Prominent Sydney developer Capio Property Group is bringing its first new apartment development to the western suburb of Carlingford, and the first in the suburb to be protected by the sought-after Latent Defects Insurance policy—one of the most comprehensive insurance options available to new apartment buyers.

The new policy by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/resilience-latent-defects-insurance">Resilience Insurance</a>, which can only be taken out by the developer or builder and gives apartment owners coverage from any structural defect for 10 years post-completion, will apply to all 46 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments in Capio’s new parkside development, Blossom.

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Designed by DKO, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/blossom-carlingford-25-31-donald-street-carlingford">Blossom</a> aims to offer more than just another apartment building; it’s envisioned as a new community. The development includes a 1,500 sqm private park, an on-site childcare centre, and a resident-only gym.

The apartments will feature open-plan kitchen, living, and dining areas that flow out to balconies through floor-to-ceiling glass doors. Most floorplans are oriented to the north, capturing an abundance of natural light and views over the adjacent park.

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The location of Blossom is another major selling point. The building will be just 350m from Carlingford Court Shopping Centre and a little over 800m from the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/carlingford-nsw-2118">Carlingford</a> Light Rail Station, the starting point of the line to Parramatta.

Ray White Projects WS Managing Director, Mark Bernberg, believes Blossom is setting a new standard for apartment living in the region.

“With the design of Blossom and the added bonus of Latent Defects Insurance, Capio is bringing something to Carlingford that prospective apartment buyers haven’t seen before,” says Bernberg.

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He believes Blossom will appeal to local downsizers as well as families who can take full advantage of the onsite childcare facilities, access to convenience, and several parks at their doorstep.

Construction on Blossom has already begun, with completion expected by mid-2026.

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Construction on Blossom has already begun, with completion expected by mid-2026.

Joel Robinson

Capio to bring new apartments with Latent Defects Insurance to Carlingford

Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) is not just an essential safeguard for structural integrity—it’s becoming a defining factor in how properties are valued, sold, and perceived in the market.

With Australia witnessing a gradual adoption of Resilience LDI, insights from international markets reveal a clear trend: properties with LDI sell faster, command higher prices and maintain stronger resale values.

This shift is beginning to reshape valuation assessments and market dynamics across the Australian property sector.

The Impact of LDI on Property Valuations

In countries where LDI is well-established, such as the UK, Saudi Arabia, USA and France, properties backed by LDI consistently demonstrate higher valuations compared to those without. The reasons are clear:

- Reduced Financial Risk: LDI protects against costly latent defects, offering buyers peace of mind that any structural issues will be covered without financial disruption.

- Enhanced Buyer Confidence: Knowing that a property is backed by LDI assures buyers of its quality and reduces hesitation during the purchasing process.

- Stronger Financing Terms: Properties with LDI are often viewed more favourably by financiers, enabling smoother and faster transactions.

In the UK, residential developments with LDI sell faster than those without, with a price premium of four to five per cent, depending on location and building type. This demonstrates the strong correlation between LDI and marketability.

Faster Sales and Higher Prices

LDI-backed properties have a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. These projects:

- Attract More Buyers: With concerns about structural and waterproofing issues removed, buyers are more willing to invest in LDI-backed properties, particularly in high-density developments.

- Sell Quicker: The assurance LDI provides reduces the decision-making time for buyers, allowing properties to move faster through the sales pipeline.

- Achieve Premium Pricing: Buyers are often willing to pay more for the assurance that LDI offers, viewing it as a long-term investment in quality and reliability.

Australian developers who integrate Resilience LDI into their projects are already beginning to see similar trends. In a market where buyer caution has grown due to high-profile defect cases, Resilience LDI offers a competitive edge.

Robust Resale Values

LDI doesn’t just impact the initial sale of a property—it also has long-term implications for resale value. Properties with LDI maintain stronger resale prices for several reasons:

- Continued Coverage: LDI policies provide coverage for 10 years, giving subsequent buyers the same peace of mind as the original purchasers.

- Perceived Quality: The presence of LDI signals a higher standard of construction, which translates into higher buyer confidence even years after completion.

- Lower Risk for Investors: For property investors, the reduced risk associated with latent defects ensures that the property remains a stable and attractive asset.

The Australian Context: A Shift in Valuation Assessments

Australia’s valuation assessments are beginning to reflect the influence of Resilience LDI. Properties with Resilience LDI are increasingly being viewed as lower-risk investments, prompting valuers to assign higher values compared to similar projects without such coverage. This shift is particularly notable in:

- Multi-Residential Developments: Given their complexity and higher risk of defects, Resilience LDI-backed projects in this segment are gaining a significant valuation boost.

