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Housing finance data for January 2016 shows that the value of housing finance commitments was recorded at $31.9 billion over the month. 
Based on this figure, mortgage lending fell by -3.4 percent over the month.  Even though the data is seasonally adjusted, we often see falls in mortgage lending over January so perhaps we need not read too much into the fall, however, this is the largest January fall in lending since 2011.
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<img src="/images/2016/04/15/Chart-1-1-580x213.jpg" alt="">
Looking at the two major components of mortgage lending: owner occupier and investors both have recorded a fall over the month. In January there was $20.5 billion worth of finance commitments to owner occupiers and $11.4 billion in commitments to investors. The value of owner occupier commitments fell by -4.3 percent over the month but was 15.9 percent higher year-on-year.
Investor commitments fell by -1.6 percent in January and were -14.8 percent lower year-on-year. With investor demand having slowed over recent months, they now account for 35.6 percent of all mortgage commitments which is virtually right on its decade average after peaking at 43.3 percent of all housing finance commitments in May of last year.
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Of the $20.5 billion in commitments to owner occupiers in January, $1.9 billion was for construction of dwellings, $1.2 billion was for purchase of new dwellings, $7.2 billion was for refinancing of established dwellings and $10.2 billion was for the purchase of other established dwellings.  Construction of dwellings was the only segment of lending to rise over the month (+0.7 percent) with falls in value of lending for purchase of new dwellings (-5.2 percent), refinancing established dwellings (-2.3 percent) and purchase of other established dwellings (-6.4 percent). 
Despite monthly falls, year-on-year all segments have seen an increase in lending with construction of new dwellings rising 6.1 percent, purchase of new dwellings up 35.6 percent, refinances up 36.0 percent and purchase of other established dwellings having increased by 4.8 percent.  Although lending is up over the past year, there is a clear downwards trend in owner occupier lending, particularly for established dwellings, over recent months.  It will important to monitor whether this trend persists in coming months as it could point to slowing value growth.
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Following intervention in the market by the regulator, we have seen a sharp slowdown in lending to the investment segment over the past 8 months.  As earlier mentioned, investors accounted for 43.3% of all housing finance commitments in May of last year with their proportion falling to 35.6% in January 2016.  Looking at the two components, in January 2016 there were $899 million worth of commitments for new construction and $10.5 billion worth of commitments for established housing stock. 
Over the month, the value of commitments fell by -4.2% for new construction and by -1.4% for established housing stock.  Year-on-year the value of lending is 3.2% higher for new construction but -16.0% lower for established stock.  Much like the owner occupier chart, it shows that demand for established stock has eased and is trending lower, albeit at a slower pace.  In fact, the value of commitments for established investment stock is at its lowest level since April 2014.
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The CoreLogic Mortgage Index which is published weekly and tracks mortgage activity across our proprietary platforms indicates that January was a weak month for housing finance commitments.  We would expect that housing finance commitments will rise in February and so far March also points to increasing demand.  However, mortgage demand remains lower than it was at the end of last year and lower than it was a year ago.  While housing finance commitments should increase from their January levels it is unlikely that demand will start to grow as strongly as it was in the early part of last year or late in 2015.
The constraints on investment lending have been extremely effective and have resulted in a swift and significant pull-back in demand, in fact the value of investment housing finance commitments in January was -20.0% lower than its April 2015 peak.  Although the CoreLogic Mortgage Index points to a rebound in demand over the coming months, we expect that growth in housing finance commitments will remain more subdued than what we saw over recent years. 
Of course, the direction of housing finance will ultimately be determined by housing demand.  After demand weakened over the second half of 2015 we have seen stronger demand early in 2016 with much stronger auction clearance rates falling property listings in a number of cities and a rise in property transactions.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
 
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Mortgage demand shrinks in January, will it continue throughout 2016? Cameron Kusher

