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Real estate is often about numbers. Everything it seems, from the price of the house to the weekly rent, can be expressed as a number.
Here are five topical numbers as the market enters spring:
<ul>
<li>25,080</li>
</ul>
This is the number of units in the suburb of <a href="/news">Melbourne</a>. Melbourne has the most individual dwellings of any suburb in the city which will come as little surprise to anyone who has watched the highrise market take off in the last decade.
This is also a very large number in the context of the general density of the city. By way of contrast, the suburb with the most houses is <a href="/news">Reservoir</a> with 13,692 and when you include all the units, the number rises to 20,430, still well short of Melbourne.
<ul>
<li>871</li>
</ul>
With 871 houses sold in the last 12 months <a href="/news">Pakenham </a>has recorded the most house sales of any suburb in Melbourne.  The popularity of housing in the suburb is based on many factors, key amongst them is its relative affordability.  Based on the sales in the last year the median price was $337,500 compared $532,000 for Melbourne.
<ul>
<li>49</li>
</ul>
There are now 49 suburbs in Melbourne that have a median house value of $1 million or more. At nearly one in 10 sales across the city occurring for a sale price in the million dollar range, it is far more common than it used to be.
What has not changed is the most expensive suburb, <a href="/news">Toorak</a>, which had a median value of $2.941 million and saw 151 sales for more than a million dollars over the past year.
<ul>
<li>30</li>
</ul>
The median value of a house in Melbourne has grown by 30.4% over the past five years. Only two capital cities have exceeded that over the same time, Sydney and Darwin.
<ul>
<li>1</li>
</ul>
One is the number of suburbs in the cities west that have a median house value of more than one million dollars. Overlooking the Maribyrnong River and neighbouring the popular <a href="/news">Essendon</a>, <a href="/news">Aberfeldie</a> has a median house value of $1.04 million after a 14% rise in last year.
If you wanted to live there and can afford the price then you will probably need to wait as it is only a small suburb, 1,099 houses, and averages only one sale every 6.5 days.
Weekend auction preview
There are 765 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 530 for the same time last year. The highest number of auctions is expected in the <a href="/news">Glen Waverly</a> with 16 scheduled this week.
Buyers are likely to face more vibrant market conditions and higher prices compared to the spring selling season last year.
The August RP Data Core Logic home value indices results released this week shows a rise in dwelling values of 0.8% in Melbourne and 7.6% rise this year.
Due to high levels of supply in the unit market, the majority of the growth occurring in the market is for houses. For houses, the index recorded a rise of 8.3% this year compared to 2.5% for units.
Time on market results for houses sold at private sale rose from 44 days to 47 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting rose from -5.2% to -5.3%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 31 August: 73.5%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 7 September: 765</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 31 August: 47 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 31 August: -5.3% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are -1.3% lower in month ending 31 August (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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The five numbers to know about Melbourne: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 72.2% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 69.5% last week and 71.5% this time last year. This is the highest recorded since early March this year.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Capital-city.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3667]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3668" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Capital-city-580x431.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Capital city" width="580" height="431"></a>
Data from the last four weeks has shown that this the best lead into spring since 2010 with more homes being sold at auction and overall higher prices in most capital cities.
In Sydney the market is delivering results comparable to this time last year and looks set to have a strong spring. This week a preliminary clearance rate of 81.1% was recorded compared to 76.1% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3667]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3669" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Sydney-580x385.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Sydney" width="580" height="385"></a> In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 71% recorded compared to 70.7% last week. This has been the most vibrant auction market since the middle of February this year with three consecutive weeks over 70%.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3667]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3670" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Melbourne-580x378.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Melbourne" width="580" height="378"></a> In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 47% was recorded compared to 51.2% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3667]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3671" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Brisbane-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Brisbane" width="580" height="382"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 66.1% compared to 67.2% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3667]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3672" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140901-Adelaide-580x385.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Adelaide" width="580" height="385"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 72.4% was recorded and in Perth there was a clearance rate of 46.2%.
