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ANZ has joined forces with the Property Industry Foundation to combat youth homelessness, with the bank committing to a three-year partnership worth $150,000 to support the Foundation’s PIF House Program.
The Property Industry Foundation works with the property and construction industry to build homes for disadvantaged youth and is set to deliver 125 bedrooms by 2021 under its PIF House Program.
ANZ’s support will contribute to the program’s development pipeline of 44 new bedrooms across several states, including an 18-bedroom crisis accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD, a seven-bedroom house in Orange, NSW and a six-bedroom house in Clayton, Victoria. 
ANZ’s head of property, Jason Cannock said: “The foundation has played a pivotal role in delivering housing outcomes for at-risk youth over the last two decades. 
“We want to play our part in supporting them, so it’s important we partner with our clients across the industry to help deliver more transitional housing to those most in need.”
Kate Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Property Industry Foundation, said ANZ’s commitment will create a long-term legacy.
“Homeless young people typically live in these PIF Houses for up to 12 months until they have the skills to live independently,” she said.
“It means each year, ANZ’s investment will give even more young people a new start. That’s the real value of the contribution.”
The program has completed construction of 32 bedrooms since 2016, with those rooms located in three PIF Houses where carers and counsellors provide support and mentoring to rebuild young lives. 
For 20 years, the Property Industry Foundation has used the resources of the property and construction industry to build bedrooms for homeless young people. 
Companies and people from across the sector in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland donate their time, expertise, resources and money to help reduce youth homelessness.
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ANZ joins Property Industry Foundation to build homes for disadvantaged youth

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The third and final stage of Byron Bay’s residential subdivision Seacliff has only three lots remaining after the first two stages sold out.
Developer Unison Projects’ $20 million Seacliffs development at Suffolk Park in the Byron Bay hinterland features 34 elevated lots in the 16 hectare eco-friendly hinterland estate, including some with ocean views.
Some 3 hectares of the 16 has been developed, with the remaining 13 hectares of rainforest untouched or revegetated.
Unison Projects’ Jonathan Levy said the final three lots were elevated with ocean views.
Levy said the quality of houses constructed has been outstanding. 
Seacliffs Byron Bay is a rainforest fringed enclave with 73% of the estate maintained as a nature reserve and a wildlife corridor for native animals. 
McGrath’s Nick Dunn said Seacliffs has appealed to a wide range of buyers including families, downsizers and locals seeking a more elevated location in Byron while staying close to the town centre and major amenities, eight minutes to the heart of Byron Bay.
The remaining blocks are cleared and priced from $575,000.
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Final building lots at Byron Bay’s Seacliffs released

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The Property Industry Foundation (PIF) raised $90,000 for homeless young people via their annual Melbourne Charity Sailing Challenge, with major sponsor Brookfield.
A fleet of 37 yachts took over Port Phillip Bay to raise funds for the PIF House Program.
The initiative brought together over 400 individuals from the property and construction industry, Australian Olympic sailors Haylee Outteridge, Rio gold medallist Tom Burton and PIF Event Patron John Bertrand, AO, America’s Cup Winning Skipper.
42 per cent of homeless people in Australia are under 25 years old, meaning there are over 44,000 young Australians sleeping on the streets each night.
<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/2019/3/4/Boat.jpg" alt="">
The funds raised will support the national PIF House Program, which builds homes for at risk and homeless young people across NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
In these homes, carers and counsellors provide support and mentoring to rebuild young lives.
Nationally the PIF House program has delivered 32 bedrooms since 2017, 50 bedrooms are in the pipeline and the aim by 2021 is to have 125 bedrooms completed for homeless youth.
Mr Bertrand, AO, is passionate about helping young people who he believes are our future. “I have been the event patron for PIF’s Melbourne Charity Sailing Challenge for nine years. Each year I come back, I am astounded by the property industry’s passion and dedication to helping homeless and at-risk young people."
