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Unit rents in Adelaide remain the second most affordable of any Australian capital, recording the strongest annual growth since 2011, according to the June Quarter report from Domain
Adelaide is one of the stronger rental markets of all the major capitals. For those looking to move to the city, securing a lease remains competitive.
It has the second lowest vacancy rate, which has declined and steady asking rents.
<img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/e3e601a7-760d-43b5-bc5c-fac13d084630.png" data-imagetype="External">
June 2020 QoQ change for Adelaide rental prices
“Adelaide asking rents are steady at the record high hit last quarter, at $395 a week for houses and $320 for units. Over the June quarter, house rents held steady in only two cities, Adelaide and Darwin. Adelaide remains the second most affordable city to rent a house and could overtake Brisbane in coming months if rents continue to fall there. Rents remain lower compared to other capitals, but relative affordability is declining for units - prices in Adelaide have recorded the strongest annual growth since 2011. Adelaide offers greater value for money compared to other capital cities. As we resurface from the coronavirus lockdown, it could become a drawcard destination for those seeking affordability.”
“Securing a lease remains competitive because Adelaide has one of the stronger rental markets of all the major capitals. It has the second lowest vacancy rate, which has declined, and steady asking rents. Advertised rentals lifted early in the year, helping to keep rents stable, but stock levels appear to be shrinking again. Investor activity has been subdued in recent years and multi-unit construction targeted at investors constrained compared to other cities. This has helped to limit rental supply,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.
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Adelaide unit rents remain second most affordable in Australia: Domain

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Brisbane house and unit rents fell over the June quarter, although rents remained flat over the year, according to the June quarterly rental report from Domain.
While the Brisbane rental market has not been as impacted compared to other cities, international border closures, plummeting foreign student numbers, job losses and pay cuts have still made their mark, with Brisbane’s CBD particularly exposed to reduced rental demand.
The number of advertised rentals jumped from March to June and more landlords have cut asking rents.
 <img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/8a68a87c-245b-4b1b-bca3-b7c5b189d119.png" width="616" height="202" data-imagetype="External">
June 2020 QoQ change for Brisbane rental prices
“Brisbane house and unit rents fell over the June quarter, although rents held steady over the year. The rental market is fragmented across Brisbane’s regions. House rents in higher priced areas weakened, while prices in more affordable areas were steady in their asking rent. Units in Brisbane city had the steepest quarterly fall while several areas remained stable or marginally increased.” “Brisbane’s vacancy rate has nudged higher compared to last year, despite this the number of advertised rentals are shrinking from the time of the city’s construction boom. It stems from the recent reduced demand temporarily lifting the number of available rentals. To date, the Brisbane rental market has not been as affected compared to other capitals, but international border closures, plummeting foreign student numbers, job losses and pay cuts have had an impact. Brisbane’s CBD is particularly exposed to the reduced demand, with advertised rentals jumping from March to June and more landlords cutting asking rents.”  “Sunshine Coast rents remain at record highs, with houses at $500 a week, steady from last quarter and units at $410 a week which have held at this high for a year. The Gold Coast is a two-speed rental market: house rents remain at a high of $520 but unit rents dropped over the quarter and year, marking the first annual fall since 2013. Gold Coast unit prices are likely to be more exposed to a drop in international tourism,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.
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Brisbane rental market not his as hard as other cities: Domain

