Fears that new transport hub developments could become “rental ghettoes” have already been answered by at least one development planned for Sydney’s inner West.

This week a report from UNSW’s department of the built environment claimed that owner-occupiers would shun new apartments in rail-stop suburbs, mainly because many work from home and would prefer amenities like cafes, parks and libraries to the convenience of nearby transport.

This, suggested the report, would lead to new buildings in transport hubs being snapped up by investors for rentals, and the lack of resident owners would lead to a deterioration of the fabric and community values in the areas.

However, a massive new development in Sydney’s inner west, featured in several stories in this week’s feed from Left Field Communications, combines eight residential towers comprising 1300 homes, 5000 square metres of open space with a multipurpose mini sports field and a playground set among open parklands plus a new childcare centre.

Here are this week’s apartment stories from Left Field.

Australian Financial Review

Three-storey Gold Coast penthouse could rewrite Qld record books
A yet-to-be built Gold Coast penthouse complete with its own wellness suite and rooftop retreat has been launched on the market with a $26.5 million guide which, if achieved, would smash the south-east Queensland apartment record. Bonnie Campbell

Lendlease’s One Circular Quay racks up $2b in luxury apartment sales
Property developer Lendlease is close to selling out One Circular Quay, its landmark residential project overlooking Sydney Harbour, racking up more than $2 billion worth of sales in the luxury skyscraper. Nick Lenaghan

The $2.2b plan to transform Sydney’s inner west with apartment towers
Major Sydney developer Billbergia is proposing to build a huge $2.2 billion residential and retail precinct in the city’s bustling inner west in one of the largest development applications yet submitted to the state government’s new housing authority. Lucy Slade

Fight for $44m apartment project in Mosman heads to court
A Sydney developer is appealing the result of its proposal for a six-storey luxury apartment block in the heart of harbourside Mosman, in a major legal test for the state government’s push for more housing. Developer Metis’ plan to demolish six homes on leafy Awaba Street and replace them with 29 units has already sparked a strong pushback from local residents who lodged more than 90 submissions, mostly opposing it. Lucy Slade

The $3.8m sale that shows investors are back
A three-bedroom apartment over 191 square metres at 10/7 Northcliff Street, Milsons Point, NSW. Sources said it sold before auction for $3.8 million. Michael Bleby

Home building speeds up after decade of delays
The time taken to build new houses, apartments and townhouses has fallen for the first time in a decade as supply chains improve and labour shortages ease, according to an industry analysis. Nick Lenaghan

Brisbane Times

Shopping hub to be demolished for luxury apartment complex
A small Brisbane shopping strip is set to be demolished, with a plant-covered luxury apartment block approved to take its place. The 1205-square-metre block at 53 Racecourse Road in Hamilton, about five kilometres from the CBD, is the site of a single-storey retail hub with seven businesses including Italian and Thai restaurants. William Davis

WA Today

WA mulls ‘apartment-making factory’ as more Perth suburbs join the million-dollar club
The West Australian government is considering building a factory to churn out housing and apartment components as affordability plummets and more Perth suburbs join the “million-dollar club”. Hamish Hastie

Domain – Free

The problem with building more homes near Sydney’s train stations
Sydney home buyers are looking beyond once-popular neighbourhoods around train stations, as the rise of remote working since the pandemic means some have less need to live near a transport hub. But rental demand remains strong for homes near train stations, new research found. Sue Williams

‘Stop the greed and insanity’: Sydney residents mount fierce fight against $50m plan
Residents of an affluent Sydney neighborhood are fiercely opposing a property developer’s plan for apartments, claiming the proposal is driven by greed and historic erasure. Kate Kachor

Victorian agents banned from giving a price range for rental listings
Victoria’s ferocious tenant bidding wars have been effectively outlawed with the state government teaming up with the property platform Domain to make sure homes are, in future, advertised with a fixed rent, rather than with a range. Sue Williams

Apartment that looks like house sells for $1,356,000 in the inner west
First home buyers outbid fellow debutants for an unusual apartment in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west. Emily Power