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Housing markets show different performances geographically as well as across product types and pricing points.  
Across the capital cities, a useful measure of capital gain across broad price points is our stratified hedonic index.  
The CoreLogic RP Data Stratified Hedonic Index looks at the movement in home values across three broad value based segments of the housing market.  The three segments are divided across quartiles and provide an insight about capital gains across the most affordable 25% of capital city suburbs, the middle 50% of capital city suburbs and the most expensive 25% of capital city suburbs.
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<img src="/images/2015/11/23/Chart-11.jpg" alt="">
 
Over the 12 months to October 2015, dwelling values across the combined capital cities increased by 8.2% across the most affordable suburbs, 9.6% across the middle priced suburbs and 11.4% over the most expensive suburbs.  The trends are somewhat different over the past three months with the most affordable suburbs recording the strongest value rises.  
Over the period, the most affordable suburbs have seen values increased by 1.5% compared to 1.2% growth across the middle market and a 1.3% increase in values across the most expensive suburbs.  Over the current growth phase, which broadly commenced in June of 2012, combined capital city home values have increased by 26.5% across the most affordable quarter of capital city suburbs, by 32.4% across the ‘middle’ of the market and by 33.7% across the most expensive quarter of suburbs.
<a href="/images/2015/11/23/Chart-21.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/11/23/Chart-21.jpg" alt="">
 
Looking at the data across the five largest capital cities shows some quite different results.  Across the most affordable capital city suburbs, home value changes over the past year have been recorded at +14.3% in Sydney, +8.8% in Melbourne, +3.1% in Brisbane, +3.4% in Adelaide and -1.4% in Perth.
  Looking at the middle 50% of suburbs the value changes over the past year have been recorded at: +14.8% in Sydney, +11.2% in Melbourne, +4.6% in Brisbane, +2.6% in Adelaide and -2.9% in Perth.  Finally the most expensive quarter of the market recorded value changes over the past year of +17.1% in Sydney, +14.6% in Melbourne, +3.5% in Brisbane, +1.5% in Adelaide and -4.3% in Perth. 
Based on these results you can see that it has been the most expensive suburbs recording the greatest value rises in Sydney and Melbourne with the most affordable suburbs recording the slowest rate of growth.  In Brisbane the middle market is seeing the greatest rise in values while the most affordable suburbs are seeing the slowest rate of growth. In Adelaide and Perth the best performed segment is the most affordable end of the market with the most expensive suburbs the weakest. Note that in Perth all three segments analysed have recorded value falls over the past year.
Focussing on quarterly data, the most affordable suburbs have been the strongest for growth in Melbourne, Adelaide in Perth. The middle market has recorded the strongest value growth over the quarter in Brisbane while in Sydney the most expensive suburbs have recorded the highest rate of value growth.
The differing performance of the segments provides a good insight into the current market dynamics as to where housing demand is strongest.  In Sydney and Melbourne it is typically higher priced stock, in Brisbane it is the middle market and in Adelaide and Perth demand is largely for more affordable housing stock. 
As the rate of growth slows in Sydney and Melbourne we are likely to see the profile of where demand is strongest also change in those cities.  Furthermore, if Sydney and Melbourne buyers look to purchase in other cities they may be able to afford more expensive stock than the local buyers in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.  As a result we may see higher levels of value growth across the higher priced market segments.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/cameron-kusher/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Different magnitudes of market value changes: Cameron Kusher

