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A weekend Armadale auction of a renovated four-bedroom home with a pool secured $6,075,000.
The sale came after it was declared on the market at $5.5 million.
Bidding on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-armadale-127725282" target="_blank">32 Armadale Street</a> started on a vendor bid of $4.8 million.
There where four bidders on the modernised Edwardian property sold by Marshall White.
It last sold in 1991 at $575,000.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Armadale trophy home auction tops $6 million

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GUEST OBSERVER
Governments can encourage more affordable housing by targeting first home buyer subsidies to specific locations and housing types, a new report finds. It also suggests incentivising developers and builders to create smaller houses with more cost-efficient designs.
The report is based on the housing market in Perth, Western Australia, and shows that historically building single houses as opposed to units or town houses is a more effective way of delivering affordable housing on the city fringes.
The report examined housing affordability through individual transaction records over a six year sample period. It compared prices between established and new housing, showing that new land and building developments play important roles in supplying affordable housing options.
New dwellings comprise 13% of single house transactions and 33% for dwellings such as apartment or townhouses. Although new dwellings like apartments provided some affordable housing options, in general they are selling at a premium over existing houses.
Australia’s largest cities, like Perth, are stretched to the limit of land supply and infrastructure for affordable housing. The most infrastructure exists in city centres where houses are expensive.
Over the past two decades Perth has grown rapidly. Between 2001 and 2016 the population increased by 46.7%, the largest proportional increase of any Australian capital city. The make-up of the housing market is similar to other capitals: 68% of the housing stock is single houses, 20% other dwellings and 11% vacant.
Levels of home ownership are generally consistent with the national pattern: 62% of housing is owned outright or mortgaged, and 24% rented.
House prices have grown rapidly. From 1999 to 2016 house prices grew at an average annual rate of 8.4%; other dwellings grew 9%. Both sectors report the highest annual increases for all Australian capital cities over this period.
How can governments help?
The challenge in Australia’s housing market is supplying an adequate range of affordable new dwelling types within a range of suitable locations – both inner city and outer suburban choices.
Clusters of cheaper housing on the urban fringe and more expensive inner-city development suggest new building activity is confined to specific locations. These are defined by the price the constructor or buyer is willing to pay.
Housing policy in Australia has relied on market outcomes to determine aesthetic and economic characteristics of housing in our cities. Government intervention has mainly been through zoning, predominantly at local levels. More recently there’s also been stimulus at state and federal levels for first home buyers through various deposit subsidy schemes.
Subsidy schemes have been important in helping first home buyers bridge the deposit gap. Incentives have included cash payments and stamp duty relief.
In some states additional payments have been made for new building and for purchases in specific locations. But the Perth study indicates that some of these subsidies are becoming ineffective.
Standard “one type fits all” subsidies are limiting first home buyers’ choices of location and housing type.
The solution to this problem is to make subsidy schemes more flexible to nudge first home buyers towards affordable locations. This would even out the supply of affordable houses from areas where housing is densely clustered in certain locations.
Policy would also need to take into account the needs of different demographics in certain locations. Housing requirements of young singles are obviously different than for young families.
Effective policy would also need to take into account the types of housing finance available for first home buyers. One example is the WA government’s Keystart loans which help eligible people to buy their own homes through low deposit loans and shared equity schemes.
These types of schemes include shared ownership with the government owned housing authorities and include existing and newly built homes in a variety of locations.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/93841/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">But it’s not all up to state governments. The problems of lack of land supply and infrastructure are the same in all Australian capital cities. The federal government could play a more prominent role through infrastructure grant funding in changing the location choice of buyers and variation of affordable housing types at a national level.
Greg Costello, Associate Professor, Curtin University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-governments-can-learn-from-perths-property-market-93841" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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What governments can learn from Perth's property market: Greg Costello

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A three bedroom house in Koongamia, the north-eastern suburb of Perth, has been listed for mortgagee sale for $379,000.
Set on a 548 square metre block, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-koongamia-127851006" target="_blank">located at 33B Koolgoo Way</a>, it features three double sized bedrooms, formal lounge, open plan kitchen, dining and family room.
Other features include the entrance hall with high ceilings and double linen cupboard, backyard and double garage spaces.
The brick and tile home was built in 2003.
The marketing says the property is being sold "as is".
It last sold at $372,500 in 2007.
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Mortgagee Koongamia three bedroom house listed for sale

