Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

Box Hill in Sydney's northwest is ready for one of its most design-conscious projects to date with <a href="/new-apartments/killarney-ponds-box-hill-4-alan-street-box-hill-nsw-2765">Killarney Ponds</a>, the new apartment development by locals Kellarney Developments.

Killarney Ponds, located just outside the emerging <a href="/developments/box-hill-nsw-2765">Box Hill</a> Town Centre, has been designed to meet the needs of both families and working professionals seeking larger apartments and lifestyle-focused amenities, two points of difference when compared to other developments around the Box Hill area.

Approaching completion in early 2025,&nbsp;Killarney Ponds comprises a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments that emphasise indoor-outdoor living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=297513]

To maximise natural light, apartments have soaring ceilings just under three-metres, creating a sense of space and when meeting the sliding glass doors that open to a balcony or a courtyard, allow for maximum natural light to flood the interiors.

The three-bedroom apartments start from a generous 115 sqm of internal living space, and a further 10 sqm of terraces.

There are several two-level apartments, some with two bedrooms and some with three, including a three-bedroom penthouse that has its own private rooftop terrace and is priced under $1 million.

Resident amenity has been a big focus in Killarney Ponds, a level unrivalled in the local area. It starts from the entry to the development. There are three hotel-style lobbies which were designed to create an immediate impression on residents and their guests.

Facilities include a multi-purpose function room, expected to be used for community events as well as booked for private occasions like birthday parties, a fully-equipped gym, a work-from-home centre with integrated desks and meeting rooms, as well as several outdoor spaces with alfresco and picnic areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=257931]

The first stage of the project has already sold out, demonstrating strong demand in the Box Hill market, a market that is growing at a significant rate, driven by the improvements being made in the region.

Killarney Ponds is strategically positioned to benefit from the growth in infrastructure. The area is part of the NSW Government’s North West Priority Growth Area, which is anticipated to bring significant infrastructure improvements and job opportunities.

It's a short walk from the future Box Hill Town Centre, an upcoming hub featuring retail, dining, and recreational spaces set around a central lake.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22636 project_image_fid=257928]

Carmel Village, less than two kilometres away, offers everyday essentials with over 30 specialty stores including Coles and Aldi.

Families benefit from being close to a variety of schools, while healthcare needs will be well-served by the new $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital, set to complete in 2027. Rouse Hill Station is within three kilometres, providing easy access to the Sydney Metro.

Reputable construction company Sitecorp is handling the build of Killarney Ponds. They are anticipating an early 2025 completion, with residents moving in shortly after.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=22636]

Box Hill's best new apartment development approaches completion

The Allan Labor Government has said it is "going all-in on townhouses and apartments that are affordable to build and will stand the test of time in quality, design, aesthetics and sustainability"

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny has announced a turbocharged plan for Victoria’s future homes that will drive a new era of affordable architectural heritage in this state.

The plan will compel good design by:

<ul>
	<li>
	Rewarding affordable, well-designed buildings – and the developers who put in the effort to build them – by granting them a fast track through the planning system
	</li>
	<li>
	Expanding the ‘design book’ of great designs by including existing buildings that have made a mark and are loved by residents and the community
	</li>
	<li>
	Letting Victorians have their say for the first time on how Victoria’s streetscapes and buildings should look
	</li>
	<li>
	Building real life examples of ‘design book’ homes on government-owned land so Victorians can see and feel them – and then move in
	</li>
</ul>

Kilkenny said the&nbsp;community deserves affordable buildings that look great on the outside and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

"Our plan is for more grand designs but without the grand cost," Kilkenny&nbsp;said.

“We have an incredible opportunity before us to renew our suburbs and streets with well-designed apartments and townhouses that are great for singles, families and downsizers – and which add to the architectural fabric of our state.”

The Government says the plan will drive change: flipping the script to promote, reward and speed up the construction of townhouses and apartment buildings that look great on the outside – and feel solid as a rock on the inside.

The Great Design Fast Track

The Government will introduce a new, fast-tracked pathway for buildings with homes that meet the test of build quality, good design and sustainability – so developers can build better homes without the additional costs and delays associated with projects that might look a bit ‘different from the norm’.