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The November 2015 building approvals data show a sharp fall in dwelling approvals led by the volatile unit segment. Seasonally adjusted total dwelling approvals were -12.7 percent lower over the month, their largest monthly fall since July 2012.  
Year-on-year dwelling approvals are -8.4 percent lower and approvals have retracted to be -16.8 percent lower than their recent record highs. The data indicates a slowing in developer appetite for approvals and, given the slowing demand for mortgages from investors and slowing home value growth, it is a trend which is likely to continue over the coming months.
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The decline in approvals in November was led by units however, house approvals, which haven’t seen the same level of acceleration as units, also recorded a fall over the month.  House approvals were -0.6 percent lower over the month and -2.2 percent lower year-on-year. Meanwhile, unit approvals declined by -24.0 percent in November and were -15.0 percent lower year-on-year.  Although the unit approvals series is much more volatile series than houses, it has now started trending lower with approvals -30.3 percent lower than their recent record high of 11,084 approvals in July 2015.  
House approvals are also trending lower, albeit at a more moderate pace, down -9.4 percent from their recent peak of 10,376 approvals in April 2015. The most recent Census in 2011 shows that 21.2 percent of detached houses are rented compared to 56.0 percent of units. The recent sharp fall in investor housing finance commitments is much more likely to impact on demand for new units than new houses and we may be seeing developers starting to react to this market shift.
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The data on unit approvals by type further highlights the recent boom in high-rise (4 storeys and greater) unit approvals. Historically townhouses have been the product of choice for medium and high density developers however, over the past four years we have seen record high levels of high rise construction. Both monthly and annual data points to demand for high-rise approvals starting to fall although it should be noted that high-rise approvals still account for a majority of unit approvals. 
High-rise approvals could be considered a bit of a double-edged sword for developers, in one instance they are considered the highest and best use of land in areas of strategic significance (eg along transport spines and in areas closed to major working nodes like the CBD) however, they are heavily reliant on achieving a particular level of presales.
From an economic sense they take longer to build so the economic benefit of the construction is stretched over a longer period of time however, they are ultimately less likely to end up constructed because much more financing is required and they are so dependent on adequate levels of presales.
It is likely that given units are much more likely to be purchased by investors and investor demand is now falling that a larger than normal proportion of these units will not end up constructed in this new phase of the housing cycle.  Historically around 98% of units approved are constructed compared to around 85% of units.
Much like home sales, values and investment related mortgage demand, we are now also seeing early signs of a slowing in dwelling approvals. Although approvals are slowing there is still a large number of unit projects under construction which should continue to provide a high level of economic benefit as the recent record high number of dwelling approvals continues for a few years. Of course the huge surge in housing construction at a time when population growth is slowing means that there is a better balance between housing supply and demand. In fact in certain areas there are now concerns about oversupply, particularly in inner city unit markets.
This is going to be a key theme to watch during 2016 particularly considering that we are already seeing investor demand falling and record low levels of rental growth. The next challenge will be when these units come to settlement will their initial valuation hold up and will the changed lending landscape mean that some purchasers will have to find larger deposits in order to settle.  Furthermore, if they purchased for investment purposes the next challenge may just be finding someone to rent the property.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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Will new housing approvals continue to ease through 2016? Cameron Kusher

