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“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into.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

As Sydney continues to face strong population growth and constrained housing supply, Abadeen is entering one of the most active delivery phases in the company’s history.

Sydney’s housing undersupply has intensified competition for well-located development sites, particularly across established harbour-side suburbs where planning constraints limit the delivery of new housing.

Across 2025, 2026 and into 2027, the developer is progressing a significant pipeline of premium residential projects across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, while also expanding its future development pipeline through a series of strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions represent a new development pipeline in excess of $1 billion in end value, reinforcing Abadeen’s continued growth across key lifestyle markets.

The company’s approach remains consistent: carefully selected locations, design-led architecture and projects that enhance the surrounding neighbourhood.

Led by Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown, Abadeen continues to strengthen its development capability as it delivers one of the most active project pipelines in the company’s history.

Brown says the coming years will see Abadeen deliver a diverse mix of projects across established urban precincts and emerging residential markets.

“We’ve always focused on creating homes that people genuinely want to live in, not just buildings,” Brown says.

“What we’re seeing across Sydney is a real shift in the buyer profile. More people are choosing to rightsize into well-designed apartments in established neighbourhoods rather than move further away from the communities they already know.”

“That demand is particularly strong in places like the Lower North Shore and Eastern Suburbs, where people value walkable villages, proximity to the harbour and homes that feel more like houses in the way they live.”

Several projects are approaching completion through 2025 and 2026, including a number of boutique residential developments across Sydney’s Lower North Shore and Inner North.

Among them are Park Residences in Cremorne, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/northcote-collective-naremburn-2-6-northcote-street-naremburn-nsw-2065">Northcote Collective</a> in Naremburn, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-villas-neutral-bay-7-11-premier-street-neutral-bay-nsw-2089">The Villas</a> in Neutral Bay, Villea on the Gold Coast, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/mosman-residences-22-clifford-street-mosman-nsw-2088">Mosman Residences</a> in Mosman, continuing Abadeen’s long-standing presence and leading position in Sydney’s Lower North Shore residential market, one of the most tightly held lifestyle precincts in the country.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114246 project_image_fid=273057]

Alongside these projects, Abadeen continues to expand its long-term pipeline through a series of strategic site acquisitions across Sydney’s most tightly held lifestyle markets.

Recent acquisitions include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/101-115-edgecliff-road-woollahra-nsw-2025">101–115 Edgecliff Road</a> in Woollahra, as well as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19-21-barry-street-neutral-bay-nsw-2089">19–21 Barry Street</a> in Neutral Bay, both positioned close to key transport connections, village retail and lifestyle amenities, where plans have been lodged for boutique residential developments.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-woollahra-development-wave-continues-as-abadeen-plots-six-storey-apartment-block">First Look: Woollahra development wave continues as Abadeen plots six-storey apartment block</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-abadeen-plots-fourth-neutral-bay-apartment-development">First Look: Abadeen plots fourth Neutral Bay apartment development</a>

<img alt="Barry" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bda49bb-c944-4969-a8a9-d6439c12e32c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-26%20at%2010.46.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=jmf8i6.rCuxLQPN8vYdJ1ObbrLm4tqzI" />The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19-21-barry-street-neutral-bay-nsw-2089">Barry St, Neutral Bay</a> plans. Image supplied

On the Northern Beaches, the company has secured 26 The Strand in Dee Why, a rare beachfront site, along with a substantial 4,178 sqm holding at Pittwater Road and Albert Street in Narrabeen, creating opportunities for future residential development in tightly held coastal locations.

Abadeen has also strengthened its presence in Mosman through the acquisition of the Midas and Honeysuckle nursery sites on Military Road, further expanding the company’s footprint across the Lower North Shore.

In Victoria, Abadeen has also continued to expand its development pipeline, building on the success of Malea in Malvern East and securing additional residential development opportunities across Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs.

Brown says the acquisitions reflect Abadeen’s disciplined long-term investment strategy and its focus on securing well-located sites in established neighbourhoods.

“In established suburbs like Mosman, Woollahra or the Northern Beaches, opportunities to create new housing are incredibly rare. When a site does come up, you have to consider how it will evolve over the long term, not just through a development cycle.”

“Most of the sites we’re acquiring today were never intended to become residential developments. They’re nurseries, older commercial buildings, or underutilised sites that have been part of the neighbourhood for decades.

“The challenge is finding a way to introduce new housing while still respecting the character and scale of the surrounding area.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136776 project_image_fid=272412]

A strong pipeline of apartment developments across Sydney continues to underpin Abadeen’s growth strategy.

Head of Development – NSW Apartments, Michael Clark, oversees the company’s current portfolio and growing apartment pipeline.

Clark says the breadth of projects across the portfolio reflects continued demand for well-designed homes in established lifestyle locations.