The&nbsp;Great Design Fast Track&nbsp;will be developed by the Minister for Planning to focus on townhouse and apartment projects of three to six storeys in height. It is intended to apply statewide and work in a similar way to the current Development Facilitation Pathway (DFP) that exists for more significant housing projects.

As with the current DFP, locals would retain the right to know what’s going on and have their say. The DFP accelerates a project through that system, giving confidence to developers that their cost-sensitive projects won’t get stuck in an expensive state of limbo.

Through this fast track, Victoria can give a stronger arm to architects and developers who put in an effort and take on more personal risk by building projects that look great and add lasting value to streets and communities. They should not be punished by a culture that quashes creativity and sustainability.

The Government will expand its&nbsp;State Design Book&nbsp;of ‘future homes’ – projects that are planned on paper alongside artists’ impressions but don’t yet exist – by welcoming into its pages the best examples of good, affordable designs that are already in the ground, home to Victorians and loved by locals.

While the Government is producing such a design book, which is still on track for completion by the end of 2024, the book will be more useful through the inclusion of high-quality developments that are already complete – at a scale up to 6 storeys. It will be a showcase of great buildings that were realistic and viable to deliver.

Eligible designs will be required to encourage sustainable, family friendly and accessible homes, with communal spaces and gardens. Examples of homes that&nbsp;could&nbsp;feature include the beautiful Balfe Park Lane, which delivered 72 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments with a big communal backyard in East Brunswick.

The design book will also establish best practice principles and guidance for well-designed apartments and townhouses – to guide developers and give communities confidence about the long-term quality of new homes.

"We will reward the buildings that are designed the best" VIC Gov to speed up approvals for best designed apartment developments

Melbourne developer <a href="/developers/beulah">Beulah</a> is continuing its expansion into Melbourne’s inner north.

The developer of <a href="/new-apartments/sth-bnk-by-beulah-southbank-60-southbank-boulevard-southbank">STH BNK by Beulah</a>, which will set the record for the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere when completed, has submitted plans for its 1,200 sqm-plus <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a> site at 430-434 George Street.&nbsp;

Beulah has appointed Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture practice, <a href="/architects/breathe-architecture">Breathe Architecture</a>, to design the mixed-use project, which comprises 44 residences and two curated ground-floor retail spaces designed to integrate with the local Fitzroy character.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a079df73-07ce-4a85-b3e5-0f3c1df93e25" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%203.05.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=omDLxSdVq_Faf4obwln8iXJIjgBF7YMk" />

Sustainability is at the core of the development. It will be fossil fuel-free and feature rooftop solar and rainwater harvesting. Residents will have access to natural ventilation, biophilic design, sundrenched outlooks and on-site amenities including a ‘bike hub’ and repair station, 49 bicycle spaces, as well as a shared resident zone currently earmarked for a fern garden.&nbsp;

Two levels of the basement will include car spaces for residents, as well as car share vehicles and EV charging facilities as a means of promoting green transport.&nbsp;

For the architecture, Breathe has drawn inspiration from the surrounding area, which is historically characterised by single and double-storey Victorian and Edwardian terrace dwellings, with remnants of industrial and warehouse buildings dotted throughout.&nbsp;

The design features a three-level brick podium lined with lush greenery, honouring the suburb’s heritage character and streetscape through its scale and materials. The active ground level encourages pedestrian activity and enhances natural surveillance, ultimately improving security and the overall quality of the area. The levels above the podium are recessed to minimise the form within the residential neighbourhood, complete with external terrace areas.&nbsp;

The design also seeks to incorporate the retained historically significant bluestone wall along an integrated laneway and will&nbsp; provide a dedicated vehicle and cycle entry along Rose Street to reduce the traffic to George Street.&nbsp;

<img alt="Beulah unveils Fitzroy project - upper storey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc39f39d-0dc3-4bda-af3d-56fa06a82b2b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/FIT%20Upper%20Storey%20Crop.jpg?VersionId=eD2fcfBAbF2wWYdUsY6xRNEcIE051Rb9" />

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into <a href="/developments/fitzroy-vic-3065">Fitzroy</a>, a suburb&nbsp;that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike.&nbsp;

“We are excited to contribute to the pulse of Melbourne's oldest and most desirable suburb—the vibrant Fitzroy," Teh said.