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GUEST OBSERVER
Population growth nationally remains strong but continues to trend lower, meanwhile dwelling construction is booming creating a much closer relationship between housing supply and demand.
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Demographic data for December 2015 was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The data showed that the national population was estimated at 23.9 million persons, with the population having increased by 326,073 persons over the 2015 calendar year. The annual increase in population has fallen substantially from a peak of 459,504 persons over the 12 months to December 2008.
While population growth (ie housing demand) has slowed, dwelling construction has increased to record highs. Over the 12 months to December 215, there was a record-high 190,072 dwellings constructed nationally. 
With an increasing population, and the majority of growth coming from overseas migration, additional demand for housing is created. The charts published in this report look at the ratio of population growth to dwelling completions.  A few important things to note from this analysis:
<ol>
<li>The figures don’t take into consideration demolitions and homes constructed for non-permanent or semi-permanent occupation (previously estimated by the RBA at approximately 15 percent)</li>
<li>Dwelling completions data may include construction of temporary accommodation such as hotels or serviced apartments</li>
<li>An increase in population doesn’t necessarily create more demand for housing. For example a family having a baby may not create an immediate requirement for more housing while a new arrival from overseas is more likely to create additional housing demand.</li>
</ol>
The latest housing and occupancy costs research from the ABS showed that the average household sizes across each state and territory in June 2014 was: 2.6 persons in NSW, Vic, Qld and ACT, 2.4 persons in SA and Tas and 2.7 persons in WA and NT.
<h3>Ratio of population growth to dwelling completions</h3>
<a href="/images/2016/07/06/2016-07-04--nsw-qld-image1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/07/06/2016-07-04--nsw-qld-image1.jpg" alt="">
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<img src="/images/2016/07/06/2016-7-04--nt_Act-image2.jpg" alt="">
If we look at the charts, over 2015 the ratios of population growth to dwelling completions have been recorded at: 2.4 in NSW, 1.9 in Vic, 1.6 in Qld, 1.0 in both SA and WA, 0.8 in Tas, 0.4 in NT and 1.3 in ACT. 
Based on these measures compared to the average household size it would appear that each state and territory is currently over-building however, there are some short-comings of this analysis as detailed above.  It is clear that the ratio compared to the long-run average implies that under-building is still taking place in NSW and Vic while over-building is occurring elsewhere.
Additionally, in most states, there has previously been a substantial undersupply of housing which will continue to overhang any overbuilding for a period of time.
Another thing to consider when looking at this analysis is the type of dwellings that are being constructed.  Units are becoming a much more prominent part of dwelling construction.  Units are often smaller and therefore likely to house fewer residents than a detached house which also has an impact on these figures.
Although this analysis doesn’t provide a definitive answer to whether too much construction is taking place it is clear that as population growth has slowed and dwelling construction has ramped-up there is now a much better relationship between housing supply and demand.  This is highlighted by the fact that in most states and territories there has been a sharp decline in the ratio of population growth to dwelling completions over recent years.
With many new dwellings under construction and even more approved to commence construction, developers should take heed of these figures and exercise caution when looking to undertake new projects.  As population growth trends lower and construction ramps up, housing shortages appear to be diminishing quite rapidly.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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Dwelling completions boom as population growth slows: Cameron Kusher

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Over the month there were $32.3 billion in housing finance commitments which is 1.0 percent higher over the past month. 
Although the value of housing finance commitments increased in May 2016, they are now -4.6 percent lower than their August 2015 peak of $33.8 billion worth of commitments. 
The CoreLogic Mortgage Index, which tracks 95 percent of national valuation activity, indicates that in June 2016 the level of mortgage activity is set to slow from May, pointing to a slowing of housing finance demand.
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In May 2016 there were $20.5 billion worth of owner occupier housing finance commitments and $11.7 billion worth of investment commitments.  Owner occupier commitments fell by -0.6 percent over the month but were 15.4 percent higher year-on-year.  Conversely, investor housing finance commitments increased by 3.9 percent over the month and are -13.3 percent lower year-on-year.
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The $20.5 billion in housing finance commitments by owner occupiers was both lower over the month and -4.9 percent lower than the December 2016 peak of $21.6 billion worth of commitments.  Across the components of owner occupier housing finance commitments there was $1.8 billion in commitments for construction of dwellings, $1.0 billion for purchase of new dwellings, $7.0 billion for refinances of established dwellings and $10.7 billion for purchase of established dwellings. 
Each segment of owner occupier mortgage lending except for purchase of established dwellings fell over the month with each segment now also lower than the recent peak.  The respective declines are recorded at -3.8 percent for construction of dwellings, -27.0 percent for purchase of new dwellings, -5.9 percent for refinancing of established dwellings and -5.6 percent for purchase of established dwellings.
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There was $11.7 billion worth of investment housing finance commitments in May 2016 which is -18.2 percent lower than its $14.4 million peak in April 2015.  Looking at the components, there was $1.2 billion worth of commitments for construction of dwellings and $10.5 billion in commitments for established housing.  The value of commitments for construction of dwellings was 15.5 percent higher over the month and 22.4 percent higher year-on-year.  Meanwhile, the value of commitments for established housing was 2.7 percent higher over the month and -16.1 percent lower year-on-year. 
Since mortgage lenders began to implement investment lending changes to slow annual investment credit growth below 10% there has been a significant slowing in lending to this segment.
The May 2016 housing credit data from the Reserve Bank (RBA) shows that investment credit has advanced 6.0% which is its slowest annual increase since July 2013 and well below 10% annually.  Perhaps this is why investor lending picked up in May with mortgage lenders now having more scope to lend to investors.
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<img src="/images/2016/07/18/Chart-4-1-580x214.jpg" alt="">
Looking at the value of new lending (excluding refinances) for new housing and established housing shows that in May 2016, $4.0 billion was for new housing and $21.3 billion was for existing housing.  Based on this data, 15.9 percent of total lending over the month was for new housing with the remaining 84.1 percent for established housing. 
Of this $4.0 billion in lending for new housing, $1.2 billion or 30.6 percent was lending for investment purposes with the remaining $2.8 billion or 69.4% of lending for owner occupation purposes. Of the 84.1 percent of new lending for established housing, $10.7 billion or 50.5 percent was borrowing by owner occupiers with the remaining $10.5 billion or 49.5% borrowed for investment purposes. 
The data shows that much more lending is for established housing which makes sense when you consider the flow of new housing, despite being at record highs, is only a fraction of the total housing stock.
Despite low interest rates that are anticipated to go lower over the coming months it is difficult to imagine how growth in housing finance commitments will experience a significant uplift. Investor demand may pick up a little but historically weak rental growth and record low rental yields along with a surge in new investment housing stock should limit any uplift. 
This should also contribute to a slowing in value growth in Sydney and Melbourne and although other areas may see a pick-up in mortgage demand, much lower home values in those regions will likely limit any significant pick-up in housing finance commitments.
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Investor housing finance commitments bounce in May 2016: Cameron Kusher

