Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]

The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]

The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370648]

Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=370647]

The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=372541]

The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134800 project_image_fid=351535]

Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134800]

Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=262183]

Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135247 project_image_fid=364995]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135247]

Capital Corporation to cater to Upper North Shore downsizers by creating walkable community at The Residences at Wahroonga Estate

Ipart

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Urban Taskforce Chief Executive, Tom Forrest, today expressed concern that new home approvals data shows approvals in Greater Sydney have dropped to 16,087 for the 6 months up to and including May 2020 - the lowest half yearly number since May 2013.
Mr Forrest said the Urban Taskforce is on record welcoming the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program which has seen a number of approvals for large projects come through over the last two months. However, the fact is that approvals were already down to 16,338 for the 6 months leading up to and including November 2019, well before COVID-19 was a factor.
“Part of this drop off in housing approvals is no-doubt due to the close down period associated with COVID-19. But there has been a clear downward trend in new dwelling approvals in Greater Sydney since its peak in November 2016 when 31,000 new dwellings were approved in the six months prior to that date. The figures released by DPIE yesterday show a 48% drop in the 6 month approval data since the peak in November 2016.
“The property and construction industry is a big employer in NSW. Keeping the approvals flowing through the system is critical to employment in NSW and to meeting the demand for housing.
“Approvals today are a clear indicator of work in progress in 12 months’ time. The Department of Planning is pushing strongly for a pro-jobs culture, evidenced by the recent planning reforms and announcement of a new Planning Delivery Unit"
“But culture change is desperately needed at council officer level. Council planning staff need to work with proponents to deliver projects which provide housing, industrial and commercial employment, retail centres as well as open space and public amenity. The key here is working together with businesses to produce financially feasible solutions”, Mr Forrest said.
To quote two great philosophers:
Voltaire (1770) “The best is the enemy of the good.” Confucius (circa 500 BC) "Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."
Mr Forrest said the NSW planning system had slowed down in the context of the 2019 election and a focus on strategic planning. Now is the time to hit the “go” button on approvals. In the current economic context, the planning system needs to grant at least double the number of approvals to half the number of new dwelling completions.
The NSW Government’s draft Housing Policy says that 50,000 new homes will need to be completed in Greater Sydney each and every year till 2040 to meet forecast demand for housing. That means we need 50,000 new dwelling approvals every six months. The DPIE’s most recent data shows that the last 6 months delivered a mere 16,000 new dwelling approvals, as did the 6 months prior to that (well before COVID-19).
“Fast-tracking is good and it has driven a new ‘can-do’ attitude in DPIE, but the entire planning system needs to work together to deliver for the NSW people and the economy”, Mr Forrest said.
TOM FORREST is the Urban Taskforce CEO
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

NSW planning approvals drop off: Tom Forrest

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<div class="x_WordSection1">
EXPERT OBSERVER
Urban Taskforce CEO, Tom Forrest, today welcomed the NSW Government response to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Review of the Local Government Rating System. 
The Government has, somewhat belatedly, decided to reject IPART’s core recommendation that the base for setting rates should be changed from the unimproved value of land to the Capital Improved Value of land.
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<div class="x_WordSection2">
“The tax system should not punish those willing to invest in construction and improvement.  It is the land that is the most valuable component of a property and the tax system should encourage investment which best utilises that land. Mr Forrest said:
“The last thing we need during the COVID-19 recession is a disincentive for investment in property and employment.
“IPART’s recommendation for change would have resulted in a manifest disincentive for and owners to invest in the improvement of their property. IPART completed its Review in December 2016.  The Government response has been a long time coming – but on this occasion, it was worth waiting for”, Mr Forrest said.
Mr Forrest said he was disappointed that more had not been done to scrap rate pegging.  The rate pegging system means that Councils with growing populations have been strapped for cash and have progressively pushed more and more costs onto developers and new home buyers.  
“These additional costs are passed onto new home buyers – often those young people who can least afford the extra costs.  The current system works to actively discourage Councils from agreeing to increasing urban density, even around major infrastructure upgrades”, Mr Forrest said.
Mr Forrest said that the Minister for Local Government, Hon Shelly Hancock MLA, has announced some changes to allow Councils to increase their rates as the population grows and this is very welcome.  
The rate pegging system has actually worked to limit growth.  Many Councils have complained that the onerous burden of applying to IPART for special variations was just not worth the hassle.  Urban Taskforce has called on the Government to scrap rate pegging and completely review the role of IPART. Urban Taskforce supports the role of the NSW Productivity Commissioner, Peter Achterstraat, who is now reviewing all aspects of state and local infrastructure levies, taxes and fees.  
“We urge the Government to revisit the issue of Council rates and consider removing or relaxing the pegs on rates in the course of the Productivity Commissioner’s review,” Mr Forrest said.
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NSW Government rejects IPART recommendation to change the Council rating system: Tom Forrest