"With its eclectic&nbsp;character and rich history, Fitzroy is a culinary heart, a melting pot of cultures, and a hub of thriving lifestyles. We hope our contributions will enhance the precinct's desirability and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."&nbsp;

Breathe Architecture Founding Director Jeremy McLeod said the team was excited to work with Beulah on delivering a project that&nbsp;seamlessly integrates with the Fitzroy streetscape.&nbsp;

“Grounded in the heart of Fitzroy, this project is about strength and elegance. A refined masonry base sits effortlessly with the&nbsp; George Street Terraces, while the upper apartments open up to expansive views and the northern sun.”&nbsp;

Beulah’s other projects within Melbourne’s inner north include its sustainable heritage townhome project,&nbsp;<a href="/new-townhouses/brunswick-established-23-hodgson-st-brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick Established</a> and The Wilds, Northcote’s largest creek-front, resort-style houses, which is under construction and due for completion next year.&nbsp;

Beulah Executive Director Adelene Teh said the team was excited to expand its portfolio of boutique projects into Fitzroy, a suburb that holds a special place for Melburnians and visitors alike

Beulah unveils new sustainable Fitzroy development

<a href="/developers/uem-sunrise" target="">UEM Sunrise</a>&nbsp;has been given the green light by DevelopmentWA to proceed with what will be the company's first residential developments outside of&nbsp;<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic" target="">Melbourne</a>.

UEM filed for two mixed-use buildings in&nbsp;<a href="/developments/subiaco-wa-6008">Subiaco East</a>&nbsp;in Perth, on a large&nbsp;4,930 sqm site at 201-203 Subiaco Road,&nbsp;earlier this year.

DevelopmentWA, the State Government's central development agency, recently approved the towers, suggesting the&nbsp;proposal "achieves the objectives of the Subi East Masterplan, which identifies the site for a high quality, high-density residential outcome."

The two towers,&nbsp;just beyond the boundary line of the iconic Subiaco Oval and alongside Haydn Bunton Drive, will be the first within the overall Subiaco East Masterplan by DevelopmentWA.

<img alt="Subacio" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3729e715-c842-440d-8300-55fab6c18dd2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%202.42.47%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=LylG3BeFaI7IPMr5yneKVKXmfp8cL7og" />

The development will comprise around 340 apartments and is expected to accommodate more than 1,000 future residents, with up to 12 per cent of the apartments providing affordable housing in the Western suburbs.

The scheme will see two well-designed residential buildings on Lot 1 with a tiered height of 25 and 35 levels plus a ground floor, creating a strong visual aesthetic for the landmark development. This will be complemented by a 10-level building plus a ground floor on Lot 2.

The design for the mixed-use residential precinct will promote communal interaction through well-curated spaces, 400 sqm of retail space on the ground floor of Lot 1, which permeates into gardens and landscaping that augment the public facilities at The Oval site.

<img alt="UEM Sunrise submit Subiaco Oval apartment development plans" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-05-30%20at%205.05.07%20pm.png?VersionId=.IV.XYW5_SseIP82gP52XMN8k21WtnJx" />

At the time of the development application submission,&nbsp;<a href="/developers/uem-sunrise" target="">UEM Sunrise</a>&nbsp;Chief Executive Officer Sufian Abdullah said the submission represented an exciting step forward for the company and its first development for the Perth residential market.

“We have had a significant presence in Australia for many years and we’re delighted to be delivering this landmark project in our first venture into Western Australia,"&nbsp;Abdullah said.

"We will bring our considerable local and global expertise in mixed-use developments to the Perth residential market to create a vibrant and connected new community in Subiaco East.”

He said the development will create&nbsp;a high-quality residential precinct at an important time in the WA housing market – delivering new housing supply at scale.

"Our unique offering will appeal to home-owners – individuals and families – at different stages in their life, with greater flexibility and opportunity for intergenerational living, work-life integration and connection to a diverse community.”

Construction of the development is expected to commence in 2026.

At the time of the development application submission, UEM Sunrise Chief Executive Officer Sufian Abdullah said the submission represented an exciting step forward for the company and its first development for the Perth residential market.

