<html><body>
Kara, a "drought-proof" cropping property in Gooloogong, NSW is going to auction in March with Ray White Emms Mooney agent Josh Keefe.
Local and international buyers are expected to bid for the property listed by the Scammell family.
They have owned Kara for the past 23 years, with the property currently run by three brothers.
Located in the irrigation belt between Cowra, Forbes and Canowindra, its positioning offers some of the district's highest quality red-brown loam to self-mulching clay soils, said Keefe.
The 250 hectare irrigation farm at <a id="LPlnk326861" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-mixed+farming-nsw-gooloogong-700013322" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">130 McInnis Lane, Gooloogong</a> will go to auction on March 8 in Bathurst.
Keefe said Kara was a "desirable high-security water purchase".
It has six centre pivot irrigation sites, a 672 megalitre ground water licence in one of the most desirable groundwater zones, 2.6 kilometre frontage to the Goonigal Creek and an excellent stock and domestic bore reticulated throughout for stock.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/22/Kara%20PRINT-0274.jpg" alt=""> A new high performance bore connects via a mainline and three phase power to the 6 x 70.7ac, remotely operated, centre pivots meaning the new owners can operate the property offsite, via their mobile phones.
The farm is 100% arable and suited to vegetable, lucerne, cereal, oil seed and pulse production, Keefe said.
Kara is currently used as an ideal feed factory to fatten prime lambs. 
The property will be sold with the current crops, which will be farmed until the sale and include irrigated lucerne and irrigated sorghum.
All working improvements present in very good condition, including three large hay sheds, one large machinery shed, 70 tonne grain storage, a two-stand shearing shed and steel sheep yards for around 2,000 head as well as basic working, steel cattle yards with a loading ramp, Keefe said.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/22/Kara%20PRINT-0281.jpg" alt=""> The dwelling onsite is a basic cottage, run on rain water, that currently provides a rental income for the owners.
Discerning agricultural purchasers are honing their sights on the Cowra and Forbes shire councils, particularly the arable pockets.
According to NSW Valuer General, there has been a 26% increase in rural land values year on year in this area with continuing strong demand for broad acre rural properties on the back of strong commodity prices and increased investor demand, coupled with a shortage of supply.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Auction of "drought-proof" Gooloogong cropping property set for March

<html><body>
The recently renovated Echo Point, a mid century home with 28 metres of Brisbane River frontage, has been listed for sale.
Set on 1341 square metres, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-graceville-129966046" target="_blank">8 Long Street West, Graceville</a> has been on and off the market since 2008.
Currently listed at $3,995,000, the home was listed as low as $2.35 to $2.6 million in 2013 when reduced from its 2009 asking price of $3.5 million plus.
The home was last sold in 2008 for $3,425,000.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/29/Echo%20Point%202.jpg" alt="">
Recent renovation include, a new kitchen, new carpets, fresh paint, decking and landscaping.
The five bedroom, three bathroom home featuring three living spaces and three fireplaces has it's own 10 metre pontoon
Containing its own solar heated swimming pool the property is filled with greenery, including hedges green lawns and tall bamboo.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/29/Echo%20Point%203.jpg" alt="">
Located near schools, shopping centres and dining options, it is just 7 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.
The house also features high ceilings, timber floorboards and multiple large outdoor decks.
The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/graceville-qld-4075">Graceville</a> is $932,500, according to CoreLogic the median time on market for the suburb is 47 days.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/1/29/Echo%20Point%204.jpg" alt="">
</body></html>