Daily Telegraph

Llwellyn St, Rhodes: Four residential towers proposed for Sydney suburb
Plans for four apartment blocks up to 26 storeys high, housing hundreds of apartments in a popular Sydney suburb, have been lodged. Tileah Dobson

Batemans Bay masterplan: Community group formed to advocate for park, not high rise at ‘prime’ development site
Residents are banding together to fight a new masterplan for a NSW South Coast tourism hotspot, arguing the town’s “prime development” site should be a park — not a high-rise. Tom McGann

Kiama: Developers Level 33 revise $66m Akuna St mall, apartment plans
A $66 million shopping and residential complex is back on the table in a popular South Coast town, with Sydney-based developers revising their plans to avoid a fight in court. Tom McGann

Pyrmont, Ultimo plans: 4000 homes, 27,000 jobs expected to be approved by planning panel
Thousands of new dwellings and 27,000 jobs are expected to get the go-ahead as part of a vision to revitalise Pyrmont and Ultimo in a masterplan designed to create a “vibrant and accessible precinct”. Jake McCallum

‘High-density’ Bondi Junction to take on majority of council’s homes under new master plan
A new masterplan for the eastern suburbs will see the area transform into a late-night destination with eateries, green spaces and more housing to attract people to the region. Thomas Sargeant

Parramatta Rd development: Light rail development could unlock up to 50,000 new homes
Mayors have thrown their support behind the development of a light rail on one of Sydney’s most hated roads, with proponents convinced it would bring a touch of Paris to the corridor. James O’Doherty

How 150,000 homes could be built in airspace across Sydney to supercharge housing supply
It is the $150b opportunity sitting dormant on the rooftops of homes across Sydney — now experts are declaring this new housing model is a “silver bullet solution” to the real estate crisis. Jake McCallum

184 Lord Sheffield Circuit: Mixed reactions from Penrith locals as Thornton Central plans move forward
A master-planned community featuring 500 units across four towers between nine and 27 storeys, a shopping centre and childcare facilities in the heart of Penrith has been approved. Tileah Dobso

Realestate.com.au – Free

Revealed: $2.2b plans for Sydney’s Inner West
A State Significant Development Application (SSDA) has been launched for a $2.2 billion masterplanned community in Sydney’s inner west. The project will see vacant warehouses on the site transformed into a mixed-use residential community with direct connectivity into the train station. Kaylee Cranley – Sydney

Gold Coast display apartment has ‘royale’ factor
A display apartment at Royale Gold Coast in Surfers Paradise has been unveiled, marking a significant milestone as construction progresses on the beachfront development. Samantha Healy — Gold Coast

Better the De Ville you know: Manly units come with guarantee
De Ville is the latest luxury Manly development aimed at downsizers wanting a great location and top finishes. Kathryn Welling – Sydney

Top 10 trending suburbs revealed
Queensland’s top 10 trending markets have been revealed, with an emerging bayside suburb making the list of suburbs with the most property sales for the first time. Viva Hyde – Queensland

Gurner’s $300m Geelong project to launch as building costs ease
The worst of the construction costs crisis impacting high-density apartment developments is in the rear-view mirror, says luxury property developer Tim Gurner. Peter Farago – Geelong

PropTrack reveals shock property price surge in these Aussie suburbs
Australia’s property market is undergoing a fascinating recalibration, shedding the wild swings of recent years for a more measured, yet widespread, ascent. PropTrack’s latest quarterly Home Price Index reveals a nationwide surge in September, with every capital city and regional market experiencing growth. Lydia Kellner

Surprise Sydney suburbs leading price growth
Western Sydney units were the city’s hottest property last quarter, according to new data from PropTrack. The data has revealed the top suburbs by quarterly growth from July to September, with all of the top 15 markets being for units. Owen Raymond – Sydney

$120m coastal unit hotspot tops out construction of 69-home building
A Gold Coast apartment complex valued at $120 million has topped out its construction, with builders beginning work on the interiors of its 69 coastal units. Villea Palm Beach, developed by Abadeen and built by Emicon, sits between Burleigh Heads and Currumbin: a 400-metre walk away from the beach the project is named after. Nicholas Finch — Gold Coast

