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Perth agents reported sales of 777, down 9% on the previous week but remain 5% above the level of four weeks ago. 
The fall, in the week to 10 September, was due to a 9% decline in house sales to 552 which have grown steadily over recent weeks along with a 39% fall in the smaller land component which spiked the previous week and has now returned to recent levels. 
By contrast the multi-residential unit component recorded a 14% increase to 162, which is above the 145 weekly average for 2015. 
There has been little movement in listings <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reiwa/photos/a.97141568749.86931.93433243749/10152683778058750/?type=1&amp;theater" target="_blank">over the past week</a>. 
Rental listings have plateaued around 5,900 in recent weeks after peaking at just over 6,000 in July. 
The latest data for August has the overall median weekly rent steady at $450 and the vacancy rate sitting at 4.0%.
Source: Real Estate Institute of Western Australia. 
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Rental listings have plateaued: REIWA's Perth property update

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Real estate company and mortgage broker Ray White has announced plans to cash in on the growing popularity of self-managed superannuation funds by adding financial advice to its list of services.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/p/business/property/ray_white_heads_into_financial_advice_gyFgF90R5dLaGdkefADjjK">Fairfax</a><a href="https://www.afr.com/p/business/property/ray_white_heads_into_financial_advice_gyFgF90R5dLaGdkefADjjK"> </a><a href="https://www.afr.com/p/business/property/ray_white_heads_into_financial_advice_gyFgF90R5dLaGdkefADjjK">reports</a> the new company will be called Wealth Market and will act as a subsidiary of mortgage products and insurance company Loan Market, which is a partner company of Ray White owned by the White family.
Loan Market already has offices in each capital city, employing around 1,000 brokers who write around about $1 billion worth of mortgages each month.
“We’ve got clean hands after 110 years – there aren’t a lot in property who haven’t had a scandal,” Ray White Group chairman Brian White said.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Ray White expands into SMSF financial advice market

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Australia has been ranked second in the world in the Bank for International Settlement’s latest index of global housing prices, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/australias-house-prices-secondhighest-in-world-bis-20140915-10gybt" target="_blank">reports Fairfax</a>.
The BIS index, which compares house prices against income and rent, found Australia to be the second most expensive market, behind Norway and followed by Great Britain and Sweden.
BIS nominated a number of countries in which there “could be a reason to expect a price correction in the future”, including Australia, as their current property prices in relation to rents are much higher than the historical averages.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.SmartCompany.com.au" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Australian housing second most expensive in the world

