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“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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?

Sloane Property Group has appointed local builder <a href="/builders/level-10">Level 10</a> to lead the construction of their Kindred townhouse development in Mentone.

<a href="/new-apartments/kindred-mentone-25-brindisi-street-mentone">Kindred</a>, located on Brindisi Street, comprises just 10 three-bedroom townhouses, of which over half are already spoken for.

The townhouses are designed by award-winning architects <a href="/architects/megowan-architectural">Megowan</a>, with whom Sloane has collaborated on several projects in the past.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138768 project_image_fid=214857]

Kindred has drawn attention for its beach-inspired architecture, featuring a recycled cream brick exterior, white timber slats, and cascading greenery, echoing the nearby cliffs and <a href="/developments/mentone-vic-3194">Mentone</a> Beach.

Some of the townhouses come with rooftop decks, providing views over the suburb and an opportunity for homeowners to create personal spaces like rooftop bars or exercise areas.

The development's garages offer flexibility beyond just parking, with space for home gyms or storage for recreational equipment such as bikes and paddle boards.&nbsp;

Each townhouse also includes oversized double lock-up garages, a notable feature given the flexibility of them being used either as a traditional parking space, or a home gym or office.

Eco-friendly features like solar-ready roofs, electric charger installations, and a minimum 6-star energy efficiency rating highlight the project's sustainability focus.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138768 project_image_fid=214989]

Mentone's location has been a major draw for buyers, with the development situated just a few streets from the beach, local reserves, and the bustling Mentone Parade retail strip.&nbsp;

The proximity to schools such as Mentone Grammar and Kilbreda College, combined with the area's recreational opportunities, including nearby golf courses and parks, has added to Kindred's appeal.&nbsp;

The demand has been steady, attracting local buyers as well as interest from further afield, including an expat purchaser familiar with Megowan's design quality.

Sloane Property Group has a solid track record of delivering architecturally-driven townhouse projects across Melbourne, particularly in the Bayside area.

Kindred is expected to welcome residents in late 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138768]

Sloane appoint Level10 to build Kindred Mentone townhouses

Brisbane’s booming unit market is going to narrowly miss out on recording 20 per cent gains over the calendar year.

However, the growth in value of units so far in 2024 is the best the Queensland capital has seen since 1988.

The value of units, which incorporates both apartments and townhouses, rose again in September, by 1.2 per cent, according to property data analytics firm CoreLogic.

Unit values in <a href="/developments/brisbane-qld">Brisbane</a> are now up 14.8 per cent over 2024, reaching a new median value of $661,000. The returns are the second best in the country, only behind Perth, which has already seen over 20 per cent gains.

<h2>What happened in Brisbane’s off the plan apartment market in September</h2>

It was more supply woes in Brisbane, with just the one notable launch of apartments across the region, albeit the planning pipeline is getting more and more robust.

That came from Windsor where local developer <a href="/developers/carbone-developments">Carbone Developments</a> revealed <a href="/new-apartments/amado-windsor-38-grantson-street-windsor">Amado</a>, the developer's fifth apartment development in the area.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139074 project_image_fid=287525]

Set across six levels, Amado offers just 30 large-scale apartments targeting owner-occupiers, with a mix of two and three-bedroom layouts, alongside two penthouses that will provide panoramic views of Brisbane’s skyline.&nbsp;

Carbone Developments, known for its deep connection to Windsor, has integrated the restoration of a pre-1911 heritage-listed home into the project. Construction completion is expected in mid-2026.

Read more: <a href="/news/qld/first-look-carbone-unveil-latest-windsor-apartment-development-amado">First look: Carbone unveil latest Windsor apartment development, Amado</a>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139074 project_image_fid=287533]

Density is coming to Brisbane, just not in a hurry.

There were approved for one of Brisbane's tallest apartment buildings at&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/25-mary-street-brisbane">25 Mary Street</a>.

The <a href="/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>-designed buildings will be one of Brisbane’s tallest apartment towers standing at 264 metres.