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Australasian architecture firm The Buchan Group have released the design details for the $550 Queen Street Village precinct at Southport on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
The retail, dining, entertainment and residential precinct is set to begin construction is following the Commonwealth Games in April. It will be built on a 3.2 hectare site bound by Queen, Nerang and Little High streets in Southport.
Buchan was engaged in 2014 by Brisbane based developer Property Solutions to design the urban village’s masterplan.
<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/2018/3/23/The%20Buchan%20Group%20QSV_6.jpg" alt="">
The Buchan Group Gold Coast principal Brett Saville said Queen Street Village was a large-scale project featuring at least seven mid-rise towers.
“Queen Street Village will be an integrated master-planned community, featuring showrooms, food and retail tenancies, offices, childcare and medical centres, high-rise living and a cinema,” Saville said.
“Buchan is a global architecture firm with experience working on major hotel, retail, residential and mixed-use projects nationally and overseas.
“While the project is primarily designed in our Gold Coast office we have drawn on the broad expertise of the whole group at all stages of the projects’ design.
<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/2018/3/23/The%20Buchan%20Group%20QSV_7.jpg" alt="">
“A key element of our design brief was to ensure the village could include a wide range of uses to keep the precinct active and vibrant over extended hours, and that it can be built in stages to suit the market demands of the Gold Coast.
“The overall design will complement the site’s physical characteristics and the wonderful Gold Coast climate while acknowledging the surrounding land uses.”
Building heights will be taller at the eastern end of the site with slightly shorter towers to the west, and the Gold Coast Light Rail stop on Nerang Street will be a focus for the pedestrian movement patterns through the precinct, Saville said.
“The main pedestrian spine – The Promenade – runs from a new signalised crossing at Queen Street through the site and down stairs and escalators to Nerang Street adjacent to the light rail,” he said.
“At the centre of the site is the central plaza – a large landscaped space that includes convenient parking and is surrounded by activated shopfronts and building entries.
“This project will really cement Southport as a place where people can work, live and play within a village-style precinct.”
Buildings have been architecturally designed to maximise the views from the site across Southport and the Broadwater, as well as to Surfers Paradise at night.
<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/2018/3/23/Palladium%20view.jpg" alt="">
“Careful attention to the planning and the placement of windows ensures that overlooking between buildings is minimised,” Saville said.
“The proposed material palettes for the buildings are curated to provide each part of the overall development a distinctive character that each sits comfortably with the others. 
“The materials on the towers are crisp and modern while the colour schemes maximise the impacts of light and shade on the external walls.
“There is a richer and more textured palette for the podiums and ground levels – the part of the buildings that people can more readily touch and feel.
“Internal finishes for the residential apartments offer two colour schemes – one that is reflective of the light coastal colours of the region and one that is subtly more intense.”
The Buchan Group has recently finished projects on the Gold Coast at Harbour Town Shopping Centre, the Oasis at Broadbeach (awarded a Commendation in the 2017 City of Gold Coast Urban Design Awards) and Robina Town Centre at Robina, which was named Retail Property of the Year in the Property Council of Australia’s 2017 Queensland Retail Property of the Year Awards. 
 
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Designs for $550 million Queen Street Village in Southport released

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A four bedroom home in Kallangur, north of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay region, has been sold by mortgagees for $400,000.
It had last sold at $430,000 in 2015.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-kallangur-127492738" target="_blank">33 Beerwah Parade</a>, the home comes with four bedrooms, open plan lounge/dining, and kitchen with quality appliances and breakfast bar.
Other features include ducted air-conditioning throughout, private under-roof outdoor entertainment area and double remote garage.
It situated in a central location that’s handy to shops, day-care, schools and shops.
Liam Booker at LJ Hooker sold the home.
The suburb's median house price sits on $382,500 according to CoreLogic.
 
 
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Moreton Bay home sale by mortgagee goes backwards

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Entrepreneur Tony Denny has acquired a 5 per cent stake in the listed real estate agent agency, McGrath.
An ASX substantial holding notice was lodged yesterday after Denny acquired his 5.05 per cent stake in the agency.
The cashed-up businessman took a position ahead of the agency unveiling its turnaround strategy.
The 7.2 million shares were bought over the past fortnight after buying shares on March 12 and 20 costing just over $3 million.
Some were likely acquired from McGrath's biggest institutional backer, Perpetual which sold almost 2.5 million shares on March 12 to reduce its stake from 14.2 per cent to 11.6 per cent.
</div>
<div>Denny's is a Central Coast-based property developer, whose $355 million fortune came from selling his AAA Auto dealership European network to Polish private equity firm Abris Capital Partners in 2014.  AAA AUTO was the largest used car dealer in Central and Eastern Europe.
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<div>Denny's sold-out apartment development called Vue at Gosford used McGrath's Central Coast office in its marketing.</div>
<div>
Shares in McGrath closed Tuesday up 2.5 per cent at 41 cents, having dipped to a 39 cent record low last Friday after a series of earnings downgrades and board turmoil.
<div>
A spokeswoman for Denny's development company, Central Real, told The Australian Financial Review the shareholding was a "passive long-term investment".
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For $3 million, Central Coast entrepreneur Tony Denny buys 5 percent stake in McGrath

