This Month
- Exclusive
- Victoria residential property
Alex Waislitz and Tim Gurner feud over luxury St Kilda tower
The wealthy businessmen are at loggerheads over problems at the Saint Moritz development. Mr Waislitz says Mr Gurner is trying to silence residents.
- Primrose Riordan and Sarah Thompson
December 2024
How it just became even better to buy an apartment in NSW
A High Court ruling has made it easier for off-the-plan buyers to sue developers and builders for defects – but only if they live in the largest state.
- Michael Bleby
July 2024
Architects, fire engineers, building surveyors fingered over cladding
Victoria’s combustible cladding crisis shows the permit system failed to ensure compliance with building rules, a new government agency report shows.
- Michael Bleby
April 2024
Strata reforms send bills soaring from just $5000 to $60,000
The NSW government made sweeping changes to prevent horrific development failures. Did it go too far?
- Deborah Cassrels
January 2024
Has the apartment development industry reformed enough?
To prevent a repeat of disasters such as the Opal and Mascot towers, states need to better regulate their building industries – and they need to move faster.
- Michael Bleby
June 2023
- Opinion
- Woolworths
Woolworths wants to sell you an apartment
From Perth to Brisbane, the food and vegetables giant is working a strategy that might, one day, help Australia solve its housing problem.
- Aaron Patrick
- Opinion
- Opinion
The real reason you can’t afford to buy or rent
Everyone acknowledges the extent of Australia’s housing crisis but governments and councils are a long way from doing much about it.
- Jennifer Hewett
February 2023
Lendlease earnings torpedoed by $200m UK provision
The ASX-listed developer says earnings are likely to improve in the current six-month, but inflation and interest rates will influence the pace of recovery.
- Michael Bleby
November 2022
Why this apartment with cladding is safe but not sellable
The combustible cladding crisis is hitting owners with buildings widely regarded as safe because the regulator is slow to give them the stamp of approval.
- Michael Bleby
October 2022
- Exclusive
- Construction
Insurers come back to NSW apartment construction
The new policy, an alternative to the current 2 per cent bond developers pay upon completion, offers 10-year protection for completed apartments.
- Michael Bleby
Developer to pay $3 million to guarantee apartment rectification
The industry has welcomed the agreement under which a developer will work with apartment owners to fix defects. And get its money back if it complies with the plan.
- Michael Bleby
Developer pledges to fix defects under new NSW rules
The new regime of building enforcement in NSW is creating incentives for developers and owners to co-operate, but it requires trust.
- Michael Bleby
July 2022
Merhis Corp put into liquidation as tax bills mount
The western Sydney developer has defaulted on an earlier repayment arrangement and its founder has fled to the Middle East, his liquidator says.
- Michael Bleby
Multibillion building rectification bills draw new lenders, loans
Friction over the new loans reflects the pressures on strata management, a cottage industry that has undergone huge growth and has to deal with increasingly complex issues.
- Michael Bleby
June 2022
Wingate puts Merhis’ Parramatta tower into receivership
The Merhis Group project was hit with a prohibition order last year and delays in completing rectification work triggered the receiver’s appointment.
- Michael Bleby
Construction ratings tool shines light into developers and builders
A new assessment platform for consumers and lenders is one tool in a much-needed set of reforms to restore trust in the NSW development business.
- Michael Bleby
June 2021
Uproar in Palm Beach as apartment developments upset status quo
Palm Beach is beautiful, wealthy, conservative and its residents are opposing two new apartment developments they believe will take it down market.
- Martin Kelly
May 2021
Mascot owners’ best hope is for $40m firesale
A repair cost of $38.5 million, which could rise further, is too much for financially strapped residents of the troubled Sydney building to take on.
- Michael Bleby
March 2021
Opal Tower hurt values of neighbouring projects
Mirvac says poor construction creates damage not just for directly affected owners, but for the wider development sector.
- Michael Bleby
November 2020
Opal Tower builder Icon claims victory in $42m stoush over costs
Federal Court judge sides with builder in finding insurers also shared liability for costs relating to the residents.
- Michael Bleby