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Combined capital city home values have increased substantially since the financial crisis in 2008 however, this is largely being driven by Sydney and Melbourne with value growth muted in most other capital cities.
As the financial crisis hit in 2007/08, Australia’s combined capital city housing markets experienced a -6.1% decline in home values between March and December 2008.  Due to aggressive interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank (RBA) and the introduction of the boost to the First Home Owners Grant, further home value declines were averted.  In fact, home values began to rise across two cycles; from December 2008 and in June 2016, 7.5 years later, combined capital city home values are now 54.9 percent higher.
The first chart highlights the increases in home values over the past 7.5 years.  What is immediately noticeable is that the increases have been all about Sydney (87.9 percent) and Melbourne (71.8 percent).  In fact, most other capital cities have recorded growth which is around or below the rate of inflation.
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<h3>Total change in capital city dwelling values December 2008 to June 2016</h3>
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<img src="/images/2016/07/19/2016-07-15--image1.jpg" alt="">
From December 2008, combined capital city home values increased until October 2010, rising by 21.8 percent. 
Official interest rates were first increased coming out of the financial crisis in October 2009, rising by 175 basis points to November 2010.  The boost to the First Home Buyers Grant was partially removed in September 2009 and completely removed after December 31 2010.  These combined factors saw the rate of value growth slow, followed by a decline in dwelling values. 
The second chart highlights that from December 2008 to October 2010 dwelling values rose in all cities with Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin the standouts.  Despite very low interest rates, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart recorded little value growth over this period.
<h3>Total change in capital city dwelling values December 2008 to October 2010</h3>
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<img src="/images/2016/07/19/2016-07-15--image2.jpg" alt="">
Between October 2010 and May 2012 as stimulus was removed from the housing market, combined capital city home values fell by -7.4 percent.  Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane recorded the largest falls over the period.  Looking back at this period it is clear that low interest rates and first home buyer incentives stimulated the market and, as they were removed, demand was shown to be fragile. 
In October 2010, official interest rates were recorded at 4.75 percent and by May 2012 they had fallen by 100 basis points to 3.75 percent.
<h3>Total change in capital city dwelling values October 2010  to May 2012</h3>
<a href="/images/2016/07/19/2016-07-15--image3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/07/19/2016-07-15--image3.jpg" alt="">
From May 2012 to June 2016, combined capital city home values have increased by 37.3 percent while official interest rates fell by 200 basis points to 1.75 percent.  Although home values have increased over the period, Sydney and Melbourne have recorded a substantially higher rate of value growth than all other capital cities. 
<h3>Total change in capital city dwelling values May 2012 to June 2016</h3>
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<img src="/images/2016/07/19/2016-07-15--image4.jpg" alt="">
The data indicates that since the financial crisis the capital city housing market could be described as being extremely interest rate sensitive.  Digging deeper into the data shows that in reality it is only Sydney and Melbourne that have really responded to the stimulus of low interest rates.  The relative strength of the Sydney and Melbourne economies and the much greater employment growth has clearly assisted drive housing values higher in these cities.
Until the economic performance improves outside of Sydney and Melbourne it seems unlikely that sustainable growth will return in these areas despite the extremely low interest rates which are set to potentially move even lower over the coming months.  For Sydney and Melbourne although affordability is increasingly becoming stretched home owners have experienced a substantial increase in equity. 
With historically weak rental markets and record low yields it will be interesting to see if investors and upgraders in the two largest capital cities continue to show a thirst for housing in these cities given the growth phase has now been running for more than four years.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
 
