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Melbourne house values recorded a very minor reduction in April with the <a href="https://image.e.rpdata.com/lib/fe591570776d03757d17/m/6/2014-05-01--rpdata-rismark-home-value-index.pdf" target="_blank">latest RP Data Rismark Index results</a> showing a change of -0.4%.
Over the last three months they have recorded a 1.7% rise and in the last 12 months there has been a 12.2% rise. The median house price based on settled sales over the last three months is was $615,000.
The underlying health of the market is shown by the fact that over the last year only one capital city, Sydney, has recorded a greater rise in house values. At the same time the result should allay concerns that Melbourne was moving into a period of rapid and unsustainable property price growth.
There is now a significant gap between units and houses.  Unit values recorded a change of -1.6% in April, over the last three months they have risen 0.7% and in the past 12 months the rise is just over half that of houses at 6.8%.
Demand in the auction market also fell with a clearance rate in April of 63.8% from 3,176 auctions in Melbourne. In March, which was a record month in terms of volumes, the clearance rate was 69.9% from 5,322 auctions.
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Melbourne home values record small drop in April

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In March 2009, the median advertised rent for a house in Melbourne was $379 per week compared to $442 this year.
This has equated to a rise of 16.6% over five years. Surprisingly there are a number of suburbs where renters have not faced comparable rises and there are even some suburbs where rents have actually dropped.
Three of the four suburbs where rents have fallen are growth suburbs; Doreen, Mernda and Sandhurst. These suburbs are unique cases as the supply of homes is very strong resulting in distortion in the data compared to more established areas.  In this case it has resulted in reductions in the advertised rent.
Advertised rents in Doreen have dropped by 6.4% over five years, similar to nearby Mernda which recorded a fall of 5.9%. Sandhurst rents dropped by 2.6%.
Rents have also fallen in Ormond and barely changed in Toorak; both suburbs have comparatively expensive houses and this highlights a trend of poor growth in rents in expensive suburbs.
With very low yields in the more expensive suburbs investors are more motivated by the strong capital growth that can be found and renters in this price bracket are clearly in a very different market to the majority of renters in Melbourne.
Other similar suburbs in the top 20 for low rental growth are Canterbury, Wonga Park, Caulfield, Ashburton and Hawthorn East.
This highlights that by targeting certain areas renters can find homes where rents do not continually rise.
<table style="width: 460px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="139">
Suburb
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="129">
Change in advertised rents in five years - Houses
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">DOREEN</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-6.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">MERNDA</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-5.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">SANDHURST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ORMOND</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
-2.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">TOORAK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ELTHAM NORTH</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">CANTERBURY</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
0.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">DANDENONG SOUTH</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
1.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">WONGA PARK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
1.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">BLACKBURN</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
2.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">CAULFIELD</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
2.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">BROOKFIELD</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">ASHBURTON</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
3.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">HAWTHORN EAST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">LYNDHURST</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="139">
<a href="/news">OAK PARK</a>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="129">
4.5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/linh_rom/" target="_blank" data-track="commentUserNameClick" data-action="follow" data-rapid_p="34">Hai Linh Truong</a>/Flickr.
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Melbourne suburbs where rents have dropped over past five years