Herald Sun

Plans for 14-storey towers approved for construction in Melbourne’s inner east
The state government has given the green light for the construction of 90 new homes across two projects in one of Melbourne’s biggest NIMBY suburbs. Peter Rolfe

Courier Mail

What you said about Brisbane’s Visy site to become high-rise precinct
Brisbane’s skyline faces a dramatic change as prime riverfront land is allocated for high-rises — but not everyone is happy. The Courier Mail

Editorial: Positive plan for prime site, but don’t be misled by the spin
The latest plan for Brisbane’s Visy site is undeniably welcome, but Queenslanders should not be misled by the spin. The editor

Urban Developer – Partly Free

Vertical Retirement Living Plans Filed for Toowong
Brisbane’s billion-dollar flood risk shaped plans for a luxury Toowong retirement block as it aims to rise higher and stay drier. Renee McKeown

Sydney Penthouse Poised to Be Nation’s Priciest Home
The only penthouse between the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge may well become Australia’s most expensive home. Renee McKeown

What’s Driving Pro-invest Push into ‘Underserved’ Micro-Apartments
Small footprint flexible micro-apartments are the next big move for Pro-invest founder Ron Barrott. Speaking to The Urban Developer, the serial entrepreneur and property investor says while Pro-invest has been heavily exposed to the hotel sector, this was a logical pivot. Taryn Paris

Prosker Property Files Next Mosman Midrise Move
Prosker Property has revealed its next project for a blue-ribbon enclave on Sydney’s Lower North Shore as a group of residents join forces to sell their adjoining properties. Renee McKeown

City West Files 111-Apartment Plan for Alexandria
City West Housing has moved its Bangalay Apartment project to the next stage, filing a detailed application for a site in the Botany Road Precinct. Renee McKeown

Gurner Scales Back Gold Coast Mega-Tower Project
Not a sod has been turned in the three years since high-profile luxury developer Tim Gurner gained approval for a $1.75-billion four-tower development in Surfers Paradise. Phil Bartsch and Leon Della Bosca

Traders in Purple Reveals Fresh Plans for West End Site
Traders in Purple has filed plans to amend an approved scheme for its recently acquired site in Brisbane’s West End, seeking green links to a neighbouring park and more than 400 apartments. Renee McKeown

Briscoe Greenlit for ‘Transformative’ Tweed Project
Briscoe Hotel Group has won approval for its 14-storey project on the Tweed River in northern NSW. It is the first to be greenlit for the Southern Boat Harbour Precinct at Tweed Heads, on the NSW-Queensland border. Renee McKeown

WA Sheep Farmers Reveal 160-Townhouse Proposal
First generation merino farmers Marianne and Hugo Bombara are planning a 161-townhouse development on one of their many properties near Perth. The 4.84ha site at 21 and 31 Johnson Road, Bertram, is 14 km west of Rockingham, 500m from the Kwinana Train Station and across the Kwinana Freeway from Costco Casuarina and multiple new projects. Renee McKeown

Apartments.com.au – Free

Resilience Latent Defect Insurance protection runs hot in New South Wales
Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) is rapidly becoming a must-have in the New South Wales new development market, with more developers than ever adopting the rigorous insurance policy that brings confidence to the market like no other. “There are now over 3,200 apartments in the pipeline that have, or will have, the Latent Defects Insurance policy.” Joel Robinson

Bronte Group secures approval for Miru, Denman Prospect townhouse development
Bronte Group has received planning approval for Miru, a new 46-townhouse development in Denman Prospect. Urban Editorial

Freecity joins booming North Sydney apartment market with 51-storey tower proposal near Victoria Cross
Burgeoning developer Freecity is the latest to take on the booming North Sydney apartment market, one of the most popular suburbs with off the plan buyers. Joel Robinson

First look: Landmark Group to bring new apartments to Lindfield
Landmark Group, which is progressing with a new Edgecliff project alongside current developments in Macquarie Park and Caringbah, is set to deliver rare new apartment supply in Lindfield, the affluent suburb on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. The projects form part of the NSW Government’s broader push to increase housing density around key transport hubs. Joel Robinson