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Carbon monoxide, or 'the silent killer' <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marijkevroomendurning/2013/08/20/carbon-monoxide-a-silent-killer-are-you-safe/" target="_blank">as it is often called</a>, is a highly poisonous colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is caused by faulty or unserviced gas appliances.
But as fatal as it can be, it can also be easily prevented with regular maintenance and by recognising the signs and symptoms of when carbon monoxide is present. To ensure you are protected as a property manager, landlord and tenant, here is what you need to know to prevent and quickly identify carbon monoxide poisoning.
What you need to know as a property manager and landlord
The Residential Tenancies Act 1997 requires a landlord and property manager to ensure that rented accommodation is maintained in “good repair”. This includes all gas appliances provided by the landlord that must be safe to use and properly maintained.
Failure to ensure gas appliances are properly installed and safely maintained every two years according to the manufacturer’s instructions, can not only be harmful or fatal to your tenants, it can also cause extensive property damage, expose you both to legal action and jeopardise your landlord insurance.
It’s just not worth the risk, especially when it can be so easily avoided. To protect yourself, your property, your business and your tenants here are five tips to follow as a landlord and property manager:
<ol>
<li>Have gas appliances installed by a qualified gas fitter</li>
<li>Install a carbon monoxide alarm, like smoke alarms these save lives</li>
<li>Have gas appliances serviced every two years by a qualified gas fitter</li>
<li>Ensure there is adequate ventilation around gas appliances</li>
<li>Act on tenants concerns quickly</li>
</ol>
 What you need to know as a tenant
While gas appliances are one of the most effective and energy efficient ways to keep warm indoors and out, there are certain risks you need to be aware of and carbon monoxide poisoning is one of them.
While it is almost impossible to detect, it can give you subtle symptoms and signs that it may be present. Symptoms of poisoning start a like the flu, you can experience headaches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, which can lead to confusion, unconsciousness and death in high doses.
The challenge is that gas appliances are used more frequently during flu season resulting in the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning going undetected or misdiagnosed as the flu. This is why it is vital to monitor your family’s health. If symptoms persist or you improve when you are away from home but feel worse when you return, carbon monoxide may be present.
To protect yourself and your family here are five tips to follow as a tenant:
<ol>
<li>Ask when gas appliances were last serviced by a qualified gas fitter</li>
<li>Request a carbon monoxide alarm, as said above these save lives</li>
<li>Only use gas appliances in the way they are intended, don’t bring outdoor appliances indoors</li>
<li>Report your concerns promptly and in writing. Don’t hesitate to follow up, your safety could be at risk</li>
<li>Know the signs when carbon monoxide might be present</li>
</ol>
 How to identify if carbon monoxide might be present in your home
For the safety and wellbeing of all involved it pays to know the signs that can present when carbon monoxide is in your home or investment property.
If you have:
<ul>
<li>Pilot lights that frequently go out</li>
<li>Excessive condensation</li>
<li>A blue flame that starts to burn yellow or orange</li>
<li>Sooting, or yellow or brown staining around your appliances, ceilings or walls; and/or</li>
<li>Improved health when you are away from home but worsen on your return</li>
</ul>
Carbon monoxide may be present and you need to report your findings to your property manager and landlord immediately.
As a property manager or landlord, if you know the gas appliances in an investment property are due for a service organise a qualified gas fitter to inspect them as soon as possible, you might just save a life.
Frans Sterk is a qualified gas fitter, carbon monoxide specialist and owner of Gaswatch. For more information and safety tips on carbon monoxide head to <a href="https://www.gaswatch.com.au/">www.gaswatch.com.au</a>
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Carbon monoxide: What you need to know as property managers, landlords and tenants

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<img src="https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/58495/width668/838s2szm-1410216648.png" alt="">
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/31345/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="line-height: 1.3em;"> Charis Palmer is deputy business Editor at The Conversation.
Emil Jeyaratnam is multimedia editor at The Conversation.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em;">The Conversation</a>. 
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Seven things keeping house prices high: Infographic

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Industrial property has experienced a strong return of 12.1% over the year to 30 June 2014. This exceeds the returns from the other two major commercial property sectors being retail and office property which generated returns of 9.8% and 9.0% respectively.
The strength of the industrial property sector has resulted from strong demand for distribution and warehousing services generated by increases in retail spending in the Australian economy. New supply of industrial property has been significant and has restricted rental growth over the year to June 2014. Over the year to June 2014 industrial property generated an income return of 8.4%, while retail and office property generated lower income returns of 7.0% and 7.2% respectively.
Capital has flowed into the sector from investors seeking high yields. Industrial property offering yields of 8.4% is attractive. Strong investor demand has driven a rise in industrial property valuations generating capital growth for the year of 3.4%, which is greater than both retail and office property. A compression of capitalisation rates of industrial property occurred from 8.5% in June 2013 to 8.2% in June 2014.
Performance from industrial property over the longer term has also been positive. In chart one is shown the growth in value of $100 invested over 20 years from June 1994 to June 2014 in the retail, office and industrial property sectors.
Chart one – Growth in investment – Retail, office and industrial property sectors
 <img src="/images/2014/09/10/lev%20sept%2010%20one.png" alt="">
Source: PCA/IPD.
It is shown in chart one that industrial property generated a higher cumulative return than any other major commercial property sector over a 20 year period to 30 June 2014. Industrial, retail and office property generated returns of 11.5% per annum, 10.8% per annum and 9.4% per annum respectively.
The income return for industrial property over the long term has also been greater than that of retail and office property. Industrial property income return was 9.0% per annum over 20 years to 30 June 2014 while retail and office property income return was 7.4% per annum and 7.3% per annum respectively. Rental yields on industrial property are higher than retail or office propert,y reflecting the greater ease in developing new industrial property and the tendency for single tenants in assets.
Capital growth for the industrial property sector was 2.3% per annum over 20 years to 30 June 2014, while capital growth for retail and office property was 3.2% per annum and 2.0% per annum respectively. The income return generated by industrial property over 20 years to 30 June 2014 has more than compensated for the lower capital return from industrial property compared with retail property.
Demand for distribution and warehousing services is expected to grow over the medium term from increased retail spending and growth in internet retail sales. Industrial property is a key component of internet retail sales which require efficient delivery systems through technology in logistics. Rents are expected to remain stable as new supply emerges. Rental yields on industrial property remain attractive being 4.7% higher than Commonwealth Government bond yields. The yield premium may shrink as the Australian economy strengthens and interest rates rise.
Strong investor demand for industrial property is expected, maintaining upward pressure on prices. Capital growth will be positive as a result.  
Market conditions will be favourable for industrial property in the medium term with a combination of demand for warehousing and distribution services underpinning rental income and investor demand for high yields driving growth.
Lev Driker is an analyst at <a href="https://atchison.com.au/" target="_blank">Atchison Consultants</a>.
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Industrial property delivering stronger returns than retail or office sectors