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The number of loans to owner occupiers for established homes fell by 9.1 per cent during May 2020 to the lowest monthly level on record.
Today’s Housing Finance data does not reflect the impact of HomeBuilder program announced in June. We don’t expect to see the positive impact of HomeBuilder reflected in Housing Finance data for a number of months.
This month’s data reflects the peak of the COVID-19 related shutdown and likely includes reduced demand for existing homes and the slower processing of applications.
Due to the lag between submitting a finance application and gaining approval, we anticipate that this is only the beginning of negative finance and construction data from the ABS.
Data shows that loans for the purchase or construction of a new dwelling held on relatively well. This reflects the longer timeframe between purchasing a new dwelling and gaining access to finance.
First home buyers fell by 9.3 per cent during May, led by a decline of 18.8 per cent in New South Wales. This is not surprising given the level of risk aversion and lack of equity within this cohort.
There was a surge in re-financing during the month, to the highest level on record, as households took advantage of record low interest rates.
It is difficult to draw conclusions from this data other than there has been a material disruption to the housing market.
HomeBuilder along with other state incentives and an easing of restrictions will assist in bringing consumers who delayed their purchasing decisions back to the market. This will minimise the adverse impact of the COVID-19 shock on employment in the homebuilding sector, but this will not be reflected in ABS data for some months. 
HIA New Home Sales for June, will be the first indicator of the impact of HomeBuilder on the housing market. 
Across the states, the value of loans to owner-occupiers (excluding refinancing) during the three months to May 2020 was significantly lower than the previous three months in Western Australia (-14.6 per cent), Queensland (-12.9 per cent), the Northern Territory (-7.4 per cent) and South Australia (-7.0 per cent). Tasmania (-4.8 per cent), Victoria (-3.1 per cent) and the ACT (-3.1 per cent) also recorded declines. New South Wales was relatively flat, declining by 0.5 per cent over the same period.
TIM REARDON is the HIA Chief Economist
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Record housing finance data reflects COVID-19 shock: HIA's Tim Reardon

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The May 2020 Lending to Households and Business figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the largest monthly fall in the history of the series with the value of loans for housing falling by 11.6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms.
The fall is not unexpected with feedback from agents during May, as restrictions on movements throughout the month were in place and a general air of caution about the economy and its impact on activity in the housing market prevailed, suggesting that this would be the case.
The fall was driven by large reductions in the value of loan commitments for housing in New South Wales and Victoria and contributed to the yearly fall of 7.3 per cent. Smaller falls were reported for all other states except ACT.
The value of new loan commitments for investor housing fell 15.6 per cent for the month and 11.9 per cent for the year - again driven by Victoria and New South Wales.
New loan commitments for owner occupier first home buyers fell by a similar proportion to the overall fall in owner occupier commitments for dwellings with a fall of 10.5 per cent by value for the month in seasonally adjusted terms but a 19.3 per cent increase for the year.
NSW and Queensland drove the fall in the number of loan commitments for owner occupier first home buyers with all other states except ACT recording falls.
While reduced transactions in the housing market stifled new loan activity in May, the markets have held up through a low level of supply. A situation that is continuing in the larger markets.
Adrian Kelly is the President of the Real Estate Institute of Australia. 
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May housing finance shows a historical fall: REIA's Adrian Kelly

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A four-bedroom, three-bathroom coastal home with ocean views in Mona Vale sold for $3.35 million through Raine and Horne estate agents Ben Spackman and Sam Bruton on July 2, 2020. 
Designed by Daniel Raymond from Ramaar Architectures, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-mona+vale-133774542" target="_blank">38 Elimatta Road property</a> features a North-East facing frontage, ocean view, and leafy views in the secluded outdoor retreat and pool.
<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/2020/7/3/23_Mona%20Vale%202.jpg" alt="">
Featuring traditional design elements, the home has a gas fireplace with elegant marble surroundings, American Oak wide timber flooring, high set ceilings, raked ceiling features upstairs, classic Hamptons style timber details on high skirting, and ornate timber architraves and wainscoting throughout. 
The kitchen showcases custom solid timber joinery, Neff Appliances including two built-in ovens with an added steam function, Carrara marble bench tops, and an island breakfast bar.
For entertaining, there is the front deck with an integrated barbecue facilities, and a seamless transition through double bi-fold doors to the kitchen and dining.
There are cool tones to the bathrooms throughout with blends of greys, white and blues, Carrara marble and herringbone tile features. There are also timber cabinetry with Carrara marble bench tops.
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Designer coastal home in Mona Vale sold for $3.35 million

