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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ.
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
The bank expects the ACT market to remain soft in the year ahead.
"While we continue to expect continued divergence within South Australia and ACT regional housingmarkets, a broadly soft economic outlook for the South Australia and ACT economies combined withrelatively balanced housing markets should contain house price growth in the coming year across most regions."
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly103.gif"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly103thumb.gif"></a>
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
 
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North-south divide in Canberra as South Canberra records negative house price growth in year to March: ANZ

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In the Northern Territory, only the region of Barkly had positive house price growth in the year to March, according to ANZ in its Australian Housing Chartbook.
However, the bank is optimistic about NT regional areas in the year ahead, forecasting resources projects to have a flow-through effect on housing prices in the territory. 
"The outlook for house price growth across the Northern Territory regions is buoyant, with significant mining and energy investment (i.e., Icthys gas project) expected to drive solid state economic growth and broad regional houseprice increases through the second half of 2012 and through 2013," says the Australian Housing Chartbook.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly102.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly102thumb.gif"></a>
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
 
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Barkly the only NT region to record house price growth in the year to March: ANZ

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In 1999, when the Australian pay-TV industry was less than four years old, Foxtel CEO Tom Mockridge made a prediction: a big, bold and?—?as it turned out?—?wildly incorrect prediction. Within 10 years, he said, pay-TV would be installed in three-quarters of Australian homes.
Yet by 2009 only 29% of Australian homes had pay-TV.
Today, according to stockbroking firm CCZ Statton Equities, it’s currently at 28%?—?one of the lowest rates in the developed world.
Mockbridge’s over-optimism hasn’t stopped Richard Freudenstein, who replaced Kim Williams as CEO last year, from publicising his own lofty goals for the industry. In March, he announced an ambition to lift the take-up of pay-TV to 50% (though he didn’t apply a deadline to the target).
None of the media analysts contacted by Crikey for this story believe this will happen?—?ever. They say despite News Limited’s bid to lift its stake in Foxtel from 25 to 50%, the take-up of traditional pay-TV has already peaked?—?and will soon start to decline.
“There is no indication whatsoever that pay-TV in its current form will grow to 50%,” said veteran telecommunications consultant Paul Budde. “No way.”
Even securing AFL broadcasting rights last year, at a cost of $530 million, hasn’t boosted customer numbers significantly, Foxtel sources told The Australian Financial Review last month. There’s also no sign the Olympics?—?to air on Foxtel over eight channels later this month?—?has led to a spike either.
“They want to paint a picture of a beautiful blue sky: we’re thundering along, people are joining us, we’re growing,” said media analyst Steve Allen. “But that’s marketing and spin. At the pricing model they have now they’re not likely to get much growth.”
Cost, Allen says, is the major reason why the Australian pay-TV penetration rate dwindles behind the US (90%) or UK (60%). Signing up to pay-TV here costs far more than the US or most of Europe.
Other factors have applied a handbrake on growth, according to Citi analyst Justin Diddams. Pay-TV, he says, has had the best take-up in countries where providers bundle it together with other telephony services such as broadband or mobile phone deals. In the UK, for example, BSkyB has given away free broadband to lift subscriber numbers. In Australia this hasn’t been possible because Telstra?—?which owns 50% of Foxtel?—?won’t allow the pay-TV provider to sell broadband connections.
Our tough anti-siphoning laws also haven’t helped either. Nor has the arrival of Freeview, which allows people to watch for free the type of content they used to have to pay for.
None of this bad news, it’s important to point out, has stopped Foxtel from making serious dough. Although relatively few Aussies are prepared to fork out for pay-TV, those who do are willing to pay a lot. Last year, the company increased full-year earnings by 15.5%, despite subscriber numbers only rising by around 18,000.
This business model, however, is on its last legs thanks to the arrival of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)?—?a technology that streams TV and video services via the internet direct to computer, television set or game console. The industry is still in a nascent stage, but is expected to grow rapidly in the next decade with the proliferation of high-speed broadband.
“The traditional model of pay-TV is on the way out,” said Paul Budde. “People will always be interested in good content?—?movies and sport?—?but the format in which it’s currently delivered is a dying concept.”
Roger Colman, head of media at CCZ Statton Equities, agrees. According to his firm’s projections, next year will be the last year of subscriber growth for traditional subscription television. By 2017, he expects around a fifth of households to have satellite or cable pay-TV while IPTV will be approaching 50% penetration.
Chris Coughlan, research director at technology analyst firm Telsyte, says the growth of IPTV represents both an ”opportunity and a threat” for Foxtel.
The opportunity: many more customers. The threat: many more competitors?—?including Fetch TV, Apple TV, Netflix and, ironically, Telstra, which is taking on Foxtel with T-Box, which offers movies on demand and live sport.
“It’ll be a fine balancing act to package up the IPTV channels so they don’t cannibalise the existing plantium users?—?those who get all the services, not just bits and pieces,” said Coughlan. “They’ll have to be very clever.”
Steve Allen reckons Foxtel will have much lower profit margins in five years time. It will also have to spend big on original programming to maintain viewers (an outcome that would be a boon for the Australian entertainment industry).
Roger Colman is far more optimistic than his counterparts. Foxtel, he asserts confidently, will make more money in the IPTV era than it does now. ”It’s a simple equation,” he said. “There are no real competitors of any import.”
Foxtel, Colman says, is expanding into IPTV far more aggressively than it’s making out and is already stiching up deals with major Hollywood studios for Australian IPTV rights.
Despite the widespread assumption that the internet leads to fragmentation, Colman says real-world experience shows that it also leads to monopolies. In the US, Amazon has around 80% of the online book market, Netflix owns 90% of the online DVD market, while iTunes has around 90% of digital music sales.
He expects Foxtel will achieve the same market dominance in Australia for IPTV and is telling his clients to bank on it.
Crikey approached Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein for comment but he was unavailable.
This article originally appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.crikey.com.au/">Crikey</a>.
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Why less than a third of Australians have pay-TV in their homes