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GUEST OBSERVATION
I've had several calls from journalists around the country over the past month, all with a common thread to their stories - one of rejuvenation.
It runs something like this. From the Gold Coast highway, Chapel Street and Bridge Road in Melbourne, Oxford Street and Campbell Parade in Sydney, we are in a state of gentle retail decay at the small end of town. 
Each of these areas is experiencing a lower historic occupancy rate than any time in the last 14 years. And it's all based around small stores, owner occupied or owned by small family trusts or self-managed super funds. 
The CBD and close to CBD areas in all of our cities are being rejuvenated by money from the big end of town. 
Why the split?
Well the whole of the small end of the commercial property sector is dominated by these three groups: owner-occupiers, family trusts and SMSFs. And that tends to be lazy money. Now I'm not being rude or judgmental, it's just an observation.
At the small investor level, residential property tends to be funded by negative gearing from salaries. A residential unit that is unoccupied for a few weeks hurts the individual's cash flow. You may get a tax break at the end of the year, but you need to fund the rent and interest gap quickly or it hurts your lifestyle. I have friends who will throw in a free Samsung TV to get a 12 month residential lease on a unit.
With small commercial retail space it tends to be different. 
As the ownership is via a company, the cash flow effect of an empty shop front isn’t personal. Sure the fund makes a poorer return that year, but nobody has to take money from their salary cheque to fund the gap between rental income and interest payments. 
So the small commercial end stays empty longer and has very few incentives, beyond “have six months free rent for a two year lease”. And as they decay, there is less and less landlord investment in them. 
If you've ever seen behind the scenes in many old high street store fronts, you'd wonder why anybody would work there each day.
So the answer? 
Well other than the normal cycle of new owner-occupiers, trust funds or SMSFs buying these sites and re-investing to bring them closer to new large commercial developments, it's unlikely it'll improve much. 
Current landlords can drop rents further, but at some point somebody has to invest, renew and rejuvenate. Otherwise our high street retail will decay and die the same way as most of Europe's.
Kevin Moore is a retail expert and the chairman of <a href="https://crossmark.com.au/">Crossmark Asia Pacific Holdings</a>.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/" target="_blank">SmartCompany</a>.
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Why small high street stores are in decay