“The majority of buyers in these projects aren’t first-home buyers or investors. They’re people moving out of family homes who want a different lifestyle without leaving the neighbourhood they’ve lived in for years.”

“That means the apartments have to work very differently — larger kitchens, more storage, proper laundry rooms, and spaces that feel more like a house than a typical apartment,” Clark says.

“In established areas such as Woollahra, the challenge is always finding the right balance between respecting the existing character of the neighbourhood and delivering new housing that supports Sydney’s long-term growth. Our approach is to work closely with leading architects and heritage specialists to ensure new development responds carefully to its context while still providing much-needed additional housing.

“Ultimately our focus is on delivering projects that contribute positively to the streetscape and the broader neighbourhood while maintaining the level of design quality and long-term value that Abadeen is known for.”

<img alt="Woollahra" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5129ae3f-45be-424b-8c22-7e374f58ee0b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-26%20at%2010.42.44%E2%80%AFAM_2.png?VersionId=dfnvzA_r9924HQ5FVRdNsD2j8LsasMWB" />The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/101-115-edgecliff-road-woollahra-nsw-2025">Edgecliff Rd, Woollahra</a> plans. Image supplied

Abadeen is also introducing a new platform focused on larger-scale greenfield residential house and land opportunities as the company continues to expand its national pipeline.

Brown says the new platform will allow the company to pursue additional opportunities while maintaining the same development philosophy that has guided Abadeen’s growth.&nbsp;

“As our pipeline continues to expand, we’re also looking at how we grow the business in a way that stays true to our core principles,” Brown says.

“This new platform will allow us to explore larger-scale opportunities while maintaining the same focus on design quality, liveability and long-term value that defines our projects.”

Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, Abadeen continues to actively assess new opportunities across Sydney and key interstate markets as it builds on the momentum of its expanding development pipeline.

For Brown, the company’s focus remains on quality rather than scale.

“The most valuable projects are the ones that still feel relevant twenty years later.”

“If a building ages well, integrates into its neighbourhood and continues to attract people who want to live there, that’s the real measure of success,” he says.

Justin Brown on Abadeen’s 2026–2027 pipeline: National acquisition drive adds $1 billion to apartment development pipeline

Sydney builder-developer DASCO has steadily built a reputation for delivering design-led residential communities over the last three decades. Over the past three years, however, the company has entered a significant growth phase. It now has around 1,000 apartments in its own development pipeline, while continuing to build projects for other major developers.

Its portfolio spans a diverse range of locations: Epping in Sydney’s north-west, Waterloo on the inner-city fringe, and St Leonards in the booming Lower North Shore market.

A common thread across DASCO’s projects is a strong emphasis on amenity and place-making. The group is carving out a reputation as a developer focused on creating genuine communities, whether through curated retail and hospitality offerings or extensive private resident facilities.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dasco-australia">DASCO</a> made a decisive statement in 2023 when it acquired a prime 1.7-hectare Waterloo site from Melbourne-based Dahua Group. The new precinct, Danks St District, is being delivered in a similar vein to TOGA’s Surry Hills Village, conceived as a destination for both residents and the broader community. The vision is to inject new energy into Waterloo, a suburb that has historically lacked diverse food and beverage offerings. DASCO believes its carefully integrated hospitality spaces will further revitalise the area and strengthen its identity as a lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111820 project_image_fid=344703]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/danks-st-district-waterloo-903-921-bourke-street-waterloo-nsw-2017">Danks St District</a> will comprise six new residential buildings delivering 347 apartments. As part of the project, DASCO will also restore two heritage-listed structures: the 1922 Pumping Station and the 1935 Valve House, preserving a tangible link to the suburb’s industrial past.

The new buildings, designed by Bates Smart, MHNDU, Fieldwork and Turner Studio, will vary in scale and density, from a 21 storeys tower with terraces adjoining a new park, to a boutique seven-storey plaza building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111820 project_image_fid=344705]

The first release, Bourke Street Residences, will offer a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, designed by MHNDU in collaboration with Melbourne-based landscape architect Fieldwork. The sculpted building draws inspiration from the site’s natural qualities and heritage elements, blending old and new in a refined contemporary expression. Residents will have access to private amenities including a rooftop garden with city views, a sheltered barbecue area, an outdoor gym and a soundproofed music room.&nbsp;

A laneway-style dining precinct, Bourke Street Eatery, will offer a vibrant mix of cafes, wine bars, and eateries, mirroring the area's contemporary food scene. Running alongside it, Washer’s Lane will introduce an eclectic mix of boutiques and artisanal vendors, providing a platform for local creatives and entrepreneurs to showcase their work in a modern, walkable setting. At the centre of the 1.7-hectare masterplan is Danks Street Square, a public plaza framed by contemporary architecture and lush landscaping. The space is designed to host regular events, weekend markets, and community gatherings, creating a strong sense of connection among residents and visitors alike.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111820 project_image_fid=344587]

In north west Sydney, DASCO recently launched its Epping development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/senso-epping-242-244-beecroft-road-epping-nsw-2121">Senso</a>, a 479-apartment project spread across five buildings on a more than 10,000 sqm Beecroft Road site, adjacent to the new Epping Town Centre and just a five-minute walk from Epping Metro Station.