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House rents declined marginally from the three-and-a-half year high achieved last quarter, while unit rents held steady at $320 a week, the highest asking price since mid-2016, according to the June Quarter rental report from Domain.
Perth’s rental market has bounced back from the post-mining boom lull, with advertised rentals continuing to shrink, giving landlords ground to raise asking rents in certain areas.
Rental discounting has been concentrated in Perth's inner-city region, and now is time for those looking to move closer to search for a rental bargain.
<img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/5752f59e-af92-45a2-9a43-72d2e89ce995.png" data-imagetype="External">
June 2020 QoQ change for Perth rental prices
“Perth’s rental recovery looks set to continue. House rents declined marginally by $5 a week from the three-and-a-half year high achieved last quarter. Unit rents held steady at $320 a week, the highest asking rent since mid-2016.”
“The market has improved considerably from the post-mining boom lull. The number of advertised rentals continues to shrink, down 19 per cent from March and has dropped 32 per cent over the year. Tenants will find rental conditions have tightened. The number of vacant rental properties is steadily shrinking, providing landlords greater grounds to raise asking rents in certain areas.”
“During the height of the pandemic lockdown, rental discounting lifted marginally, although consistently fewer rentals are being discounted compared to last year. Discounts have been largely concentrated in Perth’s inner-city which has more plentiful apartment rental supply,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.
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Perth's rental recovery is set to continue: Domain

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A mortgagee home in Perth's Helena Valley is now under offer after being listed for sale for $455,000.
The offer, understood to be $470,000, came after just 28 days on market.
Located at 17 Prunus Place, in a cul de sac, the house features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a double garage.
There also an in ground pool, and turfed back yard area.
the total block comprises a 1008 square metre block.
It last sold in 1998, for $172,500.
It was built in 1996.
Richard Lowenhoff and Jessica Macarthur, from LJ Hooker Midland, have the listing.
 
 
 
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Helena Valley mortgagee home under offer

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Unit rent fell over the quarter and year, representing the sharpest decline in more than 15 years, with rents now at its lowest in half a decade. according to the Domain Rental Report for the June quarter
House and unit rents fell by as much as $50 a week in areas like the city and eastern suburbs.
Tenants are in a strong position to negotiate prices or seek out cheaper properties.
<img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/24eb4c6b-dc5f-491e-9f23-55c9de4700a2.png" data-imagetype="External">June 2020 QoQ change for Sydney rental prices
“Sydney’s rental market conditions have become highly varied. House rents remained stable over the quarter and year, and are 3.6 per cent below the 2017 peak. Rents fell in the quarter across several Sydney regions, tumbling as much as $50 a week in the city and eastern suburbs and $40 a week in the northern suburbs. Tenants are in a strong position to negotiate prices or seek out cheaper properties. Rental price growth appears to be supported by more stable conditions across Sydney’s outer areas while house rents fell substantially in the inner areas. There were also significant increases in advertised rentals in Sydney’s inner areas at a time of weakened demand. Foreign student numbers and overseas migration have plummeted, as well as a drop in tourism. These are also areas more exposed to drops in migration, tourism, jobs losses and have a high portion of rentals.” “For the past two years Sydney unit rents have tumbled annually as tenants benefited from heightened investor activity in previous years, as completed off-the-plan apartments add to supply. The pace of decline has now gathered additional momentum. The depth of the fall over the quarter and year is the sharpest in more than 15 years. Unit rents have now fallen 9.1 per cent from the 2017 peak, pushing them back to the lowest in half a decade. The city and east, inner west and lower north shore have felt the brunt. Deteriorating unit rents have forced Sydney’s gross yields to a record low of 3.66 per cent.” “Tenants now have the novelty of choice. The rapid rise in advertised rentals have put pressure on rents. Tenants are using this as bargaining power to negotiate a deal while landlords compete to lure them. The number of advertised rentals jumped almost 13 per cent across Sydney from March to June, surging 43 per cent in the city and east and 29 per cent in the inner west, as a wave of short-term rentals converted to long-term as border closures curtailed international tourism. Demand has weakened as migration ceases, international students remain offshore and economic uncertainty rattles many tenants, forcing them to evaluate their personal circumstances,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.
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Sydney rents hit hardest in the city and eastern suburbs: Domain