The Chairman of PIF Victoria, Peter Inge OAM, said, "The great part about this industry is that we come together to raise funds and also use our skills to physically build these homes to help young people break the cycle of homelessness,” he says.
Over the last five years, PIF have invested $10 million into charitable programs, helping to rebuild young lives.
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Property Industry Foundation raise $90,000 for young homeless people

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The Duke of Gloucester Hotel, located in Sydney's Eastern suburbs has been listed for sale with a price tag of $30 million.
HTL Property's Sam Handy and Daniel Dragicevich hold the listing.
This campaign follows the recent sale of a number of Eastern Suburbs pubs including the Centennial Hotel (Woollahra), Royal Hotel (Bondi) and Bondi's Icebergs Bar and Dining Room.
Affectionately known by locals as the 'DOG', the hotel has been operated under management by the Good Beer Company on behalf of a private syndicate.
“We’ve had several unsolicited approaches to buy the DOG in recent times and decided to put it to market to focus on our redevelopment of the Keg &amp; Brew”, commented owner John Azar.
The syndicate acquired the hotel in a discreet off-market transaction from Newhaven Hotels in 2015 for a reported $17 million and immediately activated a $3.5 million renovation, refurbishment and reconfiguration.
The hotel, which boasts a 2am liquor licence and only has 19 gaming machines makes annual revenues in excess of $8 million.
It was #425 on OLGR's Dec-18 quarter rankings and outside of some hardware upgrades, the gaming room has remained largely untouched since the sale some four years ago.
HTL Property's Director Sam Handy advised, "the Duke of Gloucester Hotel is surrounded by several TOP 200 gaming rooms, all with the maximum gaming machine holding of 30 machines."
"An incoming purchaser would be strongly advised to immediately increase the hotel’s machine holding from 19 to the allowable 30 and doubling the size of the gaming room by extending into the existing TAB and smoking area," he added.
Set on a 746 sqm landholding it is situated at the cross section of Frenchmans Road and Clovelly Road in Randwick.
Spanning two levels the holding consists of three bars, two kitchens, TAB, designated gaming room and multiple outdoor areas. 
The Duke of Gloucester Hotel is being sold via private treaty.
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Sydney's Duke of Gloucester Hotel listed for $30 million

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Heitman LLC (Heitman) a global real estate investment management firm, has acquired an Edward Street office building Brisbane.
They made the purchase on behalf of an affiliate, in a joint venture with Marquette Properties (Marquette), a Brisbane-based real estate asset manager.
Comprising 18,000 sqm of office space and 1,500 sqm of retail space across two floors Heitman and Marqueete plan on substantial ground floor and podium work, as well as upgrading the façade.
Situated at 288 Edward Street, it is positioned in the Central Brisbane CBD 
Brad Fu, Heitman Senior Vice President and Director of Asia-Pacific Acquisition “The asset’s irreplaceable location provides a compelling repositioning opportunity in the core of Brisbane’s CBD, which is benefiting from a strong revival in leasing demand, an expanding Queensland economy, and growing international investment interest.” 
Skip Schwartz, Heitman Managing Director and Head of AsiaPacific Private Equity said, “the investments in these Australian assets over the past 12 months provides our Asia-Pacific mandates, both for separate accounts and our dedicated fund, strong diversification across both property type and geography."
Not Heitman's first foray into the Australian or Brisbane market, During the past 12 months, Heitman has acquired more than AUD $700 million across Australia’s Eastern Seaboard. 
Including the Brisbane Barracks, on behalf of an affiliate, in a joint venture with Fortius Funds Management in January this year.
In January this year fully fitted office space was listed for rent at $300/sqm per week.
 
 
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Heitman purchases Brisbane CBD Office

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Forty-nine per cent of dwelling sales in Perth occurred below $500,000 in February, according to the latest reiwa.com data.
REIWA President Damian Collins said while CoreLogic’s Home Value Index showed prices in Perth had declined 1.5 per cent to $438,952 in February, reiwa.com data shows the composition of sales during the month favoured the lower end of the market.