The architectural brief to Turner Studio was to create a community where residents are immersed in a “paradise for the senses”. The result is a landscape-led, amenity-rich precinct unlike anything previously delivered in Epping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4397]

Apartments have been tailored to the owner-occupier market, featuring generous floorplans, premium materials and optional upgrades such as integrated refrigeration, bespoke joinery and motorised blinds.

Senso will include resort-style communal amenities, including two rooftop pools, an outdoor cinema, wellness club, sensory walk and observation deck, along with multiple barbecue and outdoor entertaining areas across several levels. More than 800 sqm of ground-floor retail is planned, likely to be activated by hospitality operators.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4396]

DASCO will bring its latest major project to market later this year. In late 2025, the company acquired a prime St Leonards site opposite Newlands Park, where it is planning across three buildings.

DASCO’s placemaking prowess on show as Waterloo and Epping precincts come to life

Longstanding builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/billbergia">Billbergia</a> has delivered numerous suburb-shaping precincts over the decades, so many that a clear naming convention has emerged across its projects.

“Central” has become the defining adjective in its masterplanned communities. Through Rhodes Central and Arncliffe Central, the group has added thousands of apartments to Sydney’s chronically undersupplied housing market. Its next “Central” masterplan further cements Billbergia’s position as one of the city’s most prolific developers.

The latest project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/concord-central-1-king-street-concord-west-nsw-2137">Concord Central</a>, will be among its largest to date, with 1,336 homes planned for a 3.14-hectare site. With an end value exceeding $2.2 billion, it is set to become one of the company’s most valuable communities since founder John Kinsella established the business in the late 1980s.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143679 project_image_fid=362841]

The vision is to create a connected urban village that integrates housing, retail, public space and transport within a single, coordinated masterplan.

Billbergia Development Director Saul Moran said Concord Central is an exciting opportunity to define forward-thinking liveability in Sydney’s Inner West.

"Designed in collaboration with five leading architecture studios, the project will deliver a contemporary urban village that integrates retail, dining, and essential services. Concord Central will create an elevated inner-city lifestyle while unlocking benefits for the surrounding community."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143679 project_image_fid=362842]

At its core, Concord Central is organised into three distinct neighbourhoods, each designed by a different architectural team under the coordination of GroupGSA as executive architect.

The Station Precinct forms the northern gateway to the site. Designed by GroupGSA in collaboration with Lachlan Seegers Architect, the first three buildings will incorporate 276, 258 and 167 apartments. These towers rise above a podium incorporating cafes, restaurants, and a childcare centre, reinforcing the project’s focus on daily amenity at ground level.&nbsp;

South of the Station Precinct is the Park Neighbourhood, a further three towers designed by Fitzpatrick + Partners with 414 apartments. These buildings are arranged around landscaped courtyards and the vast 4,130 sqm central park, and incorporate shared resident facilities including a library room, spa retreat and pool. The intention is to cluster communal wellness and leisure spaces within easy reach of a large public green spine, reinforcing the park as both a visual and social anchor.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143679 project_image_fid=362852]

To the western boundary, The Urban Edge precinct by Carter Williamson introduces terrace-style apartments across two buildings. Street-facing front doors and retained mature trees along George Street are designed to strengthen the interface with the surrounding suburb. Base-level terrace homes will offer a different type of dwelling, ideally suited to multi-generational families or downsizers.

The proposal includes more than 5,000 sqm of public spaces, with pedestrian through-site links designed to improve connectivity between Concord West Station and the surrounding streets. Landscape architecture by McGregor Coxall introduces green corridors, play areas and tree-lined pedestrian streets intended to stitch the site back into the wider community.

Retail and commercial uses are deliberately scaled to serve day-to-day needs rather than function as a regional destination. The latest scheme includes around 5,100 sqm of retail space, with an emphasis on local activation, alongside childcare and community facilities. The project also includes significant infrastructure upgrades valued at over $100 million, reflecting the scale of intervention required to support the incoming population.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143679 project_image_fid=362853]

Proximity to heavy rail and future metro connections underpins the project’s transit-oriented logic. The site's location, immediately adjacent to Concord West Station, puts residents on the T9 rail line which takes around 20 minutes direct to Central Station. The North Strathfield Metro station, due for completion in 2032, will be just one stop from Concord West. The Metro will take just 13 minutes to the new Hunter St, Sydney CBD metro stop. Future residents will also be less than two kilometres walk from Sydney Olympic Park, home to the country’s biggest sporting events and concerts, as well as the Concord Hospital which is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in Australia.

