A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Joel Robinson

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

Renovation

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Victoria couple Claire and Hagan have the smallest house in the Channel 7 House Rules history on the Mornington Peninsular.
They have a mortgage of $269,000 on the one-bedroom home described as a "shoe-box" by the owner.
Claire and Hagan have been engaged for two years and renovated the front of an old shop three years ago for a salon for hairdresser Claire. 
“I’ve worked really hard to build up my business and we spent all of our savings renovating the salon,” she says.
With the help of some mate, Hagan did all of the renovation which took about four months.
“We love what we have done to it, but we haven’t done anything to the actual house,” Hagan said.
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-09%20at%2012.38.47%20PM.png" alt="">
 
The couple have no money to spend on the rest of the house they share with their two daughters, Matilda, four, and Darcy, two.
They all share the same window-less bedroom along with their Great Dane Cleo, while Claire’s mum spends a couple of nights a week on the couch to help babysit while they’re at work.
“We have five rooms in one,” explains Claire.
“Our lounge room, dining, rumpus, kitchen and laundry.
"We really need extra room for the girls.”
Hagan said that he worries about their future.
“We’re saving and saving and we still haven’t saved enough to renovate.
"It’s breaking us really.”
While Claire admits she loves that their home is “weird”, she isn’t such a fan of the mould.
"It got a bit mouldy last winter and I was starting to worry we were going to get sick from it.” 
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/rules.jpg" alt="">
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The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
The fourth house reveal on this year's Channel 7 House Rules series was Luke and brother Cody, the former owning a country cottage in Queensland.
Their appearance on House Rules is the longest period of time Australian Navy logistics officer Rob and his wife Rose have spent together in the last five years.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Claire and Hagan have smallest home in House Rules history

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The House Rules show on Channel 7 will be the longest period of time Australian Navy logistics officer Rob and his wife Rose have spent together in the last five years.
They have been married for eight years and the opportunity to renovate six houses across the country is like a second honeymoon.
Rob was away at sea when Rose found the perfect house in Western Australia after a three-week search, which has a $329,000 mortgage.
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/700_rules2.jpg" alt="">
Mum of three Rose said it was the backyard that she loved which made her buy the home.
“I think seeing the kids running around the backyard is what decided it for me.
"It had big springy buffalo turf on it and a fair amount of dandelions as well,” says Rose.
Rob doesn't want their renovation to effect the precious backyard either
“If they built a 10-foot decking in the backyard I would be mortified.
"The backyard is a really good size but to do that would just shrink it.”
Their renovating experience is a bathroom design in a former two-bedroom apartment they owned in Sydney. 
“I think we worked really well and we agreed on a lot more things than we thought we would which was nice,” says Rose.
The couple were the first couple to be eliminated on this years show.
Despite being upset, Rose said that they still feel like winners having their own home renovated.
"This is the only competition you enter where even the loser wins."
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/rules.jpg" alt="">
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
The fourth house reveal on this year's Channel 7 House Rules series was Luke and brother Cody, the former owning a country cottage in Queensland.
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Australian Navy officer Rob treating House Rules like a second honeymoon

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The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies half way between their parent's homes.
Their south Sydney home which they settled on four years ago has a mortgage of $500,000.
When it came to choosing their home, its dire condition nearly scared them away.
"When we first walked in, we went, 'oh no, no' and we walked out," Nancy said.
"But then we came back," added Dan, after realising its potential.
Three years later and no renovations started, the couple were considering selling the house before being accepted onto the show.
“We were in the process of deciding whether we were going to actually go ahead and renovate, or if we were going to detonate and rebuild or sell, so we were tossing all of that up at the same time," Dan said.
"We were leaving it up to fate."
 
<img src="/images/2016/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-01%20at%208.36.35%20AM.png" alt="">
Above, Daniel and Nancy's House Rules.
The couple have two kids, Jonathan, six, and Sophia, three, and didn't want to take time away from them renovating the home.
“We were going to renovate in stages and that would have taken so much of our time away from our children with every weekend spent on planning and renovating, so I really feel like this buys us 20 years with our children,” Nancy said.
They have a lot of concerns with the house, like dampness in the roof, poor layout and just being plain old and worn out..
Wanna-be house proud Dan shies away from inviting people over because of the state of their home.
“The reason we have applied for House Rules is because if someone is coming over Dan says, ‘Have they seen the house before? How long will they stay? Do they have to come over? Why can’t we go to their house?’ ” said Nancy.
A can-do attitude is what will see this pair through, who have limited hands-on experience in renovating.
“I wouldn’t call myself a renovator, not even a handyman,” says Dan.
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
 
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Nancy and Daniel's family more important than condition of House Rules homes