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GUEST OBSERVER
The roar of the crowd at the stadium. Jostling to see the New Year fireworks in the public square. Captivated by the band at the pub. Meeting mates outside the train station. These experiences conjure sites of importance for each of us.
As a Melburnian, places that come to mind for me are the MCG, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and Festival Hall. Sydneysiders could be thinking about the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/223371661">Opera House</a>, Central Station, the Enmore Theatre and Homebush Stadium.
It’s people that make these places important. Without crowds, an idling Gabba in Brisbane or an empty Cottesloe Beach in Perth is a less exciting place.
Each of the above places possesses outstanding social value. It’s why state heritage laws and local planning schemes can protect places of community importance.
However, this <a href="https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/contested-space-social-value-and-the-assessment-of-cultural-signi">does not happen enough</a>. Of more than 2,300 items on the <a href="https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/heritage-protection/levels-of-protection/">Victorian Heritage Register</a>, for instance, about 10% are listed for their social value.
Although data are scarce, the numbers are likely similar for heritage lists across Australia. This leaves treasured meeting places – <a href="https://theconversation.com/once-a-building-is-destroyed-can-the-loss-of-a-place-like-the-corkman-be-undone-112864">neighbourhood pubs are a prime example</a> – at risk.
With restrictions on public gatherings, urban heritage places of social significance have more allure than ever. Just as we are distanced from each other, we are separated from these places. Their temporary absence in our lives, and the sense of community and comforting memories we associate with them, only add to their cultural significance.
 
However, heritage typically gives more priority to the historic and aesthetic integrity of older fabric, buildings and structures than to ongoing social and cultural relationships <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342624259_Place_and_Heritage_Conservation">between people and built places</a>.
A lack of participatory methods to involve the public in heritage decisions is another problem with how authorities and the private sector manage the cultural values of historic places.
Two landmark cases
For more than a century, authorities <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/220585029">typically safeguarded</a> monumental architecture and places embodying the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/44846813">apparent progress of the Australian nation</a>, such as public buildings and memorials.
Since the 1970s, <a href="https://australia.icomos.org/publications/charters/">additional cultural values</a> – social, scientific and spiritual – have been inscribed in heritage practice. Yet, as I explore in <a href="https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=997484554716146;res=IELAPA">my research</a>, traditional ideas of aesthetic and historic value have been privileged in conservation. Other significant cultural values have not been treated as equally important.
The introduction of social value saved Flinders Street Station when it was threatened with demolition in 1972 for high-rise development.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/333975/original/file-20200511-49584-eahqrx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/333975/original/file-20200511-49584-eahqrx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
 Model of Flinders Gate Project, 1974. Wolfgang Sievers/State Library of Victoria (reproduced with SLV permission)
The National Trust wanted to preserve the train station. But its <a href="https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=997484554716146;res=IELAPA">committee of architects</a> perceived it as an “architectural monstrosity” because its Edwardian Baroque style was out of favour.
After long deliberations, the National Trust deemed the station a landmark […] a major focal point of Melbourne’s city life [with] the Clocks! section [sic] inextricably bound to the social fabric of Melbourne and Victoria.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/334232/original/file-20200512-66707-1yumqxu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
The famous clocks overlook the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets, pictured here in the early 1970s. Rennie Ellis/State Library of Victoria (reproduced with SLV permission)
So Flinders Street Station was protected for its lasting importance to Melburnians. Only later would it be recognised for its architecture.