Mr Collins said almost half of all transactions occurred below $500,000 in February, "which is a trend we’ve observed for the last three months."
"When we take a closer look, 32 per cent of sales last month were between $350,000 and $500,000, while 17 per cent were below $349,000."
“Traditionally, when there is a greater proportion of activity occurring below $500,000, this indicates first home buyers are on the move,” he added.
Perth’s top selling suburbs in February were Baldivis, Morley, Willetton, Canning Vale and Dianella.
A four bedroom Baldivis house has been recently sold for $430,000 (pictured below).
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-baldivis-129894738" target="_blank">50 Tribute Vista</a>, the family home comes with four bedrooms, over 235sqm of living space, enclosed theatre room and kitchen with big island bench. 
It's located close to primary schools, parks, shops and transport options.
<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/2019/3/5/baldivis%201.jpg" alt="">
Another $485,000 sale at Baldivis was a four bedroom display home with a reduced price of $485,000 (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-baldivis-127679374" target="_blank">Located at 1 Morwell Loop</a>, the house consists of four bedrooms, large open living and dining areas, separate formal lounge or home theatre, and manicured gardens.
Other features include quality tiles, high ceilings, glass sliding doors in the living area, and double garage with remote door. 
<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/2019/3/5/baldivis%202.jpg" alt="">
Reiwa.com data shows there were 13 suburbs that saw sales activity increase in February; Karrinyup, Bayswater, Hamilton Hill, Sorrento, Aveley, Waikiki, Tapping, Morley, Ocean Reef, Mullaloo, Yangebup, Rockingham and Greenfields.
Duncraig, Willetton, Palmyra, Doubleview and Padbury, Woodvale, Scarborough, Ocean Reef, North Perth and Sorrento were the 10 fastest selling suburbs in February, all recording average selling times below the Perth average of 76 days.
A three bedroom Palmyra cottage was sold for $505,000 in February (pictured below).
Sitting on a elevated block, the cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-palmyra-129966298" target="_blank">107 Cleopatra Street </a>comes with three bedrooms, large formal living room, kitchen with original Warren No.1 cooker, and large private rear alfresco. 
The post war cottage has the original features including timber boards, high ceilings and Jarrah trimmings. 
<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/2019/3/5/plamyra.jpg" alt="">
Another three bedroom house at Padbury with extensive inland view has been recently sold for $475,000 (pictured below).
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-padbury-129916742" target="_blank">30 Kennedy Way</a>, it comprises of three bedrooms, spacious living and dining room, modern ktichen with dishwasher, game room and pool.
It's only 5 minutes stroll to Whitfords Shopping Centre, and close to schools, parks and transport.
<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/2019/3/5/padbury%202.jpg" alt="">
 
“Seven of these fastest selling suburbs have median house prices above $600,000, which indicates buyers are needing to act quickly in Perth’s trade-up and luxury markets to ensure they secure the property,” Mr Collins said.
Perth rental market
There were 37 suburbs in Perth that saw their median rent price increase during the month.
The five suburbs to record the biggest increase in median rent (percentage wise) were Cottesloe, Shenton Park, Kingsley, East Fremantle and Redcliffe.
Mr Collins said while Perth’s overall median rent price continued to hold at $350 per week, it was encouraging to see a substantial portion of suburbs start to see positive price movement.
“Perth’s overall median rent has been stable for an unprecedented amount of time. With an increasing number of suburbs starting to see rents increase, it’s only a matter of time before the Perth median rent follows suit, which will be a welcome development for landlords,” he stated.
75 suburbs recorded an increase in leasing activity, with Bull Creek, Queens Park, Parkwood, Wilson and Willetton seeing the most growth in February.
Mr Collins said, “on an annual basis, leasing activity in the overall Perth market is up six per cent compared to last February."
"As we head into March, which is traditionally one of the busiest months of the year for the rental market, we should see tenant activity continue to build, creating more competition in the market and putting upward pressure on rents,” he concluded.