For families, Concord Central sits in a highly sought-after catchment for some of the area’s best schools. Both Concord High School, a top five non-selective high school in mathematics where 78 per cent of students achieved the top three achievement bands, and Strathfield Girls High School, ranked among the top 20 comprehensive schools in NSW based on average HSC subject scores, are within a 10-minute drive of the project. Several well-regarded private schools are also located within a five-kilometre radius, further strengthening the appeal of Concord Central for families seeking access to quality education.

Billbergia is starting to take expressions of interest for the first stage of apartments at Concord Central. The veteran developer, which has delivered thousands of apartments across Sydney in the last four decades, has a history of creating similar precincts of this scale. Their $3 billion Rhodes Central masterplan is approaching completion, with their final tower of five also soon to launch. They are also heading towards completion of their 806-home, five-tower masterplan Arncliffe Central.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143679]

Billbergia approaches launch of game-changing $2.2 billion Concord Central

Melbourne CBD is set for another 700 apartments, with Malaysian developer Sime Darby Property granted&nbsp;ministerial approval for its mixed-use skyscraper in the heart of the city.

The $500 million project&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/400-queen-street-melbourne-vic-3000">382–406 Queen Street</a>&nbsp;will deliver 693 apartments and 900 student accommodation beds above one of the northern CBD's most prominent corners.

Sime Darby paid $115 million for the 3,218 sqm site in 2024, acquiring it from the Lim family, the dynasty behind Singapore construction firm Evan Lim &amp; Co, in what was then the largest CBD development transaction Melbourne had seen since 2019. The site carried a seven-storey car park and a small education centre. Both will be demolished.

The tower, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a>, splits its residential and student components across a single building. The 693 build-to-sell apartments, 297 studios, 330 one-bedroom and 66 two-bedroom units, occupy the upper floors, while 900 student beds spread across levels 9 to 28. Levels 2 to 6 are allocated to just over 10,000 sqm of office space, with retail on the ground and mezzanine.&nbsp;

<img alt="Sime" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e2b624a-0c5e-40dd-8c97-af99d8a96c2d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-26%20at%209.15.19%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=tUMDcpbn9gnhgxKDvUcQGK04I1incf15" />

A network of open-air laneways and arcades at street level is designed to activate the Queen Street and A'Beckett Street frontages and create pedestrian connections through the site.

Sustainability targets include a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating, fully electric building operations, and measurable reductions in upfront carbon emissions compared to a reference building. The plans also incorporate rainwater reuse, urban heat island mitigation strategies, and enhanced daylight access across both residential and non-residential spaces.

The site sits at the northern edge of the Hoddle Grid, about 300 metres from Flagstaff station and 250 metres from Melbourne Central. It abuts the Queen Victoria Market precinct, which is mid-way through its own renewal.&nbsp;

<img alt="Sime" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49f30eb5-fa1e-47d3-a594-a54758845eb8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-26%20at%209.15.28%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=2J0xsOs81XvyKKgItI4OXMBwIy2k13m5" />

Immediately to the south, 3L Alliance completed the first tower of Queens Place. The Melbourne CBD has become popular with developers once again, with Far East Consortium and Sterling Global both recently launching their high-rise buildings.

Sime Darby wins approval for $500m Melbourne CBD apartment tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a> has continued to capture unrelenting demand for high-quality apartments in the Gold Coast’s hotspot of Palm Beach, with 70 per cent of apartments at the group’s Flourish Oasis under contract in just two months.

The impressive sales surge follows recent approval from the council, which has, in turn, accelerated the commencement of construction by trusted builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group </a>for completion in 2027.&nbsp;

“The Flourish brand has been highly successful so far, and we are excited for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Oasis</a> to build on the strong momentum as the project edges closer towards sell-out,” said Christie Leet, Founder of Sherpa Group.&nbsp;

“At Sherpa, we are dedicated to helping the locals and building a community people are proud of, and so it’s extremely encouraging to see that 50% of buyers are Gold Coast locals, as well as 77% planning to be owner-occupiers at Oasis.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a> has emerged as one of the city’s most undersupplied markets, with apartment prices surging to a weighted average of $2.25 million, due to a shortage in stock pushing locals out of the renowned coastal suburb.&nbsp;

Sherpa is responding to growing lifestyle demand by delivering much-needed stock through its Flourish brand, with Oasis offering luxury living in the centre of Palm Beach, with remaining apartments from $1,240,000.&nbsp;

Located at 7 and 9 Sixth Avenue, Oasis will deliver 47 apartments, all of which are corner apartments providing significantly improved privacy and expansive windows to fill the apartments with natural light.