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The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The Adelaide parents have a 1920's Californian bungalow with a mortgage of $426,000, their prize should they win the Channel 7 competition.
Michelle and Brooke were ecstatic to have bought a house in their dream suburb.
“We love the area; we love the people," Brooke said.
"It’s a great little community especially for Michelle as it’s very arty.
"We are so close to the city, the trams, the beach, close to everything.
Brooke, 43, is a landscaper and ex-footballer who spent a year on the Adelaide Crows books and notched up 165 games in the SANFL for West Adelaide and Glenelg.
“We are set up for retirement - we are next to the bowls club, the tennis club and the croquet club," added wife Michelle.
But the only reason they could afford their house is the fact it sits, literally, right next to the freight train main route from Adelaide to Melbourne.
“Even though we are used to them and they don’t bother us that much, every now and then this massive freight train comes by.” says Michelle.
The inside was a bit of a shambles as well, bringing the price down into their price range.
“I had always wanted a house we could do work to; an old character home we could put our love and inspiration into,” says landscaper Brooke, who admits to having plenty of love but not enough money to bring his ideas to life.
But he had a good start with some basic renos when they first moved in, mainly because cooking in the original kitchen ended up producing inedible meals.
“The chimney was still open so every time you were cooking if there was wind then soot would come down all into your food,” explains Brooke.
So they installed a new kitchen, but admit it is in the wrong location in the house as the bathroom sits right to it.
They did other basic necessities like painting, floorboards and fixing the ceilings – but alas, they have cracked and sagged again already.
“They are still the original horsehair ceilings so they have all dropped and so you can see all the gaps and the dust coming through,” he says.
Designer Michelle admits to being extremely nervous about handing over her keys and the design of her home to anyone else.
“I’m really particular and I know how I like things,” she admits.
“People say that when they buy me presents they are really nervous as I’m quite fussy; it’s rare that someone buys me something I love.”
Parents to Addison, eight, and Tildie, five, they wrestled with the idea of leaving their kids behind to embark on a national renovation tour, but in the end they say they are doing it for the benefit of their family.
“The reason it is all happening is for them, we stressed to them the whole time we are going to build a new house so you have a new room and can invite people over,”  says Brooke. 
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
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Dream suburb too good to turn down for Michelle and Brooke

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Painting the walls of your home is a great way to freshen up your living space, and add value to your home at the same time.  
Hiring a professional painter means you’ll have an impeccable finish, save you loads of time and means you won’t have to deal with the mess. But it can be an expensive exercise, and may not fit in your budget. If you’re thinking about a DIY paint job, we’ve got some tips to get you painting like a pro.
1. It’s all about the prep
All of the painting pros know that the most important part of a great paint job happens before the paintbrushes come out. To start with, fill any holes in your walls with a filler, and smooth over with a filling knife. Then, use sandpaper to give your surfaces a good sanding, ridding your wall of imperfections and ensuring it is smooth. The next step is to remove dust and dirt from the wall by cleaning the surface with a damp cloth – sugar soap is great for this – and let it dry. The cleaning process is important, because you want your paint to grip to the wall, not dust particles, giving you a smoother finish.    
2. Watch the weather
Yep, believe it or not, mother nature can impact your paint job. If the air in the room where you’re painting is warm and dry, your paint will dry more quickly and consistently. If it’s cold in your room, use a heater to warm the air, and a fan to push the air throughout the room. Humidity is your enemy – it will delay the drying process – however using a fan in the room during and after your paint job will assist with keeping humidity levels low. If the paint is taking longer than four hours to dry, try using a dehumidifier. Make sure you check your paint tin for directions on paint performance and drying times.
3. Use a canvas drop cloth
As tempting as it is to get an old sheet from the linen cupboard, make the effort to borrow or buy a canvas drop cloth to cover your floors or carpet; bed sheets won’t stop paint spills from seeping through to your flooring. ‘What about plastic sheets?’ you might be saying to yourself… While doing a good job of protecting your floors, they prevent paint from drying quickly, and you’ll be bound to step in your spills and spread paint everywhere.  
4. Splurge for the blue tape 
It’s important to tape edges where you don’t want paint to cross, such as the tops of skirting board and door handles. Masking tape can do the job, but the blue painter’s tape will do the job better – with less chance of leaking as well as not leaving a sticky reside that can be annoying to clean off afterwards. To create a good seal and prevent bleeding, use a putty knife to press over the tape. It’s often not worth your while to tape windows – just paint somewhat carefully and use a razor blade to scrape paint spills off the glass when you’re finished. Paint should come off glass easily, and this process is often a lot easier and quicker than taping the window in the first place. 
5. Boxing, without gloves
If you’re painting a big surface, you will probably require more than one paint tin, and often the colour can slightly vary from one tin to another. Painters use a process called ‘boxing’ to prevent this – pouring all of paint from multiple tins into one big bucket to ensure a consistent colour from the first wall to the last. Make sure you give the bucket a good stir with a long stick that reaches the bottom, and you’re all set for an even colour.   
6. 1200 techniques 
Everyone has their own painting techniques that they swear by – chat to your family and friends about their own painting experiences or you can find loads of tips online. Some people prefer to use rollers, others spray; it may take a couple of times before you work out what suits you and your space best. However, good painting technique always begins from top to bottom – starting with the ceiling, cornices and moving on to walls, doors and window frames. Starting with the ceiling means that it won’t matter too much if paint runs down the walls – you can paint over this later – and it’s a good idea to use googles for eye protection (we all know what happened to Michelangelo).     
7. Don’t skip the clean up! 
If you’re not planning to paint ever again and hate the environment, you can ignore this section and just wrap all of your painting gear in the canvas drop cloths and throw them away in a colourful heap. But for everyone else – and hopefully that is everyone – make sure you take the time to clean your equipment properly so that it’s good for you and your family and friends to use next time. Use warm water and soap to wash your brushes (hot water can cause the bristles to fall out), wiping off excess paint and squeezing the bristles with a cloth. Be patient, it will take multiple ‘rinse and repeats’. Store your brushes in newspaper or cloth. With your rollers, use detergent and warm water to lather and rinse paint off. Once the roller is clean and dry, wrap in plastic wrap and store vertically so the roller does not flatten. To rid brushes and rollers of oil-based paint, soak in paint thinner (in a well ventilated room) overnight before the usual rinsing process. 
Ready to get painting? Perhaps the best tip of all is to drag all of your friends to your house to help. Reward them with food and beverages and it can be a really fun way to spend a weekend. 
 For more information, click <a href="https://www.homestart.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
 