UEM Sunrise approved to develop two towers on Subiaco Oval

National property and construction group <a href="/developers/traders-in-purple">Traders in Purple</a> has lodged a State Significant Development Application to develop a prime residential site in Sydney's <a href="/developments/padstow-nsw-2211">Padstow</a>.

The corner 2,992 sqm site, previously occupied by just two houses, would home 113 new apartments, 21 of which would be reserved as social affordable units, as well as six commercial and retail units.

The land is owned by&nbsp;Homes NSW under its Communities Plus program which aims to increase the pool of social and affordable housing throughout the State.&nbsp;

The plans come following the finalisation of the new Local Environment Plan and rezoning by Canterbury Bankstown Council.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-traders-in-purple-plan-large-apartments-on-west-end-megasite">First look exclusive: Traders in Purple plan large apartments on West End megasite</a>

Traders in Purple Director Charles Daoud said the mixed tenure model that blends community and private housing would help to alleviate some of the pressure in the housing market and kickstart a new and exciting chapter for Padstow.&nbsp;

“We have real stress across the entire housing market, not only in social housing but brand new quality homes that enable first home buyers to enter the market and families to settle in a quality development,” Daoud said.&nbsp;

“Padstow is set for an exciting new era which will see the commercial and retail centre reinvigorated and the introduction of new well-located apartments that take advantage of the existing amenities within the immediate town centre.&nbsp;

“Where there were just two homes on this large well-located site, we will be adding 92 new one, two and three-bedroom homes to the private market and 21 homes for social and affordable housing. &nbsp;

“This is a much more efficient use of land in a middle ring Sydney suburb where there is a high demand for new &nbsp;housing within walking distance of established infrastructure and amenity.”&nbsp;

The eight-level development, adjacent to the retail precinct, is located just 250 metres from Padstow train station and bus interchange and 100 metres from Padstow Park Public School, making it ideal for families and city workers. &nbsp;

In a move that will future-proof residents from rising costs, solar rooftop panels will offset grid demand and reduce electricity costs for communal areas with the potential for any excess generated to be sold back to the grid. The 149 car spaces will be provisioned for EV charging.&nbsp;

Daoud said Padstow’s relative affordability and proximity to amenities and public transport had put it on the radar for a wider demographic of Sydney buyers.&nbsp;

“There is a very limited supply of new apartments for sale in Padstow despite it having all the essential ingredients for a range of households, from young singles and couples to families and downsizers,” said Mr Daoud.&nbsp;

“Like all of Sydney, house prices have risen dramatically over the past five years. Padstow’s median house price in &nbsp;2019 was $900,000 making it attainable for young families. Today it is more than $1.4 million.&nbsp;

“Over the years there has been very little apartment development. This project will add to the diversity of housing choices that is so desperately needed.&nbsp;

“Future residents will only have to walk 250 metres to the train station and can be in the city in approximately 30 &nbsp;minutes. There’s a lively dining and shopping precinct with a range of cafes and restaurants and with the local primary school only a block away this makes the family juggle easier to manage. Parents can walk children to school and be on the train and in the office without having to stress.&nbsp;

“This benefits both our private buyers and community housing tenants making it easier to manage the competing &nbsp;pressures of modern life.”&nbsp;

Traders in Purple line-up new Padstow development

Having secured gazettal approval for their major Neutral Bay site earlier this year, Woolworths' development arm <a href="/developers/fabcot">Fabcot</a> has submitted plans for a new&nbsp;$169 million development that would reimagine the space into a new mixed-use precinct.

The proposal seeks to replace the current structures with a mixed-use development featuring 70 residential apartments, extensive commercial spaces—including a new Woolworths supermarket and medical facilities—a public plaza, and a basement car park with 326 spaces.

The project, on the corner of Yeo Street and Rangers Road, envisions a six to eight-level building that aligns with the vision for <a href="/developments/neutral-bay-nsw-2089">Neutral Bay</a>'s future growth, aimed at providing diverse housing and enhancing community interaction within a highly accessible urban precinct.&nbsp;

<img alt="Fabcot’s lodge for $169.18 million apartment development in Neutral Bay " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ae6d0094-fe24-4002-813a-f4c94b17739e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Fabcot%20Neutral%20Bay%20laneway.png?VersionId=C.Um0Qg5pFm0EFcThNKkq0f_LXU.NEnd" />

Plans are for 11 one-bedroom apartments, 29 two-bedders, 28 three-bedrooms, and two four-bedroom apartments, a diverse mix aimed to attract a wide demograpghic from young professionals to families and downsizers, in response to the need for varied housing options in Neutral Bay.