Continuing the flourish legacy, Oasis will deliver a premium suite of amenities crowned by a rooftop sanctuary that features a pool, gym, barbecue facilities, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunges and spa, creating a sanctuary to relax, unwind and connect.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

“Our vision for each project is always founded on a sense of community, which is why we have ensured every amenity is designed to foster connection and support our residents.”

“We ensure rooftop wellness and recreation facilities are not an afterthought, but rather at the centre of each project.”

Already 28, apartments have now sold, and only 19 remain for sale, with the opportunity to secure a residence at this landmark address quickly disappearing.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa knock over 70% of sales at Flourish Oasis

The Gold Coast new apartment market delivered a record-breaking performance in 2025, with more project launches, higher sales volumes and peak prices underscoring continued buyer confidence despite construction cost and labour concerns, according to new research.

According to Urbis, a total of 24 new projects launched in 2025, delivering 2,096 apartments to the market. This compares with 20 projects and 1,519 apartments launched in 2024, representing a significant uplift in new supply.

New apartment sales across the Gold Coast were 31% higher than 2024, with 1,361 total sales recorded during 2025, including 222 sales in Q4 alone.

Despite industry concerns over construction costs and labour shortages potentially slowing momentum, the data shows the market remained resilient throughout the year.

“The 2025 results demonstrate the continued depth of demand in the Gold Coast market,” said Lynda Campbell, Senior Consultant at Urbis.

“While cost pressures were expected to dampen activity, we have instead seen strong buyer confidence translate into higher sales, increased project launches and record pricing outcomes.”

The Gold Coast Central Precinct (GCCP), focussed on Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, continued to dominate in both supply and sales activity throughout 2025.

The year to end 2025 left 956 apartments remaining for sale, down from 1,422 at the beginning of the year, leaving the city with the lowest level of supply since Q3 2022.

While GCCP held its position overall, momentum shifted during Q2 and Q3 as the Southern Beaches Precinct and Coastal Fringe Precinct recorded strong quarterly sales rates.

This surge was driven by high-performing new project launches, including The Landmark’s South Tower in the $2.5 million The Landmark project at Mermaid Beach being undertaken by Gold Coast developer Aniko Group and Homecorp’s Cienna Varsity Ridge.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134338 project_image_fid=311028]

“The Gold Coast Central Precinct remains the engine room of the market, but what we saw in Q2 and Q3 was a clear demonstration that well-positioned new launches in supply-constrained precincts are met with immediate demand,” Campbell said.

“When quality product enters the market in areas like the Southern Beaches and Coastal Fringe, buyers respond quickly.”

These precincts and North Shore continue to operate with limited supply, reinforcing the importance of new project launches to maintain transaction volumes.

The market closed 2025 with a record weighted average sale price (WASP) of $2.559 million in Q4, the highest on record.

The Southern Beaches Precinct recorded a Q4 WASP of $3.855 million, marking a peak for the precinct. This performance was driven by new premium launches from Mosaic Property Group and Abedian and Co.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149424 project_image_fid=360440]

Campbell said the data confirms a clear shift toward higher price points:

More than two thirds (67%) of all 2025 sales were priced at $1 million and above and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments dominated, accounting for 51% of total sales,” she said.

“The record weighted average sale price reflects both the calibre of product being delivered and the evolution of buyer demand.&nbsp;

“We are seeing a decisive move toward premium product, with two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments continuing to dominate and a substantial majority of sales now transacting above the $1 million mark.

“The Gold Coast has firmly positioned itself as a mature, high-value apartment market. The strength of pricing in 2025 indicates sustained confidence from both local and interstate buyers.”

The 2025 results demonstrate sustained demand for new apartments across the Gold Coast, particularly in premium and lifestyle-driven precincts. Strong absorption rates, rising prices and steady project launches indicate positive momentum heading into 2026.

“With supply tightening in key precincts and demand remaining elevated, the outlook for 2026 remains constructive,” Campbell added.

“Continued delivery of well-located, high-quality projects will be critical to meeting ongoing buyer demand.”

More projects launched, sales surge 31%, and prices reach historic highs

2025 sets new records for Gold Coast apartment market as launches and sales boom

Local Gold Coast developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/andrews">Andrews</a> has officially marked the start of construction on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/south-beach-surfers-paradise-3006-3016-surfers-paradise-boulevard-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">South Beach</a>, its $900 million wellness-led coastal development in Surfers Paradise.

Inspired by modernist Miami architecture and designed by internationally acclaimed architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>, South Beach will comprise two 37-storey towers above a six-storey podium.

