The realities of tackling the housing shortage, while satisfying apparently limitless demand for high-end apartments in trendy suburbs – is hitting areas as far apart, in every respect, as Sydney’s Kings Cross and the city’s inner west.

In the latter, locals turned out in droves this week to hear about Inner West Council’s Fairer Future Plan which will see 31,000 new homes built by rezoning parts of Ashfield, Croydon, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill to allow for unit blocks up to 22 storeys high.

And in Kings Cross, the owners of the iconic Holiday Inn are planning to demolish it to gentrify the former red light area with between 250 and 300 apartments across a range of low-, mid- and high-rise buildings as well as retail outlets and swish new railway station precinct.

Near neighbours in the stylish Omnia building, many of whom will lose their cherished harbour and city views, are less than impressed. And that’s just a taste of the apartments news in this week’s feed from LeftField Communications.

ABC Online – Free

Canberra golf course redevelopments providing both much-needed housing and financial lifelines for struggling clubs
With the ACT government committed to building 30,000 new homes by 2030, golf courses in inner Canberra suburbs are becoming attractive sites for redevelopment. Two sites pegged for redevelopment, at Federal Golf Club in Red Hill and Yowani Country Club in Lyneham, will also include retirement living. Harry Frost

Sydney’s inner west residents pack into forum on high-rise apartment plan
Residents packed a community forum on the Inner West Council’s Fairer Future Plan on Monday. The proposal aims to build 31,000 new homes and includes rezoning parts of Ashfield, Croydon, Marrickville and Dulwich Hill to allow for high-density residential buildings up to 22 storeys high. Ursula Malone

Domain – Free

The Walden: North Sydney’s newest apartments with unbeatable wellness facilities
Before Andrew Hrsto took his first Metro trip, he couldn’t quite understand Sydney’s Metro mania. But it only took one quick, cross-city journey for him to become a convert. Kate Farrelly

The Daily Telegraph

Major shake-up: NSW’s biggest residential builders ranked
Two Sydney developers have knocked Meriton off its perch as NSW’s biggest home builder, as multi-unit construction surges across the state. See the list. Sarah Simpkins

Australia’s largest home builders ranked
A record-breaking decade of dominance has seen one company build more than 48,000 Australian homes as the nation’s top home builders are named. See the list Chris Herde

Massive number of homes revealed under Housing Authority plan
Tens of thousands of additional homes are set to flood NSW after a series of plans for more than to 86,700 homes was given support by the new NSW Government Housing troika. See the plans. Summer Liu

Realestate.com.au – Free

Inflation spike wipes out hopes of September RBA rate cut
A bigger-than-expected jump in inflation has poured cold water on any remaining hopes of a rate cut next week. Australia’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in at 3.0% for August, teetering on the edge of once again breaking out of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) desired target range. Hope Coumbe

Revealed: The Aussie suburbs where rent prices are skyrocketing
Australia’s rental market continues to tighten, with several suburbs recording double-digit rent price growth in just three months, further exacerbating housing and cost-of-living pressures. Lydia Kellner

Two banks cut variable rates to 4.99 per cent, for one type of buyer
The mortgage market has been flipped on its head with the best rates available going to an unusual segment of borrowers. Tim McIntyre

Barry and Cate lived at The Astor, now the penthouse is for sale
An apartment once owned by Barry Humphries and later Cate Blanchett in The Astor sold for about $12m in 2020, now the penthouse is up for sale. And it’s cheaper. Stephen Nicholls – Sydney

Expat drops $22.05m on three Gold Coast tower floors
An international buyer has splashed $22.05m to secure three entire floors of a beachside tower under construction on the Gold Coast. Viva Hyde

Millions of Aussies worse off financially after rate cuts
The RBA have slashed the cash rate three times this year, saving average borrowers more than $3000 a year, but not everyone is happy, a new report has revealed. Tim McIntyre