Waterfront Graceville trophy home Echo Point back on the market

<html><body>
Although rental growth is slowing, dwelling values are falling at a faster rate which is pushing gross rental yields higher from their historic lows, according to CoreLogic's latest quarterly rental report.
The report found gross rental yields at the national level were at 3.95% at the end of 2018, up from 3.73% a year earlier, and the highest reading since July 2016.
Throughout the combined capital cities, gross rental yields were recorded at 3.43% in December 2017, rising to 3.69% by the end of 2018, the highest they’ve been since June 2016.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/24/GRY%201.JPG" alt="">
Throughout the individual capital cities, gross rental yields at the end of the December 2018 quarter were recorded at:
<ul>
<li>3.33% in Sydney</li>
<li>3.46% in Melbourne</li>
<li>4.47% in Brisbane</li>
<li>4.36% in Adelaide</li>
<li>4.09% in Perth</li>
<li>4.91% in Hobart</li>
<li>5.76% in Darwin</li>
<li>4.60% in Canberra.</li>
</ul>
The report said: "Compared to yields at the end of the previous quarter, yields were firmer in all capital cities except for Hobart, Darwin and Canberra and it was similar when comparing to yields from the end of 2017 with only Hobart and Darwin having lower yields."
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/1/24/GRY%202.JPG" alt="">
"The low yield profile across Australia’s two largest cities, which are also the cities that attract the largest investment demand, suggests that most recent investors, despite the low mortgage rate settings, are likely to be utilising a negative gearing strategy to offset their cash flow losses against their taxable income.
"With gross yields at such low levels in these two cities we may start to see investors turn their attention to other cities where housing is more affordable, capital gain opportunities are potentially better and rental returns are superior.
"With rental changes continuing to outpace dwelling value changes it is likely that rental yields will continue to firm over the coming months and quarters, particularly in markets like Sydney and Melbourne.
"Meanwhile, Hobart, where values continue to climb rapidly, and Darwin where housing value falls have slowed but rents continue to fall sharply are likely to see further rental depression over the coming months," the report concluded.
</body></html>

Rental yields lifting from record lows: CoreLogic

<html><body>
Yuhu Group Australia has topped out at The Miller, its residential project in the heart of North Sydney.
The construction by Richard Crookes Constructions (RCC) has reached its 21-storey construction height.
The Miller remains on target for completion in the second half of this year, Yuhu Group CEO Roy Huang said.
"The Miller gave life to the company’s vision of providing high-quality urban living and investment opportunities in premium assets and prime locations," Huang said.
"Our emphasis on design excellence and build quality has certainly resonated with buyers. 
"The Miller offers incredible access to the thriving North Sydney shopping precinct as well as a range of outstanding schools. 
"It is also in proximity to the waterfront and Sydney CBD just two kilometres away," he said.
The Miller, designed by architects PTW, comprises 169 private residences and 100 services apartments that will be retained by Yuhu Group and managed by Quest. 
The project offers views of Sydney Harbour.
Gregg Armstrong, Project Director of RCC, said the collaborative partnership formed with Yuhu, Savills and the subcontractors, suppliers and consultants has driven a “one team” approach to delivery.
 “This collective effort is making the project an enjoyable journey for everyone as we work towards delivering quality homes for future residents,” Armstrong said.
Project manager Savills has worked closely with Yuhu, RCC and the design team including PTW, NDY, TTW, Oculus and Aurecon to achieve the topping out milestone. 
“Constructed atop immensely strong North Sydney sandstone, The Miller embodies Yuhu Group’s values to improve life and foster growth by bringing a new level of quality and finish to the local area,” said Savills director project management, Justin Ibrahi.
The design will feature a façade with brass colored balcony ribbons of perforated aluminum.
North Sydney remains a highly sought-after, local property market with CoreLogic data showing year-on-year price growth of 5.43% for units/apartments, as well as yield growth in rentals.
</body></html>

The Miller, North Sydney set for 2019 completion

<html><body>
A four bedroom low-set brick house in Calliope, on the outskirts of the Gladstone mining town in Queensland, has been listed by mortgagees for $269,000.
It has been offered by Bevan Rose from Gladstone Real Estate.
It last sold at $419,000 in 2010.
Situated on a 643 square metre block the house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-calliope-130338098" target="_blank">20 Sunpoint Way</a> comes with four bedrooms, two separate living areas, functional kitchen and generous storage.
Other features include air-conditioning in master bedroom and living area, ceiling fans, fresh neutral decor, and double lock up garage.
It has close proximity to Calliope Shopping Complex, education facilities and parks, not far from the Bruce Highway.
The suburb's median house price sits at <a href="/developments/calliope-qld-4680">$245,000</a>, according to CoreLogic.
The company calculates the annual change in median price in the suburb as as going backwards by 4.8% annually over the past decade.
</body></html>

Price collapse at Calliope, Queensland house listed by mortgagee

<html><body>
An art deco style three bedroom house in inner northeastern Adelaide has recently been sold by the mortgagee for $420,000.
It was listed by Bruce MacDonald from G&amp;Q Real Estate.
Set on a 680sqm allotment, the house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-manningham-129272574" target="_blank"> 45 Hampstead Road, Manningham </a>consists of two bedrooms, study or third bedroom, formal lounge with fireplace, separate dining room and a large kitchen/meals area.
Other features include "olde world" entry hall, two separate garages and backyard.
It's close to shopping centres, transport and a short commute to the CBD.
It has last sold at $363,000 in 2013.
The suburb's current median house price sits on<a href="/developments/manningham-sa-5086"> $60,000</a>, according to CoreLogic.
</body></html>

