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Savills Australia is welcoming a new director to help lead the Victorian business’ capital transactions division. 
With 13 years’ experience in commercial property agency and valuations, James Girvan returns to Savills with $3 billion worth of commercial property transactions under his belt. 
Girvan has relocated from Sydney to Melbourne to fill the role.
Some of the notable transactions that Garvin has been involved in include 231 Elizabeth Street for circa $350 million, 20 Hunter Street for circa $200 million, and 55 Clarence Street for $170 million.
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He aims to set about “finding a home” for the capital that had not been able to break into the Sydney CBD market. 
“Many local and offshore groups that have missed out on core Sydney CBD opportunities are now turning their attention to core Melbourne stock,” he said. 
“As the development pipeline comes to fruition in the next two years, and with the current low vacancy and potential for rental growth, Melbourne will become a pivotal point of interest for investors.”
The move follows the appointment of Ben Parkinson as state director of Capital Transactions in October 2017, and the successful sales of 50 Franklin Street and 800 Collins Street late last year. 
Parkinson said several local institutions were looking to re-weight their portfolios, with the Melbourne market providing tenant diversity given the even distribution across tenant sectors.  
“There has been massive net absorption throughout the past few years and Docklands, among other precincts, is at capacity. 
“Although the recent change in the city’s planning laws limits the availability of new sites, the population growth is creating pent-up demand for office space, with prime rents expected to increase by about 7.0% in the short to medium term.” 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Savills bring new director onboard to Melbourne capital transactions team

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GUEST OBSERVER
In cities, people use bicycles for far more than just commuting and recreation. For many people, riding a bike is not just a way to get to work; it is a livelihood necessity and helps sustain urban economies. And for people who rely on a bike to do their job, safe access to city roads is essential.
With increasing urban pollution and poverty around the world, we urgently need to think about how to plan new cities and redesign old cities to accommodate cycling’s varied uses.
Ever-increasing numbers of cars and other vehicles reduce the road space available to cyclists. Where the risks of collisions and injury are high, they are effectively excluded from traffic.
In cities that privilege motor vehicles, cycling slowly is essential for survival. Cyclists who deliver goods and services need to navigate cautiously when sharing limited road space with speeding cars and impatient, unpredictable motorists.
These workers are different from other riders who voluntarily indulge in slow cycling for leisure. Are city experts willing to consider slowness as an occupational necessity? Can traffic planners see how a working class of slow cyclists helps set cities in motion every day?
Different cities, both relying on slow cyclists
My explorations of cargo cyclists in Kolkata, India, and postal and courier cyclists in Parramatta, Sydney, explore the relationship that cycling has with these cities. This work also shows what needs to change to support bicycle workers in our cities.
In Kolkata, cargo cyclists are central to the city’s informal economy. At dawn, the sounds of creaking bicycles fill the streets as heavily greased chains rotate and aluminium containers clank against one another. The riders balance newspapers, milk, gas cylinders and food on their bikes, which are often loaded with more than 150 kilograms of goods.
Later in the morning, the screeching tyres, engines and honking of buses, cars and motorbikes drown out the city’s cycle symphonies. In the afternoon and evening, when the traffic eases, cycle sounds once again resonate through the city’s streets.
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Cyclists in Kolkata must contend with roads crowded with motor vehicles. Malini Sur, Author provided
Kolkata has one of the highest population densities in the world, with 14.3 million urban residents and is India’s second-most-polluted city.
The ratio of road space to the total city space in Kolkata is just 6% – the lowest in India. Despite a lack of cycling infrastructure and the hazards of crowded roads, the city records 1.68 million cyclists and 2.5 million cycle trips a day.
In the next decade India’s urban population is expected to double to 600 million people. This booming urbanisation – and a growing middle class that wants to own cars – will add to the congestion and pollution. Although bicycles do not add to pollution, urban infrastructure is biased towards motorised traffic.
Unlike Kolkata’s cargo cyclists, Parramatta’s postal cyclists are almost noiseless, but they too have to contend with cars that often refuse to slow down, even on residential streets. The posties’ high-visibility yellow uniforms, measured pace and iconic flag poles distinguish them from the commuter cyclists who whizz by.
Beyond posties, a new set of working cyclists is emerging. As online delivery services like Uber Eats and Deliveroo grow in popularity, more cycling courier jobs are becoming available.
While some people tout the benefits of flexible employment, these cyclists continue to work in dangerous conditions on the roads. Just like other slow cyclists in Australia and India, these gig economy riders have not received enough attention from policymakers.
Authorities make life harder for cyclists
Despite some efforts to encourage urban cycling, official prohibitions and structural roadblocks are widespread. In New South Wales, for instance, the state government has increased cycling penalties and tightened regulations – such as requiring riders to carry ID – in an attempt to curb safety problems.
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Stairs are just one of many obstacles delivery cyclists face in Kolkata. Malini Sur, Author provided
In 2017, Kolkata, citing similar issues, prohibited cycling on 70 city roads (despite nonexistent cycle lanes). Here, the traffic police continue to fine cyclists. Corrupt authorities skim money from the penalties and distribute it among themselves.
The need for parking space in both cities means the roadside is sacrificed to permanent parking zones. This ensures that cyclists do not have access to safe roadside space.
These limitations help explain why bicycle trips account for only around 1% of all travel in Australia, despite cycling being the country’s third-most-popular recreational activity. While the Australian government wants to double cycling participation, rates in Sydney remain lower than both the national and NSW averages.
Speed is not the only factor that drives cities into motion. Slow cycling as a response to inadequate infrastructure and poor policy tells us why seemingly very different cities – which have little in common geographically or economically – share the same cycling issues.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/92505/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">By paying attention to slow cyclists, we can begin to plan our cities in ways that recognise and enhance the environmental and economic benefits they deliver.
Malini Sur, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/slow-cycling-isnt-just-for-fun-its-essential-for-many-city-workers-92505" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Slow cycling isn't just for fun – it's essential for many city workers: Malini Sur