Despite its social value, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-10/science-of-flinders-street-station-new-look-paint/9135080">when the station was repainted</a> in original colours in 2017, there was little public engagement in this decision. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494412000424">Research</a> on people’s perceptions of historic places has shown they often prefer agedness and wornness over traditional conservation works that make places look new again: the <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=0y9jCHHdKokC&amp;pg=PA119&amp;lpg=PA119&amp;dq=%22patina+of+age%22+ruskin&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=7C2jBgWES3&amp;sig=ACfU3U2AjpX-Zcee--19v8t1KMOfx76CIQ&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiZhe_zh67qAhWCyDgGHUEKAtQQ6AEwAnoECDAQAQ#v=onepage&amp;q=%22patina%20of%20age%22%20ruskin&amp;f=false">patina of age</a> has value. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9780429506352">Public participation</a> could have resulted in a different conservation decision based on Melburnians’ preferred colours and textures.
Another landmark case involves the MCG. Authorities rejected a comprehensive heritage listing for the stadium in the 1980s, when the Great Southern Stand was developed, because a listing might have prevented redevelopment.
The MCG designation was reconsidered, however, in the lead-up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games. It then met revised thresholds to be fully state-listed. It was “<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/126894666/">the matches and public not the buildings</a>” that created the heritage importance.
And to retain the cultural importance of the MCG in the future lives of Melburnians, flexibility on the stands was required. With the support of club members and heritage authorities, the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/64493">1928 Members’ Pavilion</a> made way for the new Northern Stand.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336626/original/file-20200521-102667-ajzwnp.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
 Ian Harrison Hill, ‘Demolition of Members’ Stand [Melbourne Cricket Ground]’, photograph, 2004. State Library of Victoria, Pictures Collection, H2004.24/4 (reproduced with the permission of the State Library of Victoria and Ian Harrison Hill)
Social value in the past, present and future
At the MCG, social value was projected into the future, allowing for flexibility during redevelopment.
At Flinders Street Station, social value was perceived as developing in the past. The recent station works demonstrated that, even when public places are heritage-listed, their management often does not include participatory methods.
Neighbourhood pubs, which are being <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2017/last-drinks/">rapidly redeveloped</a>, are another form of at-risk public place with great social value. Pubs become important to people for their longevity as gathering places, often more so than for their architecture, facades and interiors.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/345460/original/file-20200703-33926-1dxq2fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
 The now-demolished historic Greyhound Hotel in St Kilda had potential to inspire the public realm in future development works. National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
The National Trust is <a href="http://www.trustadvocate.org.au/national-trust-backs-city-of-port-phillip-call-to-protect-social-heritage/">seeking to conserve</a> some pubs. However, authorities have far more power to mandate the continuity of historic places’ built fabric rather than ensuring redevelopments <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2017.1399283">retain community spaces</a>.
Even when this does happen, opportunities can be missed <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/search-begins-for-venue-managers-for-reborn-london-hotel-in-port-melbourne/news-story/596d9585d7ee7d55c4d697c322a3d11f">to use historic elements of the demolished buildings</a>. Participatory and social approaches to heritage have unrealised potential to guide the design and use of the future public realm.
A major step towards placing people at the heart of heritage would be to mandate and fund a diversity of participatory methods in state and local heritage governance. It’s important, too, to embed community participation across private sector heritage practice. Only by working towards more holistically conserving the broader cultural values of historic places can heritage achieve cultural stewardship for people.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/138128/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/profiles/james-lesh-257650">James Lesh</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Centre for Architectural History, Urban and Cultural Heritage, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-heritage-protection-is-about-how-people-use-places-not-just-their-architecture-and-history-138128">original article</a>.
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Heritage protection is about how people use places, not just architecture and history