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There are 349 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne. Whilst higher than last weekend volumes are lower than usual due to Anzac Day.
RP Data captured 43 auction results across Melbourne last week with 25 successful sales recorded; however, due to the very low volume a clearance rate would not be statistically reliable.
The number of active buyers and sellers is clearly higher than it was over the past three years. However, as <a href="/expert-insights/investing/first-home-buyers-in-victoria-lowest-in-23-years">first home buyers are at record lows</a> the improved demand is coming from other segments.
Data shows that there are a proportionally higher numbers of upgraders and investors that was the case in the last rising market in 2009.
This highlights a fundamental difference to the last few cycles in the market as not only is this one shallower so far but there is a different mix of buyers.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 20 April: NA due to low volumes 
</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 27 April: 349 
</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 20 April: 33 days (houses) 
</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 20 April: -5.6% (houses) 
</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 19.4 per cent higher in month ending 20 April (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Property cycle now shallower with different buyer mix: RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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There are 49 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne; the total volume of auctions is affected by the upcoming Easter and Anzac Day public holidays.
The lower volume of auctions does not reflect the broader level of supply with overall volumes continuing to rise. The high level of supply is having an impact on prices with a slight depreciation being recorded so far this month in the Melbourne Home Price Index.
The key issue for the Melbourne property market after Anzac Day will be the supply of homes. The RP Data Mortgage market activity shows that so far, the number of buyers has risen to match the higher levels of supply with mortgage activity events higher than a month ago in Victoria. As activity is generally reduced over winter the high level of supply will be a challenge for the market.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 13 April: 64.4% 
</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 20 April: 49 
</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 13 April: 34 days (houses) 
</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 13 April: -5.6% (houses) 
</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 3.5% higher in month ending 13 April</li>
</ul>
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Key issue for post-Easter will be supply:  RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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From a first home buyer perspective, there is something very wrong with the housing market in Victoria.
In February, the most recent data available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that the total number of dwellings financed for first home buyers had sunk to a 23 year low.
In February there were 1,402 dwellings financed for first home buyers which  represented a mere 11.76% of the entire number financed. This was lower than in January when first home buyers represented 12.7% of the market and the lowest in raw terms since July 1991 when the population of Victoria was 31% less than it is today.
The reasons behind  this result are debatable. Some will say that the causes are high property prices, but this alone is not borne out by the data. When home values last peaked, in October of 2010, the proportion of first home buyers was 18.2%. In real terms, prices are not significantly different at this point which suggests that the problem is not entirely the price.
Others point to the fact that rents are not rising and suggest that intending first home buyers are preferring to rent.
Another perspective is that the change to financial assistance for first home buyers has caused many to not enter the market. At the same time as the large step down in the proportion of first home buyers occurred in the middle of last year, the $7,000 First Home Buyer Grant for established homes came to an end.  This alone cannot be the only issue as at the same time stamp duty was being progressively lowered for first home buyers.
The reasoning for this change in the market is probably a combination of all  issues mentioned and if the market  remains this way, it will represent a significant structural change in the local housing market.
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First home buyers in Victoria lowest in 23 years

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There are 1,412 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 626 this time last year.
With 1,400 also scheduled in Sydney this weekend will provide a rare opportunity to compare the two capital city auction markets.
The unprecedented increase in the number of auctions is part of a wider rise in homes on the market over the last month.
There are now 22% more new listings compared to last year across Victoria which ensures a high level of choice for buyers.
This high level of volumes should also keep the clearance rate in the mid 60s.
In the month ending 6 April, there were 60,820 homes on the market in Victoria of which 33,209 were in Melbourne.
The total number of homes on the market is reducing due to the higher number of buyers compared to a year ago. 
This is also evident in the level of vendor discounting recorded for homes for private sale. 
Vendor discounting for houses was 6.1% compared to 6.7% in February a year ago.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 6 April: 63.6%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 13 April: 1412</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 6 April: 34 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 6 April: -5.5% (houses)</li>
</ul>
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Unprecedented increase in auction numbers: RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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The weekly auction market may capture the attention of many but just under 70% of all homes in Melbourne are sold at private sale.
While this market segment may not have a convenient weekly statistic that  summarises the level of demand and supply, other data in RP Data’s suite of information supports a similar role.
RP Data calculates the time on market for homes for sale at private sale and also the level of vendor discounting. These statistics are available at a metropolitan, council and suburb level. For the purposes of a broad market indicator, the metropolitan wide numbers are the most stable and reliable in a statistical sense.
The most recent time on market data is for the month of February. It showed that the average time between advertising and the contract of sale being signed was 57 days for houses and 65 for units in Melbourne.
For the housing market, this is considerably stronger than last year when it was 72 days, however, the unit market is showing the impact of high levels of new supply as it is now longer than a twelve months when it appeared as 60 days.
As new listings are almost   one third higher than this time last year, the current numbers paint a picture of a remarkably healthy market. It also reflects the fact that vendor discounting is also lower at -6.1% for houses compared to -6.7% a year ago and -5.8% compared to -6.5% for units.
This data shows that conditions present in the auction market are also apparent in the private sale across Melbourne.
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Melbourne's private sale market continues to tighten