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101 Collins Street has unveiled its latest upgrade for its tenants.
The multi-million-dollar, high-end facility, called ONE, features a resort-style spa and wellness experience which has been designed to emulate the amenity of a six-star hotel.
Over 500 bike racks and 512 personal lockers have been created to cater to the rising number of cyclists and tenants who are choosing to walk, ride or run into work.
Designed by Australian architects Gray Puksand, the new facility comes with finishes of terrazzo stone, light and dark marble vanities, timber veneers and beautiful fabric walls featuring heavily in the opulent reception lounge.
The design features marble-clad “hydration stations” and ventilated drying rooms, 45 luxurious shower facilities with a dedicated towel service, individualised grooming stations complete with GHD hair straighteners, Parlux hair dryers and curated hand soaps and amenities by Australian made artisan brand Leif.
Brett Dillon, head of funds management at AXA Investment Managers, says the new facility reflects the standing of 101 Collins Street as the pre-eminent office address in Melbourne’s CBD.
“The modern workplace has undergone a dramatic shift in recent years with the advent of unique agile and flexible spaces with wellness in mind. To respond to this, we have created the new End of Trip Facility to support the evolving needs of workers while embodying the prestige that 101 Collins Street has always stood for.”
Gray Puksand lead designer for the project, Dale O’Brien, said the design of the new facility had leaned heavily on the modern end user’s daily experience.
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“A key design element from the outset was creating volume of space, with good circulation and high ceilings.
"Space is a commodity like no other, offering freedom and privacy.
“Research has shown when you integrate these luxury aspects into end-of-trip facilities there tends to be a spike in user uptake, especially from female users, which has added value to an already exceptional modern experience provided by 101 Collins Street.”
High-profile tenants such as Allens Linklaters, Goldman Sachs, J.P Morgan, and Herbert Smith Freehills are just some of the names that occupy the building’s 57 storeys.
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More than 500 bike racks installed at 101 Collins Street

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An Embleton church site with development potential has remained in religious hands.
LJ Hooker Commercial Perth confirmed the sale of the 4,025 square metre site, which was the home of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall, to a Hindu faith spiritual group.
The freehold site changed hands for $2,175,000, plus GST.
The Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal Perth INC – part of the Maningar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan – is a local not-for-profit incorporated religious association and charity.
The association has a legacy in Perth that dates back two decades, when families from East African including Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda migrated to the city and began holding religious services in private dwellings.
LJ Hooker Commercial Perth agent Vincent Siciliano said the group had undergone growth in membership.
The Kingdom Hall on site included modern improvements across 700 square metre of the property.
“The group will re-launch the former Kingdom Hall as the Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Temple, Embleton,” said Siciliano.
The site offered potential for 11 lots with the local planning scheme allowing for a minimum lot size of 300 square metre with dual street frontage to Irwin Road and Gaull Place.
Following the sale of the church site, LJ Hooker Commercial Perth has now been appointed to sell a second Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall at 44-46 Chelsea Court, Dianella.
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Hindu group buys Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall at Embleton

