<html><body>
According to the best estimates at the time, almost 105,000 Australians were homeless on census night in August 2006. This promoted then prime minister Kevin Rudd to make the <a href="https://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programs-services/homelessness/the-road-home-the-australian-government-white-paper-on-homelessness-0" target="_blank">ambitious commitment</a> to accommodate all people sleeping rough and halving the number of homeless in Australia by 2020.
The government committed significant resources for specialist homeless services and new affordable housing initiatives, particularly through <a href="https://www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au/housing/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">economic stimulus</a> and various <a href="https://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programs-services/homelessness/national-partnership-agreement-on-homelessness" target="_blank">multi-governmental agreements</a> under the new federal financial relations regime.
But how successful have Australian governments been in reducing homelessness?
At this stage, we don’t know. Part of the reason is the difficulty in estimating the number of people who are homeless. But we hope the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) revised definition of homelessness will give us a clearer understanding of the crisis in Australia.
The existing definition
Since 2001, the “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/mental-homeless-toc~mental-homeless-1~mental-homeless-1-2" target="_blank">cultural definition</a>” of homelessness, developed by Melbourne academics <a href="https://rmit.com.au/browse;ID=prh5wwtapmo9" target="_blank">Chris Chamberlain</a> and <a href="https://www.swinburne.edu.au/chancellery/mediacentre/media-centre/view-expert/david-mackenzie" target="_blank">David MacKenzie</a>, has been used to describe the nature and extent of homelessness in Australia. This definition defines homelessness as not having access to: “ the minimum accommodation that people have the right to expect in order to live according to the conventions of contemporary life”.
Chamberlain and Mackenzie describe the accepted minimum Australian community standard as “a small rented flat”, with the minimum required amenities, such as a bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen.
This “cultural definition” of homelessness led to the identification of three categories within the homeless population:
a) primary homelessness – people without conventional accommodation living on the streets, in deserted buildings, railway carriages, under bridges and in parks (“rough sleepers”);
b) secondary homelessness – people moving between various forms of temporary shelter including friends' homes, emergency accommodation, refuges and hostels; and
c) tertiary homelessness – people living permanently in single rooms in private boarding houses without their own bathrooms or kitchens and without security of tenure. They are homeless because their accommodation does not satisfy the requisite conditions of the minimum community standard.
The ABS endorsed this “cultural” definition of homelessness, but in 2009 advised that it was reviewing Chamberlain and MacKenzie’s seminal work to provide its own official methodology.
A new definition
The ABS released a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&amp;2050055001_2011.pdf&amp;2050.0.55.001&amp;Publication&amp;C255AA8D9A430DAFCA257863000EEE6B&amp;&amp;2006&amp;31.03.2011&amp;Latest">discussion paper</a> reviewing the methodology of Counting the Homeless in March 2011. It didn’t change the definition but it challenged some of the assumptions that informed the definition. The discussion paper was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/fears-over-recount-of-homeless-20110313-1bt0q">criticised</a> for lacking consultation with experts and failing to have an on-the-ground understanding of homelessness.
Commendably, the ABS then took the opportunity to engage more fully with experts in homelessness policy and service delivery. As a result of this work, the ABS <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&amp;2049055001_2012.pdf&amp;2049.0.55.001&amp;Publication&amp;61102520832D348ECA257A6F0012AF91&amp;&amp;2012&amp;05.09.2012&amp;Latest">released a report</a> earlier this month that includes a new definition of homelessness:
When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>is in a dwelling that is inadequate; or</li>
<li>has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or</li>
<li>does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Unlike the cultural definition, which judges the adequacy of housing against an amorphous “standard”, this new definition is informed by the notion of “home” and the elements that are consistently identified with home.
The definition is intended to operationalize the collection of official estimates of homelessness through the census. While an admirable goal, this presents several practical difficulties.
The definition includes elements of “habitability” or “adequacy”, which aren’t measured by census data. And the definition <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/2049.0.55.001Main%20Features82012?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=2049.0.55.001&amp;issue=2012&amp;num=&amp;view=">fails to address</a> any specific cultural definition issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ understandings of home or homelessness, which the ABS has committed to addressing.
Interestingly, the Commonwealth is now <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fahcsia.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programs-services/homelessness/exposure-draft-homelessness-bill-2012">contemplating</a> a new statutory definition of homelessness. The Commonwealth’s definition has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=2&amp;cad=rja&amp;ved=0CCgQFjAB&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homelessnessaustralia.org.au%2FUserFiles%2FFile%2FMedia%20Release%2F2012%2FHA%20MR%20on%20Draft%20Bill.pdf&amp;ei=C_5PUPLFFZDsmAXcqoHYBA&amp;usg=AFQjCNE6t5QiTUAx9Wr_wgH6Z1Eh7dF42Q">criticised</a> for introducing an element of choice into peoples’ experience of homelessness, risking the perpetuation of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/HomelessnessServices/InformationKitForVolunteers/Module1/DoPeopleChooseToBecomeHomeless.asp">common myth</a> that people choose to be homeless.
It is unfortunate that there will be multiple definitions rather than a commonly accepted and understood definition, but the loose consensus on the ABS’s work may lead to an agreed definition and understanding of homelessness.
Recounting the homeless
A week after releasing the new definition, the ABS <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&amp;20490_2006.pdf&amp;2049.0&amp;Publication&amp;A83FE9CE21ABBC64CA257A7500148E57&amp;&amp;2006&amp;11.09.2012&amp;Latest">recast the estimate</a> of people who were counted as homeless through the census process in 2001 and 2006. As a result, the number of homeless Australians counted changed from about 100,000 to over 95,000 in 2001 and 105,000 to almost 90,000 in 2006.
There are also changes in demographic groups: the estimate of people experiencing homelessness in the Northern Territory has almost tripled; overcrowding is recognised as a new form of homelessness; and the number of young people (aged 12-18) has halved. The measurement of young homeless people is particularly problematic (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&amp;20490_2006.pdf&amp;2049.0&amp;Publication&amp;A83FE9CE21ABBC64CA257A7500148E57&amp;&amp;2006&amp;11.09.2012&amp;Latest">acknowledged by the ABS</a>) and may be the clearest example of the shortcomings of using census data to measure homelessness.
While the use of census data is problematic, this data shows a minor decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness from 2001 to 2006, and the ABS will release its estimation of homelessness from the 2011 census later this year, which will we hope show a further decrease.
Despite the revised figures, as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chp.org.au/">Council to Homeless Persons</a> CEO Jenny Smith <a target="_parent" href="https://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2012/09/abs-figures-reassess-homelessness?utm_source=Pro+Bono+Australia+-+email+updates&amp;utm_campaign=f6112135d4-News_11_September9_11_2012&amp;utm_medium=email">points out</a>, there is still a huge and growing demand for homelessness services, with thousands of people becoming homeless on any given night and limited resources in the sector to deal with this pressure.
The ABS’s commendable work in measuring homelessness will enable the government to report against its commitment to halve homelessness by 2020. While the census isn’t the only tool, it is part of a body of work that will contribute to a better understanding of homelessness, and how it can be ended.
James Farrell is a lecturer in law at <a href="https://deakin.edu.au/" target="_blank">Deakin University.</a>
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.edu.au/" target="_blank">The Conversation.</a>
</body></html>