- High-Density Housing: Buyers and investors in high-density developments are prioritising properties with LDI, pushing demand—and valuations—higher.

Lessons from International Markets

In the UK, LDI-backed developments not only sell faster but also face fewer legal disputes post-sale, which further bolsters buyer and investor confidence. Similarly, France’s mandatory decennial liability insurance for new builds has created a market where properties with coverage enjoy better resale performance and stronger demand.

These international experiences provide a roadmap for Australia’s emerging LDI market. As developers, financiers and buyers increasingly recognise the value of Resilience LDI, its adoption is expected to become a standard for high-quality developments.

The Future of LDI in Australia

As Resilience LDI becomes more prevalent, its benefits will continue to shape the property market. Developers who adopt Resilience LDI for their projects can expect:

- Faster Sales Cycles: Properties with Resilience LDI will move through the market more efficiently, reducing holding costs and enhancing profitability.

- Higher Valuations: The assurance of defect coverage will drive demand, pushing prices higher for both initial sales and resales.

- Stronger Buyer Loyalty: Buyers who experience the benefits of Resilience LDI-backed properties are likely to return for future projects by the same developer.

For buyers, Resilience LDI offers unparalleled peace of mind, while for developers, it provides a critical differentiator in an increasingly competitive market.

A Win-Win for All Stakeholders

Latent Defects Insurance is no longer just a safety net—it’s a value driver. For developers, it’s a way to build trust, ensure faster sales, and command higher prices. For buyers, it’s a guarantee of quality and protection against unforeseen costs. And for the Australian property market, it’s a step toward a more accountable and resilient future.

The message is clear: Resilience LDI-backed projects are the future of Australian real estate. Developers who embrace this shift will not only see immediate benefits in valuation and sales but also build lasting trust with buyers and investors.

The game-changing insurance not only protects properties but also enhances their marketability, helping builders, developers and homeowners unlock greater value

Resilience Latent Defects Insurance: A catalyst for higher property valuations and resale confidence

Downsizers have become the most dominant buyer demographic at Harbour Shores, the new sustainable masterplanned community on the Gold Coast.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/lewis-land-group">Lewis Land</a>, one of the longest-standing developers across the Gold Coast for five decades and the creator of the likes of The Sovereign Islands and Ephraim Island, launched <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters">Harbour Shores</a>&nbsp;just over 12 months ago, to much fanfare.

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The one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/biggera-waters-qld-4216">Biggera Waters</a>—an area with limited new apartment supply—attracted immediate interest from first home buyers, next home buyers, and investors.

With over 50% of the first building, The Waterline, already sold, including all of the one-bedroom apartments, attention has now shifted to the larger two, three, and four-bedroom apartments. These range in size from spacious 133 sqm to expansive 414 sqm waterfront residences.

The larger apartments have been particularly popular with downsizers. According to data from MatterFact, the data partner of Urban.com.au, the three-bedroom, 158 sqm apartments priced at $1.64 million have proven just as appealing as the two-bedroom apartments with multi-purpose rooms, which start at $1.35 million.

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The Waterline, named after its prime position directly on The Boardwalk fronting canal and the one-hectare feature park, The Green,&nbsp;has been designed to capture either water or park views to the north and east.

Every apartment will boast contemporary light-filled coastal interiors, each featuring a richness of timber and stone accents. The Waterline residents will also enjoy a private pool, expansive rooftop amenities and lush tropical landscaping.

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The $1.5 billion sustainable masterplan, set to house over 4,500 people by the mid-2030s, is the first Gold Coast development to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Communities V1.1 rating. It will feature eco-friendly elements like solar power, rainwater harvesting, and more than 200,000 native plants across the site.

Spanning 16 hectares, Harbour Shores is one of the last large-scale waterfront greenfield sites on the Gold Coast, a property that Lewis Land has owned for several decades. The development will include waterfront villas, boutique apartments, a public boardwalk, and expansive parklands, along with 1.2 kilometres of canal frontage and private marina berths offering direct boat access to the Broadwater.

Residents in the first stage of Harbour Shores are expected to move in by late 2026. Also completing around the same time to ensure early residents are well served will be The Green, a waterfront park and playground, and The Club, a central amenity with a resort-style pool, gym, yoga facilities, tennis courts, and versatile clubhouse spaces for entertaining.