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GUEST OBSERVATION
 
Architecture suffers before building does.
A survey of more than 450 architecture practices conducted by the Association of Consulting Architects finds that <a href="https://aca.org.au/article/pulse-check-no-3-preliminary-findings">two thirds</a> have lost more than 30% of their revenue, and eight in ten have had projects cancelled or put on hold.
Six in ten are relying on JobKeeper. Half have cut pay or working hours. Three in ten have stood down or sacked staff. Only 15% believe they have enough work to see out the year.
In total, the survey finds more than A$10 billion of projects have either been cancelled or put on hold, just among those responding to the survey.
John Held, the National President of the Association of Consulting Architects says
"unless there is a more effective stimulus package for construction, the government will need to consider extending JobKeeper beyond its expiry in September to prevent the loss of many normally-viable architectural practices. Without a pipeline of projects, a substantial rise in unemployment across the whole construction sector will result"
Dr Peter Raisbeck, an expert in the building and construction industry at the University of Melbourne, says
"two thirds of architects in Australia are small businesses employing less than five people, operating on small profit margins. Widespread insolvencies amongst these vulnerable firms would be catastrophic"
The design professions – architecture and engineering – are the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2019/12/31/the-canary-in-the-coal-mine-isnt-ancient-history/#c6abbe843931">canary in the coalmine</a> for the wider construction industry. If those professions are in a slump now, construction itself will most probably be in big trouble in three to six months.
A window on the future
The findings are reinforced by forecasts prepared by the <a href="https://www.acif.com.au/acif-news/australian-construction-industry-forum-issues-coronavirus-recovery-proposal-constructions-bridge-to-recovery">Australian Construction Industry Forum</a>.
They show that while engineering construction on projects such as motorways and public transport is likely to hold up reasonably well, residential and non residential construction, already weak prior to COVID-19, is set to slump over this year and the next, with the brunt of the impact being felt in NSW and Victoria.
It will be very bad for employment.
The building and construction industry consists of nearly 400,000 businesses that directly employ more than 1.2 million Australians. Most of the supply chain for building materials is in Australia, particularly for low-rise residential buildings.
The immediate priority should be to ensure that projects continue to be designed and documented to avoid the “valley of death” caused by the need for drawings to be completed before construction can start.
We’ve had warning
If eight out of ten architectural practices have projects that have been cancelled or put on hold now, there will be a significant shortage of projects going to tender later in 2020 and in 2021.
Based on the numbers in the surveys, the loss of jobs in construction could add two percentage points to unemployment during 2021.
To overcome the valley of death, something needs to be done to restart projects that have been deferred or cancelled.
To their credit, state and territory governments have brought forward varying amounts of public works projects, including schools, hospitals and a small amount of social housing. In Victoria, the acceleration of the government’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/cladding-fire-risks-have-been-known-for-years-lives-depend-on-acting-now-with-no-more-delays-111186">combustible cladding replacement program</a> is also helping to prop up demand.
Unfortunately, the evidence from the Association of Consulting Architects survey suggests this won’t be enough.
HomeBuilder, the federal government’s $680 million program intended to “save the tradies”, appears <a href="https://www.afr.com/property/residential/frustrating-state-delays-hold-up-homebuilder-grants-20200615-p552na">to have stalled</a>.
So far, none of the states has finalised an implementation plan for the scheme, perhaps because it was so <a href="https://theconversation.com/homebuilder-might-be-the-most-complex-least-equitable-construction-jobs-program-ever-devised-140162">poorly designed</a>.
In Sydney, where a lot of houses may exceed the $1.5 million value cap, some builders are complaining that the scheme is actually delaying decisions while homeowners wait to see if it will apply to them.
And we know what to do
We can learn from history. The Rudd government’s $3 billion (in today’s money) <a href="https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/building-education-revolution-primary-schools-21st-century">Building the Education Revolution</a> scheme was successful in stimulating construction and delivering jobs during the global financial crisis.
The $3 billion <a href="https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/home-insulation-program">Home Insulation Program</a> (later known as the “pink batts” program) also created jobs.
Although there was widespread and justified criticism of how both programs were implemented, they were big enough and quick enough to make a difference to employment. And they delivered general benefits.
We should be able to learn from these ideas and the mistakes that were made in their implementation.
 
The Morrison government’s efforts to support the construction industry to date have been too small and too slow. The architects survey suggests the design professions will go over a cliff in September. The construction forecast suggests that the construction industry will follow them over in 2021.
State and local governments have a long list of useful school, health and community projects that could go ahead now if the federal government made the money available.
Many shovel-ready projects that have been cancelled are in the higher education sector, many of them meant to deliver the STEM graduates or STEM research that the government <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/19/australian-university-fees-arts-stem-science-maths-nursing-teaching-humanities">says it is keen on</a>.
There is also a crying need for good <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-focus-of-stimulus-plans-has-to-be-construction-that-puts-social-housing-first-136519">social housing</a>, made more apparent by <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/covid-public-housing-wrap-20200705-p5596z">developments in Melbourne</a>.
If we learned anything from the global financial crisis, it was that going hard and early worked. It is not too late to do it now, but it will be soon.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/141367/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/profiles/geoff-hanmer-90647">Geoff Hanmer</a>, Adjunct Professor of Architecture, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-architecture-is-the-canary-in-the-coalmine-the-outlook-for-construction-is-appalling-141367">original article</a>.
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If architecture is the canary in the coalmine, the outlook for construction is appalling

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Staff reporter

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