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Clearance rate lifts on the eve of spring: RP Data's national auction wrap

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The suburbs with the highest proportion of owner occupiers differ in value and tend to have one thing in common – they are well established and in contrast to those proving popular for investors.
Last week’s post revealed that many of <a href="/news/vic/the-melbourne-suburbs-investors-are-most-active-in">the most popular suburbs for investors</a> were those that are more recently developed.
In the inner city the suburbs within a 10 kilometres of the CBD such as <a href="/news">Aberfeldie</a>, has the highest proportion of houses with 90% of these owner occupied. Aberfeldie recently became the first million dollar suburb in the city’s west. <a href="/news">Strathmore </a>ranked second with owner occupiers accounting for 88.6% of houses. The top five is rounded out by <a href="/news">Kew East</a>, <a href="/news">Ivanhoe </a>and <a href="/news">Malvern</a>.
In the middle ring of suburbs, those between 10 and 20 kilometres of the CBD, there is greater disparity in the prices of suburbs popular with owner occupiers.<a href="/news"> Eltham North</a> recorded 94.3% of houses as being owned by their occupiers and second on the list, <a href="/news">Campbellfield</a>, had 91.4%. Campbellfield is much more affordable with a median house value of $334,601 compared to $646,869 in Eltham North.
Finally, in the outer suburbs the highest proportion of owner occupiers at 95.2% can be found in <a href="/news">Montrose</a>. Four of the top five suburbs are in fact are in or near-to the Dandenongs. Second on the list, <a href="/news">Mount Evelyn</a>, has 94.1% of houses owned by their occupiers and <a href="/news">Warranwood </a>has 93.8%. Fifth on the list, <a href="/news">The Basin</a>, recorded 93.7%.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RankedByProportionOfOwnerOccupiers-rpdata.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3656]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3657" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RankedByProportionOfOwnerOccupiers-rpdata-580x432.jpg" alt="Melbourne suburbs ranked by proportion of owner occupiers | RP Data" width="580" height="432"></a>
There are 809 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 837 for the same time last year. The highest number of auctions are expected in the <a href="/news">South Yarra</a> with 21 expected.
The auction market is gathering strength with an average clearance rate of 70.6% over the past four weeks.
This is the last week before spring officially starts and the latest research from RP Data shows that there have been, including last week, 26.7% more homes sold at auction than the same time last year.
Importantly there have been almost as many extra sales with 24.7% more sales at auction in Melbourne.
At this stage conditions are well balanced between buyers and sellers across the market.
Time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at 44 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting rose from -5.1% to -5.2%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 31 August: 70.7%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 31 August: 809</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 24 August: 44 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 24 August: -5.2% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are -0.2% lower in month ending 24 August (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Melbourne's most popular owner occupier suburbs: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 66.7% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 70.8% last week and 70% this time last year.
All capital cities have seen a higher number of auctions than last year. Compared to last year the best performing auction markets from the perspective of relative improvement this year have been Sydney, Tasmania and then Adelaide. Sydney has seen a 63% rise in the number of homes sold at auction, Tasmania a 56% rise and a 48% rise was recorded in Adelaide.  
It should be noted that there have been 357 auctions in Tasmania this year, 2,467 in Adelaide and 22,329 in Sydney.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Capital-city.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3640]"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-3641 size-large" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Capital-city-580x430.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market review | Capital city" width="580" height="430"></a>
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 76.2% was recorded this week compared to 76.2% last week. Compared to last year and over recent months Sydney has clearly been the strongest auction market.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3640]"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-3642 size-large" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Sydney-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market review | Sydney" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 64.1% recorded compared to 73.3% last week. Melbourne remains on trend and once final results are in should confirm it has a healthy auction market on the eve of spring.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3640]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3643" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Melbourne-580x386.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market review | Melbourne" width="580" height="386"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 52.1% was recorded compared to 50% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3640]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3644" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Brisbane-580x383.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market review | Brisbane" width="580" height="383"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 68.5% compared to 65.6% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3640]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3645" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140824-Adelaide-580x391.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market review | Adelaide" width="580" height="391"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 46.9% was recorded and in Perth there was a clearance rate of 38.9%.