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There are twice as many auctions this week as there was this time last year. This week RP Data is expecting 1,120 auctions in Melbourne compared to only 554 this time last year.
Last weeks result showed that increased stock numbers at auction and in the market generally are having an impact with a comparatively low clearance rate recorded.
The increased stock numbers should be welcomed by buyers as it acts to moderate price growth in what is an otherwise tight market.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Preliminary clearance rate week ending 30 March: 66.9%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 6 April: 1,120</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 30 March: 35 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 30 March: -5.5% (houses)</li>
</ul>
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Another 1,000 plus auctions this weekend: RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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This week RP Data is expecting 1,320 auctions in Melbourne. This weekend last year was during Easter so does not provide a useful comparison.
This is the third week in a row with over 1,000 auctions and that is unprecedented in Melbourne. The highest volume of auctions is in <a href="/news">Reservoir</a> with 26 followed by <a href="/news">St Kilda</a> with 23 and <a href="/news">Armadale</a> with 21.
All current indicators show signs of a market that is picking up strength with volumes increasing, days on market falling and vendor discounting reducing.
Over the last week the measure of days on market for a house to sell at private sale has dropped from 37 to 35 days in Melbourne. Strengthening demand also leads to vendors at private sale discounting from their advertised price to a lessor degree – this has dropped from -5.5 to -5.4% over the last week.
These market indicators can prove to be volatile on a weekly basis but the trend is clear and is likely to be confirmed in increased values when the RP Data home price index is released in the next week.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 23 March: 69.4%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 30 March: 1,320</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 23 March: 35 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 23 March: -5.4% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 13.1% higher in month ending 23 March</li>
</ul>
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Unprecedented run of 1,000 plus auction weekends: RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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Auction volumes remain strong this week with 1,076 expected in Melbourne and 1,154 across Victoria. This is the first time there has been consecutive weekends with over 1,000 auctions in March.
The healthy demand that is present in the auction market is also apparent in the private sales market.
Days on market for houses in Melbourne dropped again this week to 37 from 42 last week. This is consistent with last year’s trend which saw days on market contract from the mid 40’s to 39 in December.
Vendor discounting also dropped again to -5.5% last week. Time on market and vendor discounting metrics are important as they provide a measure of demand in the private sale market.
Buyers will find increased choice over the next few weeks as the listings being prepared for sale were 10% higher in seasonally adjusted terms compared to last year. As this is common to both private and auction property market segments, it will provide a greater test for the market than a weekend of 1,000 auctions.
The highest volume of auctions is in Reservoir where 26 are listed, followed by 23 in Brighton and 20 in Richmond.
Key data 
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 16 March: 67%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 23 March: 1,076</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 16 March: 37 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 16 March: -5.5% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 10% higher in month ending 16 March</li>
</ul>
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First time ever for three consecutive 1,000 plus auction weekends: RP Data's Melbourne weekend auction preview

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:9894702f-d5ab-4186-930d-8f794421c3c4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:9894702f-d5ab-4186-930d-8f794421c3c4-0" dir="auto">
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/doma-group">DOMA Group</a> has unveiled plans for Newcastle Quay, a major waterfront precinct set to reshape Newcastle’s harbourfront and further cement the city’s evolution into one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban destinations.

Positioned on a prominent site within the Honeysuckle Precinct, Newcastle Quay will span both sides of Honeysuckle Drive, connecting directly to the Foreshore Promenade and sitting within walking distance of Newcastle Interchange.

The mixed-use precinct is planned to include around 1,000 apartments, more than 28,000 sqm of commercial office space, 6,000 sqm of retail, and a 180-room hotel anchored by a 500-seat conference and exhibition centre, a move expected to significantly lift Newcastle’s ability to attract major business and tourism events.
</section>

<img alt="DOMA Group unveil Newcastle’s future with transformative Newcastle Quay Precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0642ca09-67cc-4920-8a7e-d18df9729b4e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/%3D.png?VersionId=CnDmZxQnOV5LN0ePu7jaFBXC9tPGTrWm" />

The proposal builds on DOMA’s growing Newcastle pipeline, where the developer has already delivered 866 apartments and more than 19,000 sqm of commercial and retail space since entering the market in 2013. A further $2 billion pipeline is also in the works across the city.

The masterplan and executive architecture are led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, with building concepts developed alongside Stewart Architecture, Architecture AND and Curious Practice, and landscape design by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/turf-design">Turf Design Studio</a>. More than 11,000 sqm of open space is planned, including a new waterfront park known as Honeysuckle Green, upgrades to Tree of Knowledge Park, and new pedestrian and cycling links throughout the precinct.

At the centre of the development will be the heritage-listed Wickham School of Arts, which DOMA plans to reposition as the civic and cultural heart of the precinct through restaurants, bars, events and public gathering spaces.

The broader vision is to create a genuine day-to-night precinct, blending residential, hospitality, retail, commercial and cultural uses in a way Newcastle has yet to experience at this scale.

DOMA Group Managing Director Jure Domazet said the aim was to create a precinct that becomes synonymous with Newcastle itself.