<img alt="Plans approved for one of Brisbane's tallest apartment towers by Koichi Takada" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202024-02-07%20at%2011.34.00%20am.png?VersionId=Z4HsfKAiIYafTqv6JAkbsjnPrKRmusLg" />

The 71-level structure, to be developed by&nbsp;<a href="/developers/ks-property">KS Property</a>, will feature 527 apartments and over 4,000 sqm of communal spaces, with a design inspired by natural forms, particularly the image of a tree trunk.&nbsp;

Read more: <a href="/news/qld/plans-approved-for-one-of-brisbanes-tallest-apartment-towers-by-koichi-takada">Plans approved for one of Brisbane's tallest apartment towers by Koichi Takada</a>

Fortitude Valley is also expecting a rare new tower, with plans filed for a 28-level building on St Pauls Terrace, a key area bordering Spring Hill.&nbsp;

Designed by&nbsp;McFarland Architects, the tower is set to comprise 164 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. The 1,152 sqm of communal space incorporates a gym on the podium level and a rooftop with a swimming pool, spa, rec rec room, barbecue facilities, and various seating areas.

<img alt="First look: Rare new apartment tower pitched for Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202024-09-18%20at%2012.57.24%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=WGSOZNjHfKDaDtjLPoOU.ktqgAYrGgtr" />

Just 14 one-bed apartments have been pitched. They'll feature alongside 48 two-beds, 62 three-beds, and 40 four-bedroom apartments.

Mewing said the residential breakdown delivers a diversity of housing product to cater for different life stages, needs, and living&nbsp;arrangements.

Read more: <a href="/news/qld/first-look-rare-new-apartment-tower-pitched-for-fortitude-valley">First look: Rare new apartment tower pitched for Fortitude Valley</a>

Low density has been slated for Paddington, with&nbsp;<a href="/developers/core-property-partners">Core Property Partners</a> and P&amp;MV Constructions teaming up to propose a mixed-use precinct at 208-220 Given Terrace.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Paddington's Given Terrace set for luxury makeover" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202024-09-04%20at%208.53.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=t4ha6OnH6Jmh8Jy7NBdjXxdtVblDkZ9N" />

The development will feature 12 luxury apartments and 31 short-stay accommodation suites.&nbsp;

A new pedestrian laneway will be added, enhancing connectivity and creating a civic space that celebrates the area's rich history dating back to the 19th century.&nbsp; 
This development aims to revitalise the commercial heart of Paddington, attracting both locals and visitors alike.

Read more: <a href="/news/qld/first-look-paddingtons-given-terrace-set-for-luxury-makeover">First look: Paddington's Given Terrace set for luxury makeover</a>

City Beat October 2024: Brisbane unit boom continues as buyers line up

When designing its debut Gold Coast apartment development, developer Polycell tried to find a way to create a point of difference in what else was on offer in Broadbeach.

Their conclusion was to bring on not one, but two of Australia's most celebrated architects to design <a href="/new-apartments/the-rochester-broadbeach-143-surf-parade-broadbeach">The Rochester</a>, a sculptural 42-level tower in the heart of the <a href="/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">booming suburb</a>.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211183]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenway said The Rochester has a really strong independent character.&nbsp;

“BDA’s philosophy is to create enduring architecture," Greenway said.

"The Rochester is different to other buildings in the Broadbeach precinct. Its unique form is more elegant and linear, with soft curves to the edges, that relate back to the more fluid parts of the beaches and the hinterland of the Gold Coast.

“Having a really simple floorplate, with elegant slight curves to the balconies, very horizontal lines, and vertical contrasting elements, makes it more timeless in the architecture. When people are moving along the esplanade, or up Surf Parade, they’ll see this clean, timeless line."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211186]

BDA Associate Patrik Pelikan said the overall experience of The Rochester has been none of trying to achieve excellence; almost like a club, that once you are part of it, it elevates you.

