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Melbourne's buoyant inner city property market secured 13.6% annual price growth, according to REIV chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo who said the market continued to reach new levels during the current boom.
The overall metro Melbourne median house price of $706,000 was up 6.3% annually, he said.
Growth within inner suburbs recorded an increase of 6.2% just in the recent quarter.
He said that the number of million dollar suburbs across the city skyrocketed to 78 this quarter – 16 more than in the previous (March) quarter
Regional Victoria also had smaller price increases, with the median price of a home in regional Victoria increasing in the June quarter, up 1.5% to $346,000. 
June Quarter 2015 Metropolitan Median Prices  
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Metro Melbourne"]'>Metro Melbourne</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,706000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$706,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.052]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>5.2%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,671000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$671,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.063]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>6.30%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,520000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$520,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.013]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>1.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,513500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$513,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.041]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>4.10%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Inner"]'>Inner</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1239500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,239,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.062]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>6.2%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,1167500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$1,167,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.136]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>13.60%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,545500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$545,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.003]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>0.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,544000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$544,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.019]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>1.90%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Middle"]'>Middle</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,827500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$827,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.051]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>5.1%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,787500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$787,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.112]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>11.20%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,574000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$574,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,-0.003]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>-0.3%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,576000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$576,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.087]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>8.70%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Outer"]'>Outer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jun-15 Quarter"]'>Jun-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Quarterly change"]'>Quarterly change</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mar-15 Quarter"]'>Mar-15 Quarter</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Annual change"]'>Annual change</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"House"]'>House</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,525500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$525,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.05]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>5.0%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,500500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$500,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.058]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>5.80%</td>
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<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Unit"]'>Unit</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,399000]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$399,000</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.019]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.0%",1]'>1.9%</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,391500]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"\"$\"#,##0",1]'>$391,500</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,3,null,0.037]" data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]'>3.70%</td>
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Note: median prices are seasonally adjusted and annual change are based on rolling annual change 
Click <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/About-REIV-data" target="_blank">here</a> to find out what a median is, what seasonal adjustment is and why the REIV uses them.
Median prices over time
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 <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q2%20Jun/June%20Q%202015%20General%20Release%20Website/Median%20price%20metro.ashx"><img src="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q2%20Jun/June%20Q%202015%20General%20Release%20Website/Median%20price%20metro.ashx?h=458&amp;w=701&amp;as=1" alt="" width="701" height="458"></a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2015%20Q1%20Mar/Chart_Mar15medians_Metro.ashx"></a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2014%20Q4%20Dec/Chart_Dec14medians_300115.ashx"></a><a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/~/media/Files/Median%20Prices/2014%20Q4%20Dec/Dec%20Q%202014%20General%20Release%20for%20Media%20300115.ashx"></a>
This graph shows median house and unit prices in Melbourne over the past decade in seasonally adjusted terms.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Inner, Middle, Outer - which Melbourne suburbs have the highest annual price growth?

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AFG’s latest Mortgage Index shows that of new borrowers, just 14.2% opted for a fixed rate mortgage during June 2015, compared to 15.2% in May, with 76% of borrowers choosing a standard or basic variable home loan.
A year ago it was at 17.2%.
The March 2013 AFG Mortgage Index had 29.6% of all new home loans fixed. 
The March figure was billed the highest proportion ever recorded by AFG, which ranks as Australia's largest mortgage broker. 
Historically AFG has released the AFG Mortgage Index on a monthly basis, but following AFG’s listing on the ASX, AFG has determined that the AFG Mortgage Index will be published on a quarterly basis from July 2015 (ie the first quarter will reflect the 3 months ending 30 September 2015).
Established in 1994, AFG now provides more than 20% of brokers nationwide with access to Australia’s leading lending institutions, and has a loan book in excess of $100 billion. 
 
