Malaysian-backed developer <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/mrcb">MRCB</a> has secured planning approval for Maris, its Southport tower offering a mix of just one and two-bedroom apartments, aimed at addressing the region’s growing need for affordable housing.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/maris-southport-20-queen-street-southport">Maris</a>, a 20-level building,&nbsp;will bring 180 new apartments to 20 Queen Street, in the&nbsp;Southport Priority Development Area.

<img alt="MRCB targets untapped affordable Gold Coast apartment sector with new Southport tower" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Southport%20Plus%20Architecture.png?VersionId=clOZ.5Uh7Z2t.GooSyklGLtDcSdZGjnQ" />

The approval aligns with both the Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslanders strategy and the Federal Government’s National Housing Accord, which aims to boost housing supply in key urban centres.&nbsp;

With 92 one-bedroom and 88 two-bedroom apartments, the development delivers a rare configuration mix in the local market, where larger and more luxurious units have recently dominated.

This new housing stock is designed to be more accessible for first home buyers, downsizers who don't have significant budgers, and key workers — a key focus in the context of a nationwide housing shortage.

<img alt="MRCB targets untapped affordable Gold Coast apartment sector with new Southport tower" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-08-27%20at%208.56.01%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=BqtA9VP_fJGd7BwBWcVVW.C2ywf6y_ol" />

The tower, designed by Plus Architecture, places a strong emphasis on verticality and textured facades, enhanced by a natural, earthy colour palette.&nbsp;

The approved plans include a three to four-level podium that will home car parking and a communal recreation deck with a swimming pool, sauna, gym, and barbecue areas.

Lush landscaping across podium levels will soften the structure’s visual impact and provide a more human-scale experience at street level, contributing positively to the urban character of Southport.

The 63-metre building height represents a notable uplift from the previous 43-metre limit approved on the site in 2016. Planning consultants Urbis argued successfully that the tower’s scale and design align with the overarching vision for Precinct 3 of the PDA, and the approval now confirms that view.

Strategically located just steps from Broadwater Parklands Station and several bus routes, the site ensures strong public transport connectivity, while offering north-facing apartments with uninterrupted Broadwater views.

<img alt="MRCB targets untapped affordable Gold Coast apartment sector with new Southport tower" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202024-08-27%20at%208.55.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pPQR75kW3CUUe9QjLo6wo1C_hS4EgDHt" />

The Southport project is MRCB’s second foray into the Gold Coast apartment market, following the $500 million 26 Vista tower in Surfers Paradise. That development is over 80 per cent sold of its 280 apartments.

MRCB International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB), a publicly listed developer with a strong track record in urban regeneration and infrastructure delivery across Southeast Asia.

The Sundale Motel, currently occupying the 1,743 sqm site, will soon be demolished, paving the way for construction commencement later this year.&nbsp;

The approval aligns with both the Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslanders strategy and the Federal Government’s National Housing Accord, which aims to boost housing supply in key urban centres

Joel Robinson

MRCB greenlit for Maris, Southport apartments

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a>, a Sydney-based end-to-end property developer and part of <a>Versatile Group</a>, together with investment partner Mitsubishi Estate Asia (MEA), has received State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval for its landmark mixed-use precinct in Sydney’s Inner West, Rozelle Village.

The approval marks a major milestone in the revitalisation of the former Balmain Leagues Club site, paving the way for construction to commence imminently.

Following SSDA approval, the development of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/rozelle-village-rozelle-152-victoria-road-rozelle-nsw-2039">Rozelle Village</a> will deliver a total of 227 dwellings, of which 59 will be allocated to affordable housing, reserved for essential workers, helping to address the State’s housing crisis.&nbsp;

The 16-level mixed-use development will feature bespoke retail, hospitality, and community offerings, along with expansive public spaces and a new home for the new Community Club.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8142 project_image_fid=347020]

Set to transform the long-abandoned site in Sydney’s Inner West, <a>Rozelle Village</a> has been designed to foster community connection and celebrate the unique character of the area. With architecture by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/scott-carver">Studio.SC</a>, interiors by SJB and landscaping by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the precinct will feature a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, a 1,444sqm public plaza, and activated laneways connecting Victoria Road and Darling Street.