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Definition of homelessness changes, but growing demand for homelessness services

<html><body>
11a Noelene Street, Fairfield West, NSW 2165
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/09/noelene.jpg">
On a cul-de-sac with easy access to Fairfield Shopping Centre, this three-bedroom house is tenanted on a month-to-month basis for $420 per week, which listing agent Graham Ball of Ray White says is at market rent for the area. It was recently renovated and includes a study, which could be used as a fourth bedroom. 
Ball <a href="https://www.raywhitefairfield.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=1934740&amp;xsl=4861&amp;f_st=1&amp;f_ct=&amp;f_ps=2&amp;p1=home" target="_blank">is marketing the property </a>with price hopes "towards $400,000", and if it sells for $390,000 it would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.6%, above at the median gross rental yield for Fairfield houses of 5%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a target="_blank" href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $5,000 and over five years to be $11,000.
The median house price in Fairfield fell 1.2% in the past year but rose 29.9% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, September 15 at 1pm and will go to auction Wednesday, September 26 at 6.30pm.
For more information about prices and yields in <a href="/news">Fairfield, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
For another investment prospect going to auction this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
3/32 Sutherland Street, Hadfield, Vic, 3046
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/sutherland1.jpg">
This three-bedroom Hadfield house includes polished floorboards, a diswhasher and high ceilings, and it is currently tenanted on a month-to-month basis at $1,452 per month. The tenants are keen to stay on, says listing agent Andrew Mizzi from Ray White. The house is so new it is still under the builder's warranty. 
Mizzi <a target="_blank" href="https://www.raywhite.com/vic/hadfield/839558/">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $300,000 plus, and if it sells for that price, that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.8% at its current rent, well above the gross rental yield for Hadfield houses of 3.9%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $9,000 and over five years to be $34,000.
The median house price in Hadfield fell 14.8% in the past year but rose 52.8% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection on Saturday, September 15 at 4pm and will go to auction on Saturday, October 6 at 11am.
For more information about prices and yields in <a href="/news">Hadfield, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
</body></html>