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Fixed or variable? AFG's new borrower numbers

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Hello Real Estate - the for-sale-by-owner company - is set for December 2015 stock market listing with the move by Minrex Resources NL to take over Hello for $6.75 million.
Minrex will change into HelloReal Estate Limited as it raises $5 million in capital to expand the Hello business, after completion of the July 31 due diligence.
<a href="https://www.hello.com.au/?page=home" target="_blank">Hello, a licensed real estate agency</a> that offers a low fixed fee service for clients to sell their own property, comes with dedicated hands-on mentoring.
Hello describes itself as a licensed real estate business "which offers its clients a fixed-fee service to sell their own property supported by a team of professional service providers, covering all aspects of selling, web listings, advertising, negotiation, conveyancing and settlement services as well as professional mentoring."
According to Hello, the system achieves significant savings, less time on market and "the best market price for the property".
Hello launched in 2012 in South Australia and then into NSW in mid-2013 and now has 12 satellite business unit licensees.
The listed company will have a new board, headed by Bob Lapointe, the franchise entrepreneur who brought Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut and Sizzler to Australia.
Now in his 70s, Bob Lapointe has chaired Hello since May 2014.
Executive directors will include Hello founder Philip Horan, along with Trish Mewett and Marcus Cann.
Minrex executive director Simon Durack, said that the strategic shift in direction was one that will see its emerge "in an exciting new field" with enormous upside for all shareholders, as a disruptor in the Australian property market.
“Hello is set to really shake up the current players in the real estate market, introducing an innovative and comprehensive new offering that will enable increased support and guidance for home buyers and sellers in a more efficient and cost effective structure.”
"The Hello system puts the property preparation, marketing and sale process clearly in the hands of the property owner resulting in, significant savings, less time on market and achieving the best market price for their property.
"Hello provides the client with all of the tools that are required to successfully market and sell residential property including; house stylists; professional photography; signage; multiple website listings; live call centre; high quality brochure and sales aid production, Valuation by a licensed valuer, all current on-market and recent sales data; contracts; offer negotiation; conveyancing and settlement services.
"Hello is currently integrating all of the current services and the extensive network of strategic partners into a single source “The Hello Property Exchange”.
"The Real Estate Market is rapidly changing, Vendors and Buyers are demanding alternatives, agents are being forced to embrace new technologies and franchise agencies are now outnumbered 3-1 by independent agencies in Australia who now represent the major force in real estate sales.
"These independent agents are the target market for Hello’s White Label CRM &amp; Workflow technology systems.
"Clients are people who fully appreciate the value in having someone present to support them during the sale process and the savings that can be achieved using the Hello system and services which are designed to cover the whole spectrum of the market from low cost sales to premium properties.
"The Hello model also offers builders, developers, renovators and investors a dedicated, hands on licensed real estate sales agent to handle the pre-sale and sale phase of their project development or the sale of investment property." 
Its strategic partners include BidRhino for online auctions, Vow Financial for mortgage services, Thorn Money, CoreLogic RP Data and Jim's Building Inspections.
MinRex Resources NL (“MinRex”) is an exploration company, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, with its principal focus being the exploration and development of gold, base metal and tin projects in Australia.
MinRex holds two principal projects, the Deflector Extended Gold Project at Gullewa in Western Australia and the Heemskirk Tin Project in Tasmania.
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Gold mining company turns to Hello for sale by owner disruptee business

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Australian governments must give farmers more rights when mining companies are negotiating access to potential gas or coal reserves on their property, the Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson has urged.
Laws currently did not help the impasse by licensing mining companies to gain access to a farmer's property.
"It is not done on the basis of consent or respect for the farmer. And that's when you get conflict and I would argue, a human rights violation," Mr Wilson said in a published speech to be delivered today to the Castan Centre for Human Rights law conference at Monash University.
"But it's important to focus on the cause of the problem," the Australian Financial Review reported ahead of the speech.
"Many people will see a mining company trampling on the rights of the farmer. But the issue is not the miner. The miner is only doing what the law allows them to do.
"The issue is the law and whether it properly respects the surface property rights of the farmer. Only government can legally facilitate this violation and absent the necessary respect for rights."
Mr Wilson said most of the opposition to coal seam gas was "nonsensical and absurd" but human rights abuses did occur. He said property rights were often the forgotten human right.
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Tim Wilson seeks more rights for farmers facing mining company access demands

