Founded by multi-billionaire Harry Triguboff, the decision to release Meriton’s figures, which also show its net assets rose 21 per cent to $7.4bn this year, raised questions about whether the company may be on the market.

Rumours that international development group Country Garden could be a likely buyer were confirmed to The Australian by the Chinese-controlled group recently. Meriton said an external valuation by Grant Samuel showed that the company was worth up to $10bn if recurring income was taken into account.

Billed as Australia’s largest residential builder, Meriton jumped from 29th place on ­IbisWorld’s Top 500 Private Companies to 11th place this year, the company said.

Meriton’s most popular apartment projects are in Sydney’s Parramatta, Mascot, Ryde and Zetland, as well as the Brisbane CBD.

This year it began construction on about 8000 apartments, completed close to 3000 and has 15,000 in the pipeline.

“Ours is the best country in the world,” Mr Triguboff said in a statement. “I’ve earned as much money as anyone and I made it all here. We have wonderful opportunities for the present and for the future. We must invest in Australia, work hard and not be afraid to point out the obvious.”