Manningham art deco style house sold by mortgagee

<html><body>
A two bedroom 1900s house in the mid north of South Australia has been sold by the mortgagee for $33,500.
It was listed by Michelle Stacey from Landmark Harcourts SA.
It was on the market for 310 days.
Nestled on a 489sqm block, the house at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property/19-wolfe-st-jamestown-sa-5491?pid=p4ep-pdp%7Csold-pdp:property-history-cta#timeline" target="_blank"> 19 Wolfe Street, Jamestown</a> comes with four main rooms for kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and timber floors of old pine. 
It was last sold at $70,000 in 2007.
The latest sale price was less than when sold for $37,000 in 2005.
The locality's median house price sits on<a href="/developments/jamestown-sa-5491"> $166,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
 
 
</body></html>

Half price Jamestown, SA mortgagee sale

<html><body>
No surplus, no share market growth, no lift in wage growth. Economic survey points to bleaker times post-election.
Things will continue to look good enough for long enough to help the government fight the election. Beyond that, the Conversation Economic Panel is worried.
The Australian economy will remain healthy for long enough to enable the government to claim it as a strength in the lead-up to the May election, but the first Conversation Economic Survey points to a fairly flat outlook beyond that, with a 25% chance of a recession in the next two years.
The Conversation has assembled a forecasting team of 19 academic economists from 12 universities across six states. Among them are macroeconomists, economic modellers, former Treasury and Reserve Bank economists, and a former member of the Reserve Bank board.
Taken together their forecasts point to no recovery in the share market during 2019, no recovery in wage growth, no further improvement in the unemployment rate, further modest home price falls in Sydney and Melbourne, and to a budget deficit next financial year despite the official forecast of a surplus and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s commitment that the government will fight the election <a href="https://www.afr.com/news/politics/josh-frydenberg-reaffirms-2019-budget-surplus-in-sydney-institute-election-pitch-20190122-h1aboo" target="_blank">continuing to forecast a surplus</a>.
Weighing heavily on Australia’s economy during 2019 will be a much weaker US economy, with what the forecasting team says is the possibility of a US recession, and weaker growth in China. Australian consumer spending is forecast to continue to grow during 2019, but no faster than it did during 2018. The best measure of living standards is forecast to advance at a crawl.
Most of the team expect the Reserve Bank to sit on its hands throughout all of 2019, leaving its cash rate unchanged at the all-time low of 1.5% for what will be a record 40 months.
Economic growth
The panel expects the Australian economy to grow more slowly in the year ahead, by 2.6%, down from recent annual growth of 2.8% and 3.1%. None of the panel expects growth to exceed 3%. One, Steve Keen, formerly of the University of Western Sydney and now at University College London, expects growth of only 1%.
Most of the panel expect China’s growth to continue to slow, from the annual growth of 6.7% typical over recent years to just 6.2%, the weakest growth since the 2008 global financial crisis and the weakest calendar year growth since 1990.
Former Treasury economist Nigel Stapledon now at the University of NSW nominates China as the biggest threat to Australian and global growth. He says it has a good record of stimulating its economy to get out of difficult corners but one day it might get it wrong.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/VJkkw/4/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
The panel expects US economic growth to hold up at 2.8% during the year ahead but to weaken or go into reverse by year’s end as the “sugar hit” from the Trump tax cuts goes into reverse.
Former Treasury and International Monetary Fund economist Tony Makin points to US high public debt that will need to be rolled over, soaking up funds that could have been more productively used for investment, to higher US interest rates imposed by a central bank concerned about inflation, and to the escalating trade war with China.
ANU modeller and former Reserve Bank board member Warwick McKibbin says the US economy is “very likely” to begin to go backwards towards the end of the year. Craig Emerson, a former Australian trade minister now with Victoria University, says the US is likely to enter a recession in 2020. Former Treasury economist Mark Crosby at Monash University says if there is a US recession, it won’t hit until late 2019, with the impact greatest in 2020.
Rebecca Cassells from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre says a lot depends on the outcome of the US-China trade war: “The two biggest economies are going head to head, but both are almost as reliant on the other to sustain their growth trajectories,” she says.
Australia should look to other parts of the world to drive its economic growth. “India is one of them, and is rising rapidly with no downgrading of its growth trajectory of 7.75% for 2019.”
Living standards
Nominal GDP, the money earned in Australia unadjusted for price changes, is forecast to grow more slowly in 2019, by 4.5%, down from recent growth in excess of 5%, reflecting weaker iron ore prices.