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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ, but not a single region in Tasmania recorded positive house price growth for the year to March.
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
"While regional house price growth in most states have been dispersed between increasesand decreases, Tasmania’s regional house prices were all lower in the year to March 2012, reflecting the relativelysoft economy and weak labour market conditions."
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly101.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly101thumb.gif"></a>
 
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
 
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All Tasmanian regions recorded negative house price growth for the year: ANZ 

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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ.
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
"Across states/territories and regions, house price growth has continued to differ, reflecting varying economic performance across Australian industries."
"House price growth in WA regional centres has counter-intuitively been the weakest, with house prices in many centres lower in the year to March," says the report.
"While we continue to expect continued divergence within South Australia and ACT regional housingmarkets, a broadly soft economic outlook for the South Australia and ACT economies combined withrelatively balanced housing markets should contain house price growth in the coming year across most regions."
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly10.gif" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly10thumb.gif"></a>
 
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
 
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West Coast and Barossa Valley lead SA house price growth, with sour grapes for McLaren Vale owners: ANZ 

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The new financial year brings with it plenty of opportunities for Australian entrepreneurs, along with severe challenges for certain sectors.
So which industry will fly and which will fall in 2012-13?
Business information research firm IBISWorld has compiled a list of those set for growth and those set for hard times in the coming 12 months:
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Industries to fly
</td>
<td valign="top" width="138">
Growth 2012-13
(%)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="142">
Revenue 2012-13
($million)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Diamond and Gemstone Mining
</td>
<td width="138">
35.6
</td>
<td width="142">
509.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Electricity Generation
</td>
<td width="138">
28.7
</td>
<td width="142">
19,100.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Preschool Education
</td>
<td width="138">
26.0
</td>
<td width="142">
1,100.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Superannuation Funds
</td>
<td width="138">
21.2
</td>
<td width="142">
232,800.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="290">
Organic Farming
</td>
<td width="138">
14.9
</td>
<td width="142">
578.9
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Industries to fall
</td>
<td width="135">
Change 2012-13
(%)
</td>
<td width="141">
Revenue 2012-13
($million)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Iron and Steel Manufacturing
</td>
<td width="135">
-15.6
</td>
<td width="141">
8,300.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Cotton Growing
</td>
<td width="135">
-8.3
</td>
<td width="141">
2,500.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Recorded Media Manufacturing and Publishing
</td>
<td width="135">
-6.1
</td>
<td width="141">
861.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing
</td>
<td width="135">
-5.2
</td>
<td width="141">
3,200.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="292">
Gaming and Vending Machine Manufacturing
</td>
<td width="135">
-5.0
</td>
<td width="141">
417.0
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Industries expected to fly:
1. Diamond and gemstone mining
The global financial crisis resulted in far lower demand for resources – including diamonds and gemstones.
Demand has started to recover globally and the rebound will be driven by higher production levels (up 39.5%), while prices are also expected to stabilise in 2012.
Significantly, 93% of Australian production is exported, and IBISWorld expects this to continue in the face of a very strong Australian dollar – resulting in forecast revenue growth of 35.6% over 2012-13 to reach $509.3 million.
IBISWorld identifies India as the key export market for Australia’s diamonds and gemstones. India uses the diamonds for industrial tools and jewellery.
2. Electricity generation
The electricity generation industry is forecast to grow strongly over the coming year, largely driven by the flow-on effects of the carbon tax – as the industry is the largest contributor of carbon dioxide in Australia at 32% of total emissions.
Victorian electricity generators that burn brown coal will be hardest hit by carbon pricing, followed by generators that burn black coal (mainly in New South Wales and Queensland).
Trends in electricity demand, production and prices are expected to be broadly reflected in industry performance. Low-cost producers will be able to take advantage of short-term increases in demand and are anticipated to perform well in the coming year.
Overall, IBISWorld expects industry profitability will be compressed by the introduction of carbon pricing, meaning profit will rise, but at a much slower rate than revenue. Electricity generation industry revenue is forecast to increase 28.7% over the coming year to reach $19.1 billion.