Credit card holders not paying down debt: report
It’s the debt trap that could stop millions of Aussies from owning a home or being able to pay one off. A new Finder report has revealed a staggering 40 per cent of credit card holders, are not paying down their debt each month. Tim McIntyre

Big Four banks reveal when RBA will cut rates again
As the Reserve Bank of Australia deliberates its monetary policy for September, the nation’s leading financial institutions — the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, National Australia Bank, and ANZ — have delivered a unanimous verdict: no rate cut is on the horizon this month. Lydia Kellner

Sydney cost of housing analysis: Are renters or buyers better off?
The Aussie dream of owning your home may not be as prudent a financial decision as you’d think. Alarming new analysis has revealed close to two in five Sydney tenants would actually be better off financially if they continued to rent rather than buy. Kaylee Cranley – Sydney

Whole floor harbourfront apartment with private lift heading to auction
A luxe whole floor residence in one of Sydney’s most desirable beachside suburbs is set for auction with a price guide of $10.9m. Paul Ewart – Sydney

Inside the struggle between location and dream home
Shenal Yigitbas and Henry Thorsen fought a difficult battle to find their Hamilton property — but having just started a family together, the two said they were glad they prioritised seeking a unit over a house. Nicholas Finch – Brisbane

The Herald Sun

Property figures warn Jacinta Allan’s housing plan has run ‘off track’ as industry confidence plummets
Faith in the state government’s ability to manage growth has plunged to an all-time low, as “deeply concerning” figures reveal a dramatic shortfall in the number of new homes being built. Carly Douglas

Developer and ‘wellness’ guru Tim Gurner’s company sued over dangerous marble stairs in Saint Moritz apartment building
A woman has alleged she broke her ankle when she slipped on the marble stairs in the VIP spa room at Tim Gurner’s $540m Saint Moritz development at St Kilda. Craig Dunlop

The Courier Mail

Hutchies tops Qld list of busiest builders but says ‘it’s the calm before the storm’
Construction giant Hutchinson warns of an impending ‘storm’ in the Queensland’s building industry, as the state’s biggest home builders are ranked. See the list. Chris Herde

Richlister Kevin Seymour applies to supersize Newstead Green
Richlister Kevin Seymour has applied to more than double the height of his Newstead Green development, just months after settling a bitter court battle. Brendan O’Malley

Urban Developer – Partly Free

Court Awards Malvern Unit Block Owners 10pc of Claim
The owners of an apartment block in a Melbourne suburb have been awarded a little more than 10 per cent of the compensation they sought for defects in the building. Clare Burnett

Built Breaks Ground on Final Stage of Liverpool Civic Hub
Built has broken ground on the second and final stage of its Civic Place project at Liverpool. The stage includes a 17-storey tower hosting a vertical campus and a nine-storey co-living facility. Patrick Lau

Traders in Purple Tees Up 75 Units for Upper North Shore
Traders in Purple has teed up plans for 75 luxury apartments beside the fairways of Pymble Golf Club at St Ives. The 5900sq m site at 46-50 Cowan Road—previously the subject of aged-care and townhouse approvals—would make way for two six-storey buildings above three basement levels for 178 cars. Vanessa Croll

Court Awards Malvern Unit Block Owners 10pc of Claim
The owners of an apartment block in a Melbourne suburb have been awarded a little more than 10 per cent of the compensation they sought for defects in the building. Clare Burnett

Gallery Group Reveals New Gold Coast Project Detour
Queensland-based developer Gallery Group is proving something of a master in the art of pivoting when it comes to a prime beachside holding on the Gold Coast. Phil Bartsch

Time & Place Plots Potts Point Affordable Pathway Pivot
After three years in planning limbo, Time & Place has made a fast-track pivot for its Potts Point luxury development. Clare Burnett

NSW $1bn Off-the-Plan Fast-Track Scheme Moves Ahead
High interest rates and project blowouts have battered off-the-plan developers but a new NSW Government program aims to turn the tide. Clare Burnett