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Data released early in 2014 highlighted that the average Australian house price had risen by 10% in 2013, and by closer to 15% in Sydney. With results like that, expect the debate about housing affordability to hot up as 2014 unfolds.
Indeed with first home buyers accounting for the lowest level of overall demand in many years, there are many now talking about the fact that housing may represent an inter-generational equity issue, with calls to scrap negative gearing and the like.
What is hard to dispute is that the current climate of low interest rates and constricted supply provide the perfect environment for investors, whilst younger Australians, who are facing lower rates of income growth, higher levels of unemployment and a more uncertain job market in general are effectively being priced out of the market, finding it impossible to save a deposit in the first place, let alone service a mortgage.
Despite this, there are many that claim that housing ‘has never been more affordable’, pointing to record low interest rates which imply that servicing a mortgage is easy.
Whilst it’s impossible to argue with the fact that lower rates improve mortgage serviceability, it’s a mistake to just look at today’s interest rates as mortgages are typically taken out for 25-30 years.
With that in mind, let’s look at how affordable housing really is, using 30 years on interest rate data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (codes FILRHLBVS and FILRHLBVD), starting in January 1984 and ending in December 2013.
The following graph shows the monthly changes in the standard variable home lending rate, as well as the discounted rate. Note that the discounted rate has  only been published since June 2004 by the looks of things, but since then, the average gap between it and the standard variable rate has been 0.65%.
With that in mind, we’ve used an average gap of 0.65% all the way back to 1984 as a way of estimating a discounted rate over the entire 30 year time period.
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/chart-one-sept-8.jpg" alt="">
As is evident from the above chart, after spiking in the late 1980s, interest rates have been in a downward trend for over two decades, helping facilitate the huge explosion in private sector debt and subsequent increase in Australian housing prices across this period.
The following table below summarises some of the major data points that are highlighted in the above chart. 
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/chart-two-sept-8.jpg" alt="">
As you can see, whilst the standard variable rate has been lower by 0.20% in the past (ever so briefly in 2009), we are near record lows on that front and we are at a record low of 5.10% for the discounted variable rate. Loans are cheap today!
What’s also clear from the table is that there is considerable upside in potential borrowing costs from here, even if interest rates don’t overshoot to the upside like they have in the past, which would involve a near tripling from here if looking at the standard variable rate alone.
Indeed, a normalisation of rates would see borrowing costs rise by 60-75% depending on which metric we are referring too, adding 3.54% to 3.74% to the annual costs of a mortgage.
This is important for anyone looking to buy a house today, as whilst current low rates might make the idea of purchasing a home attractive, the reality is that in all likelihood a home loan will have a term of circa 30 years, so this kind of volatility (and higher average cost) should be factored in.
But what does this mean to an everyday Australian? 
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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In terms of what this means to an everyday Australian, lets consider say a newlywed couple earning the median Australian wage, wanting to buy the median Australian home.
According to an article In January of last year (which used ABS data), the median weekly total cash earnings for all full time employees was $65,000 pear year.
Admittedly, this was using May 2012 data, so lets be generous and assume a near 10% pay rise for both, so that they’re now earning $70,000 a year each.
According to the online tax calculator, they’re both up for a total of $14,297 in taxes and a $1,050 Medicare levy, meaning they’ll each pay a total tax bill of $15,347.
After taxes and Medicare, the average couple have $109,306 combined to spend each year.
According to RP Data, the capital city aggregate for the median Australian home is now $540,000, equivalent to just shy of five times the average couple’s post tax wages.
But before we look at how sensitive they are to rates, and how affordable housing is, we should also work out what they might spend in day-to-day life too.
Standard ‘lifestyle’ bills, like a mobile phone, private health cover, a train or bus ticket, and maybe a gym membership will probably set each of them back $100 a week. There goes $10,400 per annum.
The electricity, water, and gas bills, plus council rates are probably another $100 a week in total, costing another $5,200 per annum.
Let’s say they try to limit their social life to $200 of recreational spending per week each, plus $200 at the supermarket per week, and there goes another $31,200.
They also have one child, and as they are a middle-income family, that sets them back $458 a week (or just shy of $24,000 a year), a cost that has jumped more than 50% since 2007.
Finally, let’s assume that once a year they like to get away for a holiday and that costs $5,000 too.
Add all those expenses together and you get to $75,616 in total spending, meaning that their total post tax, post-spending pool of money which can be directed toward a mortgage is $33,690.
Lets now take a look at how much an interest-only loan will cost them today, using the current discounted standard variable mortgage rates.
I’ve done two calculations, one assuming that they have to borrow 80% of the value of the property, and one assuming they’ve only saved a 10% deposit, ignoring lenders mortgage insurance which you need if you borrow more than 80% of the properties value.
The table below summarises the findings:
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/chart-three-sept-8.jpg" alt="">
As you can see, without even reducing the principal amount they owe on their property, the average couple will pay between $22,032 and $24,786 a year to ‘rent the house’ from the bank, in all likelihood leaving only between $9,000 -$12,000 in leftover cash each year.
But if rates normalise to their long-term averages, then the situation is going to get substantially worse, as the next table makes painfully clear:
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/chart-frousept-8.jpg" alt="">
As you can see, if interest rates went back to their long-term averages, then even assuming they were on an interest only loan, and assuming they had only borrowed 80% of the value of the home, they’d have an annual shortfall of somewhere around $4,500.
A higher loan amount would only exacerbate the imbalance, and could see them as much as $9,272 a year short, meaning they’d have to severely tighten their belts elsewhere, or more likely, simply sell the house (possibly at a loss as higher rates will in all likelihood stop the current rate of house price growth) and move back into some kind of rental accommodation.
I think it’s fair to say that neither of these are ideal outcomes, and have a range of negative flow through effects on the rest of the economy.
Summary
The bottom line is that housing in Australia is not at all cheap today and affordability only ‘looks good’ through the very narrow, and I would say dangerous, prism of today’s unsustainably low interest rates.
And whilst we can’t be sure over the next 30 years that interest rates will display the same volatility and average the same amount they have in the past (many would argue the RBA won’t let it happen) none of us can be 100% sure either way.
What’s more, we all know that markets move in cycles, indicating that the next major, multi-decade move in interest rates in all likelihood will be up. It is highly unlikely rates will stay low forever, that’s for certain.
With that in mind, all Australians should be cautious about housing entering 2014 and beyond. First home buyers and younger Australians in particular are unsurprisingly finding it harder and harder to get on the property ladder as it stands and are taking an enormous risk in doing so, especially as potentially higher rates in the future will both reduce mortgage serviceability and potentially lead to capital losses on the value of their home.
Considering that today, an Australian couple could rent the median house for less than or roughly equal to what it would cost them for the interest only payment on the mortgage, even with rates this low, it’s no wonder more and more Australians are making that choice.
Jordan Eliseo is chief economist with <a href="https://www.abcbullion.com.au/" target="_blank">ABC Bullion</a>.
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Don't be fooled by low interest rates, affordability is a big problem for the average Australian