Friday form guide: Yields of up to 5.6% in Fairfield

<html><body>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/melbourne-agents-underquoting-price-expectations/2012090656435" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/77percent.gif"></a>
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/melbourne-agents-underquoting-price-expectations/2012090656435" target="_blank">percentage of Melbourne properties that sold above the upper end of the agent's quoted price guide</a> between July and early September this year. Of those that sold above expectations, they sold for an average of 5% above.
 
<hr>
<a href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/9m.gif"></a>
The <a href="/news">price achieved for Elysium</a>, a Hunters Hill Waterfront, which recently sold to Chinese buyers. The six-bedroom, five-bathroom Le Vesinet Drive, Pulpit Point, property on a 992-square-metre block has a Turkish steam bath. The sale is part of an emerging trend, with Chinese property buyers having the potential to create top-end housing market momentum in key cities across the world, including Sydney, according to international real estate group Savills.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/queensland-set-to-follow-nsw-by-scrapping-%247000-first-home-owners-grant-in-favour-of-%2415000-handout-for-new-home-buyers/2012091056477"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/15k.gif"></a>
The amount the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/queensland-set-to-follow-nsw-by-scrapping-%247000-first-home-owners-grant-in-favour-of-%2415000-handout-for-new-home-buyers/2012091056477">Queensland government will give first-home buyers of new property</a> following changes announced in the budget this week. Before September 12, the government would provide $7,000 to first-home buyers, regardless of whether their acquisitions were new or existing property.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/old-fashioned-studio-fails-to-ride-the-bondi-beach-property-wave/2012091156502"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/270k.gif"></a>
The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/old-fashioned-studio-fails-to-ride-the-bondi-beach-property-wave/2012091156502"> price hopes for 14/68 Gould Street, Bondi</a>, marketed at Sydney's tiniest apartment. The 16-square-metre unit failed to attract a single bid at its auction.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/buyers-sought-for-challengers-kings-cross-centre-below-iconic-coca-cola-sign-with-%2425-million-expectations/2012091156461"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/25m.gif"></a>
The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/retail/buyers-sought-for-challengers-kings-cross-centre-below-iconic-coca-cola-sign-with-%2425-million-expectations/2012091156461"> price expectations for the Kings Cross Centre</a> beneath the iconic neon Coca-Cola sign, which has recently been listed for sale by fund manager Challenger.
</body></html>

The 5 must-know numbers of the working week, starting with the Melbourne properties sold above agents' guides