Fabrizio Perilli, Co-Founder and Managing Director of PERIFA, said receiving SSDA approval is a critical and exciting step forward in delivering the vision for Rozelle Village.

"It's finally time for this site to see its potential realised," Perilli said.

"This is a massive achievement, not just for the Rozelle Village development, but for Sydney housing in general, and for the local community. It’s so important that mixed-use projects like these are approved in good time, to provide the people of Sydney with the quality housing they so desperately need and with open, community spaces and well-curated retail amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re now focused on moving ahead with our vision for Rozelle Village, deploying Versatile Group’s end-to-end development capabilities to bring to life a precinct that creates beautiful spaces not just for those who will live here, but for the wider <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/rozelle-nsw-2039">Rozelle</a> and Balmain communities to enjoy.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8142 project_image_fid=347019]

Yosuke Matsunaga, Head of Australia at Mitsubishi Estate Asia, said the team is proud to continue their partnership with PERIFA and excited to deliver Rozelle Village as a legacy project for the area.

"The approval represents the culmination of a lot of planning and collaboration, and we look forward to bringing it to life and offering an elevated lifestyle to the community.”

Rozelle Village is PERIFA and MEA’s second major joint project in Sydney, following Putney Wharf Residences. Both developments reflect a shared commitment to creating high-quality, community-focused mixed-use precincts with long-term value for both new residents and the existing Rozelle community.

Builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>&nbsp;will complete groundworks on the 7,330 sqm site in May. They are expecting to start building works in Q3 2025, and complete the development in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8142]

Fabrizio Perilli, Co-Founder and Managing Director of PERIFA, said receiving SSDA approval is a critical and exciting step forward in delivering the vision for Rozelle Village.



Rozelle Village to offer 59 affordable housing units after State Significant Development Application approval

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

Construction is officially underway on <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/sol-by-walker-maroochydore-first-ave-maroochydore">SOL by Walker</a>, the new&nbsp;residential apartment development in the heart of Maroochydore City Centre.

Delivered by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/walker-corporation">Walker Corporation</a>, SOL will bring sustainable and connected urban living to the Sunshine Coast, supporting hundreds of jobs throughout construction and beyond.

The first 19-level tower will feature 112 residences with views across the coast and hinterland, resort-style amenities, and direct access to the thriving retail, dining, and green spaces of the Maroochydore City Centre.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was committed to boosting the supply of housing to create more homes for Queenslanders sooner.

“This is an exciting time for the Sunshine Coast as we deliver a lasting legacy from the 2032 Games, including new housing, hotels and infrastructure,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“The Crisafulli LNP Government is unlocking more land and kickstarting critical infrastructure to get more homes built right across the State. It’s part of our plan to find a place to call home for more Queenslanders sooner.

“With new infrastructure like The Wave connecting this city to the rest of the region and the wider South East Queensland transport network, Maroochydore City Centre is well positioned for its role in the 2032 Games.

“This marks an exciting milestone for the Maroochydore City Centre which will serve Queenslanders well beyond 2032 by creating new opportunities for families to live and work right here on the coast.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=349302]

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli said SOL by Walker reflected the region’s bold approach to creating a smart, liveable and inclusive environment for future generations.

“This is a proud moment for our community and a major milestone in shaping <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/maroochydore-qld-4558">Maroochydore</a> as Australia’s most progressive regional location,” Mayor Natoli said.

“The beginning of construction of SOL by Walker sends a strong signal that the Sunshine Coast is delivering high-quality homes, vibrant public spaces, and jobs for locals.

“This precinct is at the forefront of innovation, sustainability and opportunity and will play an integral role in the region’s economy of the future plus our contribution to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are building a legacy for the Sunshine Coast that goes far beyond the next decade.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=346899]

Walker Corporation Managing Director and CEO David Gallant said the company is proud to help bring a generational vision to life through quality design, engineering, and placemaking.