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The retirement owner, operator and manager Aveo Group has received planning approval for a $60 million project on the Sunshine Coast.
Set within Harmony, the $3 billion master planned community at Palmview; the 5.4-hectare site will accommodate 138 independent living units, providing homes to more than 200 seniors upon completion.
Aveo will commence construction in April 2018 to be built over five stages featuring two and three-bedroom units, with the first 63 units planned in the first stage with completion anticipated by June 2020.
Amenities also planned in the first stage include a community centre featuring a café, media room, recreational and entertaining areas, as well as a range of professional health and wellness facilities.
Aveo Group CEO Geoff Grady said Harmony’s location was a key consideration when choosing the site, with the Sunshine Coast experiencing a 21% growth in senior residents in the five years leading up to 2016.
Palmview will be Aveo’s third development on the Sunshine Coast alongside flagship community Aveo Peregian Springs Country Club,
Strategically located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast on 378 hectares, Harmony will deliver more than 4,800 homes for 12,000 future residents, 100 hectares of open space and a 60km network of pedestrian path and cycle ways. 
AVID Property Group General Manager Queensland Bruce Harper said intergenerational planning has been an important focus at Harmony since the project’s inception more than a decade ago.
“In the past, most new residential developments really only catered towards younger families, with the expectation that people would move on as their circumstances changed,” Harper said. 
“Needless to say, we are thrilled that Aveo Group will deliver a state-of-the-art retirement community right here at Harmony.”
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Situated on Harmony Boulevard in Palmview, the community neighbours Sippy Downs, Buderim, Mooloolaba, Maroochydoore and Kawana Waters. 
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Aveo receives planning approval for $60 million Harmony, Sunshine Coast community

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Project Group Constructions, a builder working on residential and commercial projects across Melbourne with contracts valued at about $190 million, has gone into voluntary administration.
The Burnley-based Project Group is a company with about 100 staff.
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The projects listed on Project Group's now disappeared website include the 16-unit Carlton Apartments project by MQ Property Group; Codstream's $30 million 48-unit Merri Green residential project in Melbourne's inner northern suburb of Northcote; the 19-unit 70 Wattletree Road project in Armadale by developers Buxton Group and Roulston; Outline Projects' 29-unit Little Oxford development in Collingwood, and the QMAX Development in Prahran.
It went into administration last Friday with a preliminary estimate, excluding employee entitlements, of $22 million in debts – $7 million of that secured to banks and unsecured debts worth $15 million – Matthew Jess of Worrells Solvency &amp; Forensic Accountants told The Australian Financial Review.
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Project Group Constructions calls in the administrators

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Situated in the Cosmopolitan apartment complex, an East Perth two bedroom apartment has been sold by mortgagees for $368,000 earlier this month. 
The 2nd-floor apartment was sold by Peter Andersen and Peter Wildermoth from Avenue One Property Group.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-wa-east+perth-126844298">Positioned at 9/259-269 Hay Street</a>, in the heart of East Perth, the Western Australian home comes with two bedrooms, open plan living and dining area, a generous balcony, lock up storage room and a secure car bay. 
It also features pool, gym, sauna and shared common areas.
It last sold at $275,000 in 2003.
Queens Garden, WACA ground, shopping &amp; cafés are within short walking distance. 
The suburb's median unit price sits at $465,000, according to CoreLogic.
 
 
 
 
 
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East Perth two bedroom apartment sold by mortgagee

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The former Prudential and BankSA managing director Terence Jay and his wife, Karen - a former chief marketing manager at Advance Bank in Canberra - sold in Birchgrove at weekend auction.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-birchgrove-127698362" target="_blank">The five-bedroom, four-level home</a>, they built in 2002 sold for $5,311,000, well above the $5 million reserve.
The Louisa Road house, with views of the Harbour Bridge, last sold 18 years ago for $1.1 million.  
Five balconies have since been built to take advantage of the harbour views. 
After an opening bid of $5 million, there was bidding between the four active bidders.
It comes with an 1100-bottle cellar.
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Former BankSA boss sells at Birchgrove

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A three-bedroom Toorak house has sold for $7,850,000.
The price reflected more than $11,600 per square metre.
It had been listed with $6.85 million to $7.5 million price guidance.
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Kay &amp; Burton's Mike Gibson secured the sale of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-127639310" target="_blank">66 Clendon Road</a> by private treaty.
It came with three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a study.
Set on the corner of Clendon Court, the two storey home comes with Yugoslavian limestone flooring.
A family room features its own bar.
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Clendon Road Toorak home fetches nearly $8 million

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Nardoo, a Riddells Creek country property in Victoria's Macedon Ranges has been listed by Dr Paul Carter, who published memoirs in his book Tales of a Country Doctor, then his 2014 publication, Further Tales of a Country Doctor.
Since being taken up in the late 1880s, the 165 hectare estate has owned by only a few.
Ivor Manton, one of two brothers who ran the then prestigious Manton's department store, was a prior owner.
During World War II prisoners of war were kept at the property. Four Italian prisoners worked on the farm during the day and were locked-up in the upper storey of an outbuilding at night.
Nardoo is split up in to three lots and has three houses, stables, a tennis court and a three hole golf course. The custom-built main house was designed by Alistair Knox in the 1970s.
Kennedy &amp; Hunt agent Jason Kennedy <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-mixed+farming-vic-riddells+creek-7949998" target="_blank">has the listing</a> with $4 million to $4.4 million hopes.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian.
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Country Doctor writer lists Macedon Ranges property

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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“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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