The best measure of living standards, real net disposable income per capita, is expected to barely grow, climbing just 1.1% over the year to December, much less than recent growth in excess of 3%, but much more than its performance in the dismal years between 2012 and 2016 when it went backwards.
Forecasts for the unemployment rate cluster around its present 5.1%, with only four below 5% and one above 6%.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/NRzsF/7/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Wages and prices
Wage growth is forecast to climb no further in 2019, finishing the year at its present 2.3% instead of climbing to 2.75% on its way to 3% by mid 2020 as forecast in the budget update.
Rebecca Cassells points out that much of the increase we have had has been driven by the Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift the minimum wage 3.5% from June 2018, suggesting very low growth elsewhere. Disturbingly, she says more and more enterprise bargains are being terminated, with employees falling back on awards.
Overwhelmingly, our panel is of the view that the only thing that will lift wage growth out of its slump (and budgets have been incorrectly forecasting a bounce out of the slump for eight years now) is higher productivity: producing more per worker.
Victoria University economic modeller Janine Dixon notes that the December budget update actually downgraded its forecast of productivity growth, from 1.5% to 1%, and so is not optimistic.
She says even if productivity growth did pick up, excessive market power in some industries combined with weakness in labour market institutions means it might not easily be passed on to workers.
Tony Makin, a supporter of company tax cuts, says the best thing to lift productivity would be new (perhaps foreign) investment embodying productivity-enhancing technology.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/u7aHG/5/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
The saving grace for workers facing yet another year of historically-low wage growth is that price increases will also remain low.
Inflation has been right at the bottom of (or below) the Reserve Bank’s 2% to 3% target band for four years now, meaning that even at the continuing low rates of wage growth forecast, wages should continue to climb just faster than prices.
The panel expects consumer spending to climb by only 2.5% in real terms in 2019, most of which will reflect population growth of 1.6%.
The average forecast for inflation is at the very bottom of the Reserve Bank’s target band. Only two panel members expect inflation to edge back up to the middle of the band. They are Warwick McKibbin and former Treasury and ANZ Bank chief economist Warren Hogan, at the University of Technology Sydney.
Interest rates and the budget
Without either a lift in inflation or a substantial weakening in the economy there is little reason for the Reserve Bank to move interest rates in either direction.
Governor Philip Lowe took the job in September 2016, just after the board cut the cash rate to a record low of 1.5%. He hasn’t moved the cash rate since, although on several occasions he has said the next move is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/next-move-is-up-and-it-ll-shock-says-rba-20180411-p4z91s">most likely to be up</a>.
Five of the panel do expect at least move up this year, including the two who think inflation might approach the bank’s target. Three expect cuts, taking the rate below 1.5%.
The remaining eleven expect no change, all year.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/upjBu/3/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
The government says it will deliver a budget surplus next financial year, of A$4.1 billion, the first surplus in a decade.
The panel doesn’t think so, all but one member predicting a lower budget surplus than the government, and seven predicting deficits. The average forecast is for a deficit of A$3.5 billion rather than a surplus of A$4.1 billion.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2BVOs/3/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Monash University macroeconomist Solmaz Moslehi identifies optimistic wage growth, weaker than expected mining investment and a hit to consumer spending from the housing downturn as the biggest risks to the forecast surplus.
Julie Toth, adjunct professor at Deakin University’s Master of Business Administration program and chief economist at the Australian Industry Group, says the latest indicators suggest that neither employment nor wage growth will accelerate by as much as the government expects.
Michael O’Neil from the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies says the biggest immediate risk to the forecast surplus is thermal coal prices, given China’s efforts to cut coal imports and the shift to renewables in China and India.
The biggest long term risk is the scale of the company tax cuts and the ongoing shift of income from highly-taxed labour to more lightly-taxed capital.
Margaret McKenzie of Federation University identifies the biggest risk to the surplus as a change of government, something she says she welcomes because with extensive idle capacity and underemployment, a surplus would be unhelpful.
Home prices
The panel expects Sydney home prices to fall by another 5.8% and Melbourne prices by another 5.1% in 2019, taking the slides over two years to 14.7% and 12.1%.
Only Macquarie University and former Reserve Bank economist Jeffrey Sheen expects prices to move back up throughout 2019, by 2% and 3%.