<html><body>
Buyers fossicking for discounted properties might strike gold on the NSW central coast. Or even gold bullion bars on Forresters Beach.
Six months ago a good Samaritan beachcomber found a gold bar worth $18,000 on Forresters Beach and turned it into the police.  Although the bar had a serial number, the police were unable to locate its original owner, and this week police handed the bar back to its finder. Talk about striking gold on the central coast! 
Five of the 10 most discounted properties in Australia are on the NSW central coast, according to SQM Research.
The property at 23 The Corso, Gorokan, has had its price hopes slashed to $440,000 plus this week, making it the eighth most discounted property in Australia. The vendors originally hoped for $680,000 when it was first listed almost two years (658 days) ago. 
"With 50% of the list now being occupied by homes from this region, it appears ... that the area is undergoing some serious price correction," says SQM Research director Louis Christopher. 
1
 <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Forresters-Beach/?adid=2008587390" target="_blank">6 South Scenic Road, Forresters Beach, NSW, 2260</a> (pictured)
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Forresters-Beach/?adid=2008587390" target="_blank"></a>Days on the market: 707 Initial asking price: $2 million Current asking price: $1.1 million Reduction: 45%
2
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-livestock-qld-caboolture-7262420" target="_blank">19 Lychee Drive, Caboolture, Queensland, 4510</a>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-livestock-qld-caboolture-7262420" target="_blank"></a>Days on the market: 832 Initial asking price: $949,000 Current asking price: $586,000 Reduction: 38%
3
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Greendale/?adid=2008766488" target="_blank">202 Wolstenholme Avenue, Greendale, NSW, 2745</a>
Days on the market: 594 Initial asking price: $2.95 million Current asking price: $1.85 million Reduction: 37%
4
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Green-Point/?adid=2008850003" target="_blank">3 Wharf Road, Green Point, NSW, 2251</a>
Days on the market: 546 Initial asking price: $950,000 Current asking price: $599,000 Reduction: 37%
5
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-two+rocks-106211228" target="_blank">15 Gretel Two Rocks 6037</a>
Days on the market: 980 Initial asking price: $1.1 million Current asking price: $699,000 Reduction: 36%
6
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-white+beach-106479093" target="_blank">588 White Beach Road, White Beach, Tasmania, 7184</a>
Days on the market: 832 Initial asking price: $780,000 Current asking price: $499,000 Reduction: 36%
7
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/Townhouse/NSW/Magenta/?adid=2007217761" target="_blank">1302 Birkdale Place, Magenta, NSW, 2261</a>
Days on the market: 1,537 Initial asking price: $700,000 Current asking price: $450,000 Reduction: 36%
8
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Gorokan/?adid=2008670949" target="_blank">23 The Corso, Gorokan, NSW, 2263</a>
Days on the market: 658 Initial asking price: $680,000 Current asking price: $440,000+ Reduction: 35%
 
9
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-armadale-105464925" target="_blank">99 Lowanna Way, Armadale, WA, 6112</a>
Days on market: 1,249 Initial asking price: $1.85 million Current asking price: $1.2 million Reduction: 35%
10
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/Penthouse/NSW/Bondi-Junction/?adid=2008805959" target="_blank">31 North Scenic Road, Forresters Beach, NSW, 2260 </a>
Days on the market: 406 Initial asking price: $2.3 million Current asking price: $1.5 million Reduction: 35%
 
SQM Research also offers a list of the <a title="SQM Research" href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/top100bargains.php" target="_blank">Top 100 Biggest Bargains in Australia </a>for sale.
</body></html>

NSW bargain-hunters looking for discounted central coast property could find gold

<html><body>
There were 717 sales in Perth for the week ending September 12, some 37% more than the same week last year, according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. The most actively trades suburb was Scarborough, north of the river.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/reiwasept13.jpg">
</body></html>

Perth sales up 37% on the same week last year: REIWA

<html><body>
The Wollaroy Crescent, Double Bay, home of the Ridhalgh family has sold for $4 million, shy of its $4.5 million-plus price hopes. 
It is the top sale of the week, according to RP Data.
It sold just before<a target="_blank" href="/news"> its scheduled auction </a>on September 8. It last sold for $1,467,000 in 1998, according to RP Data, and was listed for rent at $790 per week in 2009. 
McGrath selling agent Richard Cooper describes it as and "elegant family home" with the "homey feel of a country manor".
Seven of the top 10 sales of the week this week are in NSW, with the remaining three in Victoria. 
1. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/1a-wallaroy-crescent-double-bay-nsw-2028/myrp-490?propertyId=2119217">1A Wallaroy Crescent, Double Bay, NSW, 2028</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on September 8 by McGrath Estate Agents for $4 million
2. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/35-crows-nest-road-waverton-nsw-2060/myrp-490?propertyId=7378121">35 Crows Nest Road, Waverton, NSW, 2060</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on September 5 by Ray White Lower North Shore for $2.77 million
3. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/25-huntingtower-road-armadale-vic-3143/myrp-490?propertyId=9316039">25 Huntingtower Road, Armadale, VIC, 3143</a>, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on September 8 by Marshall White &amp; Co for $2.35 million
4. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/666a-port-hacking-road-south-dolans-bay-nsw-2229/myrp-490?propertyId=2107649">666A Port Hacking Road, Dolans Bay, NSW, 2229</a>, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on September 8 by McGrath Estate Agents for $1.91 million
5. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/16-1-spains-wharf-road-neutral-bay-nsw-2089/myrp-490?propertyId=4829160">16/1 Spains Wharf Road, Neutral Bay, NSW, 2089</a>, three-bedroom unit, sold on September 5 by Prestige Home Sales Crows Nest for $1.872 million
6. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/118-sackville-street-kew-vic-3101/myrp-490?propertyId=11356490">118 Sackville Street, Kew, VIC, 3101</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on September 8 by Hocking Stuart Hawthorn for $1.8 million
7. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/3-chalmers-road-strathfield-nsw-2135/myrp-490?propertyId=6481536">3 Chalmers Road, Strathfield, NSW, 2135</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on September 8 by Georges Ellis &amp; Co for $1.8 million
8. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/70-fitzgibbon-street-parkville-vic-3052/myrp-490?propertyId=12470385">70 Fitzgibbon Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on September 8 by Hocking Stuart Carlton for $1.775 million
9. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/224-3-darling-island-road-pyrmont-nsw-2009/myrp-490?propertyId=5651197">224/3 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont, NSW, 2009</a>, two-bedroom unit, sold at auction on September 8 by Morton &amp; Morton Real Estate for $1.76 million
10. <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/n/9-bank-lane-mcmahons-point-nsw-2060/myrp-490?propertyId=4166037">9 Bank Lane, McMahons Point, NSW, 2060</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on September 4 by Ray White Lower North Shore for $1.74 million
</body></html>