Deicorp dives into luxury as Sydney apartment development pipeline grows
From suburban apartment blocks to skyline-defining towers, Deicorp’s journey over the past 26 years has been one of consistent expansion and scale. The last decade in particular has seen Deicorp become one of the most prolific developers in Greater Sydney. Joel Robinson

First look: Torre eyes sculpted mixed-use apartment tower for key Wynnum corner
A prominent corner in Wynnum’s central precinct could be reshaped under new plans from Torre Development, with a development application now with council for a sculptural eight-storey apartment building combining residential, office, and recreation uses. Joel Robinson

Ellipse Property unveils Atrium Penthouse Collection at Carrington Place, Castle Hill
“We honestly never thought we’d have penthouses.” That was the view from Ellipse Property Group, developer of Carrington Place, Cas​tle Hill’s $850 million masterplanned community. Atrium, the project’s first stage, has been one of the Hills Shire’s most successful launches, with sales cutting across almost every buyer demographic. Joel Robinson

Kew takes a shine to Bellevue Hill as Palm House launches
Bellevue Hill has long been one of Sydney’s premier suburbs. With having the highest median house value in the nation exceeding $10 million, it’s home to some of Australia’s most prestigious schools and The Royal Sydney Golf Club. What the suburb lacks, however, is new apartments which meet the needs of local downsizers and families. Joel Robinson

“Something Murrumbeena simply hasn’t seen before”: Rosella redefines apartment living in Melbourne’s south-east suburb
Damgar Group has delivered Rosella, its boutique Murrumbeena apartment project, several months ahead of its anticipated completion. Urban Editorial

Billbergia and Metrics unveils Concord Central scheme with 1400 homes near Concord West Station
Billbergia and Metrics Credit Partners are teaming up once again, this time in Concord, where they’re taking Concord Central, an eight-building, 1400-dwelling precinct, to the NSW Government. Joel Robinson

First look: Lacey Group advances Bilinga apartment plans
Three years after submitting its initial development application for a new apartment building in Bilinga, local developer Lacey Group has decided now is the right time to start progressing with the project. Joel Robinson

First look: Sunset Boulevard shines as Surfers’ next hotspot for apartment development
A fresh high-rise tower is being proposed on what is becoming Surfers Paradise most popular street for development. Joel Robinson

First look: Eight-storey apartment block pitched for key Bondi Junction gateway site
A prominent eastern gateway site to Bondi Junction could soon host a new eight-storey apartment project combining market and affordable housing, under new plans lodged with Waverley Council. Urban Editorial

Raya: Rare apartment living in Gungahlin’s town centre
When apartments are the minority in a suburb, their success often hinges on what’s available without needing a car. Raya by Core Developments arrives at a time when apartment options in Gungahlin remain limited, and demand for well-located, walkable housing continues to grow. Joel Robinson

The Rushcutters a “great fit” for downsizers
Apartment developer Third.i has seen “overwhelming interest” in its recently unveiled new harbourside apartment project, The Rushcutters. Joel Robinson

Abadeen approved for Mosman’s priciest apartments
Lower North Shore developer Abadeen has secured development approval for its ultra-luxury residential project on the dress circle Burran Avenue. Joel Robinson

Sydney Harbour, Dubai pier towers, to influence Gurner’s Cunningham Pier, Geelong development
Lifestyle developer GURNER™ Group, in partnership with Costa Property Group, has announced plans to reimagine Cunningham Pier in Geelong, one of Victoria’s most recognisable heritage landmarks. Joel Robinson

The Gold Coast Bulletin

The Lanes: Gold Coast landowners vow to block residential towers at Mermaid Waters precinct
The battle for control of a prime Gold Coast development site has escalated as neighbouring owners claim exclusive rights to build residential towers in the precinct. Andrew Potts

Bilinga: Judge says taller towers now ‘expected’ in southern Gold Coast suburb’s changing character
Bilinga residents have lost a court battle to block extra floors being added to an already approved beachfront tower as a judge declares the suburb must expect taller developments. Andrew Potts