Reassuringly, none of the forecast falls are bigger than 10%. The biggest are predicted by Steve Keen, Tony Makin, Margaret Mckenzie and Craig Emerson.
The lower prices will be accompanied by much slower growth in housing investment, expected to climb only 2.1% in 2019 after climbing more than 7% in the year to September 2018.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jl3sa/6/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Business
Non-mining business investment is forecast to grow more slowly this year, by 5.7% instead of 11.4%, and mining investment is expected to keep sliding, losing a further 3.4% after losing 11.2% last year rather than climbing as the government’s budget update predicts.
Five of the team believe that mining investment to turn the corner in line with the budget forecast. Nine expect it to fall further.
The Australian share market will for practical purposes not grow not at all during 2019 according to the average forecast, which is for barely perceptible growth of 0.1%. A steady share market would come as a relief to super funds and share owners after last year’s slide of about 7%.
The range of forecasts for the ASX 200 is wide, from slides of more than 6% to gains of more than 6%.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Wftkg/4/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
Markets
Fortunately for a government the panel expects to need to continue to borrow more in order run continued budget deficits, what it pays for to borrow via the 10-year bond rate is expected to remain little changed at 2.6%. Only Warwick McKibbin expects a much higher bond rate, of 3.5%.
The panel’s average forecast is for an broadly unchanged Australian dollar, of around 70.5 US cents. The highest forecast is for US$0.80, the lowest for US$0.62.
The iron ore price, at present close to US$74 a tonne, is expected to fall to around US$64. Only one panelist, Warwick Mckibbin, expects it to stay near where it is, at US$75. The government itself is cautious, using a price of US$55 in its budget forecasts, a number it might lift in the April budget, allowing it to forecast more revenue.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/wjTcX/3/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
The risk of recession
On average, the panel believes there is a 25% chance of a conventionally-defined recession within the next two years.
Half of the probability estimates are between 20% and 30%. Averaging all of them together other than Steve Keen’s estimate of 95% produces an estimate of 22%.
<hr>
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/SpX5y/5/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
<hr>
A recession is conventionally defined as two consecutive quarters in which gross domestic product falls instead of rises. Australia hasn’t had two consecutive quarters of negative growth since 1991.
The most recent negative quarter was in September 2016. Before that there was one in March 2011, and before that in during the global financial crisis in December 2008.
Ross Guest of Griffith University makes the point that his estimate of 20% should be considered low. There will always be a risk of a recession. By itself two quarters of negative growth needn’t be a disaster. The impacts on the government and on consumer and business confidence would be more important than the downturn itself.
Guay Lim of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research assigns the lowest probability of any of our panel to a recession, 5%, saying the most likely catalyst would be a global trade war.
Warren Hogan assigns the highest probability to a recession after Steve Keen, 40%, saying Australia is facing the end of a major construction boom and has heavily indebted households. It will be vulnerable to any negative shocks and especially vulnerable to higher inflation and interest rates.
Steve Keen says the only thing that has kept Australia afloat since the China boom has been the housing bubble, which the banking royal commission has been discovering was built on fragile, and in places fraudulent, foundations.
Nigel Stapledon says the biggest drag on the economy will be the collapse in the construction of residential investment units. Labor’s proposed increase in capital gains tax will make it worse, notwithstanding Labor’s decision to exempt new construction from its crackdown on negative gearing.
Rebecca Cassells says on the bright side Australia is set to become the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, the biggest exporter of iron ore to India and the world’s biggest producer of lithium, needed for batteries.
And if there is a global economic downturn within the next few years, she says another positive is that Labor is likely to be in power, making the successful deployment of a stimulus package more likely than if the Coalition had been in office.
<hr>
The Conversation Economic Panel
Click on economist to see full profile.
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/368/924e6755a686ec80378dcc381368eb0ee0c37f39/site/index.html" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/110315/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/au/team#peter-martin" target="_blank">Peter Martin</a>, Editor, Business and Economy, <a href="http://www.theconversation.com/" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-surplus-no-share-market-growth-no-lift-in-wage-growth-economic-survey-points-to-bleaker-times-post-election-110315" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