“Every apartment is orientated and crafted to its location within the building. We wanted to create an upmarket coastal feel, more refined and elegant through the detailing of the interior palette. So, we used high-end materials, in coastal tones – the whites, the creams, the sands, the timber. It’s about a series of little details and moments," Pelikan said.&nbsp;

“The entertainer’s kitchens are specifically designed for each unit, and they flow into the living room areas. The balconies have been meticulously crafted to provide beautiful views, but at the same time give you privacy.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112276 project_image_fid=211193]

The Rochester, now over 80 per cent sold, has 182 two and three-bedroom apartments across a 42-level tower at 143 Surf Parade.

Construction is underway, with completion slated for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112276]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenway said The Rochester has a really strong independent character

"It’s about a series of little details and moments": How The Rochester Broadbeach apartment development was designed

Since the pandemic hit Australia, there's arguably not been a suburb in Australia that's been more in vogue than <a href="/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>&nbsp;on the <a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a>.

Data from Apartments.com.au's new data product, <a href="https://industry.urban.com.au/data-insights">MatterFact</a>, showed that from 2020 to 2021, enquiry spiked 130 per cent, driven by local and interstate purchasers snapping up luxury beachfront apartments.

Enquiry levels returned to early pandemic levels in 2022, namely due to the fact several developments sold out quicktime, but the appetite to live in the coastal enclave did not abate, with search traffic to Palm Beach staying consistent. There was simply much more demand than there was supply.

Josh Foote's <a href="/developers/ignite-projects">Ignite Projects</a> took just eight weeks to sell all 34 apartments at <a href="/buildings/cabana-1-nineteenth-avenue-palm-beach">Cabana Palm Beach</a>, where sale prices ranged from $1,775,000 to just over $5.5 million.

It was the same story with developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/pask-group">Pask</a>. Launching during the pandemic, they sold out <a href="/new-apartments/esplanade-474-the-esplanade-palm-beach">The Esplanade</a>, named after its position on the dress circle street that runs down to Burleigh Heads. The 15 apartments on the beachfront sold between $3.2 million and over $7.1 million.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d768898-933c-4167-8f8e-ae6c40dc09d8" href="/new-apartments/gold-coast-qld"><img alt="Palm Beach" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-09-25%20at%208.29.12%E2%80%AFAM_1.png?VersionId=mccK9ZKObftFJ.fHdFNSBFkGpLRuIqjt" /></a>

One of the main reasons southern dwellers descened on Palm Beach was how much it flew under the radar. The quiet neighbour of Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach had been void of new developments until the demand spurred by the pandemic to live on the Gold Coast became aparent, those from the southern states in particular had a narrow brief; Gold Coast, and as close to the beach as possible.

Palm Beach has been one of the most active suburbs for development site sales.

Since the start of 2021, around 25 per cent of total sales by site amalgamation and sales specialists GV Property Group has been in Palm Beach, only second to Broadbeach.

After the boom that saw the likes of Cabana, Esplanade, <a href="/buildings/the-tally-14-twenty-eighth-avenue-palm-beach">The Tally</a> and Hirsch &amp; Faigen's <a href="/buildings/hemingway-1267-1273-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach">Hemingway development</a> sell out, the suburb remained in hot demand, but supply wasn't there to match it. When a project like <a href="/new-apartments/seaclusion-202-4-twenty-first-avenue-palm-beach">Seaclusion</a>, 40 one two and three-bedroom units on Twenty First Avenue entered the market, the majority of apartments were snapped up within a month.

It wasn't until earlier this year that the tap was turned back on. Prominent Gold Coast developer Sherpa brought to the market Perspective Nexus, 35 apartments at&nbsp;949 Gold Coast Highway&nbsp;that have race to 75 per cent sold, while fellow renowned local developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/marquee">Marquee Development Partners</a>&nbsp;launched <a href="/new-apartments/la-belle-palm-beach-332-the-esplanade-palm-beach">La Belle Palm Beach</a> to similar fanfare. Over 80 per cent of the 75 apartments on offer were snapped up, making La Belle the fastest selling project on the Gold Coast in 2024.

l[smartcode_project:default project_id=102340 project_image_fid=273591]

The apartment pipeline for Palm Beach looks strong, as demand will be somewhat to be satisifed by the number of developments waiting to hit the market.