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National auction market well placed for spring sales: RP Data's national auction wrap

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There are 689 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 712 for the same time last year.
It is encouraging for sellers that for each of the last five weeks the clearance rate has risen in the lead up to spring.
As the market has appreciated over the past year it has resulted in some new suburbs joining the ranks of those with million dollar median values for houses. The new suburbs were <a href="/news">Aberfeldie</a>, <a href="/news">Caulfield South</a>, <a href="/news">Fitzroy North</a>, <a href="/news">McKinnon</a>, <a href="/news">Ormond</a>, <a href="/news">Park Orchards</a>, <a href="/news">Princes Hill</a>, <a href="/news">South Melbourne</a> and <a href="/news">South Yarra</a>.
This is particularly noteworthy as Aberfeldie is the first suburb from the western region of Melbourne to upgrade to the million dollar median value ranks while Fitzroy North and Princess Hill are the first in the north. These changes underscore just how much the structure of the housing market has changed in the last decade.
Time on market results for houses sold at private sale was essentially stable with a small rise from 43 to 44 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting fell from -5.3% the previous week to -5.1%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 17 August: 73.3%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 24 August: 689</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 17 August: 44 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 17 August: -5.1% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 1.2% higher in month ending 17 August (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Melbourne's new million dollar median suburbs: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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What drives investment activity in one suburb over another? Is it pursuit of a high yield or is it a desire for good capital gains?
These are often debated topics and interestingly the data suggests there is not one clear-cut answer.
For instance, a review of the proportion of houses owned by investors in the inner, middle and outer suburbs shows a high level of investment in suburbs with low and high yields.
In the inner city, those suburbs within a 10 kilometre radius of the CBD is where the highest level of investors can be found in <a href="/news">Carlton North</a>, followed by <a href="/news">North Melbourne</a> and <a href="/news">Richmond</a>. Carlton North has a historically high level of appreciation and low yield whereas Richmond has a very low appreciation and higher yield.
In the middle suburbs, those between 10 and 20 kilometres from the CBD, the investor activity is highest in growth suburbs with new housing – <a href="/news">Laverton</a>, <a href="/news">Derrimut </a>and <a href="/news">Deer Park</a>. These suburbs have good yield according to the research but lower capital gains prospects given the high level of supply. Conversely, an established suburb such as <a href="/news">Clayton</a> has a high level of investors and very low yield, presumably because the market is purpose-built around students.
Finally, in the outer suburbs the investment activity is again concentrated in growth suburbs which are seeing a high rate of new home construction. For example <a href="/news">Point Cook</a>, <a href="/news">Tarneit</a> and <a href="/news">Truganina</a>.
The research suggests that there is more to the decisions of investors than suburb level analysis of yield and historical capital gains. Issues such as the level of supply is important, some suburbs are popular simply because they provide affordable stock for investors. Others are popular because investors are capitalising on a local factor, such as a university.
Possibly what’s more important is that investment decisions are also made after consideration of the actual house and its relative location and price.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-08-20-robert-larocca-blog-img.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3616]" style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3618" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-08-20-robert-larocca-blog-img-580x492.jpg" alt="Investor activity by distance from CBD | Robert Larocca RP Data" width="580" height="492"></a>
Source: RP Data
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The Melbourne suburbs investors are most active in

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 68.4% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 68% last week and 70.4% this time last year.