LEC Waves Potts Point, Petersham Unit Plans Ahead
Two projects in inner Sydney suburbs will move ahead after separate rulings in the NSW Land and Environment Court. Clare Burnett

Glen Waverley Car Park Slated for Double-Tower Precinct
Plans to transform a former council car park at Glen Waverley into a mixed-use precinct including two towers and a new civic plaza have been revealed. Leon Della Bosca

Rezoning Red Carpet Rolls Out for Gold Coast Film Studios
A film studio precinct billed as Australia’s “most advanced” is a step closer after the approval of a major rezoning by the Queensland Government. Clare Burnett

Mosaic Fast-Tracks Glitter Strip Tower with $175m Sales Blitz
South-East Queensland builder-developer Mosaic has recorded $175 million in pre-sales in three months for its latest Gold Coast apartment tower. Taryn Paris

Apartments.com.au – Free

First look exclusive: Hamton and Hostplus reveal sixth stage of Moonee Valley Park masterplan
The $3 billion redevelopment of the Moonee Valley Racecourse is going from strength to strength. Fresh off the back of launching the fifth stage, The Eveline, developer Hamton and joint venture partner Hostplus have revealed the sixth stage of the booming masterplan. Joel Robinson

Salter Brothers plans One Kings Cross, mixed-use redevelopment of the Potts Point Holiday Inn
A major redevelopment is on the cards for one of Sydney’s most recognisable inner-city blocks, with Salter Brothers lodging plans for a new mixed-use precinct at the long-standing Potts Point Holiday Inn site. Joel Robinson

Gordon Corp and Mathieson family reveal, and start building, Elle on Jefferson in Palm Beach
Gold Coast development partners Tim Gordon and Bruce Mathieson have revealed their latest project, Elle on Jefferson, and at the same time announced the start of construction of the coastal project. Joel Robinson

Sunkin unveils Habitat, the latest stage of masterplanned Highett Common community
Momentum at Highett Common, Victoria’s first medium-density, Net Zero-targeted masterplanned community, continues to build. Developer Sunkin Property Group has launched Habitat, the latest and most boutique stage to date. The 57 apartments are positioned on a rare island site with direct frontage to the Northern Common parklands. Joel Robinson

Broadbeach pipeline grows as Morris Property Group launches construction of Maison
Construction has commenced on Morris Property Group’s latest Broadbeach project, Maison, marking the developer’s 10th residential tower in the sought-after Gold Coast suburb. Urban Editorial

Leeka Group greenlit for wellness-centred Prahran apartments
Developer Leeka has received the green light for its new Prahran project, providing a rare opportunity to live opposite Australia’s oldest-running food market, Prahran Market. Joel Robinson

First look: SEYAH to launch Cavella in emerging Sunrise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise pocket following density rethink
Builder-developer SEYAH has reworked plans for its debut Gold Coast apartment project, Cavella. Led by brothers Liam and Michael Hayes, who have delivered apartments for the likes of McNab and Mirvac, SEYAH will now bring 18 residences to Sunset Boulevard, an underdeveloped pocket of Surfers Paradise just minutes from the centre. Joel Robinson

First look: Seymour Group to take Newstead Green buildings to the sky
What began as a mid-rise masterplan may soon become one of Newstead’s most prominent high-rise communities, as Seymour Group moves to amend its approved development with significantly taller towers across its $1.5 billion mixed-use precinct. Joel Robinson

Milieu kicks off construction on Saxon Street in Brunswick
Design-driven developer Milieu has kicked off construction at its latest Brunswick apartment development, Saxon Street by Milieu. They have appointed regarded construction firm Manresa, part of the McCorkell Brown Group, to deliver the sustainable building next door to Brunswick Baths. Joel Robinson