<a href="/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa</a> is soon to launch <a href="/new-apartments/flourish-on-sixth-ave-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach">Flourish on Sixth</a>, the first development of its Flourish brand that caters for a wider range of buyers with a diverse mix of 94 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Tim Gordon's <a href="/developers/gordon-corp">Gordon Corp</a>, in another joint venture with the Mathieson hospitality family, is <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-gordon-corp-team-up-again-with-mathieson-family-and-join-booming-palm-beach-off-the-plan-apartment-market">teaming up again</a> to create a development that is also expecting to attract several buyer camps.

"We have been very deliberate in not pushing scale, or density,” Gordon Corp Sales and Marketing Director Lara Dimond&nbsp;said.

<img alt="Gordon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dd3cdd67-3fd3-4a20-99ee-0f3ecc8f05ef" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-11%20at%204.00.35%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=FbMiVo04utsBy2vtccUAPAcV1oaYoy0x" />

The building, designed by&nbsp;<a href="/architects/cottee-parker-architects" target="">Cottee Parker</a>, comprises 47 two and three-bedroom apartments across a nine-level building at&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/62-64-jefferson-lane-palm-beach">62-64 Jefferson Lane</a>, just one row back from the beach.

The apartments start from 115 sqm and range in size to 275 sqm. Private resident amenities have been incorporated on the ground floor. There will be a 15m lap pool with day beds and cabanas, a wellness centre with cold plunge and a hot spa, as well as a sauna and steam room. The wellness centre will also feature a&nbsp;state-of-the-art gym.

One of the most recent submissions is for one of Palm Beach's largest developments to date.

B.K.A Holdings Pty Ltd, a company directed by solicitor David Ingwersen, has <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-palm-beach-apartment-pipeline-ramps-up-another-notch">proposed two 13-level towers</a> on an&nbsp;amalgamated six-lot, 2,472 sqm site at 1395-1405 Gold Coast Highway and 436-438 The Esplanade, which would home 98 two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="palm beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2aa0460c-45d1-4701-be63-f552f638010c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-11%20at%204.04.09%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=n1l3tknhztnAOGO.h8yDcYs303hezxyt" />

The West Tower will have the bulk of the apartments (72), with six units per floor, while the East Tower will have just 25 three-bedroom apartments, each with a multi-purpose room, and a sole four-bedroom penthouse.

There will be two small hospitality venues on the ground floor of the buildings. The more dense buildings will have greater amenity, in the form of a ground level swimming pool and a wellness centre with a gym, steam room, and sauna, while the more boutique building will have the same facilities, just without the gym.

Demand from both developers and buyers is expected to see Palm Beach continually be one of the most popular suburbs on the Gold Coast for the foreseeable. Over the last four quarters, Palm Beach has been the most searched Gold Coast suburb on Apartments.com.au.

Over the last four quarters, Palm Beach has been the most searched Gold Coast suburb on Urban.com.au.

Palm Beach: The most indemand off the plan apartment market on the Gold Coast

The word sterling has many connotations. It is often used when something is of top quality, prestige, and timelessness.

It is sterling that inspired the newest development in Lane Cove, in Sydney's booming Lower North Shore region.

Located in the quiet northern end of Lane Cove, <a href="/new-apartments/sterling-lane-cove-north-2-merinda-street-lane-cove-north-nsw-2066">Sterling</a>&nbsp;features 50 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, catering for a wide variety of buyers and just six apartments per floor.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136108 project_image_fid=303417]

Ray White Projects Wider Sydney Managing Director, Mark Bernberg, says everything about the project is intrinsically tied to what sterling is all about.

"Everything has been considered to be of sterling quality," Bernberg says.

"The fixtures and finishes are another level up from what has come before in this quiet pocket of Lane Cove, and every apartment, be it for the first home buyer, rightsizer, or downsizer, has the same sterling design approach."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136108 project_image_fid=303415]

Each kitchen in Sterling is fitted with Miele ovens and cooktops and Fisher &amp; Paykel dishwashers.