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Half of all home sales in Perth were below $500,000: REIWA

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
We expect Q4 GDP to confirm a softening trend, recording another soft print of 0.4% in the quarter to be 2.6% higher over the year.
This release will also provide an important update on household sector dynamics around dwelling investment and consumption – two factors we see constraining growth over the next year or so and look to have done so in Q4. With growth projected to slow, amidst remaining spare capacity in the economy, we see rates on hold for an extended period.
While this release is unlikely to trigger an immediate shift on rates, it will provide another marker on the growth front which may lead to an eventual reassessment of the future growth path by the RBA, particularly if weaker growth flows through to labour market conditions.
Looking forward, we see the economy supported by public sector spending, a rise in LNG exports and healthy growth in business investment. Offsetting these supports, consumption is likely to only grow modestly and dwelling investment is expected to fall. 
Wednesday’s GDP figures are forecast to show the economy growing at a similar pace to Q3, printing at 0.4% q/q and seeing a year-average result of 2.9% for 2018.
In doing so, the data would confirm the economy slowed significantly in the H2 2018. Retail sales data and NAB’s modelling of household spending on services suggests that consumption growth will lift slightly to 0.5% - an improvement from Q3, but still a weak outcome.
Official data on residential construction suggest dwelling investment is to fall by around 3%, in line with NAB’s expectation of a decline of around 18% over the next two years, a view supported by the ongoing decline in building approvals. For our Q4 forecasts we see some downside risk to consumption and upside risk to public demand roughly offsetting. 
Looking forward, we expect growth over the next two years to be driven by public infrastructure investment, business investment and further growth in net exports, with consumption to only see modest growth and dwelling investment to fall relatively sharply.
For now, we do not forecast a ‘wealth effect’ weighing on spending, despite our forecast for further declines in house prices, but rather see a larger effect from housing through a significant fall in the construction cycle.
The key uncertainty around our forecasts relates to consumption and business investment. While consumption is playing out broadly as we expected based on weaker income growth, there remains some risk from further declines in house prices leading to a ’wealth effect’.
On the business side, the NAB business survey suggests some loss in momentum over the past 6 months and a recent dip in capacity utilisation. This presents a downside risk to our strong outlook for investment.
With wage and price data suggesting inflationary pressure remained weak in Q4, we expect national accounts measures of prices and income growth will also remain modest. Nonetheless, this release will provide an update on household income growth, the savings rate and the pattern of household expenditure. Unit labour costs look to have remained weak - consistent with ongoing weakness in market sector inflation.
Monetary policy implications: While the RBA remains focused on labour market for now, weaker GDP data will provide little comfort that activity will support ongoing strong employment growth.
Also, these data will provide a signal as to the likely speed and magnitude of the dwelling investment downturn as well as the pattern of household consumption – both downside risks to the RBA’s forecasts for growth.
The national accounts will likely confirm that income growth has remained low and also pose further questions around whether the labour market as a lagging indicator is yet to respond to the slowing in growth from mid last year.
We think that the RBA will wait for further evidence of a slowing labour market before shifting to an easing bias as leading indicators of the labour market are still favourable. Though with growth slowing we think the risk is building to the downside as the last effects of strong growth early in 2018 fade.
ALAN OSTER is NAB's Chief Economist 
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Household sector weakness to persist: NAB's Alan Oster

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Interior designer Nicole Vatselias of Lumu Interiors has listed her Hollywood-style Vaucluse home.
Vatselias, who owns the Lumu Interiors homeware store in Double Bay, is famed for her keen eye for contemporary style.
Vatselias paid $4,085,000 for the Boambilee Avenue home in 2014 where she resides with her Shannon Hsu, two kids and a number of pets.
<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/2019/3/1/Boam2.jpg" alt="">
The 1940s home with 1980s interior styling has been renovated throughout to bring it into the 21st century.
It now has a $6 million guide.