“Our vision is to create a precinct that not only delivers high-quality commercial, residential, and cultural spaces, but also defines Newcastle’s waterfront for generations to come,” Domazet said.

DOMA’s Chris Farrington said the project would fundamentally change how Newcastle is perceived nationally.

“Newcastle Quay is more than a waterfront precinct, it is a national announcement for this city,” Farrington said.

“A world-class Conference and Exhibition Centre will open Newcastle and the Hunter Region to a national and international audience for the first time, delivering something this city has long deserved.”

The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs and act as a major economic driver for the Hunter region through tourism, business events, hospitality and commercial investment.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the final parcel of harbourfront land will be a "true mixed-use precinct destination that includes housing, hospitality and entertainment, commercial spaces, retail, economic and social outcomes."

Joel Robinson

DOMA Group unveils 1,000-apartment Newcastle Quay precinct

ASX-listed developer Stockland is continuing to ramp up its return to the apartment market.

In late 2024, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a> announced it would resume apartment development after a 13-year absence, launching with Stanton Place in Rosebery, a 144-apartment project now under construction.

Last week, the developer unveiled plans alongside the NSW Government for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-nsw-gov-unveils-plans-for-3-300-home-waterloo-south-renewal">3,300-home precinct in Waterloo</a>.

Now, Stockland has shifted its focus in St Leonards, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to replace an approved 42-storey office tower with a 52-storey residential development comprising more than 500 apartments.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8979095e-9072-432b-a7da-58b180cf994d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.36%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=_jbRXYOafCSHjwsz.yQCNIymMyCj8zkF" />

An existing 14-storey commercial office building would make way for a 264.5-metre tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bates-smart">Bates Smart</a>. The project would deliver 538 apartments, including 30 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses at the podium and ground plane.

It will rise from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">601 Pacific Highway</a>, a prominent 2,844 sqm triangular site adjoining Mitchell Plaza and fronting Pacific Highway.

The development is being pursued under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway after Stockland’s proposal was declared State Significant Development earlier this year.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67f40f35-0458-47ab-80c0-a4e98a31838a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%201.png?VersionId=rxXe3njr.auuGDuiR0k42uI8Zr4K.gZA" />

The apartment mix includes 217 one-bedroom apartments, 191 two-bedroom apartments, 122 three-bedroom apartments, and eight four-bedroom residences. Six basement levels would accommodate 300 car spaces, bicycle parking, loading areas, and building services.

Bates Smart said the project has been shaped around a series of urban design principles intended to improve the pedestrian experience and respond to the evolving character of St Leonards.

“With a boundary length of almost 75m along Pacific Highway and 70m along Atchison Street to the north, complying simply with the LEP envelope and required setbacks would result in a very wide tower form on the skyline,” the architects noted in the Design Report.

“We propose breaking the tower form into two defined volumes rather than a singular form.”

The podium has similarly been articulated into separate forms to reduce perceived bulk and create a finer-grain response to Mitchell Plaza and Atchison Street. Retail tenancies would activate the lower levels, while commercial space is proposed across the podium floors.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans 52-storey mixed-use tower with 538 apartments in St Leonards" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90149990-0551-40d2-bd48-14b69a015d12" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%202.png?VersionId=MJC2KIIWFvU9FPGr3IVq09gkRN_gX3m8" />

The design also places a significant emphasis on communal amenity and environmental performance. Residents would have access to landscaped terraces, wellness areas, flexible workspaces, and rooftop communal facilities, while the all-electric building is targeting an average 7-star NatHERS rating. Bates Smart said the project incorporates passive design measures including natural ventilation, integrated shading, and lightweight façade systems.

Planning documents note the site is around 350 metres from St Leonards Station and 400 metres from the metro entrance, placing it within one of Sydney’s most connected emerging residential precincts.

The project arrives amid a wave of large-scale redevelopment proposals reshaping the St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline. Several nearby sites have recently been approved, lodged, or declared under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway as the precinct absorbs significant residential density uplift tied to transit-oriented development policies.

<img alt="Stockland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7805bd7c-dfd7-4b35-8e15-ec4a8bf8e61b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-20%20at%204.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=iY12K2m2bQ6EeDnshqfZC9rbLx_oEugP" />

Bates Smart’s report describes St Leonards as transitioning away from its historical commercial identity toward a more mixed-use urban environment.

“In recent years, the character of St Leonards has started to evolve, driven by new development trends along the Pacific Highway corridor,” the report said.

“These projects have increasingly focused on residential accommodation, marking a shift from its purely commercial roots.”