The design, by <a href="/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada Architects</a>, emphasises harmony with the local environment, drawing inspiration from Neutral Bay’s landscape, including the surrounding sandstone gullies and indigenous Angophora trees.&nbsp;

This biophilic approach integrates greenery throughout the building’s structure and promotes a natural aesthetic that contrasts with the urban setting while fostering a stronger connection between residents and their surroundings.

Thoughtful design elements ensure optimal living conditions, such as corner and through units to capture district views and maximise natural light, as well as landscaped terraces and façade overhangs to offer visual privacy and support resident wellbeing.

<img alt="Fabcot’s lodge for $169.18 million apartment-Woolworths mix in Neutral Bay " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ba1c21c3-8bfc-434a-aff0-5c12b3e6f554" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Fabcot%20Neutral%20Bay%20woolworths.png?VersionId=H1V6CU1CG9q3Thvmk0Fvmz5w7D8HqfZn" />

In addition to expanding residential options and retail offerings, the development aligns with the Military Road Corridor Planning Study, which aims to introduce community-focused facilities and improved public spaces within the area.&nbsp;

The ground-level public plaza serves as a focal point of the development, intended to encourage community engagement and round-the-clock activity.&nbsp;

Designed with both functionality and aesthetic appeal, the plaza will feature landscaped seating areas, outdoor dining spaces, and designated zones for seasonal events and community gatherings.&nbsp;

To further activate the space, retail and dining establishments are expected to offer services throughout the day and evening, making the plaza a key social hub.

The design, by Koichi Takada Architects, emphasises harmony with the local environment, drawing inspiration from Neutral Bay’s landscape, including the surrounding sandstone gullies and indigenous Angophora trees. 

Woolworth's Fabcot propose Neutral Bay shoptop housing after 

The booming Lower North Shore suburb of <a href="/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a> is set to welcome a new tower after approval was granted to transform&nbsp;the historic former North Shore Gas Co. building into a $55 million mixed-use development.

Project manager PDS, who is acting&nbsp;on behalf of a private equity firm, secured the approval without&nbsp;a planning proposal by strategically using heritage conservation incentives, which allowed for substantial deviations from current zoning and height limits.

The approved plans will see the <a href="/new-apartments/290-pacific-highway-crows-nest">290 Pacific Highway</a> site transformed into a 14-level building with a two-level commercial podium and residential levels above.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/twt-kicks-off-new-crows-nest-precinct-the-collective-with-first-apartments-released">TWT kicks off new Crows Nest precinct, The Collective, with first apartments released</a>

<img alt="PDS' $55 million mixed-use development approved" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7dfcbb4a-22ab-4f5b-921f-6f658753ab32" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1731217201983_11zon_2.jpg?VersionId=kU0L3Y05ab5jY9CnDG9GFisEcvfomG.B" />

Of the 61 apartments in the building, 83 per cent will offer three and four-bedroom layouts, aimed to appeal to a broad demographic including families and downsizers.

Designed by Fuse Architects and supported by urban design work from LFA Pacific, the facade will combine traditional and modern elements, including restored masonry, terracotta tiles, and glass, to maintain the heritage aesthetic of the original building.

Contemporary materials such as fluted glass and a textured awning will accentuate the building’s character, creating a visually cohesive link between the heritage structure and the new construction.

<img alt="PDS' $55 million mixed-use development approved" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="40eb222b-0373-48e9-9a6a-0c8ddeff1100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1731217206108_11zon_0.jpg?VersionId=NiHsGnHMZBiCIISwcfGIZ3LLHRjx_q2I" />

The approval allows for a significant increase in height, rising from 16 to 44.8 metres along the Pacific Highway and from 8.5 to 15.5 metres on Sinclair Street.&nbsp;

The design also incorporates a publicly accessible link between Pacific Highway and Sinclair Street, enhancing pedestrian access and connectivity.