Set on 990 sqm, the luxury home with crisp white interiors has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
<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/2019/3/1/Boam3.jpg" alt="">
It's footsteps from Parsley Bay and Nielsen Park.
Ray White Double Bay agent Warren Ginsberg has the listing.
LuMu has established itself as a respected interior styling and decoration company.  
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Nicole Vatselias of LuMu Interiors lists glamorous Vaucluse home

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Rural and regional Australia is a big place – too big to be contained in one rural policy or represented by a single political party.
Several features of contemporary rural and regional Australia stand out, though, as deserving of serious policy attention.
The Indigenous estate
Indigenous peoples are among rural and regional Australia’s largest landholders. <a href="http://www.nntt.gov.au/Maps/Determinations_map.pdf" target="_blank">Native title rights are recognised</a> on more than 37% of the Australian landmass. Exclusive possession native title applies to around 13%. Both these numbers will grow.
The cultural and social significance of the Indigenous estate is immense. So too is its economic significance. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enterprises are active in agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, land and water management, and protected area management.
Governments have taken some positive steps to assist Indigenous enterprise. Changing procurement policy to encourage local suppliers is an excellent example. This must be seen in the context, however, of the missteps of the <a href="https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/indigenous-advancement-strategy" target="_blank">Indigenous Advancement Strategy</a> and failure to engage with the <a href="https://www.1voiceuluru.org/what-happened-next/" target="_blank">Uluru Statement from the Heart</a>.
Respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aspirations for sovereignty and “closing the gap” on health, safety, education and employment are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, finance, insurance and business models that are relevant to the collective and enduring nature of native title rights will go a long way towards realising the economic potential of the Indigenous estate.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/258446/original/file-20190212-174857-qdk0nc.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/258446/original/file-20190212-174857-qdk0nc.PNG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Native Title determinations as at December 31 2018. Native Title exists in green areas (darker green denotes exclusive title) and does not exist in brown areas (lighter brown denotes title extinguished). <a class="source" href="http://www.nntt.gov.au/Maps/Determinations_map.pdf" target="_blank">National Native Title Tribunal</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY</a>
New labour markets
Agriculture, mining and other resources industries contribute mightily to Australia’s GDP. Yet their contribution to employment is comparatively small.
In 2016, agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 215,601 <a href="https://profile.id.com.au/australia/industries?EndYear=2006&amp;DataType=UR&amp;WebID=245" target="_blank">jobs in regional Australia</a>. Mining provided 102,639 jobs. By contrast, health care and social assistance provided 445,087 jobs, retail 341,190, construction 292,279, education and training 291,902 and accommodation and food services 253,501.
Health care and social assistance and education and training contributed more new regional jobs over the last decade than any other industry.
This is not about commodity price cycles and their short-term impact on labour demand. It is about the relentless substitution of labour with technology as business owners strive to lift productivity and lower costs. Advances in automation and telecommunications will accelerate this trend.
The policy imperative is not to ignore resource industries or the workers who depend on them, but to face up to structural change in the labour market.
It is not unreasonable for regions hit by job losses following mine or plant closures to look for new projects to fill the void. But it is important to recognise that fewer jobs will be on offer in the resources industries. And these jobs will require higher levels of skills and training.
Maintaining high employment across non-metropolitan regions will depend, ultimately, on continued growth in other industries.
Climate action
In the land of drought and flooding rain, climate variability is a given.
Managing for that variability is something we need to do better, even before taking climate change into account. The South Australian <a href="https://www.mdbrc.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/murray-darling-basin-royal-commission-report.pdf?v=1548898371" target="_blank">Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission into water use</a> shows that political commitment to cross-border cooperation and the maintenance of environmental flows is fragile.
What evidence we do have on rural and regional Australians’ beliefs about climate change suggests uncertainty and lack of trust in government are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2012.686650" target="_blank">more prevalent than outright denial</a>. A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0963662512449948" target="_blank">precautionary approach</a> to climate is favoured over business as usual.