Future residents will have access to a rooftop entertaining area with extensive panoramic views, over the leafy surroundings and back to the Sydney CBD.

The location of Sterling is expected to draw those seeking both nature and convenience. It is ideally located on Merinda Street, which will place residents between Stringybark Creek,&nbsp;Lane Cove's only area of endangered Blue Gum High Forest, and the well-connected&nbsp;Mowbray Road West and Epping Road.&nbsp;

It's only two kilometres from The Canopy, the heart of the Lane Cove community that has a plaza with extensive retail and hospitality venues centred around a village green-like lawn that regularly hosts live music acts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136108 project_image_fid=303412]

Sterling is being delivered by builder developer Scion Group, who has a strong reputation of delivering quality across Sydney's North Shore.

As part of its commitment to delivering quality, Scion has taken out the <a href="/news/what-is-latent-defects-insurance-and-is-it-bringing-confidence-to-the-off-the-plan-apartment-market">10-year Latent Defects Insurance</a> offered by Resilience Insurance. The insurance, often known as LDI covers structural defects of the building for up to 10 years post-completion. Sterling is the only development in Lane Cove to have the insurance.

Scion Group is well advanced in construction of Sterling. The building itself is expected to complete later this year, with the internal fitout seeing residents move in some time in Q1 2025.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136108]

Sterling in name and nature as new apartments hit Lane Cove

It was the combination of research, timing, and growth potential that led Youngki Park to secure his first home in <a href="/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a>’s Melrose Central, part of the expansive Melrose Park urban renewal project.

Youngki, an architect by trade, had become aware of the opportunity for growth in the area from his friend who had previously bought an apartment in Melrose Park with Sekisui.

"The value of my friend's apartment had gone up since he had bought it off the plan, so that for me opened up the idea of buying an apartment that hadn't been built yet,"&nbsp;Youngki said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289879]

Youngki had seen first hand how much the area had evolved in recent years, and was well aware of the infrastructure developments in <a href="/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a>.

"There is a lot happening in the area, especially regarding transport, which will connect it to the rest of Sydney," Youngki said.

"Melrose Central will be across the road from the future&nbsp;Parramatta Light Rail which will make commuting into the city easy, and there's a new bridge planned that will connect it [Melrose Park] to Wentworth Point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289878]

Understanding no purchase of a home isn't without its risks, in both the established or off the plan space, Youngki said doing his research on the developer made him feel at ease.

"As an architect, I appreciated the design of&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-33-hope-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Central</a>,&nbsp;and after doing my research into Deicorp and the fact they have delivered 100 per cent of projects they've set out to, my mind was made up."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289894]

Youngki is renting across the harbour in Rhodes but decided it was the right time to invest in his financial future. He was one of 40 or so buyers who secured apartment on the display suite launch at&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/melrose-central-melrose-park-33-hope-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Central</a>.

"I hadn't intended on buying on the opening weekend, however, the sheer number of people, and the clear confidence and intent of those buyers, pushed him over the line."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134220 project_image_fid=289895]

<a href="/project-marketer/cbre-residential-australia" target="">CBRE</a>&nbsp;Residential Project Managing Director, David Milton, says Melrose Central represents great value for buyers.

"Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments are priced under $1 million. If you go to any of the neighbouring suburbs, you can't get that kind of value," Milton suggests.

Milton says the buyer pool has been diverse, with first home buyers, local owner-occupiers, and even investors purchasing.

Melrose Central, developed by Deicorp and <a href="/developers/payce-consolidated-limited">PAYCE</a>, is a part of the larger 55-hectare Melrose Park precinct, which will eventually deliver 500 apartments over six buildings, alongside a five-level podium housing retail, wellness facilities, and a Coles supermarket.&nbsp;

The first stage of Melrose Central is expected to complete by mid-2027.