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Home value growth remains all about Sydney and Melbourne: Cameron Kusher

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With the national housing market having experienced more than four years of ongoing value rises, affordability in certain areas is deteriorating and sales that were once considered to be at the top end of the market are now becoming more common. 
With housing becoming more expensive, there has been a substantial rise in the number of homes selling for, or in excess of, $2 million.
When the current growth phase commenced in June 2012, there had been 4,103 dwelling sales of at least $2 million with these sales spread across 884 suburbs (if they have achieved this for houses and units they have been counted twice).  Over the 12 months to March 2016, there had been 11,648 house and unit sales at a price of at least $2 million with these sales recorded across 1,437 suburbs.
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<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Chart-1-1-580x198.jpg" alt="">
Looking at the number of sales of at least $2 million, the 11,668 sales were comprised of 10,184 houses and 1,464 units.  Note that the recent dip in sales is likely to be due to the preliminary nature of recent sales data.  Before the financial crisis, the number of sales at or above $2 million peaked at 6,146 sales over the 12 months to February 2008.  They then fell to a low of 3,321 sales in June 2009.  It took until November 2013 for the number of sales of at least $2 million to eclipse their pre-financial crisis level indicating that the premium housing segment was hit particularly hard during the downturn.
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<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Chart-2-2-580x196.jpg" alt="">
While the previous analysis looked at the number of sales of at least $2 million, the second chart looks at the number of suburbs that had at least one sale over the year at or above this price point.
Over the past year, 1,139 suburbs had a house sale at or above $2 million and 298 suburbs had a unit sale at that price point.  If we compare this to the pre-financial crisis peak there were 1,193 suburbs that had a sale within this price point before the financial crisis with this figure falling as low as 815 suburbs over the year to June 2009. 
It took until August 2014 for the number of suburbs with a sale at or above $2 million to eclipse the pre-financial crisis level.  With 1,437 suburbs nationally having at least one sale of at least $2 million over the past year it further highlights that housing is becoming less affordable in more suburbs.
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<img src="/images/2016/07/26/Chart-3-2-580x197.jpg" alt="">
It is particularly evident of the deteriorating affordability of housing when you look at the number of suburbs with a sale price at or in excess of $2 million over time in NSW and Vic.  As the above chart shows, particularly in NSW and to a lesser extent in Vic, there has been a significant increase in the number of suburbs with sales of at least $2 million over recent years.  This is reflective of housing prices being pushed higher, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, as home values rise and competition for well-located housing increases.
As home values continue to rise, there will continue to be some bracket creep, with the number of homes selling at $2 million or higher likely to rise further.  We would anticipate an increasing number of sales at or above $2 million over the coming years, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.  Of course the rising prevalence of sales at this price point is systemic of the deteriorating housing affordability and increasing cost of purchasing a home.
 Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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The $2 million dollar dwelling sales surge: Cameron Kusher