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Business commentator David Koch has called time of the "incredible run in this country over the last decade."
And he says that doesn't mean that property is a bubble that's about to pop.
"The days of breakneck growth in capital city property prices are coming to an end… as we've seen in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide residential property prices can fall.
"The booms in Sydney and Melbourne are now running out of steam," he wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.
"While we don't think there is a nationwide property bubble, Sydney and Melbourne are definitely looking overheated," he wrote.
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David Koch says Sydney's home price growth running out of steam 

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Love those Lashes beauty business owner Debra Sloane has listed her Kew home with $2.8 million plus hopes through Kay &amp; Burton.
It is an 1895 Victorian home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There is accomodation space above the three car garage at the <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/22-walpole-street-kew/Property-Details-buy-residential-9178602" target="_blank">Walpole Street property</a> that last traded at $1,051,000 in 2001 and renovated about a decade ago.
The entreprenuer founded the firm in 2007.
The August 7 auction is private. 
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Love those Lashes' Debra Sloane lists in Kew

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An auction is scheduled for tomorrow at Berwick Waters, an estate by Australand and Mondous Property Australia.
Its newest village, The Strand, has proven extremely popular,
Due to the level of demand for water-facing blocks they are selling five blocks by Oliver Hume auction.
The auction will take place at 11am on Saturday 25th July.
There are five water-facing blocks at the Clyde North location in Melbourne's south east. Land prices on the estate start at $199,500 with house and land being marketed from $354,000.
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/The20Strand20auction20lots20fullimage.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/The20Strand20auction20lots20fullimage.jpg" alt="">
 
The five new lots look out over the established wetlands, and their deeper size means space for a bigger house, entertaining area or backyard.
The site features over 52 hectares of wetlands and open space, and Berwick Waters will become home to around 11,000 people in over 2,500 homes.
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/The20Strand20precinct20plan.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/The20Strand20precinct20plan.jpg" alt="">
For more information, click <a href="https://www.australand.com.au/Projects/Berwick-Waters/Explore-the-Development/The%20Strand%20Auction/AuctionEnquiry?ec_as=D4DAB312A61144819A867BFC23A83A73" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Five water facing blocks at The Strand, Berwick Waters for weekend auction

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Does the Sydney property bubble exist?
This could really be a yes or no answer. A bubble depends on so many factors, and we don’t really know what defines a bubble. However, what we DO know can be seen in the current housing market.
Why I think ‘yes – we are in a bubble situation’: 
1. Bubbles are characterised by low interest rates
Interest rates in Australia are currently low, and the official cash rate is at a historically low 2%. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has had a slow, weak response to banks’ lending to investors. Rather than the loan-to-value ratio cap employed in New Zealand, the APRA has been encouraging ‘stress tests’. Under this policy, banks have the responsibility of making sure borrowers can cope with mortgage repayments for interest rates of up to 7%.
2. Bubbles are characterised by 'speculative investment'.
Speculative investment is when you invest in something because you think it is going to deliver a high return quickly. The NAB Quarterly Australian Residential Property Survey for the first quarter of 2015 revealed that investors are making up a larger portion of those taking out home loans to purchase houses. Investors are further incentivised to purchase properties through negative gearing and capital gains concessions.  In documents released by the RBA under the freedom of information act, the amount of investors receiving home loans was growing by an annual rate of over 10% in 2014. The ideal growth rate in investor home loans was specified at around 6%.
3. Bubbles are characterised by rapid growth.
The median house in Sydney has increased in value by approximately $160,000 in the year to May 2015.
At the same time, I could also answer ‘no – we are not in a bubble situation’, because: 
1. I'm afraid of commitment
2. Evidence from the past.
The Sydney market has never really ‘popped’. We can see this by looking at the ‘House Price Index’ (HPI) for the median house in Sydney:
<ul>
<li>The HPI is a number that represents how much house prices have increased at any point in time since our first point of data collection in January 1979.At April 2015, the HPI for the median house in Sydney was 20.70. This means that the median house value in Sydney has increased by 20.70 times the house value in 1979.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The circles in Graph 2 highlights the big housing booms throughout the last 30 years (1987-88, 2003-04 and 2013-14). The slope of the HPI represents the rate of growth in this indicator. This data shows that Sydney houses are currently in their largest, longest housing boom. But you can also see that the HPI rarely goes down, and when it does go down it doesn’t stay down for very long.</li>
<li>For example, in 2003, Sydney houses experienced a peak growth rate of 24%.</li>
<li>The correction that followed between 2004 and 2007 saw a contraction of just 3%. A mere 3% contraction of what houses were worth at the end of a housing boom does not seem like a drastic correction, although this contraction continued for several quarters. Such growth patterns prompt me to view the Sydney market as an anomaly that could well stabilise at high prices. </li>
</ul>
<a href="/images/2015/07/24/G2_HPI.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a> - Sydney HPI
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/G2_HPI.jpg" alt="">
The bubble could pop if the institutional conditions that affect demand are changed. These could include a crack-down on foreign investment, reform to negative gearing and capital gains, an increase in interest rates and/or a serious reform to lending rules for banks.
It could also pop if people decide the money they are paying is not worth the quality of life they are getting. Sydney is becoming very dense, some of our transport options are at capacity, and what expansion is happening out west is further and further from employment opportunities and entertainment.
Eliza Owen is the market analyst for Onthehouse.com.au. She can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/eliza-owen/65/4ab/255" target="_blank">here.</a> 
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Does the Sydney housing bubble exist? Onthehouse's Eliza Owen