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Property 101: Seven tips to paint like a pro

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The latest renovation series House Rules debuted last night with a 718,000 metro audience, finishing the night in 10th most watch show.
The new season of House Rules has a lot of heart, says host Johanna Griggs.
The fourth series of the reality renovation show features five sets of parents hoping to secure a better future for their children to wipe their mortgage. 
Each week, the six teams must renovate the interiors of each other's homes.
The home owners aren't allowed to work on their own properties, and instead must leave their set of house design rules for their competitors to carry out.
With little to no previous renovation or interior design experience, the House Rules teams have a steep learning curve, she said. 
House Rules on Channel 7 continues tonight with first up the renovation of the house of Fil and Joe from Melbourne, with their five design rules below.
The finale of Nine’s controversial dating show Married at First Sight was watched by 1.048 million metro viewers, airing from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, up on its season launch which drew 771,000 metro viewers, but down on last year’s finale, which attracted 1.290m metro viewers.
The season-ender is the only episode during season two which broke the 1m audience mark, mumbrella reported.
 
<a href="/images/2016/04/28/ChCl98JUUAAO0qv.jpg-large.jpeg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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House Rules returns with renovation of Fil and Joe house in Melbourne

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The two time Block renovation contestants, Dea and Darren Jolly have been working for their first big commercial project away from the show.
"Renovating our first house, and then competing in two back-to-back series of the television renovating competition The Block, my husband, Darren, and I experienced a fast and intense initiation into the world of building and renovating," she told Fairfax Media.
She said their learning curve was very steep.
"Building, renovating and real estate are our passions.
"By the end of the second series and Darren’s subsequent registration as a builder, we felt well prepared to tackle our own projects with our design-andconstruct business, D+D Home."
It is the renovation and extension of a California bungalow in Kew.
She has compiled a checklist of points crucial in the success of our projects that complement the usual checklists available
1. Create a decorating file.
Having a clear picture of what you want to achieve with a file for every room will not only help you to stay focused while making so many decisions, but will also give you something to refer to when describing your style to tradesmen and suppliers.
2. Get at least three quotes for every element of the build.  
3. Be realistic about renovation costs. Factor in that everything will cost about 30 per cent more and take 25 percent longer than expected.  
4. Keep receipts. Be vigilant about keeping every receipt for any future returns, warranty claims and tax purposes.
5. Be nice to everyone. Treating your tradies with respect will help you to achieve a better result.
6. Trust your instinct. It’s your home – do what you love. 
7. Map it out. Get your tape measure and a can of spray paint out and measure and mark out everything on the floor. 
8. Be on site as much as possible. 
9. Accept that it will be stressful. 
10. Take pictures. 
11. Pick a friend and a source of inspiration to refer back to. 
Pic courtesy of Domain.
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The Block's Dea Jolly's 11 top renovation tips