“We are thrilled to kick off construction on SOL by Walker, our flagship residential project in South East Queensland and another great chapter in the Maroochydore City Centre story,” Gallant said.

“This is a community-designed project to evolve with the needs of the Sunshine Coast region, and the delivery of homes, retail, green spaces, and seamless transport will ensure Maroochydore becomes a benchmark for regional city-making, especially as we prepare to host the world in 2032.

“This is the first of many residences we will deliver here and we’re proud to be working with SunCentral, Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government to help realise the full vision of this incredible precinct.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319847]

SunCentral CEO Amanda Yeates said SOL by Walker is a major catalyst for unlocking the full potential of the Maroochydore City Centre vision.

“We’ve spent years carefully planning and delivering the foundations of a truly 21st-century CBD and now, with residential development underway, we’re entering an exciting new phase,” Yeates said.

“SOL by Walker is building on our fast-growing community and bringing the Maroochydore City Centre to life as a place to live as well as work and visit. It embodies the design excellence, accessibility, and environmental leadership our partnership has championed from the start.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147777]

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was committed to boosting the supply of housing to create more homes for Queenslanders sooner

Construction commences on SOL by Walker in Maroochydore

National property group Traders In Purple has topped up its pipeline of luxury inner Brisbane development projects with the off-market acquisition of a second prime site at West End with a project value exceeding $850 million.

The acquisition of the 10,628 sqm site at 281-297 Montague Road comes after the group last week received DA approval for the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/rivara-west-end-117-victoria-street-west-end">riverfront Rivara project</a> at 117 Victoria St, West End, a site it settled in August last year.

Traders In Purple is <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-traders-in-purple-plan-large-apartments-on-west-end-megasite">preparing for a launch of Rivara</a> mid this year, and is already fielding inquiry from prospective purchasers seeking a luxury riverfront lifestyle.

The newly acquired Montague Road site has an existing approval for two towers up to 20 storeys. Traders In Purple is preparing a new application which will include provision for a more diverse mix of apartments, to broaden the appeal to a wider demographic of buyers drawn to Brisbane’s most dynamic neighbourhood.

The site offers city and river views, and overlooks sports fields and Davies Park, where Brisbane’s popular West End Markets are held each Saturday.

Traders In Purple Director George Geagea said the acquisition of a second West End development site reflected the company’s confidence in the location, close to the city, river and lively West End neighbourhood.

“The more we looked at West End as we worked on the Rivara project, the more we liked its fundamentals,” said Geagea.

“It has a great energy and character, and with proximity to the CBD and the Brisbane River, it ticks a lot of boxes for different buyer groups – young professional couples and singles, families and downsizers.”

Geagea said the urban renewal of West End’s former commercial and industrial sites presented an opportunity for considered placemaking that benefited the wider community.

“Creating beautifully designed and quality built homes is only one part of our responsibility as developers,” said Geagea.

“West End is in a transitional period and the public domain is critical, particularly in a location that is such an integral part of the community.

“Foremost in our planning will be consideration for accessibility and walkability, improving public access from Montague Road to the parks and riverfront.

“We are looking to increase open green space and landscaping, opening up view lines and creating more places for residents and the community to enjoy the beauty of this location.”

A 600 sqm section of the site will be handed over to Brisbane City Council to allow improvements to West End Football Club’s home ground.

Traders has over $5 billion with of projects across both Queensland and New South Wales.&nbsp;

Geagea said the group’s integrated model with its own construction capability had allowed it to navigate challenges that have impacted the property industry.

“We are not immune to cost escalation and supply chain issues however we are able to exert far greater control over resourcing and costs,” said Mr Geagea.

“Where some see obstacles, we see opportunity and with our own construction team and 100% completion track record, we have built a high level of trust amongst our customers and stakeholders.”

Melbourne property developer Larry Kestelman the second highest debutant on Rich List

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