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GUEST OBSERVATION
When Australian prime minister Tony Abbott came into office last year his aim was to be remembered as the “infrastructure prime minister”.
In the Coalition’s September 2013 <a href="https://lpaweb-static.s3.amazonaws.com/13-09-05%20Coalition%202013%20Election%20Policy%20%E2%80%93%20Better%20Infrastructure%20Planning%20%E2%80%93%20policy%20document.pdf" target="_blank">policy</a> to “Deliver the Infrastructure for the 21st Century”, the government promised vital infrastructure projects would be underway across the country within 12 months.
The same document promised all Commonwealth infrastructure spending exceeding $100 million would be subject to analysis by Infrastructure Australia “to test cost-effectiveness and financial viability” – analysis that would be made public.
A recent report published by the Australian Logistics Council indicated a 1% increase in logistics efficiency, which could be achieved by increased spending on road and rail infrastructure, would boost GDP by $2 billion.
One year on it is time to review the government’s performance.
Infrastructure spending is a vote winner
Having a focus on infrastructure is popular with politicians: it provides tangible evidence of action and they might even have a project named after them. Why have a boring name like WestConnex or M5 when you could have the “Abbott Expressway”?
It also provides for good photo opportunities even when not a cent of public money has been spent on the project. According to trade minister Andrew Robb after a recent visit to New York, international funds management groups with trillions of dollars under management are “enormously excited” about investing in Australian infrastructure.
Assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs recently said the government was investing “a record $50 billion in world class infrastructure that will leverage over $125 billion of public and private investment in infrastructure over the next decade”. However, he neglected to mention that $36 billion of the $50 billion was already committed by the previous government.
Asset recycling remains thwarted
The federal government has set up a $5 billion <a href="https://theconversation.com/asset-recycling-no-dream-for-hockey-but-efficiency-boost-likely-28802" target="_blank">asset recycling</a> fund from which it plans to give a 15% bonus for each project to state and territory governments who recycle capital gained from the privatisation of state-owned entities, such as ports and utility assets.
This additional capital is mainly available for road projects with spending on rail infrastructure a poor second, and spending on public transport not even on the government’s agenda.
Despite this, the much publicised East Coast passenger fast-rail link may be back on track after the government had recent high level meetings with a number of foreign rail companies. Unfortunately for the state and territory governments, the asset recycling plan is currently stalled in the House of Representatives following amendments proposed by Labor and the Greens in the Senate.
While the government has delivered on some promises, most are still just promises. The heavy lifting (and concrete pouring) of funding new infrastructure has been shifted to the state and territory governments and/or private businesses.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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Step one: Infrastructure Australia
One promise the government has delivered on is the changing of the guard at Infrastructure Australia, with the appointment of a new CEO and Board who have responsibility for delivering the strategic objectives of the agency.
But will Infrastructure Australia be able to deliver tangible results and be left to get on with their work without interference from politicians (from both sides of the chamber) keen on ribbon-cutting in their electorates?
The government committed the following projects would be underway within 12 months of its election:
<ul>
<li>$6.7 billion to fix Queensland’s Bruce Highway</li>
<li>$5.6 billion to complete the duplication of the Pacific Highway from Newcastle to the Queensland border</li>
<li>$1.5 billion to get Melbourne’s East West Link underway</li>
<li>$1.5 billion to ensure the WestConnex project gets underway in Sydney</li>
<li>$1 billion to support the Gateway Motorway upgrade in Brisbane</li>
<li>a number of smaller road infrastructure projects In Perth, Adelaide and Tasmania</li>
</ul>
Two rail projects get a brief mention: $300 million to finalise plans for an inland railway from Melbourne to Brisbane and a promise to get the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing underway.
The verdict
On the promise to provide a cost benefit analysis for projects over $100 million the government has recorded a “fail” as these analyses are generally being hidden under the veil of “commercial in confidence”.
All of the above mentioned projects are still to commence and none are “shovel ready”. Most have long lead times due to the complex planning processes involved, so we will have to wait and see if the government will be able to bring some of these promises to fruition. At this stage we may be able to give the government a “borderline pass” on its infrastructure report card.
In its pre-election infrastructure policy document the government also promised to deliver an “Annual Parliamentary Statement on Infrastructure Delivery” to the House of Representatives. It will be interesting to see what this statement contains if and when it is made public.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/30477/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="line-height: 1.3em;">
Peter van Duyn is maritime industry expert, Institute for Supply Chain and Logistics at <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/" target="_blank">Victoria University</a>.
This article was originally published on <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>.
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The verdict on our "infrastructure prime minister" one year on