3. Preschool education
Over the coming financial year, IBISWorld expects the preschool education industry to grow by 26% and to be worth $1.1 billion.
Growth is expected to be driven primarily by additional funding, equating to $297 million over 2012-13, from the Australian Government to support reforms aimed at standardising preschool education.
The Australian government’s universal access policy is expected to increase demand for preschool services and increase total childcare hours.
All state governments have agreed that by the end of 2013, all four-year-old children will have access to 15 hours of preschool per week, 40 weeks of the year. These services are to be delivered by an early childhood teacher with four years of university training.
4. Superannuation funds
After four consecutive poor years, IBISWorld expects a return in confidence and favourable investment conditions in 2012-13. This is expected to result in growth of 21.2% for the superannuation funds industry to reach $232.8 billion.
This growth will be off a low base, following the revenue decimation experienced during the global financial crisis.
5. Organic farming
Over the past five years, Australia’s organic farming industry has grown at a robust pace of 11.6% per annum, and IBISWorld expects the industry will continue to soar, increasing its revenue by 14.9% over 2012-13 to be worth $578.9 million.
Demand for organic produce has been mainly driven by growing consumer interest in sustainable food production and rising disposable incomes.
Supermarkets have responded quickly to increasing demand for organic products by increasing organic product ranges to improve accessibility. This has resulted in supermarkets accounting for around 60% of all organic sales.
However, IBISWorld expects supply constraints – particularly in the meat segment due to the lack of an organised supply chain in regards to organic feed, abattoirs and processors – will continue to limit industry growth.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
Industries expected to fall:
1. Iron and steel manufacturing
Australia’s iron and steel manufacturing industry has been in long-term decline due to a reduced global demand for Australia’s high priced manufactured steel.
Australia’s steel market has been further disadvantaged globally due to the high Australian dollar, which is expected to remain high, resulting in a forecast export decline of about 45% over the coming year.
BlueScope’s decision to exit the export market and reduce production capacity is indicative of this decline.
IBISWorld forecasts Australia’s iron and steel manufacturing industry will decline by 15.6% in 2012-13 to be worth $8.3 billion.
2. Cotton growing
Globally, cotton supply is expected to continue to exceed demand over the coming year, resulting in a fall in global cotton prices. IBISWorld forecasts that decreased demand for cotton from China, coupled with steady, healthy cotton production levels, will result in a fall of 8.3% in industry revenue over the coming year to reach $2.5 billion.
3. Recorded media manufacturing and publishing
Physical media manufacturing is inextricably tied to retail sales. Over the five years to 2012-13, the amount of CDs sold will drop by an estimated 11% annually to about 30 million – as consumers opt to digitally download everything from music, to movies and video games.
To combat this, the industry is looking to reinvent itself by developing music and video players that play digital media files. However, online file downloading and sharing still poses a huge threat for the industry.
In 2012-13, IBISWorld forecasts revenue for Australia’s recorded media manufacturing and publishing industry will decline 6.1% to be worth $861.1 million.
4. Pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturing
The increasing digitisation of media has had an adverse affect on a number of downstream industries, including Australia’s pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturing industry.
The increasing digitisation of media lowers the need for paper printing and publishing.
Confounding this is the continuing high price of woodchips, which further encourages the trend away from paper products.
Delays in the development of several key production sites – due to uncertain economic times and strong lobbying efforts by protest groups – has further affected industry productivity and profitability. In the coming year, industry revenue is forecast to decline by 5.2% to reach $3.2 billion.
5. Gaming and vending machines manufacturing
Over the past five years, the number of poker machines in Australia has contracted as state government caps have come into play – limiting the potential purchases of gaming machines.
Like many of Australia’s manufacturing industries, production activity has gradually relocated from Australia to countries with lower production costs.
This trend is increasing import competition, which is supported by the strong Australian dollar, making imported goods less expensive for local buyers.
This trend is expected to continue over 2012-13, contributing to a forecast industry revenue decline of 5% to reach $417 million.
Karen Dobie is the general manager of IBISWorld Australia. For more information on these, or any of Australia’s 500 industries, <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com.au/" rel="nofollow">click here</a>. This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.startupsmart.com.au/" rel="nofollow">StartupSmart</a>.
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Organic farming set to fly in 2012-13 as manufacturing set to flounder: IBISWorld