The health of the national auction market this year is highlighted by the fact that since the start of the year, not including this week, there had been 42% more homes sold under the hammer compared to this time last year. In raw numbers this is 36,608 homes sold at auction compared to 25,623 last year.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3608" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Capital-city-580x426.jpg" alt="RP Data nation auction review | Capital city" width="580" height="426">
A significant contributor to the improved national result is Sydney and this continued this week. In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 76.7% was recorded this week compared to 74.7% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3607]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3609" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Sydney-580x383.jpg" alt="RP Data nation auction review | Sydney" width="580" height="383"></a>
Melbourne returned a result on trend this week with a preliminary clearance rate of 67.7% recorded compared to 69.6% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3607]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3610" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Melbourne-580x380.jpg" alt="RP Data nation auction review | Melbourne" width="580" height="380"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 50% was recorded compared to 33.3% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3607]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3611" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Brisbane-580x383.jpg" alt="RP Data nation auction review | Brisbane" width="580" height="383"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 69.2% compared to 69.1% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3607]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3612" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140818-Adelaide-580x388.jpg" alt="RP Data nation auction review | Adelaide" width="580" height="388"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 55.2% was recorded and in Perth there was a clearance rate of 27.3%.
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National clearance rate stable: RP Data's national weekend auction wrap

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Around one in 10 of all residential home sales in Melbourne transact for more than $1 million and most are concentrated in the inner east and south-east.
Such is the concentration that it is very hard to find a suburb with a median house price of under $1 million along the length of Burke Road.
That is of course no surprise to anyone who follows the local market.
More surprising is the suburbs with million dollar sales in the outer suburbs. For this exercise ‘outer’ includes those suburbs that are 20 kilometres or more from the CBD.
In those areas, the outer suburban million dollar market is most concentrated in the Mornington Peninsula and in the Kingston council area.
A common theme in these suburbs is the proximity to the bay and its associated recreational options.
The highest prevalence was in <a href="/news">Mount Eliza</a> where 83 homes have sold for over $1 million in the past year, 10 of which were sold for more than $2 million. <a href="/news">Mount Martha</a>, which shares many of the same attractions recorded 48 sales at or in excess of $1 million, almost one a week. The median sale price in Mount Eliza was $775,000 and in Mount Martha it was $620,000.
As you travel further south there are a range of other suburbs that recorded more than 10 sales above the $1 million mark including <a href="/news">Sorrento</a>, <a href="/news">Mornington</a>, <a href="/news">Safety Beach</a>, <a href="/news">Rye </a>and <a href="/news">Blairgowrie</a>. Obviously like Mount Eliza and Mount Martha the majority of homes in all of these suburbs sell for well under a million dollars so the data shows that, due to the location within the suburb, a different group of buyers is active.
Clearly you can’t fully judge a suburb by its median sale price.
This is also the case in the City of Kingston, in <a href="/news">Mentone</a>, <a href="/news">Parkdale</a>, <a href="/news">Patterson Lakes</a> and <a href="/news">Mordialloc </a>where between 24 and nine $1 million sales occurred in the last year. With the exception of Patterson Lakes these sales will mostly be in the section of these suburbs between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip Bay.
The positive impact of the bay on property values extends to Frankston as well where 13 sales in excess of $1 million were recorded in <a href="/news">Frankston South</a> and eight in <a href="/news">Frankston</a>.
Other areas that saw these sales at the very top end of the market were <a href="/news">Eltham</a>, <a href="/news">Mitcham </a>and <a href="/news">Vermont</a>.
There are 658 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 668 for the same time last year.
The growth in the volume of homes being listed for sale in Melbourne has slowed following a strong first half of the year.
A range of data available which highlights the moderate, but not strong, nature of the Melbourne market. The most recent of this is the settled sales so far for this year. It shows transactions have only risen by 5% compared to 2013 and remain 18% below the peak of 2007. On current numbers the total number of residential sales in Melbourne is projected to be between 85,000 and 87,000 compared to 82,495 last year and 72,757 in 2012. Remarkably the proportion of homes sold at auction is 35% higher than last year.