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CoreLogic RP Data’s head of research Tim Lawless puts Sydney’s current house median at around $900,000 - and approaching its peak for this property cycle.
He doesn't see it getting to $1 million, instead likely to plateau between now and 2016.
“I think growth will moderate based on conditions such as investors now finding it harder to get loans and the general feeling the market has hit its peak,” he told News Ltd this week.
“The big risk is that people continue to buy into this market expecting price growth to continue at the current rate. I just don’t think that will happen.”
He has calculated 3.4% for the June quarter and 17.9% for the year, noting the CoreLogic RP Data method of calculating the value of all houses in the greater Sydney area was more comprehensive than simply focusing on a small sample of properties that had sold over a certain period.
“We have a mathematical algorithm that estimates values based on the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking spaces, land size, geographical location, whether the house has a pool and so on,” Mr Lawless said.
“We break all these factors down and give them each a value. This stops the median from moving around a lot based on what stock is being sold.”
CoreLogic RP Data figures show there are 433 Sydney suburbs where house medians are less than $1 million after sales over the past 12 months, compared to 272 with $1 million plus medians.
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$1 million house median not in sight for Sydney: CoreLogic RP Data

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Media entreprenuer Deborah Hutton has listed her Tamarama home which when bought new in 2007 was marketed as cutting edge design and dazzling views.
<img class="js-first-image" src="https://b.domainstatic.com.au/w800-h600-2005893678_1_pi_150216_094338" alt="5 wonderland ave tamarama NSW 2026">
Some $4 million is tipped for the cul-de-sac contemporary beach-house at its August 29 auction through Phillips Pantzer Donnelly agent Debbie Donnelly.
It has double bedrooms, all with robes.
"An artistic approach to luxury living reveals a harmonious connection with the outdoors and its just steps down to Tamarama Beach, marine parkland and the famed coast walk," says the marketing.
<img src="https://b.domainstatic.com.au/w800-h600-2009943933_1_pi_150426_074548" width="603" height="452">
The master suite occupies the entire top floor of <a href="https://ppdre.com.au/buying/listings.php?sid=480239&amp;suid=69c6d071e30da715f0e577a07a4774b9" target="_blank">the Wonderland Avenue location</a>.
Even though it came with a media room, Deborah Hutton wants better video production space in her next home for her Balance enterprise.
No sign where it will be, but she has long tweeted her love of the suburb, most recently while on Tama's sunny shoreline (below).
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%2011.41.26%20AM.png" alt="">
 
<img src="/images/2015/07/24/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-24%20at%2011.22.40%20AM.png" alt="">
This one <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://m.domain.com.au/listing/2006407587" target="_blank">cost $3,375,000 in 2007</a>.
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Deborah Hutton lists Tamarama home

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Jonathan Chancellor

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