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<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/6point1percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Darwin units in June, according to RP Data.
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/5point8percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Canberra units in June, according to RP Data.
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/5point5percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Brisbane units in June, according to RP Data.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/5point4percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Hobart units in June, according to RP Data.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/4point9percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Perth units in June, according to RP Data.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/4point9percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Sydney units in June, according to RP Data.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/4point8percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Adelaide units in June, according to RP Data.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/4point5percent.gif">
The median rental yield for Melbourne units in June, according to RP Data.
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Capital city unit rental yields by the numbers, with Darwin providing the highest returns for property investors: RP Data

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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ.
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
"Across states/territories and regions, house price growth has continued to differ, reflecting varying economic performance across Australian industries."
"House price growth in WA regional centres has counter-intuitively been the weakest, with house prices in many centres lower in the year to March," says the report.
"Of note, house price growth in the Greenough River and Moore regions weremuch weaker in March 2012 (-6.5% and -4.7% respectively) compared to September 2011 (+1.3% and +0.6%respectively). Nonetheless, the economic benefits from major mining and energy projects in WA should boost house prices in many WA major regional centres over the next 12-18 months."
Click to enlarge
<a rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly94.jpg" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly94thum.jpg"></a>
 
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
 
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Johnston and Kalgoorlie strongest regional WA housing markets, with Hotham prices languishing: ANZ

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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ, with Gladstone leading the way in Queensland. 
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
"Across states/territories and regions, house price growth has continued to differ, reflecting varying economic performance across Australian industries."
"Queensland has shown the greatest intra-state variation in regional house prices, reflecting the divergenteconomic performance of regions exposed to the tourism sector (i.e. Cairns, Gold Coast) and mining-relatedservices (Gladstone, Mount Isa)," the report says.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly93.jpg" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly93thumb.jpg"></a>
 
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
For information on investing in property in Queensland mining hotspots, read our free eBook <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-property-investing-in-queenslands-resources-boom">Property investing in Queensland’s resources boom</a> 
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Investor darling mining town Gladstone strongest Queensland regional housing market, while Bundaberg struggles like the Gold Coast

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Regional areas have outperformed capital cities in the year to March, according to ANZ.
"Despite being lower in annual growth terms, regional house prices have been more stable than capital city house prices, which have seen larger price falls across all major states and territories," notes the Australian Housing Chartbook.
"Across states/territories and regions, house price growth has continued to differ, reflecting varying economic performance across Australian industries."
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly92.jpg" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2012/07/anzjuly92thumb.jpg"></a>
 
Source RP Data, Rismark, ANZ
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Bendigo strongest Victorian regional housing market, far outperforming Shepparton: ANZ

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

Joel Robinson

SEQ apartment demand outpacing affordable supply as construction timelines stretch: RPM

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.

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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>

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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, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, 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.

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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;

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<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;

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<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;

Cassidy Knowlton

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