Situated on a prominent urban block bordered by Shirley Street, Bruce Street, the Pacific Highway, and Sinclair Street, the site forms part of the Five Ways intersection, a local landmark marking the southern gateway to the St Leonards and Crows Nest precinct.

The future development will be located close to major parks and public open spaces, such as Brennan Park, Newlands Park, and St Leonards Park.

The future development will be located close to major parks and public open spaces, such as Brennan Park, Newlands Park, and St Leonards Park

Mixed-use tower approved in Crows Nest

Kala Jordan Springs, the newest apartment development in Jordan Springs in Sydney's growing western corridor, is soon to complete.

Kala is being developed and built by iCIRT-rated construction company&nbsp;<a href="/developers/coplex">Coplex</a>.&nbsp;The $65 million development, beside a lake and the Wianamatta Regional National Park,&nbsp;comprises 84 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two four-level buildings.

A quarter of <a href="/buildings/kala-jordan-springs-76-lakeside-parade-jordan-springs">Kala</a> has been designed to the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) design standard, addressing a critical shortage of such housing in Sydney.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27460 project_image_fid=277469]

NDIS data shows that more than 36 per cent of NDIS participants in NSW who have or are currently eligible for SDA funding still need to start using the funds, which points to a statewide shortfall for this type of accommodation.

&nbsp;

“At Coplex, we believe in helping all within the community to live well," says Rami Ibrahim, Director of Coplex.&nbsp;

“Unfortunately, it is rare to see developers including this type of specialist accommodation in their plans when building new facilities. The costs to refurbish or add customisations afterwards can be astronomical, which can limit the number of specialist disability accommodations available.”&nbsp;

“Kala is a lakeside luxury development, and despite including customisations to meet the needs of NDIS participants, we have maintained that sense of luxury throughout, delivering all the convenience and high quality of our internal finishes.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27460 project_image_fid=277468]

Kala Jordan Springs is part of the wider Jordan Springs community that is being developed by Lendlease.

Once complete, it will be home to 13,000 residents. This vibrant community offers a range of amenities, including parks and open spaces centred around a 3-hectare lake. With a strong focus on sustainability, the development incorporates native Australian plants and is conveniently located near Penrith City Centre, Penrith train station, the M4 and Great Western Highway.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=27460]

Kala Jordan Springs apartments approach completion

The luxury apartments that are part of the redevelopment of the iconic City Tattersalls Club building in the Sydney CBD, are soon to hit the market.

The 130-year-old, state heritage-listed building, now owned by a consortium led by Signapore-listed First Sponsor Group, will become Sydney's newest mixed-use tower.

First Sponsor Group is working with joint venture partner, Melbourne-based developer <a href="/developers/icd-property">ICD Property</a>, on the development. They've revealed the 241 premium apartments will hit the market through CBRE in 2025.

<a href="/architects/bvn-architecture">BVN Architecture</a> won the design competition to create the new development, dubbed <a href="/new-apartments/sydney-house-194-204-pitt-street-sydney">Sydney House</a>, handling both the tower and the interiors.&nbsp;FJC Studio led the design of the heritage podium.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312146]

First Sponsor Group’s CEO, Neo Teck Pheng, together with ICD Property CEO, Matthew Khoo commented that the joint venture team was ecstatic to bring Sydney House to market in 2025 as the first opportunity for those looking to secure their ultimate CBD luxury residence with the convenience of premium 24-hour hotel amenities.

“Sydney House will offer a sophisticated expression of modern CBD living, capturing panoramic vistas to Sydney’s most beloved icons, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as Hyde Park out to the north and south heads,” Khoo said.&nbsp;

Neo Teck Pheng expressed that the reinterpretation of the heritage podium levels will feature an elegant heritage bar and restaurant, along with luxurious hotel and function facilities, enhancing the experience for residents. The historical features and spaces will be transformed, ensuring that the legacy is enjoyed by future generations.

The apartments, ideally located in the heart of the CBD at&nbsp;196-204 Pitt Street, will sit above a 135-room hotel and a restored heritage podium with a heritage bar and restaurant, along with hotel and function facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312147]

CBRE Residential Projects Senior Director Tim Rees says that once completed in 2027, Sydney House will be Sydney CBD’s newest icon blending modern architecture with historic grandeur located in one of the most prestigious enclaves of the CBD.&nbsp;

“Pitt Street is arguably the most significant street in all of Sydney," Rees said.