Youngki took part in Urban's&nbsp;<a href="/news/buyer-qa">Buyer Q&amp;A series</a>, which focuses on the driving factors behind&nbsp;<a href="/guides/the-ultimate-off-the-plan-guide-5-property-experts-share-advice-for-buying-a-new-apartment-or-townhome" target="">buying off the plan</a>&nbsp;property in Australia.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134220]

CBRE Residential Project Managing Director, David Milton, says Melrose Central represents great value for buyers

Why a local first home buyer bought an apartment in Deicorp's Melrose Central: Urban Buyer Q&A

Maleela Rise, a Bawlyn apartment development that counts billionaire James Packer as one of its interested parties, has been approved.

Packer's name features in a long list of company directorships that tie him to a <a href="/new-apartments/maleela-rise-balwyn-23-maleela-street-balwyn">new $32 million apartment development</a> in one of Melbourne's leafiest suburbs, a suburb where new apartment developments are a dime a dozen.

A tangled web of investors shows Packer's Consolidated Press International Holdings Limited investment vehicle as the ultimate holding company for Sharland Holdings, which shows an interest in the entity NPG MALEELA PTY LTD, the name on the development application.

The project will be developed by Chapter Group, with the Lefkos family name in the directorships of the main company, in a joint venture with&nbsp;Gersh Investment Partners.

The VCAT approval, secured in 10 days, paves the way for a three-level, Cera Stribley-designed building on a prime&nbsp;3,862 sqm site at 23 Maleela Avenue, just set back from Whitehorse Road between Balwyn and Deepdene.

The design, submitted to the Boroondara Council, aims to reflect the character of Balwyn, a suburb known for its architectural diversity.&nbsp;

The building will include two and three-bedroom apartments, with 18 different floorplans across the 31 residences.&nbsp;

The two-bedroom apartments will range in size from 114 sqm to 140 sqm, while the three-bedroom apartments start at 150 sqm.&nbsp;

At the top end, three penthouses will span between 310 sqm and 361 sqm, each featuring three master suite bedrooms and two living rooms.

Cera Stribley Architects stated that the design takes inspiration from the surrounding area, referencing Balwyn's eclectic mix of architectural styles, including Georgian Revival, Moderne, and Tudor Revival homes.&nbsp;

The articulation of the building will respond directly to the adjacent residential architecture, with the southern portion of the building grounded on the highest point of the site and horizontal planes flowing northward.&nbsp;

Landscaping by Jack Merlo will further integrate the development with its surroundings.

The development reflects the growing demand for diverse housing in established premium suburbs like Balwyn, which has seen an influx of new and emerging apartment projects.&nbsp;

The development aims to offer a range of housing options, particularly for families seeking access to this coveted area.&nbsp;

The project continues Chapter Group’s recent successes, including their <a href="/news/vic/confidence-in-melbournes-off-the-plan-apartment-market-soars-with-record-10-million-fitzroy-sale">record-setting sale of a penthouse</a> in Fitzroy for over $10 million.

First look: Balwyn apartment development with links to billionaire James Packer approved

Maroochydore is set for a rare new development a stone's throw from the Maroochy River.

<a href="/developers/rocking-horse-construction">Rocking Horse Constructions</a>&nbsp;has been given the green light by the Sunshine Coast Council to developer&nbsp;El Parasol, a new 12-level apartment with 53 apartments.

<a href="/architects/ferro-chow-architects">Ferro Chow Architecture</a>&nbsp;has designed the building at&nbsp;15-17 Ocean Street. The designs units have been inspired by the surrounding ocean and the dynamic lifestyle of the area, the architecture firm says.