Time of market results for houses sold at private sale contracted from 46 days to 43 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting rose from -5.1% to -5.3%. This reflected a largely stable market for houses at private sale.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 10 August: 69.6%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 17 August: 658</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 10 August: 43 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 10 August: -5.3% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 2.7% higher in month ending 10 August (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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You can’t always judge a suburb by its median sale price: RP Data's Melbourne auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 65.9% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 68.9% last week, and 70.1% this time last year. 
The lower clearance rate was a result of a softening in the Melbourne market. This contrasted with the very buoyant outcome in Sydney and Adelaide.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3590" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Capital-city-580x430.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment" width="580" height="430">
Sydney continues to be the capital city with the strongest and most consistent auction market. A preliminary clearance rate of 75.5% was recorded this week compared to 76.7% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3589]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3591" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Sydney-580x380.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment - Sydney" width="580" height="380"></a>
The lowest result in nine weeks occurred in Melbourne where a preliminary clearance rate of 63.9% recorded compared to 69% last week.
Auction numbers have risen in the inner east after a seasonal lull. Rising stock numbers in the next month will clearly test the market.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3589]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3592" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Melbourne-580x384.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment - Melbourne" width="580" height="384"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 35.3% was recorded compared to 36.7% last week.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3593" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Brisbane-580x383.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment - Brisbane" width="580" height="383">
Adelaide recorded a very strong clearance rate of 75% compared to 61% last week.
Low stock numbers at this time of the year can affect the clearance rate by making in more variable than in spring and summer.
In Canberra a clearance rate of 45.8% was recorded and in Perth there was a clearance rate of 66.7%.
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3594" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/20140811-Adelaide-580x387.jpg" alt="RP Data National Auction Comment - Adelaide" width="580" height="387">
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Sydney leads as national clearance rate dips: RP Data's national auction wrap

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There are 1,726 auctions scheduled across Australia this week.
In capital cities there are 1,372 auctions expected compared to 1,441 for the same period last year. Based on previous years, this annual period typified by low auction volumes should be over by the end of the month.
The national clearance rate has been both stable over the past few weeks and in line with this time last year. Given the higher volumes this means more active buyers are in the market.
<ul>
<li>In Sydney there are 486 auctions expected compared to 588 last week and 521 for this week last year. Last week’s clearance rate of 76.7% was the highest since March. The auction market is following the trajectory of last year which suggests a very competitive spring ahead for buyers.</li>
<li>Brisbane is expecting 97 auctions after 96 last week.</li>
<li>Adelaide is expecting 50 auctions compared to 95 last week.</li>
<li>Canberra has 31 auctions scheduled compared to 28 last week.</li>
<li>Perth has 25 auctions compared to 20 last week.</li>
<li>There are nine auctions scheduled in Tasmania.</li>
</ul>
Across Australia, the highest number of auctions is expected in <a href="/news">Malvern East</a>,<a href="/news"> Balwyn North</a> and <a href="/news">Reservoir</a>, each of which has 13 scheduled.
There are 673 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 677 for the same time last year. Buyers are clearly in the market for capital gains, as yields remain low at 3.3% for houses; the lowest of all capital cities.
Low yields translate into good conditions for renters in many parts of Melbourne. Recently released rental market data showed that the median advertised rent for a house in Melbourne was stable in July at $447 per week and has risen by 2.4% in the previous twelve months.
This means that the median advertised rent for houses is not keeping pace with the CPI, 3.2% in Melbourne, for most relevant period. The comparable data for units showed a drop of a dollar a week to $397 over the month and an increase of 1.6% in the year. This reflects the adequate levels of supply in the higher density market.
The average time on market for houses sold last month rose from 44 to 46 days. Vendor discounting rose, but only slightly from -5% the previous week to -5.1% last week.
Key data for Melbourne
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 3 August: 69%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 10 August: 673</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 3 August: 46 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 3 August: -5.1% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 0.7% higher in month ending 3 August (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Period of low auction numbers coming to an end: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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<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.
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<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.

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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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