Why a precautionary approach? Because <a href="https://acola.org.au/wp/PDF/SAF07/social%20and%20political%20context.pdf" target="_blank">failure to act on climate presents a number of risks</a>. These include:
<ul>
<li>reduced market access for regions and industry sectors not seen to be reducing emissions</li>
<li>failure to develop cost-effective and industry-specific technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions</li>
<li>lost opportunities to develop markets in carbon sequestration</li>
<li>escalating economic and social impacts on rural and regional communities as climate variability increases.</li>
</ul>
Importantly, only the last of these risks is actually contingent on climate change.
Transition planning
The sustainability challenges facing rural and regional Australia are not solely environmental.
In the 21st century, industries require stable, high-speed telecommunications infrastructure. That’s no less true of agriculture and mining than it is of tech start-ups and e-retailers. Unfortunately, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-australias-digital-divide-fast-for-the-city-slow-in-the-country-ever-be-bridged-60635" target="_blank">digital divide</a> between urban and rural Australia is a significant constraint on innovation.
The industries of the 21st century also require stable and responsive institutional and governance infrastructure.
The rural politics we see reported in the media looks every bit as polarised and resistant to change as anywhere. Yet Australia’s best rural policies have always been the result of collaborative approaches to planning and innovation.
Landcare and regional natural resource management programs stand out for the positive relationships they have built across the agriculture, conservation, industry and Indigenous sectors.
While federal and state infrastructure funding is critical for the regions, so too is support for integrated and collaborative planning. <a href="https://www.cleangrowthchoices.org/" target="_blank">Place-based approaches</a> are not a panacea but it is always in specific places, and specific communities, that business, services, natural resource management, energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure, and so on, come together.
Electoral diversity
Social conservatism, support for traditional rural industries and scepticism about climate change are all highly visible in rural politics today.
I have outlined some of the risks arising from climate scepticism, but contemporary social conservatism carries political risks too.
Most obvious is the alienation of voters who do not share these views. They include:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au/" target="_blank">farmers</a> who want meaningful action on climate</li>
<li>lifestyle migrants with no historical loyalty to the National Party</li>
<li>young people with more socially progressive attitudes.</li>
</ul>
It is worth remembering that in the plebiscite on marriage equality <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1800.0%7E2017%7EMain%20Features%7EResponse%20map%7E17" target="_blank">most rural and regional electorates took the progressive option and voted yes</a>.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voters warrant extra attention. <a href="https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2012/october/1349327287/marcia-langton/comment-it-s-knockout" target="_blank">Indigenous voters have swung elections in the Northern Territory</a> with their preference for candidates who respect local leadership and priorities over traditional party allegiances and ideologies. Candidates for any seat with a large Indigenous population ignore these voters at their peril. As the <a href="https://aec.gov.au/Indigenous/" target="_blank">Australia Electoral Commission</a> works to lift the Indigenous vote, this influence will grow.
In sum, the issues that matter to rural and regional Australians are far more diverse than those discussed here. Many will disagree with how I have represented one or other issue. That, really, is the point.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/110971/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;">
Stewart Lockie, Director, The Cairns Institute, James Cook University
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/people-and-issues-outside-our-big-cities-are-diverse-but-these-priorities-stand-out-110971" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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People and issues outside our big cities are diverse, but these priorities stand out: Stewart Lockie

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Former federal trade minister Andrew Robb says he has quit his A$880,000-a-year consultancy job with Chinese-owned Landbridge Group because <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/andrew-robb-quits-china-linked-firm-before-foreign-interference-law-kicks-in-20190219-p50yv0" target="_blank">it didn’t have anything</a> for him do.
Former Victorian premier John Brumby says he has quit as a director of Chinese tech giant Huawei in Australia because <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-01/former-victorian-premier-john-brumby-resigns-from-huawei-board/10772144" target="_blank">he has too much else</a> to do.