<a href="/new-apartments/el-parasol-15-17-ocean-street-maroochydore">El Parasol</a>'s approved design will bring 16 two-bedroom apartments, 32 three-bedroom units—half of which will feature a study—and four four-bedroom penthouses on the top floor.&nbsp;

The development will also include communal facilities on level three, such as a swimming pool, spa with cabanas, a gym, and a kitchen and dining area.&nbsp;

The ground level will house a hospitality venue, while level two and part of level three will accommodate four two-level office spaces. Parking for the development includes 128 spaces, divided among residents, visitors, retail, and office users.&nbsp;

<img alt="Parasol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9acf2909-a0fd-4a03-9ea5-e380e49b70d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-10%20at%203.09.44%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=o7eBLNuwyR5.mh.YwPAKvl_VgwdPBKx2" />

The architectural vision, as submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, is to create a multi-residential community that integrates a food and drink outlet, office spaces, and dwellings, fostering a vibrant and interconnected neighbourhood.

The design of the building incorporates earthy materials such as off-form concrete, timber, and rammed earth, with landscaping elements like hanging planters and perimeter planting to help blend the structure into its coastal environment.&nbsp;

Ferro Chow Architecture said the street-level experience will be activated with greenery, creating a connection between common areas and the surrounding entertainment precinct.&nbsp;

<img alt="Parasol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="06085929-12ed-4cca-a61c-a6b71952d6fc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-10-10%20at%203.09.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=BW8R5VtBZLVhLk.MaHNIJJdNxX0PNpU8" />

The building will sit directly across from Big Top Shopping Centre, in an area that has seen limited residential supply in recent years.

This version of the El Parasol project is a scaled-back iteration of an earlier plan approved in 2020, which included 66 apartments and 44 short-term accommodation units across a larger site.&nbsp; The currently approved design reflects a more compact project on a 2,190 sqm site that was previously a retail strip.&nbsp;

Maroochydore is continuing to grow into a new hub for South East Queensland and the Sunshine Coast region.

Most of the activity in Maroochydore is geared toward the new greenfield CBD, with Habitat Development Group and Walker Corp the busiest developers in the precinct.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144521]

The architectural vision, as submitted to the Sunshine Coast Council, is to create a multi-residential community that integrates a food and drink outlet, office spaces, and dwellings, fostering a vibrant and interconnected neighbourhood

El Parasol apartments set for Maroochydore

Designed for over 4500 residents, providing much-needed housing in the region, the $1.5-billion masterplan by <a href="/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land Group</a>, Harbour Shores, is set to rise on one of the last large-scale greenfield waterfront development sites on the <a href="/new-apartments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a>.

<a href="/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters">Harbour Shores</a> is located along Oxley Drive in Biggera Waters, in between Biggera Creek and the Harbour Town Premium Outlets shopping mall developed by Lewis Land in 1999.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=247080]

Traditionally settled by retirees, <a href="/developments/biggera-waters-qld-4216">Biggera Waters</a> has seen a recent surge in younger buyers attracted to the retail and dining hub with the development of the shopping centre.&nbsp;

Biggera Waters offers residents a quiet lifestyle, minutes from the <a href="/new-apartments/broadwater-qld-4380">Broadwater</a> yet still in proximity to major shopping centres and natural attractions, and only ten minutes from the CBD during peak hour traffic. The suburb also boasts excellent restaurants, cafes, specialty stores, parklands, and proximity to boat ramps and waterways.

A quick coffee and breakfast are available at The Coffee Club in Harbour Town Premium Outlets shopping mall across the road, while lunch and dinner options range from Japanese at Ichi Ban Ya, Chinese at 8 Street, to Nonna's Italian.

After a satisfying meal, residents can stroll around the mall and shop for everything from designer fashion and accessories to&nbsp;homewares and electronics. There is also the Reading Cinemas for a date or family night.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=247281]

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are numerous fishing spots in the vicinity, with the closest one just a five-minute drive away.

Additionally, there are large parks just less than one kilometre from Harbour Shores, such as Ngulli Bui Park and Cos Zantiotis Park, adjacent to Cooke Murphy Oval used by the NEAFL's Labrador Australian Football Club team as their home game base.

Meanwhile, a seven-minute drive north will take residents to Quota Park and the beachside Harley Park and Ian Dipple Lagoon towards the south.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=247280]

Families in Harbour Shores will enjoy convenient access not only to parks and playgrounds but also to several education facilities located in Biggera Waters and nearby suburbs. Biggera Waters State School, Arundel Early Intervention Centre, Coombabah State High School, and Labrador State School are all situated within just one kilometre of Harbour Shores.