Ridhalgh family's Double Bay home top sale of the week: RP Data

<html><body>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/5point7percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Darwin, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $420,000 in August. 
 
<hr>
 
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/5point6percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Canberra, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $$414,500 in August.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/5point5percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Brisbane, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $350,000 in August.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/5percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Perth, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $395,000 in August.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/4point9percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Brisbane, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $350,000 in August. 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/4point7percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Adelaide, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $315,000 in August.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/4point5percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Hobart, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $250,000 in August.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/4point4percent.gif">
The median gross rental yield landlords are securing for units in Melborne, according to <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/" target="_blank">RP Data.</a> The median unit price was $428,750 in August.
</body></html>

Darwin landlords securing highest rental yields for units: RP Data state-by-state analysis

<html><body>
49 Mary Street, Grafton, NSW 2460
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/09/maryst.jpg">
A recent renovation has brought this three-bedroom property new carpets, an upgraded kitchen, new paint and updated fixtures. The current tenants have been in residence for several years and are paying $260 a week on a lease that expires in October. Listing agent Angus McKimm of McKimm's Real Estate says the rent is "maybe a tad conservative", but it would not likely fetch much more. 
McKimm <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mckimms.com.au/6451613">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $200,000 plus, and if it sells for $200,000 it would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 6.8%, well above at the median gross rental yield for Grafton houses of 5.7%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $4,000 and over five years to be $10,000.
The median house price in Grafton fell 4% in the past year but rose 20% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection Saturday, September 8 at 11am and will go to auction Saturday, October 6 at 11am.
For more information about prices and yields in <a href="/news">Grafton, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
For another investment prospect going to auction this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
1/467 Boronia Road, Wantirna South, VIC, 3152
<img src="/images/stories/2012/09/boroniard.jpg">
Within walking distance of shops and transport, this three-bedroom house is tenanted at $1,369 per month until December 2012, and the tenant is keen to renew the lease. The brick-veneer house includes polished floorboards and air-conditioning. 
Ray White listing agent Sherryn McRobert<a target="_blank" href="https://www.raywhite.com/vic/wantirna-south/820064/"> is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $320,000 plus, and if it sells for that price, that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.1% at its current rent, well above the gross rental yield for Wantirna South houses of 3.9%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $6,000 and over five years to be $13,000.
The median house price in Wantirna South fell 3.6% in the past year but rose 39.5% in the past five years, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection on Saturday, September 8 at 2pm and will go to auction on Saturday, September 22 at 2.30pm.
For more information about prices and yields in <a href="/news">Wantirna South, see the RP Data suburb page.</a>
</body></html>