St George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Extra storey sought for Cronulla project as a result of new housing policy
A five-storey apartment block on The Esplanade at Cronulla could become six storeys as a result of the new Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. A development application (DA) for an additional floor to accommodate an extra three-bedroom apartment has been lodged for 34 The Esplanade, near Blackwoods Beach. Murray Trembath

The Age

Golfers are happy to give up this course for housing, but red tape has stalled the project for a decade
A plan to build hundreds of homes on a golf course in eastern Melbourne has been caught in red tape for almost a decade despite having the support of members. Lachlan Abbott

Adelaide Advertiser

UnitingSA’s Bowden apartment complex, Uniting on Second, nearly completed, new footage reveals
An apartment building in one of Adelaide’s hottest upcoming housing precincts is nearly finished — watch the video now. Agnes Gichuhi and Sam Lowe

The Illawarra Mercury

Inside look: Luxury Wollongong whole-floor apartments with a $3m-plus price tag
A Wollongong project containing nine luxurious whole-floor apartments, each with multi-million dollar price tags, has hit the market. Brendan Crabb

Sydney Morning Herald

Residents furious at plans to build 30,000 homes in Sydney’s inner west
The deluge was no deterrent for the hundreds of residents who showed up — dressed in raincoats and carrying umbrellas — to protest against a Sydney council’s plan to rezone and build 31,000 new homes in the inner west. Cindy Yin

The $1 billion plan to speed up construction of thousands of NSW homes
Construction on thousands of NSW homes that have development approval yet remain unbuilt could begin within months as the state government’s $1 billion plan to guarantee finance to make residential projects more feasible is due to start taking applications from developers. Megan Gorrey

The Australian Financial Review

Commonwealth Bank loans $168m to a Sydney build-to-rent developer
Commonwealth Bank of Australia is providing $168 million to support the construction of builder apt. Residential’s build-to-rent development in Sydney’s north-west as institutional confidence in the sector grows. Sarah Petty

‘Flashing red’: Inflation rise puts more RBA rate cuts in doubt
Inflation in August rose to its highest rate in a year as state government electricity rebates expired, prompting some economists to warn that the RBA may delay or even abandon further interest rate cuts. Michael Read

‘Desperate’ first home buyers average $804k spend in Sydney
Buyers looking to purchase their first home in Australia are stumping up $40,000 more a year — for an average budget of $637,000 — after entry-level home prices grew faster than those in premium markets, new figures show. Lucy Slade

Council cries poor in new twist in Woollahra development fight
Woollahra council, which has loudly opposed the NSW government’s plan to triple housing density in Sydney’s inner east, has nevertheless asked it for a share of funding raised from developers who profit from the homes they build there. Paul Karp

Greens housing demands ‘would mean 40-storey blocks’
Boosting affordable housing in urban developments as demanded by the Greens could require millions of dollars of public subsidies and result in apartment buildings 40 storeys high dotted around Sydney’s inner west. Paul Karp

Doughnut or Mr Whippy planning? Mosman apartment bid sparks backlash
Central Element is taking on community opposition to higher density housing in Sydney’s leafy lower north shore — after the repeal of a 1973 law preventing high-rise towers and new state rules that can override councils — with proposals for eight-storey apartment blocks in Mosman and Neutral Bay. Sarah Petty

Force NIMBY councils to build more homes: AFR readers
Readers of The Australian Financial Review support state governments wielding powers to force NIMBY councils to increase urban density and add housing supply. As the Minns Labor government in NSW stares down councils over major developments in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs, 56 per cent of 552 respondents to a survey said they supported the move. Tom Rabe

Rezoning for more high-rise blocks? Deal us in, say these residents
Urban infill will alter Sydney’s north shore, but inconsistent zoning changes risk destroying the suburban dream for some in Lindfield. Paul Karp

Council cries poor in new twist in Woollahra development fight
Woollahra council, which has loudly opposed the NSW government’s plan to triple housing density in Sydney’s inner east, has nevertheless asked it for a share of funding raised from developers who profit from the homes they build there. Paul Karp

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