Sekisui House Australia is currently selling Waterstone down near Newlands Park, in a pocket being branded "St Leonards South." Hyecorp recently completed Audrey in the same pocket.

First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower

ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> is down to the final Canopy Villa release at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara, as construction continues on the 59-residence gated community positioned above 100 hectares of natural savanna on the Gold Coast.

The remaining Canopy Villa forms part of one of four collections within the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>-designed community and has attracted interest from buyers seeking larger-format homes that combine privacy, security and low-maintenance living. Positioned within a private cul-de-sac and facing a protected black she oak forest, the four-bedroom villa includes a large private outdoor area suited to pet owners and families wanting more flexible space.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a>, located at 17 Baltimore Court, comprises a mix of three and four-bedroom villas across the Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview collections. Prices currently range from $1.455 million to $1.895 million, with the final Canopy Villa priced from $1.825 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360477]

The Canopy Collection villas offer four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 245 sqm of internal space, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. Expansive glazing, open-plan living spaces and private balconies have been designed to maximise natural light and outlooks toward the surrounding savanna landscape.

Construction is now underway across the fully funded development, which VentureCrowd says has become an increasingly important consideration for buyers assessing off-the-plan opportunities on the Gold Coast. The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, which has operated in South East Queensland since 1993 and delivered more than 1,000 homes across the region.

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting previously said the project responds to changing buyer priorities in the prestige Gold Coast market.

“Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Whitting said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360505]

The buyer profile at Cumulus has reflected that shift toward owner-occupier-driven demand. Stuart Towns and Tracey Loynes recently purchased a Canopy Villa, drawn to both the lifestyle offering and the flexibility the home provided for their next stage of living together.

The couple, who met three years ago, sold their Robina home earlier this year after identifying what they saw as strong long-term investment potential at Cumulus while remaining within the same Gold Coast market. The villa’s private backyard was a major drawcard for their dog Luna, while proximity to golf courses including Emerald Lakes also aligned with their lifestyle interests.

Beyond the residences themselves, the community has been planned around shared lifestyle and recreation amenities. The Infinity Terrace will include a 20-metre heated pool, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining spaces and elevated retreat areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. Walking trails, a private nature reserve, orchard and herb garden are also integrated into the masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360473]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenaway said the design approach was heavily influenced by the site’s outlook and secluded setting.

The practice sought to create what Greenaway described as a “little piece of paradise,” drawing inspiration from the elevated views, surrounding greenery and quiet location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a> continues to attract buyers seeking larger homes within proximity to the coast but without direct beachfront pricing. Cumulus sits within easy reach of Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and the M1, providing connections north to Brisbane and south toward the Gold Coast Airport and northern New South Wales.

The first stage of Cumulus Grand Villas is targeting completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

VentureCrowd nears sell-out of Canopy Collection at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara

Waverley Council has made a call that many councils have been reluctant to make publicly. Growth is coming, regardless of who controls it.

The release of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan is less about whether the Eastern Suburbs’ primary centre will change, and more about how that change is shaped, funded, and ultimately experienced on the ground. Waverley Council has released a 100-page plan which is effectively the first comprehensive blueprint for Bondi Junction in over two decades, and in doing so, signals a clear shift in how councils are positioning themselves in the current planning environment.

For the past 18 months, the conversation across New South Wales has been dominated by the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the emergence of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Both have created faster, more centralised avenues for development approvals, particularly in well-located, infrastructure-rich areas like Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council’s response has been to move early, and decisively.

Rather than react to individual proposals as they come through the HDA or broader State-led reforms, Council has sought to establish a clear, place-based framework that sets the terms for how Bondi Junction evolves. The underlying position is relatively straightforward: if densification is inevitable, it should be tied to infrastructure, public domain improvements, and a cohesive vision for the centre, not delivered piecemeal through ad hoc applications.

<img alt="bondi junction" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f1f729c-ed99-4c6c-bf87-ffbce6991941" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-19%20at%209.58.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ULX4OlXKjeJ5BvNCNGL86evgXCjCfMih" />

At its core, the document is attempting to reposition Bondi Junction from what it largely functions as today, a transport interchange anchored by a major retail centre, into something far more layered. The ambition is to transform it into what the plan describes as the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East,” a place that is active beyond commuting hours and capable of supporting a broader mix of uses, experiences and communities.

That repositioning is built around four key ambitions.

The first is to create a true destination. Bondi Junction already attracts significant foot traffic, with more than 86,000 daily transport users and millions of annual retail visits, but much of that activity is transient. People pass through, rather than stay.