It will deliver 394 residences ranging from one to four bedrooms, all featuring generous wrap-around balconies and either dual or triple-aspect living that captures uninterrupted ocean, river and city views.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887 project_image_fid=358401]

Spanning a large 5,700 sqm site across three street frontages, the development will become one of Australia’s most aspirational wellness-led addresses with over 5,500 sqm of private resident amenities designed around wellness and connection. These include two resort-style outdoor pools, a Hammam, plunge pools, saunas, a state-of-the-art gym, a grounding lawn, a co-working hub and library, cinema, BBQ terraces and sub-tropical gardens, collectively creating a unique wellness circuit that encourages activation, immersion, recovery and reflection.&nbsp;

The podium will also incorporate a ground-floor restaurant with a landscaped outdoor seating area, along with four levels of above-ground parking enhanced by cascading greenery.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887 project_image_fid=358393]

Ideally positioned just two blocks from the beach and within walking distance of Broadbeach and the Isle of Capri, South Beach is well connected via the G light rail and moments from Pacific Fair, Capri on Via Roma and The Langham.&nbsp;

Sarah Andrews, General Manager of Andrews, said the construction commencement represents a defining moment for the project and the broader South Surfers precinct.&nbsp;

“Today marks the transition from vision to reality for South Beach. From the outset, our ambition was to create a residential address where wellbeing is genuinely embedded into everyday living, not treated as an add-on," said Andrews.

“We made a conscious decision to significantly reduce density to prioritise light, space and liveability. South Beach sets a new benchmark for coastal apartment living on the Gold Coast, offering residents a private resort-style experience while remaining deeply connected to the surrounding community."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8887 project_image_fid=358392]

&nbsp;

According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness-focused real estate is one of the fastest-growing property sectors globally, with the Gold Coast recognised as a leading market where lifestyle and design intersect.&nbsp;

To be delivered by Andrews’ in-house construction arm, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/a-construct">A Construct</a>, the project is expected to generate approximately 5000 jobs throughout its build program and is expected to be completed late 2028.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8887]

Andrews breaks ground on South Beach, wellness-led coastal address in Surfers Paradise

A concentrated wave of developer capital is reshaping Broadbeach's skyline, with billions of dollars worth of new residential product under construction in one of the Gold Coast's most walkable beachside suburb.

From boutique towers targeting owner-occupiers to larger-scale mixed-use schemes, the active pipeline represents the broadest choice set Broadbeach has offered buyers in a decade.

The suburb's appeal is structural, not cyclical. Broadbeach sits midway between Surfers Paradise to the north and Mermaid Beach to the south, with Pacific Fair, one of Australia's largest shopping centres, on its doorstep, G:link light rail connectivity, and a café and restaurant precinct that has matured significantly over the past five years.

With the 2032 Brisbane Olympics expected to drive sustained infrastructure investment across South East Queensland, and the Gold Coast light rail Stage 3 extension already progressing, the suburb's long-term fundamentals are attracting buyers who might previously have looked further afield.

<h2>The Active Pipeline: Project by Project</h2>

The largest contributor the the billions of dollars being poured into the Broadbeach apartment development space is <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/victoria-albert-broadbeach-20-albert-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Victoria &amp; Albert</a>. The two-tower development by Iris Capital alone has a value of over $1 billion.

There are 425 apartments across the two towers, named Victoria and Albert based on the street they front.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=234097]

Residents&nbsp;will have private access to suite of resort-style resident amenities. These include a subtropical podium featuring a 25-metre lap pool, gym, yoga deck, residents’ lounge, kids’ play area, zen garden, and barbecue terraces with outdoor dining spaces.

The development is set to start welcoming its buyers in 2027.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/victoria-albert-broadbeach-20-albert-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Victoria &amp; Albert →</a>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Crest Broadbeach</a> is among the most closely watched projects in the current cycle. Positioned at 13 Armrick Avenue, the development is targeting the owner-occupier end of the market with generously proportioned two and three-bedroom residences and an amenity package that includes a pool, an entertainment deck, a BBQ area, a yoga deck, and a gym.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Developed by Morris Property Group, Crest comprises around 339 apartments across two towers, offering a variety of stock that is attracting a wide mix of owner-occupiers, from first home buyers and rightsizers to downsizers.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Crest Broadbeach →</a>

The recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-qld">Sandpiper</a>&nbsp;development by Polycell on Old Burleigh Road has been one of the higher-converting project searches to enquiry in Broadbeach on Apartments.com.au.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149910 project_image_fid=360195]

Around 100 of the 204 apartments were snapped up pre-launch in the 51-storey tower that faces the beach. There's a significant amount of amenity on offer, from a level four retreat with a magnesium lagoon pool, gym and yoga room, to a two-storey Residents' Club with another pool, wellness zones, a cinema, and a music studio, among even more amenity.