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Over the 12 months to June 2016, 14.0 percent of all house sales and 7.3 percent of all unit sales were at a price of at least $1 million. 
To put these figures into perspective, just five years ago 7.5 percent of all house sales and 4.0 percent of all unit sales were within this price point. 
Research shows that the combined capital cities saw a much higher proportion of sales of at least $1 million over the past year. 
Across all house sales, more than 1 in 5 sales (20.9 percent) were for at least $1 million compared to 8.9 percent of all unit sales. 
Within the regional areas, the sale price for houses and units are typically lower than those in capital cities.
<a href="/images/2016/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-19%20at%202.57.08%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-19%20at%202.57.08%20PM.png" alt="">
 
An emerging trend worth noting is the fact that the difference between the proportion of house and unit sales of at least $1 million is much narrower in regional areas. 
In regional areas we tend to see that units are only located in larger regional markets and often are positioned in relatively expensive waterfront locations. Often the proportion of unit sales at, or above, $1 million has been above that for houses. Over the past year, 3.3 percent of all regional house sales and 3.0 percent of all unit sales were at least $1 million.
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<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Over the past 10 years in particular, we’ve seen a substantial rise in the proportion of sales of at least $1 million.
CoreLogic data confirms that in Sydney, over the past year more than 2 out of every 5 house sales was at least $1 million, and in Melbourne, 1 in 5 house sales was at least $1 million. Sydney had a higher proportion of total unit sales of at least $1 million than the proportion of house sales at that price point in each city except for Melbourne. (Refer adjacent table which highlights the proportion of sales of at least $1 million over the past year, a decade ago and 20 years ago.) 
There is an element of bracket creep in the numbers, however, as the supply of affordable homes selling has declined significantly over recent years, an increasing proportion of stock is selling for a seven figure sum.
<a href="/images/2016/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-19%20at%202.58.55%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/08/19/Screen%20Shot%202016-08-19%20at%202.58.55%20PM.png" alt="">
 
Demand for premium housing and within the most expensive areas of the country remains buoyant which suggests that over the coming year the proportion of sales at a price point of at least $1 million will continue to rise. 
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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$1 million property market sales on the rise: CoreLogic's Cameron Kusher

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Looking at median selling prices over the past decade, the national median house price ten years ago was recorded at $330,000, while the median unit price was $310,000.
Ten years on, and the median selling prices are now $499,000 and $445,000 respectively.
What we’re seeing here is a selling price increase of 51 percent for houses over the decade and by 44 percent for units. Clearly, based on broad averages, in most areas of the country median prices have not doubled over the past decade.
Across individual capital cities the results diverge significantly, however none of the capital cities have seen the city-wide median house or unit prices double over the past decade. Prices have gone closest to doubling over the decade in Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin while in Perth and Hobart the total change for houses and units has been well below 50 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/10/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-11%20at%208.27.01%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/11/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-11%20at%208.27.01%20AM.png" alt="">
A granular look at the housing market reveals 4,048 individual suburbs that had at least 10 house sales over the 12 months to both June 2006 and June 2016 and 1,665 suburbs that had at least 10 sales over both periods for units. Of the 4,048 suburbs nationally for houses, only 573 suburbs or 14% have seen the median selling price of a house double over the past decade. For units, only 159 of the 1,665 suburbs nationally, or 10 percent, have seen median prices of units double over the past decade.
A split of suburbs that have, and have not, seen median selling prices double over the past decade across each state and territory includes:
• Houses: NSW, Vic and NT are the only states and territories in which more than 10 percent of suburbs have seen prices double over the past 10 years.;
• Units: again only NSW, Vic and NT saw more than 10 percent of suburbs recording prices as doubling;
• Not one suburb in Tasmania has seen a doubling in median price over the past decade.
<a href="/images/2016/10/06/Number%20of%20suburbs%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/06/Number%20of%20suburbs%201.jpg" alt="">
An overview of the capital growth performance for capital city suburbs over the past decade shows:
• For houses: Melbourne is the only city where half of the individual suburbs saw median selling prices double over the past decade while Sydney has also seen more than 40 percent of suburbs doubling in price. Darwin is the only other capital city where more than 10 percent of suburbs have seen selling prices of houses at least double over the past 10 years.
• For units: once again Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin are the only capital cities in which selling prices have more than doubled in at least 10 percent of suburbs.
<a href="/images/2016/10/06/Number%20of%20suburbs%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/10/06/Number%20of%20suburbs%202.jpg" alt="">
A comparison of the two adjacent tables highlights just how much stronger price growth has been in the capital cities than across regional markets.
It also highlights just how much the strong growth over the decade has been tilted towards Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin. Of course, values are already declining in Darwin while they continue to rise in Sydney and Melbourne.
The next time you hear of property prices doubling every seven to ten years, although it can happen in certain areas, there are no guarantees.
The CoreLogic analysis highlights the importance of buying strategically; on average most properties have fallen well short of doubling their value over a decade. Using today’s data as an example, it highlights that far fewer owners have seen their real estate asset double in price over the past decade than those who have.
For those who have seen their property price double over the decade, they are most likely to be situated in Sydney, Melbourne or Darwin while in other capital cities and regional areas of the country the prospects of prices having doubled over this period are much lower.
Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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Does property double over 10 years? CoreLogic's Cameron Kusher

