribyrnong, approximately nine kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, are a strong option with unit entry prices at $360,000 and a time to save of 3.7 years."</span></p>
<p><span><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/c895e225-6bae-40f5-8561-a14da31ee6a7.png"></span></p>
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Melton ranked as the quickest FHB path to house ownership in Greater Melbourne: Domain

<html><body>
<p>According to Domain's latest first home buyer report, the most expedient path to purchase for first home buyers in Greater Sydney is purchasing at Wyong. </p>
<p><span>The report states for first home buyers looking to purchase in Greater Sydney, there are a variety of options depending on budget and lifestyle priorities, "but the average time of saving required to purchase a house in Greater Sydney is 6.7 years" </span></p>
<p>"For buyers who want a quick entry to market, areas like Wyong on the Central Coast offer a relatively low entry price at $483,000, and the time to save a 20 per cent deposit of 4.7 years." </p>
<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/e4706e4a-25e8-4de4-b58a-32a801eefa73.png" width="600" height="700" data-imagetype="External"></p>
<p>An example of a house selling at this price point is 6 Harvey St Wyong, (pictured below) which sold for 465,000 on the fourth of June this year.</p>
<p><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/2018/6/28/Wyong%20465000.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Wyong is also the location to buy the cheapest apartment apartments on offer.</p>
<p><img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/e4706e4a-25e8-4de4-b58a-32a801eefa73.png"></p>
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Wyong is the quickest path to FHB purchasing in Greater Sydney: Domain

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<p>A new freestanding residence with views over Berrys Bay has been sold for $4.5 million, well above the suburb's median price.</p>
<p>Designed by Corben Architects, the home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mcmahons+point-124560798" target="_blank">29 Dumbarton Street, McMahons Point</a> sits opposite the Sawmillers Reserve.</p>
<p>It spent over 520 days on the market before being sold by Stone Real Estate</p>
<p><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/2018/6/16/mcmahons2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>The three bedroom house was built by Gartner Rose with w</span><span>ater views from all living areas including the master suite and the study area.</span></p>
<p><span>It comes with a breakfast bar opening to a private courtyard, along with an elevated garden/BBQ entertaining area.</span></p>
<p><span>Gartner Rose paid $1,125,000 for the home on 215 sqm in 2006.</span></p>
<p> </p>
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Freestanding McMahons Point residence sells $700,000 above suburb median

<html><body>
<p>Featuring the nation’s only rooftop skystand overlooking a major sports stadium, a new residential development in Woolloongabba has begun marketing.</p>
<p>Adjacent to Brisbane’s Gabba stadium, the Silk One project will boast a rooftop terrace 20 stories high, providing residents views of the ground.</p>
<p>The development is just 300 metres from the planned Woolloongabba Cross River Rail train station, 350 metres from Woolloongabba Busway and within two kilometres of major lifestyle and entertainment developments including Queens Wharf, Howard Smith Wharves and Dexus Waterfront,</p>
<p>"Silk One will combine lifestyle, access and amenity" suggests the developer.</p>
<p>Sarazin managing director Darren Dougan said the developer chose the Woolloongabba site, as it’s in prime position to take advantage of a changing Brisbane market.</p>
<p>“Contrary to the gloom portrayed by oversupply a couple of years ago, the proof is in the data - Brisbane’s off the plan prices are flat, not falling, and are forecasted to grow,” Mr Dougan said.</p>
<p>“Queensland’s interstate migration is the nation’s highest , the affordability gap between 1 Brisbane and Sydney is now at 66 per cent plus the jobs market is surging - with 130,000 2 net new jobs within the past year ,” he said.</p>
<p>CBRE Brisbane Managing Director Paul Barratt confirmed the confidence in Brisbane’s inner-city residential apartment market, “Brisbane not only offers premium value at attainable prices, but with the market due for a natural correction - the Queensland capital is ahead of its southern counterpart when it comes to long-term financial return.”</p>
<p>“Smart money follows infrastructure, and Brisbane’s infrastructure is at an all time high, in fact, there is over $12 billion in projects planned or under construction in the CBD alone,” he said.</p>
<p>The project will deliver 178 residencies comprising a mix of one, two and three bedroom open plan apartments with prices starting from $369,000 (including one car park).</p>
<p>Strategically designed to maximise the birds-eye views of the Gabba stadium, the unique Silk One skystand rooftop will offer an outdoor dining and BBQ space, resort-style pool, gym and spa as well as a big screen TV near the bar to ensure not a minute of the action is missed.</p>
<p>For those wanting to enjoy Brisbane’s glorious weather privately, each of the varying orientations benefit from deep balconies all northerly facing apartments on level eight and above benefit from stunning city skyline views.</p>
<p>Registrations and expressions of interest are now <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-woolloongabba-128459410" target="_blank">open</a> ahead of the global launch on 23 June 2018</p>
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Australian first Skystand provides new views for Brisbane apartment buyers

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<p>A two bedroom house in Western Australia's Falcon has been listed by mortgagees. <br><br>It is listed at $189,000 in the near seaside <span>southern suburb of Mandurah, located southwest of Mandurah's central area</span>.</p>
<p>It has been listed by Kathryn Fiorenza at Peard Real Estates.<br><br>Built in 1968, it last sold at $185,000 in 2004.  </p>
<p>It was listed unsuccessfully in 2010 at $319,000 and in 2011 at $259,000.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://reiwa.com.au/45-cobblers-street-falcon-4095291/" target="_blank">45 Cobblers Street, Falcon</a> house is on a large 999m2 block and has a basic 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom dwelling with an enclosed garage. </p>
<p>It is close to the ocean and the popular Falcon Bay.<br><br> It is also near Falcon shopping precinct, medical facilities, public transport restaurants and schools. <br><br>The suburb's median house price sits on $340,000 according to CoreLogic.</p>
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$5000 gain sought after 14 years for Falcon, WA mortgagee house listing

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.</p>

<p>"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]</p>


Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]</p>

<p>“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.”</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>From July, those restrictions disappear.</p>

<p>Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.</p>


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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]</p>

<p>The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.</p>

<p>Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]</p>


Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p><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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><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" /></p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]</p>


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