Prices currently start from $1,855,000.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sandpiper-broadbeach-155-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Sandpiper →</a>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harmony-on-broadbeach-qld">Harmony on Broadbeach</a> recently launched to much fanfare, with over 75 per cent of its apartments selling within the first few months of its marketing. Everyone from&nbsp;local upgraders to interstate buyers relocating to the Gold Coast have secured apartments in the building which is soon to start its construction phase.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113098 project_image_fid=355606]

The 101-apartment building, which also has a 20m swimming pool, gym, sauna, and yoga lawn, is slated for completion in late 2028.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harmony-on-broadbeach-2797-gold-coast-highway-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Harmony on Broadbeach →</a>

Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched its fourth development on the Gold Coast, its first in Broadbeach.

The tower, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, will comprise 100 three-bedroom apartments, starting from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360979]

The Rothelowman-designed building&nbsp;will include a substantial wellness precinct, communal recreation areas, children’s play spaces, work-from-home facilities, and shared lounge and dining areas.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about The Eveleigh, Broadbeach</a>

Raptis is approaching completion of its latest Broadbeach apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-sterling-broadbeach-6-8-george-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Sterling Broadbeach</a>, ideally located on George Avenue.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=101620 project_image_fid=361818]

Prices at The Sterling start from $1.65 million for the two-bedroom apartments and $2,495,000 for the three-bedroom apartments. There are only 90 apartments in the building that also includes a rooftop pool deck.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-sterling-broadbeach-6-8-george-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about The Sterling →</a>

At the more premium end of the market is Mosaic's Madeline development on Mary Avenue. With over 80 per cent of the building now sold, the remaining apartments are priced from just over $4 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3404]

There are 59 large-scale apartments in the building, which has commenced construction through Mosaic's building arm and is on track to complete in late 2028.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-broadbeach-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Madeline →</a>

The latest project to launch in Broadbeach is Lumara, and it's the most luxurious on this list. Comprising 37 half- and full-floor apartments, Lumara prices start from just under $4 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=363379]

The Old Burleigh Road building, made up of three- and four-bedroom homes, is being developed by Bourke Projects and 5Point Projects, the latter of which will be building the development.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lumara-broadbeach-108-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">Enquire about Lumara →</a>

<h2>What Buyers Should Weigh Up Before Purchasing</h2>

The breadth of the current Broadbeach pipeline means buyers are faced with a more complex comparison than in previous cycles. However, this also provides a wider range of choice than ever before, ultimately a positive for the market.

Key variables to consider include construction stage, buyer mix, and the progress of sales. Preferences around timing of completion will play a major role in determining suitability, alongside price. Projects closer to completion may appeal more to buyers seeking certainty, but as developments near completion, the number of available apartments typically declines. The remaining stock is often premium in nature, so for buyers not targeting high-end offerings, purchasing during the launch phase is usually the most strategic approach.

Across the Gold Coast, and Broadbeach in particular, prices have shown strong year-on-year growth. Buying earlier in a project cycle increases the likelihood of capital appreciation during construction, meaning the apartment may be worth more at settlement than the original purchase price.

<h2>What Next?</h2>

The Broadbeach pipeline is the most active it has been in years. Those who wait are likely working with what's left.

If you’re looking for a full-funnel view of what’s available in Broadbeach, including projects in planning that haven’t yet launched, Apartments.com.au is the only place to find it.&nbsp;Find it <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">here</a>.

For buyers tracking the broader Queensland market, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld">QLD new apartment news hub</a> covers project launches across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and regional centres as they come to market.

Inside Broadbeach's billion-dollar apartment boom: Every major project buyers need to know in 2026

CBE Asia Pacific has secured planning approval for its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jenkin-house-201-215-queens-parade-fitzroy-north-vic-3068">Jenkin House development</a> on Queens Parade in Fitzroy North, paving the way for a 12-storey mixed-use project that integrates new housing with the adaptive reuse of a heritage-listed Art Deco building.

The Minister for Planning granted permit for the consolidated 2,024 sqm site at 201–215 Queens Parade and 6–12 Dummett Crescent, enabling the delivery of a 98-apartment development with ground-floor retail and a dedicated affordable housing component.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">LiFE Architecture and Urban Design</a>, the scheme brings together a 12-storey tower addressing Dummett Crescent and a five-storey podium fronting Queens Parade, carefully positioned behind the retained Former Clifton Motor Hill Garage. The heritage building, originally constructed in 1938–39, will undergo partial demolition and reconstruction, with key elements such as its distinctive façade and vertical fin retained as part of the new podium.

<img alt="Jenkin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93e8fba7-023f-49bc-81be-e96265d212b7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Jenkin%20apartments.jpeg?VersionId=_wDDRhFeCoqP5XvpAfZBGw9gn3tauzZo" />

The development will deliver a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside more than 850 sqm of resident amenity and approximately 780 sqm of retail space at street level. Basement parking for 142 cars and over 130 bicycle spaces will be provided across four levels, accessed via Dummett Crescent.