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The return of Nine’s renovation reality program Reno Rumble secured disappointing results - with less than half the audience of its 2015 debut last year.
Just 395,000 metro viewers tuned in on its Monday night debut, which compared to <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/reality-tv-winter-schedule-masterchef-reno-rumble-house-rules-seven-nine-ten-simulcasting-debut-head-to-head-291814" target="_blank">873,000 last year across Nine and Gem</a>.
It finished fourth in the 7.30 timeslot behind Seven’s My Kitchen Rules, which managed an audience of 1.462 million, ABC’s 7.30 (778,000) watching Leigh Sales and the PM Malcolm Turnbull, and Ten’s All Star Family Feud which was watched by 674,000 metro viewers.
MKR was the most watched show of the evening and also the most-watched program across the key advertising demographics (16-39, 18-49 and 25-54) according to OzTAM overnight metro ratings.
On its second night the audience rose to 453,000 but still well behind MKR on 1.41 million, the 7.30 Report on 679,000 and Bondi Rescue on Channel 10 at 540,000.
<a href="https://theblock2016.castasugar.com/" target="_blank">Applications closed last week, March 14</a> for contestants on the next series of The Block to be filmed at Port Melbourne.
Filming appears scheduled for May with it going to air in late 2016 possibly.
But media analyst Steve Allen, managing director of Fusion Strategy, told Fairfax Media the host of both shows, Scott Cam "must be reeling."
"They're destroying his career. Unfortunately, it's going to taint Scott and Shelley's (Craft) reputation."
Nine intended to screen Reno Rumble on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday in the crucial 7.30pm time slot until otherwise rescheduled.
The series also sees original judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill replaced by Scottish interior decorators Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan.
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Rumble crumbles with the next The Block applicants under consideration

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Architect Conrad Johnston and his wife Katrina have sold their Balmain home.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-balmain-121742926" target="_blank">Stewart Place home</a> was a 100 year old worker’s cottage before its 2009 makeover.
Set on a sloping 241sq m block, the Fox Johnston architects director bought the property for $860,000 in 2006 then added a modern open-plan extension.
The original cottage now contains three bedrooms overlooking gardens ­designed by Daniel Baffsky from 360 Degrees Landscape.
On the second level there is a bedroom with ensuite and an adjoining study.
The interiors have green walls and an internal atrium.
The home sold ahead of its weekend auction having been listed with a price guide of $2.4 million to $2.5 million through Cobden &amp; Hayson agent Peter Gordon, with it selling at $2.5 million plus.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Fox Johnston Balmain workers cottage reno snapped up pre-auction

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With this year's television program The Block ending, here is a list compiled of the most successful and unsuccessful scores on The Block since the show started.

The highest scorers from this year's judging were Kingi and Carlo, but how did they fare against previous years?

35. Polly and Waz - Cameron Street, Richmond.

34. Mike and Andrew - Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

33. Amie and Katrina - Cameron Street, Richmond

32. Dan and Dani - Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

31. Tim and Anatasia - Triple Threat - Lowest room score in history (eight out of 30 for their study and staircase)

30. Rod and Tania - Cameron Street, Richmond

29. Dan and Dani - All Stars

28. Brad and Lara - Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

27. Josh and Jenna - Cameron Street, Richmond

26. Mark and Duncan - All Stars

25. Andrew and Whitney - Blocktagon.

24. Luke and Ebony - Blocktagon.

23. Chris and Jenna - Glasshouse

22. Dale and Sophie - Dorcas Street, South Melbourne

21. Josh and Jenna - All Stars

20. Chantelle and Steve - Fans v Faves

19. Ayden and Jess - Triple Threat

18. Suzi and Vonni - Blocktagon

17. Phil and Amity - All Stars

16. Darren and Diane - Triple Threat

15. Alisa and Lysandra - Fans v Faves

14. Madi and Jarrod - Sky High

13. Dean and Shay - Blocktagon

12. Trixie and Johnno - Sky High

11. Bec and George - Sky High

10. Josh and Charlotte - Triple Threat

9. Karstan and Max - Glasshouse

8. Kyal and Kara - Fans v Faves

7. Brad and Dale - Fans v Faves

6. Alisa and Lysandra - Sky High

5. Matt and Kim - Sky High

4. Shannon and Simon - Glasshouse

3. Darren and Deanna - Glasshouse

2. Kingi and Carlo - Blocktagon

1. Michael and Carlene - Glasshouse

With four properties in the top 10, the Glasshouse had the strongest average whereas the weakest judging scores came at Cameron Street, Richmond. 

We will no doubt get a bunch of newbie contestants next year, for Fairfax Media to further dwell on, though there's no indication yet that another site has been selected for another series.

<h2>Recently listed properties:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783]
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