Friday form guide: Yields of up to 6.8% in Grafton

<html><body>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/harry-kewell-s-brighton-townhouse-rental-sells/2012090256362"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/2point95m.gif"></a>
The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/harry-kewell-s-brighton-townhouse-rental-sells/2012090256362"> price achieved for the Brighton townhouse recently rented by soccer star Harry Kewell </a>when it sold this week. The Kewells lived there for less than a year, leaving suddenly due in part to family circumstances back in the UK in June a few months before their 12-month lease expired.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="/news"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/44point7percent.gif"></a>
The<a target="_blank" href="/news"> percentage of mortgages processed by AFG in New South Wales in August that were taken out by property investors</a>. August's next strongest state for investors was Queensland, on 36.6%, then Victoria on 35.2%, South Australia on 29.5% and WA on 29.1%.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/infamous-snowtown-bank-sells/2012090256364"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/185k.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/south-australia/infamous-snowtown-bank-sells/2012090256364">approximate sale price for the infamous Snowtown bank</a>, which recently sold. The buyers plan to renovate the attached house and run a business from the bank.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/august-puts-a-stop-to-national-dwelling-value-growth-rp-data-rismark/2012090256365"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/zeropercent.gif"></a>
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/august-puts-a-stop-to-national-dwelling-value-growth-rp-data-rismark/2012090256365">capital growth recorded for all eight Australian capital cities in aggregate in August</a>, according to RP Data. "During the seasonally slower month of August, value growth flat-lined," RP Data research director Tim Lawless says.
 
<hr>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/an-1890s-south-yarra-villa-bought-back-by-its-original-family-after-nine-year-absence/2012090356368" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/2point15m.gif"></a>
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/an-1890s-south-yarra-villa-bought-back-by-its-original-family-after-nine-year-absence/2012090356368" target="_blank">sale price for a gracious freestanding villa in South Yarra</a> that has been bought back by the family who had held it for more than 110 years. Descendants of Mary Harding, the widow who originally built the property in 1891, bought it on the weekend, bringing it back into the family fold.
 
<hr>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/the-seven-tell-tale-signs-gold-coast-amrket-has-bottomed-out-and-is-about-to-turn-the-corner-michael-matusik/2012090556426" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/5percent.gif"></a>
The amount by which <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/the-seven-tell-tale-signs-gold-coast-amrket-has-bottomed-out-and-is-about-to-turn-the-corner-michael-matusik/2012090556426" target="_blank">property expert Michael Matusik forecasts dwelling values will rise on the Gold Coast </a>in 2013. "It is apparent the Goldie market has just about bottomed," Matusik says.
 
<hr>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/online-residential-listings-rise-15-in-august-to-373510-led-by-melbourne-sydney-and-canberra/2012090456405"><img src="/images/stories/2012/09/373510n.gif"></a>
The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/online-residential-listings-rise-15-in-august-to-373510-led-by-melbourne-sydney-and-canberra/2012090456405"> number of residential properties on the market in August</a>, according to SQM Research. The number of listings rose 1.5% over August. This contrasts starkly with the same time last year, when listings fell 3.8% from 377,213 in July 2011 to 362,740 in August 2011.
 
</body></html>

The 7 must-know numbers of the week, starting with the price achieved for Harry Kewell's Brighton townhouse rental