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GUEST OBSERVER
Auction volumes are set to increase slightly this week with 3,232 capital city auctions currently being tracked by CoreLogic this week compared to 3,207 auctions last week.
Auction volumes are set to rise this week in Melbourne, with 1,561 auctions scheduled. There are slightly fewer auctions scheduled across Sydney this week, with 1,126 homes set to be taken to auction. Auction activity is set to be higher than the corresponding week last year (2,989).
<h1 class="title">
Capital city auctions this week:
</h1>
<div class="entry">
<ul>
<li>Sydney: 1,126</li>
<li>Melbourne: 1,561</li>
<li>Brisbane: 190</li>
<li>Adelaide: 150</li>
<li>Perth: 72</li>
<li>Canberra: 110</li>
</ul>
Glen Waverley in Melbourne is the busiest individual suburb for auctions across the nation this week, with 24 residential homes set to go under the hammer. Followed by Reservoir (23), St Kilda (21), Richmond (20) and Hawthorn (19), all of which are in Victoria.
Summary of last week’s results:
<a href="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Capital-City-Stats.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Capital-City-Stats.jpg" alt="">
Capital city auction clearance rates remained strong last week for the first week of Summer, final results show 72.3 per cent of auctions were successful. However, the number of properties taken to auction last week fell across the capital cities with 3,207 auctions held, down from 3,398 the previous week.
<a href="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Capital-City-Timeseries.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Capital-City-Timeseries.jpg" alt="">
Last week saw Melbourne’s final clearance rate increase to 77.3 per cent, from 76.1 per cent the previous week, while for Sydney, final results show that the clearance rate for the city fell from 77.1 per cent the previous week to 75.2 per cent last week. Auction numbers decreased over the week in both Melbourne and Sydney, down to 1,416 and 1,182 from the previous week’s 1,616 and 1,262 respectively.
Across the smaller auction markets, performance was mixed last week, with clearance rates improving in Adelaide and Perth, while Brisbane, Tasmania and Canberra’s clearance rate fell.
The Hunter region was the busiest non-capital city region last week, with 73 auctions; however Geelong recorded the strongest clearance rate at 86.1 per cent.
<a href="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Subregions.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/12/08/20161208-Subregions.jpg" alt="">
 Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.
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Auction volumes set to increase slightly: Cameron Kusher

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.

The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.

Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.

<img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.

The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.

The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”

Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.

“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”

Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.

“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”

<img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" />

&nbsp;

The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.

Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.

The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.

The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.

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The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.
</section>

Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;

The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.

Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.

The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.

As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.

<img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" />

The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.

An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;

The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.

The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;

It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.

“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.

“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.

“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.

“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”

Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

Cameron Kusher

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