Approval was granted under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, with 10 per cent of the apartments to be allocated as affordable housing. This requirement formed a key part of the proposal’s planning assessment, which emphasised the need to increase housing supply in well-serviced inner-urban locations.

Planning documents note the project’s alignment with broader state policy encouraging higher-density housing in activity centres with strong public transport access. The site sits within the Queens Parade neighbourhood activity centre, around 200 metres from Clifton Hill Station and adjacent to the Route 86 tram corridor, positioning it within a highly connected inner-north precinct.

<img alt="CBE Asia Pacific secures approval for 98-apartment Jenkin House on Queens Parade, Fitzroy North" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b062f717-d2bc-4c8a-a2fb-0f575043fc8b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Jenkins%20House%20site.png?VersionId=cP68xEp97ZawwmiXYO2bn6yeldsQNdur" />

The approved design adopts a tiered built form intended to balance increased density with heritage sensitivity. The podium aligns with the parapet heights of the adjacent heritage buildings, while the taller tower is set back significantly from Queens Parade to reduce its visual impact and read as a secondary element in the streetscape.

In its assessment, the Department of Transport and Planning found the proposal struck “a considered and balanced outcome” in responding to both heritage controls and the need for additional housing supply, noting its consistency with planning policy and strategic objectives.

Jenkin House forms part of a broader shift along the Queens Parade corridor, where a number of higher-density proposals have emerged in response to Melbourne’s housing targets and increased focus on delivering affordable housing in established inner suburbs.

Construction is expected to commence before the end of 2027, with completion targeted for 2029.

98-apartment Jenkin House approved on Fitzroy North's Queens Parade

Ahead of the Q3 completion of its mixed-use Double Bay development Ruby House, national developer Fortis has revealed the penthouse that will crown the boutique Bay Street block.

Sprawling over 1,000 sqm, the penthouse, which "delivers a level of finish that places it among the world’s most elite apartment residences" will sit atop four levels of family offices and commercial space. The street will be activated by several food and beverage venues.

<img alt="The prized Jewel in Sydney’s harbourside crown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98ee06ba-d12f-4a67-9df1-245551778cc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/186_01_Ruby_Penthouse_Ensuite_01%20%281%29.jpg?VersionId=4iQIhKPGTOX5qIxpLCtE_moSuAuZuP5e" />

The penthouse has interiors by Pete Kennon and is accessed by its own private lift and lobby. It has&nbsp;four bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, two additional powder rooms, secure garaging for six cars, and two expansive north-facing terraces.

There's a grand dining room and private bar with vaulted plaster ceilings, arched glazing, and natural stone, while the kitchen features a limestone island that measures over six metres. It has a&nbsp;110cm La Cornue induction oven, integrated Sub-Zero refrigeration, and a fully appointed butler’s pantry with additional appliances.&nbsp;

A drawing room and study features full-height timber cabinetry, RC+D wool carpets, Franchi Umberto Marmi stone. The master suite has&nbsp;polished Venetian plaster, north-facing glazing, designer pendants, a grand dressing room in French oak. The ensuite centres on a sculptural marble bathtub, twin marble basins and Perini porcelain tile.&nbsp;

A private rooftop terrace spans the roof of the building. Across the two terraces, the residence offers extensive landscaped gardens, a sculptural pool, a spa, and a series of entertaining areas including a full outdoor kitchen and BBQ.&nbsp;

Residents also enjoy access to the building’s premium amenities, including a high-end wellness club and concierge services.

<img alt="The prized Jewel in Sydney’s harbourside crown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="405769f4-97c9-48d8-8d62-6fa56f5a4e74" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/186_01_Ruby_Terrace_Cam_11_Night_0305%20%281%29.jpg?VersionId=Nsfaa0mqDuQbIVitOp80m5yzipaOSxz." />

Fortis believes the buyer will be someone who "recognises the significance of a residence created at this level.

They say it could attract an international purchasers drawn to the calibre of the architecture and the rarity of the offering, or a Sydney buyer seeking an opportunity that is almost never available in this city.

Ed Eve, General Manager, Development NSW, says they know this buyer "intimately".&nbsp;

"Ruby House marks a defining moment for us, not just as our most ambitious residence to date, but as a project that coincides with Fortis's 10th anniversary," Eve says.

"We know this buyer intimately. We work exclusively with the world's finest project partners, and this penthouse reflects everything that philosophy stands for. Our Sydney portfolio will soon unveil several never-to-be repeated super-prime penthouses. Ruby House sets the tone for everything that follows."&nbsp;

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

&nbsp;

Completion for the penthouse is scheduled for Q3 2026.

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