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The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is reviewing the fees associated with electronic conveyancing (eConveyancing) for the first time.
Around 85% of property transactions in NSW will be required to use eConveyancing from 1 July 2019.
Transactions such as transfers, mortgages and caveats will have to be lodged electronically.
eConveyancing is designed to be a more efficient and accurate way of conducting the settlement and lodgment stages of a conveyancing transaction.
IPART Chair, Dr Paul Paterson, said IPART’s review is focused on the fees charged by and to the electronic lodgment network operators (ELNOs). 
ELNOs operate electronic workspaces allowing lawyers, conveyancers and financial institutions to exchange data and collaborate to prepare conveyancing documents, settle funds, pay duties and lodge documents with the land registry online instead of on paper.  
“Essentially, eConveyancing allows parties to complete conveyancing transactions (like a sale of land) and disburse settlement funds electronically,” Paterson said.  
“The electronic lodgment network also allows other documents that are not necessarily part of a sale, such as caveats, to be lodged electronically.”
Currently there is only one ELNO in NSW, PEXA.  Another ELNO, Sympli, is expected to commence operations in NSW during 2019, with the prospect of more entering the market soon.
A paper released by IPART today seeks feedback on a range of issues to be considered as part of the review. These include: 
<ul>
<li>The state of the eConveyancing market, including possible barriers to entry such as the lack of arrangements for different ELNOs to participate in a transaction</li>
<li>The maximum fees that ELNOs charge lawyers, conveyancers and financial institutions to use the electronic lodgment network </li>
<li>The maximum fees that the NSW Land Registry Services charges ELNOs </li>
<li>The maximum fees that Revenue NSW can charge ELNOs in the future. </li>
</ul>
“We are also looking at the costs that will be incurred to connect multiple ELNOs when more enter the market, and how these costs should best be recovered to drive efficient outcomes and avoid excessive charges,” Paterson said. 
Submissions on the Issues Paper will be received until 30 April and considered by IPART before a draft report is released by July.
Recommendations on the final prices will be provided to the NSW Government by October 2019.
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IPART to review electronic conveyancing fees for the first time

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced Dr Paul Paterson as the new Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
The telecommunications and media consultant Dr Paul Paterson has recently been chief economist at the Department of Communications.
He has held senior roles in the private sector as a strategic advisor on telecommunications since 2004, following six years with Telstra during the transition to a competitive telecommunications market.
He managed Telstra’s role in the process of opening up the public telephone network to competition.
In the 1990s, Paterson worked for the NSW government, first as chief economist in the Premier’s Department during the Fahey government and later as executive director of policy and resources in the Department of State and Regional Development.
He has also worked as chief economist and as director of strategy for OTC Limited.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/subscribe" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/1/Strip%20ad%20keep%20up%20in%202019.jpg" alt=""></a>
The Premier thanked outgoing Chair Dr Peter Boxall for his significant contributions in the role over the last seven years.
“I am pleased to welcome Dr Paterson to the role and have no doubt he will continue to protect the interests of consumers and taxpayers of NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The IPART secretariat has around 130 professional staff for its price setting, quality monitoring and licence compliance roles for energy, water and transport utilities in NSW. It also conducts independent inquiries on economic and regulatory matters for the NSW Government.
Dr Paterson was previously appointed an IPART Tribunal member in 2013, before taking up his senior role in the Commonwealth Government.
He has 30 years’ of experience as a senior industry economist and has held senior roles in several Commonwealth and State government policy, research and regulatory bodies, including:
<ul>
<li>Adjunct Professor, University of Technology Sydney Business School</li>
<li>Head, Commonwealth Bureau of Communications Research &amp; Chief Economist Department of Communications</li>
<li>Director Regulation, Telstra</li>
<li>Executive Director, NSW Office of Economic Development</li>
<li>Visiting Economist, Commonwealth Treasury, and</li>
<li>Assistant Secretary, Policy and Analysis, Commonwealth Bureau of Labour Market Research.</li>
</ul>
His first job in 1977 was at the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. In the mid-1980s he was with the Paris based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Dr Paterson will begin his appointment as Chair from 11 February 2019. 
He will join existing Tribunal members Mr Ed Willett and Ms Deborah Cope for a five-year term. 
In 2016 IPART undertook a review at the request of the NSW Government on the local government rating system.
The purpose of our review is to develop recommendations to improve the equity and efficiency of the rating system, in order to enhance councils’ ability to implement sustainable fiscal policies over the long term. 
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Paul Paterson to chair the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal 

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The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking feedback on the proposed prices that Sydney Water and Hunter Water can charge for wholesale water and sewerage services from 1 March 2017 to 30 June 2021.
These services are purchased by wholesale customers who provide water and/or sewerage services to end-use (or ‘retail’) customers such as households and businesses.
Wholesale customers are typically new, smaller water utilities licensed under the Water Industry Competition Act 2006 (NSW) to service a specific development area.
The emergence of these smaller water utilities has created competition for end-use customers.
The prices that Sydney Water and Hunter Water can charge their retail customers for water and sewerage services for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2020 have already been set by IPART through separate reviews.
IPART Chair, Dr Peter Boxall, said this is the first time that IPART has reviewed and set wholesale water and sewerage prices.
“Competition is important in encouraging greater efficiency in the supply of water and sewerage services. As competition develops over time, this will deliver benefits to customers,” Dr Boxall said.
“The draft decision is to set system-wide prices to reduce the need for potentially costly scheme-specific reviews, while also allowing parties to seek scheme-specific price reviews from IPART or enter unregulated agreements.”
These system-wide prices would apply to new wholesale arrangements, while the opportunity to seek a scheme-specific price review from IPART or agree to an unregulated agreement would be open to all wholesale arrangements – existing and new.
“The draft decisions are designed to encourage efficient entry and competition in the market, given its early stage of development,” Dr Boxall said. “We are interested in hearing industry and stakeholder views about the proposed approach and prices.”
Stakeholder submissions on the draft decisions are due by 7 December 2016. Copies of the report and accompanying determination are available on <a href="https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank">IPART’s website</a>.
A public hearing will be held on 28 November 2016 at the Wesley Conference Centre in Sydney’s CBD.
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