<html><body>
The <a href="https://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal</a> (VCAT) has just finished hearing submissions in a case against McDonald’s opening an outlet in the town of Tecoma. The case is part of a growing trend of councils recognising the insidious impact of fast food on their communities and refusing permission on public health grounds.
It was brought by the multinational fast-food corporation after Yarra Ranges Shire Council declined to grant the company a planning permit to build. The <a href="https://tvag.org.au/McDonalds" target="_blank">campaign against the proposal</a> was spearheaded by the local Tecoma Village Action Group, and its efforts resulted in over 1,100 individual objections being sent to the council.
Our changing diets
Rates of obesity in Australia and many other developed nations have increased rapidly over recent decades. And unhealthy diets that include too much energy-dense fast food is a key contributor to the growing prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other adverse health conditions in both adults and children.
In 2009-10, Australian Bureau of Statistics <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6530.0/" target="_blank">data showed</a> that the average Australian household spent over $30 a week on fast food and takeaway items. That means each household spent over $1,500 a year on fast food, an increase of over $7 a week <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/PrimaryMainFeatures/6535.0.55.001?OpenDocument" target="_blank">from 2003-04</a>.
We know that many factors influence the food we choose to purchase and consume. Busier lifestyles, more working parents and longer working hours all play a role. But beyond individual factors, we suspect the number and type of food stores in our neighbourhood also contribute to food purchasing decisions.
Access = consumption?
Fast-food stores are now more accessible than ever. And the combination of more access and busier lifestyles has likely contributed to increasing consumption of these products. While the benefit of fast food and takeaway meals is that they allow us to achieve more in our day, such consumption comes at a cost to our health.
Major fast-food companies consider a number of things when choosing the location of new outlet, including the population characteristics of an area, ease of access and the visibility of the proposed site (for instance, whether it is on a main road). As a result of such considerations, a number of fast-food outlets are often located in close proximity to each other. And we often see neighbourhoods with large numbers of fast-food outlets.
Researchers and policy-makers are <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20149118" target="_blank">increasingly paying attention to</a> the placement of fast-food and takeaway outlets in low-income neighbourhoods and near schools. The location of new stores is of interest because of the poorer health observed in low-income neighbourhoods and a recognition of how important it is for children to be making healthier lifestyle choices.
Although there’s <a href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/driving-change/current-campaigns/local-campaigns/Pages/food-sensitive-planning.aspx" target="_blank">increasing recognition</a> that the neighbourhood we live in influences health behaviours, planning laws often don’t recognise this. Traditionally, proposals for development can only be opposed on planning grounds, for instance, how the development would impact aesthetics, signage, crime, parking, and traffic.
Healthier food environments
Internationally, there are a number of recent examples of the use of planning laws to limit the amount of fast food that communities are exposed to. In 2008, the City of Los Angeles passed a bill prohibiting the opening of new fast-food restaurants in low-income areas.
And, in the United Kingdom, a <a href="https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/newsroom/2012/08/06/council-put-breaks-on-fast-food" target="_blank">local council banned</a> hot food takeaway shops from opening within 400 metres of schools, youth facilities and parks as a way to combat childhood obesity.
There’s a growing push in Australia too, for planning agencies to actively consider the health consequences of new fast food outlets. A <a href="https://theconversation.edu.au/%5Bhttps://theconversation.edu.au/residents-revolt-against-planned-mcdonalds-near-primary-school-7113%5D" target="_blank">recent South Australian case</a> highlighted the growing awareness of the impact local food environments on behaviours and health.
Residents of a western suburb in Adelaide tried to stop a McDonald's outlet being built within <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2012-05-20/4012846" target="_blank">200 metres of a primary school</a>. This case was a rare instance of fast-food access being considered in terms of consumption behaviour in Australia.
But studies considering the link between fast-food access and consumption with an adequate level of detail are rare and the evidence inconclusive. So the appeal could not be upheld on these grounds. Instead, the council decision to grant a planning permit to McDonald’s was overturned on appeal because it was at odds with other planning requirements.
Like the Tecoma and Adelaide cases, future battles between councils, communities and major food retailers will most likely be referred to the courts and administrative tribunals for final decisions.
In the meantime, the quest to better understand how different individuals interact with their local food environment and how new developments lead to changes in eating patterns continues. Better evidence would ensure that the health impacts of such proposals are more strongly considered in the future.
There’s a growing push in Australia too, for planning agencies to actively consider the health consequences of new fast food outlets. A <a href="https://theconversation.edu.au/%5Bhttps://theconversation.edu.au/residents-revolt-against-planned-mcdonalds-near-primary-school-7113%5D">recent South Australian case</a> highlighted the growing awareness of the impact local food environments on behaviours and health.
Residents of a western suburb in Adelaide tried to stop a McDonalds outlet being built within <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2012-05-20/4012846">200 metres of a primary school</a>. This case was a rare instance of fast-food access being considered in terms of consumption behaviour in Australia.
But studies considering the link between fast-food access and consumption with an adequate level of detail are rare and the evidence inconclusive. So the appeal could not be upheld on these grounds. Instead, the council decision to grant a planning permit to McDonald’s was overturned on appeal because it was at odds with other planning requirements.
Like the Tecoma and Adelaide cases, future battles between councils, communities and major food retailers will most likely be referred to the courts and administrative tribunals for final decisions.
In the meantime, the quest to better understand how different individuals interact with their local food environment and how new developments lead to changes in eating patterns continues. Better evidence would ensure that the health impacts of such proposals are more strongly considered in the future.
Lukar Thornton is Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at<a href="https://deakin.edu.au/" target="_blank"> Deakin University.</a>
This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.edu.au/" target="_blank">The Conversation.</a>
McDonald's sign photograh by Gerard Stolk courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.
</body></html>

Fast food landlords could feel the squeeze as councils challenge take-away food retailers on health grounds

Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-150" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-74" dir="auto">
Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Joel Robinson

Above Zero launches Camberwell House in undersupplied Camberwell Junction precinct

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" 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%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Cassidy Knowlton

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News