The Harbour Shores' master plan revolves around 1.5 kilometres of canal frontage, linked to private marina berths, providing direct boat access to the Broadwater and beyond. Residents can access this via the public boardwalk and extensive parklands.

Lewis Land CEO Matthew McCarron anticipates the project generating up to 5,000 jobs over its development lifespan.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

From bare to burgeoning: How Lewis Land has overseen the transformation of Biggera Waters

Kooyong doesn't often get many new apartment developments.

The last launch in <a href="/developments/kooyong-vic-3144">the affluent suburb</a> was in 2022 when <a href="/buildings/mansard-kooyong-709-713-toorak-road-kooyong">Mansard</a>, the development of 16 apartments inspired by French architecture, hit the market. Now that's approaching completion mid next year, there is set to be a new choice for off the plan buyers.

The new development, submitted to the Stonnington Council this week, will be smaller, just nine apartments across a four-level buuilding designed by the busy Cera Strbiley at 449 Glenferrie Road.

The building will replace an existing two-level block of flats and outbuildings.

<img alt="449 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong VIC 3144" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6e5949a7-4525-4de4-a8f3-3813ba134a9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/449%20Glenferrie%20Rd%2C%20Kooyong%20VIC%203144.png?VersionId=0jc6Jkxh2Hiz8cU1IbVywI7TRzKihTJL" />

Proposed is a mix of three two-bedroom apartments, four three-bedrooms, and two four-bedroom units.&nbsp;The mix is intended to address the high demand for two and three-bedroom apartments in Kooyong, particularly among buyers seeking housing options beyond the prevalent low-rise and single-residential houses in the area.

In response to feedback from the local council, several modifications have been made to the initial design.&nbsp;

The brick façade has been extended into the mansard roof to reduce the perceived bulk of the roof level and to enhance the building's recession from the street. The height and width of the roof dormers have been reduced to minimise their visual impact.&nbsp;

The pedestrian entry now includes an arbour structure to improve the sense of address and a similar structure has been added over the vehicle basement entrance to enhance the visual appeal of the northern façade.

To address privacy concerns, south and west-facing windows have been modified with 1,200mm fluted glass to prevent overlooking neighbouring properties.&nbsp;<img alt="449 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1269fc3a-67c6-47a9-a7cf-976f3ae13d16" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/449%20Glenferrie%20Rd%2C%20Kooyong.png?VersionId=MRKiPCCsFeZ6qgpYGfhvrlt_U0QEzXKJ" />

Landscaping plans have been adjusted by realigning tree planting in the southwest corner to avoid interference with existing drainage infrastructure.

The site is situated in an established residential area with convenient access to a range of services and facilities. Kooyong Train Station is located 450 metres away, providing easy public transport options.&nbsp;

Educational institutions such as Scotch College and Auburn South Primary School are within proximity, as are recreational facilities like Kooyong Gardens and the Kooyong Tennis Centre.&nbsp;

Nearby shopping options include Woolworths Toorak and Woolworths Hawthorn East.

<img alt="​​​​ 449 Glenferrie Rd Kooyong DA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7bcd4632-8a35-4f9a-b296-011ba11f0156" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/449%20Glenferrie%20Rd%20Kooyong.png?VersionId=BJfZaVgFrGYXv4ZJ2uk2z_rHodHDZxvz" />

Architectural firm Cera Stribley emphasised in the support documents that the development seeks to meet the demographic needs of the area by offering housing options that are currently in high demand.&nbsp;

The project's design focuses on integrating with the adjacent parkland, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows to frame views of the surrounding greenery.&nbsp;

The building's exterior includes a marble shroud around the windows and metal finishes, aiming for a contemporary aesthetic that complements the natural environment.

The apartment mix is intended to address the high demand for two and three-bedroom apartments in Kooyong

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