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At 16 hectares, Harbour Shores stands as one of the last large-scale waterfront greenfield sites on the Gold Coast, a site Lewis Land has held for over several decades

Downsizers drive demand at Lewis Land's Harbour Shores masterplan in Biggera Waters

Developer DVB Projects has been given the go-ahead to build another Broadbeach apartment development.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/DVB-Projects" target="">DVB</a>, currently in the construction phase of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Sea Glass</a> in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a>, has scored approval for another high-end tower at 137 Old Burleigh Road, replacing the 1980s, 12-unit Gala building on the prime 1,156 sqm site.

The new&nbsp;32-level tower, designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman" target="">Rothelowman</a>,&nbsp;will home 39 half and full-floor luxury apartments starting from 230 sqm.

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<img alt="DVB" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5a530ee-6bdb-4b55-a653-a9fb8ab40f01" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-13%20at%2011.29.25%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7riWoBp7lPih1l24wvr07muXW3CMe3NW" />

The designs had to be tweaked a little after feedback from the Gold Coast City Council, namely around the podium design and accompanying landscaping.

After a seven-month process from application to approval, council cited several factors that align the project with the area's urban planning goals.&nbsp;

"The proposed development positively contributes to housing choice and affordability through the provision of 126 beds within the High density residential zone," council noted in its approval documentation.

"The proposed development provides a high density, high-rise outcome that is considered to be an efficient use of land within the light rail urban renewal corridor."

They said the&nbsp;proposed design incorporates adequate modulation and articulation as well as generous landscaping to soften the built form appearance, protect adjacent amenity, and contribute to the streetscape character.

The building will feature a whole floor of communal amenities on the podium’s sixth level and will feature a 20-metre infinity pool, plunge pools, a gym, sauna, barbecue areas, and private dining spaces.

<img alt="DVB" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6196c2e2-6b56-472a-87d2-793dfab3dd24" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-01-13%20at%2011.29.19%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=dSaJT.al7j3uE7sJTR7Q882ulKxfZBQd" />

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The building continues DVB's efforts in the high-end space on the Gold Coast. Sea Glass, around one kilometre north of the new project on the corner of First Avenue and Old Burleigh Road, has 29 half and full-floor apartments, also designed by Rothelowman.&nbsp;

Sea Glass is currently under construction and is slated for completion in early 2027.

After a seven-month process from application to approval, council cited several factors that align the project with the area's urban planning goals

DVB approved for second Broadbeach apartment development

National developer Walker Corp is taking expressions of interest for its newest residential apartment developer, SOL by Walker in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

Prices start from $660,000 for the apartments which will form part of the $220 million mixed-use development in the heart of the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/maroochydore-qld-4558">Maroochydore</a> CBD, one of just a handful of greenfield CBD's in the world and Australia's first truly smart city.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/walker-corporation">Walker Corp</a>, founded by the late pioneering developer Lang Walker, is one of the joint venture partners delivering the new Maroochydore City Centre alongside the Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore.

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<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/sol-by-walker-maroochydore-first-ave-maroochydore">SOL by Walker</a> will feature two 19-level towers with 250 one to three-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom penthouses.

"Billions of dollars are being invested into the Maroochydore City Centre to create a purpose-built CBD for people to work and live, and these new apartments will offer terrific options for everyone from singles and families to couples and downsizers", Walker Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Gallant says. says.

“Within walking distance of the beach, major retail centres and the future Maroochydore Railway Station, the project will offer a range of products including over 50 one-bedroom apartments, which are in short supply on the Sunshine Coast.”

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Walker Corp's in-house design team has worked with Plus Architecture to carefully curate communal spaces for residents, including a sunlit recreation deck with a 20-metre pool featuring a family-friendly shallow area, spa and cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms, BBQ facilities and dining areas.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/plus-architecture">Plus Architecture</a> Principal Chrisney Formosa described the architectural vision. 
 
"Drawing inspiration from the Sunshine Coast's natural beauty, SOL seamlessly integrates coastal living with urban sophistication. Our design delivers spaces that harmonise with the local climate, prioritise user comfort and foster community connection.”

“Every element, from the subtropical landscaping to the innovative amenities, has been meticulously crafted to redefine city living in Maroochydore."

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The apartments will sit above a three-level commercial and retail podium that will activate the ground plane.

SOL by Walker will rise from a prime site on the corner of First Avenue and South Sea Islander Way, a short walk to Sunshine Plaza&nbsp;

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SOL by Walker will feature two 19-level towers with 250 one to three-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom penthouses

Chinese developer Dahua Group reweighting its Melbourne portfolio

Staff reporter

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