Gold Coast and Northern NSW real estate: The latest auction and sales results for week ending October 19
Gold Coast and Northern NSW recorded 118 property sales over a million dollars last week, the latest auction and sales results reveal. Peter Farago and Sayee Shree Ravi Sankar

Equinox Sun Resort: Surfers Paradise beachfront tower site hits market for redevelopment
A landmark 1979 Surfers Paradise resort faces demolition as 90 unit owners band together to sell the premium beachfront site to developers. Andrew Potts

Residents won the tram war but there are new development battlezones at Palm Beach
A $200,000 council office renovation has ignited fresh tensions in Palm Beach, where the war over development continues despite residents winning their fight against light rail. FULL STORY Paul Weston

The Fifth Estate

Targeted assessment can work, if it’s backed by better strategic planning
Recent reports warning of “corruption fears” (The Daily Telegraph, 13/10) over the New South Wales government’s proposed targeted assessment development pathway for housing approvals reveal a key tension in the current reform discussions. There is an ambition for planning assessments to be faster, but we will make real progress if we ensure reform delivers a system that is both faster and fairer. Sue Weatherley, PIA

Sydney Morning Herald

Councils must stop holding back development
Building to relieve the housing crisis still lags in NSW, and Premier Chris Minns has correctly laid a huge part of the blame on the failure of sluggish councils to tackle housing supply. The Herald’s View

Why the big banks have copycat plans to sell you a mortgage
Our biggest banks are known for being very similar beasts that frequently move as a pack: it’s one reason they’re so often described as a collective, the Big Four. Clancy Yeates

Developers to cash in on affordable housing bonuses, report reveals
Developers will recoup the value of discounted rent they must provide under a state government affordable housing initiative up to seven times over, new research has revealed, with the scheme’s additional height and density allowances on major projects placing extra millions in their pockets. Max Maddison

A $200 million redevelopment transformed this office block into homes. Could others follow suit?
Architect and sustainability expert Caroline Pidcock and husband John McInerney, a former city of Sydney planner, say their three-bedroom apartment on Sydney’s Kent Street feels like a real home. Julie Power

The Age

High-rises are coming to the inner west, but locals warn this eyesore needs to be fixed first
Residents say more investment is needed in West Footscray, Middle Footscray and Tottenham if they are to become the activity centres the government envisions. Lachlan Abbott

View.com.au – Free

New anti-money-laundering rules loom: What it means for buyers and sellers
The government is cracking down on illicit money flows. Right now, essential players like real estate agents and lawyers are not fully covered by anti-money laundering (AML) laws. Emily Rayner

‘Emotional auction’: Warrawong block of units listed after nearly 60 years
Bidders have fought it out for a block of units at Warrawong during an “emotional” auction. The property was on the market for the first time, after reportedly having been in the same family’s ownership for nearly 60 years. Brendan Crabb

The Australian

Inside Libby Trickett’s new $20m Brisbane riverfront mansion purchase
Olympic Gold medallist Libby Trickett and her entrepreneur husband, Luke Trickett, have paid $20m for a riverfront mansion in the elite Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne. Lisa Allen

ABC Online – Free

The face of Brisbane is changing — but should thousands of homes be developed in a flood zone?
An urban planning expert and residents have weighed in on the Queensland government’s plan to redevelop a South Brisbane glass factory site. Thousands of homes could be built on the flood-prone site as part of a mixed-use precinct, drawing criticism from some. Eden Gillespie

Renters despair in ‘landlord’s market’ where no-grounds evictions and frequent rent rises are legal
Legal services and affordable housing bodies say the NT, where 50 per cent of the population rents, has the worst tenancy laws in the country. The territory is one of just two jurisdictions in Australia in which no-grounds evictions are still legal and there are no minimum standards for rental houses. Joseph Hathaway-Wilson

St George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Mayor’s casting vote kills off move to rezone five areas near waterways in shire
Mayor Jack Boyd has used his casting vote to defeat a move to rezone five environmentally sensitive pockets of land near waterways in Sutherland Shire for higher-density housing. Murray Trembath

SIGN UP FOR MORE
These are just the strata-related stories from this week. You can get links to all the latest property stories – houses as well as apartments – for free by registering on the LeftField website.