Economic survey points to bleaker times post-election: The Conversation's Economic Survey

<html><body>
The priciest Victoria long weekend auction offering was a Portsea listing with $2.8 million to $3 million hopes, but it was passed in with out any bid from buyers.
The modernised five bedroom, two bathroom <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/50-franklin-road-portsea-vic/property-details-buy-residential-12300197/" target="_blank">50 Franklin Road home</a> sits on a 1300 sqm holding.
It last sold for $1.8 million in 2015 with a new kitchen, with cool room, a loggia with bbq, plus the rear garden pool and cabana among its subsequent renovations.
It has an epicurean kitchen with Caesarstone island, Miele and Smeg ovens, integrated dishdrawers and freezer, a butler’s pantry and restaurant style cool room fit for a master chef.
There was bore water for the gardens.
RT Edgar agent Ilze Moran placed a $2.8 million vendor bid at the onsite auction.
It was sold later on the weekend at an undisclosed price.
</body></html>

Franklin Road, Portsea trophy home sold post-auction

<html><body>
The Gold Coast had close to 100 auction offerings offered under the hammer yesterday in Ray White's 24th annual big January auction, The Event.
The auction saw a clearance rate of nearly 50 percent, with a total of $19 million in property sold under the hammer.
There were 230 registered bidders over the day, with homes selling from $118,000 to $1.1 million.
The highest price paid under the hammer was $1.1 million for a three-bedroom apartment at Rivage Royale, in Southport. Similar units have sold for $1.2 million in recent times.
A five-bedroom waterfront home at Biggera Waters, north of Southport, sold for $1.01 million
The lowest sale was $118,000 for a hotel suite at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-surfers+paradise-128374418" target="_blank">Mantra on View in Surfers Paradise</a> through Glenn Shillig.
The unit comes fully furnished.
There is another in the same block for sale by private treaty at $135,000, with recent sales from $110,000.
The body corporate fee is $65 per week, council rates $62 per week and water $25 per week. 
All electricity and building insurance is fully paid by the hotel operator.
Owners have the benefit of staying up to 28 days and pay only 12% of the room tariff plus an exit cleaning fee of $69.50.
A recent offering suggested rental income was $14,500 pa.
A one-bedroom unit at Southport was declared on the market at $190,000, and sold at $195,000.
More than 2000 people passed through the doors of the Royal Benowa Ballroom at the RACV Royal Pines Resort throughout the day with an even split between Gold Coast and interstate buyers.
RWSP CEO Andrew Bell said the atmosphere in the room was the "most energetic we’ve seen in some time."
“The level of enquiry for The Event was significantly more than we anticipated, with some properties receiving between 80 to 100 inspections over the marketing campaign, and others a very healthy 40 to 50 inspections,” he said.
Mr Bell identified two significant groups of buyers.
“The first was locals looking to upgrade or downgrade or simply enter the market for the first time as they’ve found prices more attractive. 
“The second, almost equally sized group, were the migrating baby boomers out of the southern states who have been buying Gold Coast property at unprecedented levels.” 
The mix did not include many oversea buyers.
Younger bidders picked up many of the offerings which averaged around $400,000.
One young couple secured a three-bedroom, two-bedroom entry-level property at Ashmore, inland from Surfers Paradise, at $498,000.
</body></html>

Ray White Surfers see energetic auction bidding at The Event 2019

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Joel Robinson

Bottega House to make Brisbane debut with St Lucia riverfront apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> is advancing its affordable apartment model into Brisbane with the acquisition of another site at Cordelia Street in South Brisbane for $27 million.

Sherpa, which has a $1.7 billion pipeline across Southeast Queensland, intends to bring a cohort of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers into its proposed 186-apartment project to be built at 2 Cordelia Street.

The Sherpa model has already been incredibly well received from their Gold Coast projects, where Sherpa Group set aside a number of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers.

The new $320 million project marks Sherpa Group's second development in Brisbane, following its $255 million Symphony project, also on Cordelia Street, which is currently under construction.

Symphony will deliver 146 apartments across 28 levels, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. With 114 already sold, construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group</a> is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351654]

Sherpa Founder, Christie Leet, said the company was excited to be venturing into Brisbane for its second residential project.

“We’re big believers in the future of Brisbane as we lead into the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” Leet said.

“The success of Symphony has guided us into what will be our second project and we look forward to submitting our plans with council soon so we can deliver yet another quality project to the inner city residential market.

“Our Flourish model has been very well received both in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to be able to offer some of these apartments again exclusively to first homebuyers to help get them into the property market.

“The model has been extraordinarily well received in our previous projects and it is something we are committed to moving forward.”

2 Cordelia Street will be designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> &amp; Finegrain and will include Sherpa’s signature residential amenities including pool, gym, recreation, wellness and work from home spaces.

The project will feature ground-floor commercial space, creating a vibrant amenity for residents and the surrounding community.

A development application will be lodged with Brisbane City Council in August on the code compliant site and will be launched to the market early 2027.

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Staff reporter

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News