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Statement by Glenn Stevens, Governor, Monetary Policy Decision:
At its meeting today, the Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent.
Growth in the global economy is continuing at a moderate pace. China's growth remains generally in line with policymakers' objectives, with weakening property markets a challenge in the near term. Commodity prices in historical terms remain high, but some of those important to Australia have declined this year.
Financial conditions overall remain very accommodative. Long-term interest rates and risk spreads remain very low. Volatility in many financial prices is currently unusually low. Markets appear to be attaching a very low probability to any rise in global interest rates or other adverse event over the period ahead.
In Australia, the most recent survey data indicate gradually improving business conditions and some recovery in household sentiment after a weaker period around mid year, suggesting moderate growth in the economy is occurring. Resources sector investment spending is starting to decline significantly. Investment intentions in some other sectors continue to improve, though these areas of capital spending are expected to see only moderate growth in the near term. Public spending is scheduled to be subdued. Overall, the Bank still expects growth to be a little below trend over the year ahead.
The recorded rate of unemployment has increased recently, despite some improvement in most other indicators for the labour market this year. The Bank's assessment remains that the labour market has a degree of spare capacity and that it will probably be some time yet before unemployment declines consistently. Growth in wages has declined noticeably and is expected to remain relatively modest over the period ahead, which should keep inflation consistent with the target even with lower levels of the exchange rate.
Monetary policy remains accommodative. Interest rates are very low and have continued to edge lower over recent months as competition to lend has increased. Investors continue to look for higher returns in response to low rates on safe instruments. Credit growth has picked up a little, including most recently to businesses. The increase in dwelling prices continues. The exchange rate, on the other hand, remains above most estimates of its fundamental value, particularly given the declines in key commodity prices. It is offering less assistance than would normally be expected in achieving balanced growth in the economy.
Looking ahead, continued accommodative monetary policy should provide support to demand and help growth to strengthen over time. Inflation is expected to be consistent with the 2–3 per cent target over the next two years.
In the Board's judgement, monetary policy is appropriately configured to foster sustainable growth in demand and inflation outcomes consistent with the target. On present indications, the most prudent course is likely to be a period of stability in interest rates.
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Competition in the lender space has increased: RBA Governor Glenn Stevens' September statement

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

Joel Robinson

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

&nbsp;

Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more internation and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

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