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A Wilga Street home at the south end of Bondi Beach has sold for $12.9 million, smashing its $10 million reserve.
The home, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-bondi-127741054" target="_blank">built in the early 1980s</a>, last traded for $1.15 million in 1996.
It spans three levels with ocean, cliff and beach views.
<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/2018/3/27/wilga2.jpg" alt="">
There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an internal spa room.
A large outdoor terrace with lawn and garden sits on the 535 sqm parcel.
Raine &amp; Horne agents Paul Langsam and Ric Serrao sold the home at auction on Tuesday through auctioneer Damien Cooley.
 
 
 
 
 
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Bondi Beach home smashes reserve by nearly $3 million

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A mechanics shed at the rear of a cottage in south-western Sydney has been sold at $2.25 million.
Located on 1498 square metres, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-lakemba-127600430" target="_blank">69 Wangee Road</a>, Lakemba property features four large bedrooms, large living area, original kitchen and bathroom and an additional workshop at the rear ready for operation.
The property is currently zoned Light Industrial IN2 and situated on two lots, offering the potential for re-zoning (S.T.C.A). 
 It is close to places of worship, local train station, schools &amp; Lakemba's popular Haldon Street and the newly constructed Woolworths. 
The house property sold through John Yatman from Ray White.
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Mechanics shed at Lakemba cottage sold

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Multiplex has completed the new $225 million Learning and Teaching Building at Monash University, delivering a new education space to the Clayton campus.
The project includes a new regional transport interchange and a state of the art four-level building with innovative learning spaces, providing a new front door experience for all visitors.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/3/14/Monash_LTB_INTERIOR_FINAL_18_WEB_preview.jpeg" alt="">
Designed by architects John Wardle Architects, the Learning and Teaching Building provides a total of 29,227 square metres of formal and informal learning space as well as contemporary staff workspace.
It aims to facilitate learning across all disciplines and will also be home to the Faculty of Education and the Office of Learning and Teaching.
An innovative design element is a revolutionary learning space known as 'The Kiln' which features a series of large brick-clad areas suspended above ground level so students can occupy them underneath, imitating an amplified conversation pit.
Construction was completed ahead of schedule with the building ready to be utilised by students for the 2018 academic year.
Last year Multiplex completed Monash University’s $145 million student accommodation precinct comprising four new residential buildings and providing a combined total of more than 1,000 studio apartments, with associated retail and student informal learning spaces. 
The contractor has also been responsible for delivering some of the most high-profile and technically advanced education facilities in Victoria including the $200 million Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Swanston Academic Building in Melbourne’s CBD and the $100 million Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning Building (FABP) in Parkville. 
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/3/14/Monash_LTB_INTERIOR_FINAL_33_WEB_preview.jpeg" alt="">
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Multiplex finish construction of $225 million building at Monash University

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CBRE has launched an Australian build-to-rent committee to service the emerging sector of the market. 
It will be led by CBRE’s director of development valuations and advisory, Jozef Dickinson whose committee will provide valuation and advisory work, research, development feasibility and site identification services. 
Joining Dickinson in CBRE’s Australian ruild-to-rent committee are Ken Smith, Simon Cowley, Ben Martin-Henry, Kate Heaney, Ashley Kerfoot, Josh Rutman and Simone Lutz. 
The committee will be supported by CBRE’s US-based multifamily expert Colleen Pentland Lally, executive managing director of investor services Mark Granter and national director of institutional valuations Stephen Thomas. 
Granter said the establishment of a dedicated committee highlighted the firm’s commitment to diversify into new growth areas. 
The launch of this committee follows a successful nine-day build-to-rent campaign undertaken by Pentland Lally across Australia last year. 
CBRE has a multifamily business in several major international markets – completing US$24 billion worth of transactions in the US, £$2.4 billion in the UK and €$1 billion in Germany, in 2017.
Last year in the US, multifamily assets accounted for 32% (US$150 billion) of total commercial property investment in the US – making it the most popular asset class. 
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CBRE launch local build-to-rent committee

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

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While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

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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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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