The Master Plan seeks to change that dynamic. It leans heavily into the idea of an “18-hour economy,” extending activity well beyond traditional retail hours through dining, cultural programming, events, and a more active night-time offering. This is not just about adding more hospitality venues, but about fundamentally shifting how the centre operates, from a daytime shopping destination to a place that functions across the full span of the day and into the evening.

Oxford Street Mall sits at the centre of that shift.

Long seen as underperforming relative to its potential, the Mall is identified as one of the key catalyst projects in the plan. It is to be reimagined as a day-to-night spine, combining retail, dining, wellness and cultural uses in a way that creates a continuous flow of activity. Outdoor dining, rooftop venues, laneway activation and a curated events program are all part of the strategy, alongside significant public domain upgrades that aim to improve comfort, safety and usability.

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The second ambition is to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class interchange.

Despite being one of the most heavily used transport nodes in Sydney, the current experience is fragmented. Connections between the station, Westfield, Oxford Street Mall and surrounding streets are often unclear, and major roads create physical barriers that disrupt pedestrian movement.

The Master Plan proposes a more seamless, people-focused network. That includes clearer pedestrian links, improved wayfinding, better integration between transport modes, and a rethinking of how arrival into the centre is experienced. The aim is to shift the perception of Bondi Junction from a place people move through, to a place they arrive in.

The third ambition focuses on greening and open space.

One of the more consistent pieces of community feedback throughout the Vision phase was the need for more greenery, better public spaces, and a more comfortable urban environment. Despite being surrounded by major parks, Bondi Junction itself has relatively limited accessible open space, with much of the public realm dominated by hard surfaces and traffic infrastructure.

The plan responds with a network of new and upgraded public spaces, increased tree canopy, and what it terms the “Parkline,” a green link connecting Waverley Park through to Centennial Park. This is not just about aesthetics. It is about addressing heat, improving liveability, and ensuring that increased density is matched by access to high-quality outdoor space.

The fourth ambition is perhaps the most important from a development perspective: growth that gives back.

Bondi Junction is already the primary location for new housing supply in the Waverley LGA, and that is expected to continue. The area carries a target of 2,400 new dwellings by 2029, with further growth projected beyond that as demand for well-located housing continues to rise. The Master Plan does not seek to limit that growth. Instead, it attempts to shape it.

New housing is to be concentrated around transport, with stepped building heights designed to protect the character of surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, the plan introduces a more explicit link between development uplift and public benefit. This is where value capture becomes central.

The document outlines a framework where increased development potential is tied to contributions that fund public domain improvements, community infrastructure, open space, and affordable housing. It is an approach that recognises that much of the transformation of Bondi Junction will be delivered by the private sector, but seeks to ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared more broadly. The Civic Precinct is a key part of that equation.

Leveraging Council-owned land, the plan proposes a consolidated civic and cultural hub centred around Ebley Street. This would include new community facilities, cultural spaces, and potentially a new Council Chambers, creating a focal point for civic life that currently does not exist in Bondi Junction at scale.

It is one of several catalyst projects identified in the Master Plan, alongside the Oxford Street Mall transformation. These projects are intended to anchor change, acting as early interventions that unlock broader investment across the precinct.

Importantly, the Master Plan is not just a design document. It includes a delivery framework that sets out how these ambitions are intended to be realised.

Council is explicit in acknowledging that it cannot deliver the transformation alone. Implementation will require coordination between State agencies, private developers, landowners and the community, with a mix of planning agreements, infrastructure contributions and direct delivery mechanisms used to fund and stage improvements over time.

The plan outlines a mix of short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, from immediate public domain upgrades and planning controls, through to larger-scale projects that will unfold over the next decade or more. In practical terms, the next 12 to 24 months will be the most important.

This is when the Master Plan will move through exhibition, refinement and eventual adoption. It is also the period in which Council will seek to embed the framework into its planning controls, giving it weight in the assessment of future development applications.

Council officers have indicated that once the Master Plan is in place, it could be used as a benchmark when assessing Housing Delivery Authority proposals, and potentially reduce the need for further HDA declarations within Bondi Junction. In effect, it is an attempt to bring planning control back to the local level, while still aligning with State housing targets.

That tension between State-led reform and local planning control is not unique to Waverley. It is playing out across Sydney.

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If delivered as intended, Bondi Junction will become denser, more active, and more complex. It will support more residents, more workers, and a wider range of uses, extending beyond its current retail core into a more layered urban environment.

Robert Larocca

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