"Just a stone’s throw from Circular Quay, The Opera House, Hyde Park and Darling Harbour, Sydney House offers seamless connection with the CBD and beyond.

"Pitt Street Mall is literally across the road, and there is an abundance of dining venues in close proximity. The outlook from Sydney House will be breathtaking with views of Hyde Park and <a href="/developments/sydney-nsw-2000">Sydney’s famous iconic landmarks</a> on offer."

Rees says luxury inner-city apartment living follows&nbsp;with access to premium 24-hour hotel amenities&nbsp;the trend of other global cities such as New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, which started years ago,

"[The trend]&nbsp;is the new ‘trophy home’ for wealthy downsizers or empty-nesters who aren’t looking to slow down, as they want to live in the heart of the action.”

<a href="/builders/richard-crookes-constructions">Richards Crookes Construction</a>, well-regarded in the heritage sector for its recent redevelopment of Harry Seidler's Sirius Building in The Rocks into luxury apartments, began construction in early 2023. Completion of Sydney House is slated for 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=12428]

Richards Crookes Construction, well-regarded in the heritage sector for its recent redevelopment of Harry Seidler's Sirius Building in The Rocks into luxury apartments, began construction in early 2023.

Sydney House luxury apartments set to launch on Sydney's Pitt Street

Apartment developer Mosaic is onto its fifth tower in as many years in the booming <a href="/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a>.

<a href="/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic</a>, currently delivering sister towers <a href="/new-apartments/lily-by-mosaic-4-rosewood-avenue-broadbeach">Lily by Mosaic</a> and <a href="/buildings/marella-146-surf-parade-broadbeach">Marella&nbsp;by Mosaic</a> after previously completing Bela and Dawn nearby, has filed plans for 59 apartments at 22 Mary Avenue, next door to the <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-abedian-family-reveals-broadbeach-apartment-plans">new 47-level tower</a> planned by <a href="/developers/abedian-co">Abedian &amp; Co</a>.

Mosaic had Melbourne-based architecture firm Fraser&nbsp;&amp; Partners create the scheme for the 38-level building.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/why-its-all-about-broadbeach-still">Why it's all about Broadbeach...still</a>

<img alt="Mosaic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e2d40a8f-82df-41c1-b5a4-b0a04d9b888b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%207.48.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=rTs_2wgHT9K8fgNCwiSRnVwcbN_EmliH" />

Elenberg Fraser, who designed the soon-to-be-completed Mondrian in <a href="/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a> but whose majority of work has been in the Victorian capital, cited the famous quote from German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in its design statement submitted to the <a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a> City Council this week

“A statement of minimalist design, stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essence of structure and space.”

The three-level podium will be occupied by car parking, while the fourth and fifth levels are dedicated to amenities like a swimming pool and pool deck, a gym, and a wellness area with a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, magnesium plunge, and a spa, and a library lounge,&nbsp;boardroom, and an office.

<img alt="Mosaic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c763d494-965a-405e-87f4-d42f754644b1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%207.58.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=PQ9P._RpPigg_3n5QJmdMWKBx5YJ.AWp" />

There will be just two apartments per floor from level six to level 33, one with three bedrooms and 166 sqm of internal living space and the other with three bedrooms and an MPR with just under 200 sqm of internal space. They each have an 18 sqm balcony, oriented east to face the ocean.

The top three levels will home three full-floor penthouses, each with four bedrooms, a home office, and several entertaining areas. They will have 365 sqm of living space.

<img alt="Mosaic" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9ed2edcb-21bd-4317-81fa-7a6e3bbb82a3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-11-13%20at%207.48.09%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=L0AMa0ieEeytY0jIVVFnoqs_0jXLBHcG" />

GV Property Group's Luke Reaby put the site together, securing around a 40 per cent uplift on values for the eight individual owners in the late 1960s building.

The 1,014 sqm site has a 33-metre frontage to Mary Avenue, a popular street for both developers and buyers due to its proximity to Broadbeach State School, which ensures protected views of the beach and ocean.

Mary Avenue has been a popular street for new apartment developers and buyers due to its protected views of the ocean

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