Former federal foreign minister and ex-NSW premier Bob Carr has quit his job as director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-australia-china-relations-institute-doesnt-belong-at-uts-78743" target="_blank">an organisation bankrolled by a Chinese billionaire</a> with a history of using donations to cosy up to politicians.
It might be just a coincidence that these decisions have come just days before new foreign influence transparency laws come into effect on March 1.
The new laws are supposed to make visible the “<a href="https://www.ag.gov.au/Integrity/foreign-influence-transparency-scheme/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">nature, level and extent</a> of foreign influence on Australia’s government and political process”. There is more than enough evidence that greater transparency is needed. But the extent to which the new rules will achieve this is questionable.
Money talks
Federal parliament passed the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act (FITS) in December. The Act obliges individuals to register if they act on behalf of “foreign principals” – be they governments, government-related entities, political organisations or government-related individuals.
Failing to apply for (or renew) registration, providing false and misleading information or destroying records may lead to a prison term of up to six years for individuals and fines of A$88,200 for companies.
Registrable activities include:
<ul>
<li>parliamentary and political lobbying on behalf of a foreign principal</li>
<li>communications activities for the purpose of political or government influence</li>
<li>employment or activities of former cabinet ministers.</li>
</ul>
An example of the latter is Andrew Robb.
In February 2016 Robb resigned as federal trade minister and announced he would not recontest his seat. He left parliament in July. Three months later he had his new job, getting paid <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/at-528-000-a-year-turnbull-s-pay-is-highest-of-any-leader-in-oecd-20180526-p4zhp5" target="_blank">way more than the prime minister</a> as a consultant to the Landbridge Group.
It is always instructive to note the first jobs taken by politicians after they leave parliament. Those appointments generally reflect relationships already well-groomed.
Landbridge is a privately owned Chinese company, but like many Chinese companies has strong ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Its substantial interests in petrochemicals and ports includes a 99-year lease over the <a href="http://theconversation.com/darwin-ports-sale-is-a-blueprint-for-chinas-future-economic-expansion-108254" target="_blank">Darwin port</a>, which is considered of strategic importance in China’s diplomatic dance with the United States.
Qualitative differences
China isn’t the only foreign power interested in having influence in Australia, of course. Historical ties have meant that Britain once dictated Australia’s foreign policy. Since World War II the United States has had almost as much power.
Now China, Australia’s largest trading partner, taking <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook45p/AustraliaTrade" target="_blank">about 30% of our exports</a>, looms large. But the power exercised by the Chinese regime is qualitatively different.
For all its economic liberalisation since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, China remains a one party state, with repression worsening under Xi Jinping. On <a href="https://rsf.org/en/ranking" target="_blank">freedom of the press</a>, for example, China ranks 176 out of 180 countries.
Commercial, military and political influences are wrapped up together. Lines between state and private enterprises are blurred. When Chinese business interests curry favour with foreign politicians and officials, there’s a high chance that statecraft is also being advanced. <a href="https://theconversation.com/soft-power-goes-hard-chinas-economic-interest-in-the-pacific-comes-with-strings-attached-103765" target="_blank">“Soft power” is used extensively</a>.
Agent of influence
This is what made the tawdry scandal involving former NSW senator Sam Dastyari so alarming.
Though a humble senator, Dastyari was a key Labor Party fundraiser and powerbroker. He later admitted that <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/dastyari-reveals-how-huang-xiangmo-courted-politicians/news-story/85c0592569a3d4583108b9a1cd64c13d" target="_blank">vanity and arrogance</a> made him susceptible to the charm offensive of Huang Xiangmo – the billionaire <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-australia-china-relations-institute-doesnt-belong-at-uts-78743" target="_blank">who courted Bob Carr</a> to head up the Australia-China Relations Institute.
Dastyari accepted financial gifts from Huang’s company, including a A$44,000 payment to settle a legal dispute, along with payments from other donors connected to the Chinese Communist Party.
Such payments made it obvious why he defied his own party’s policy and defended China’s militant stance in the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-29/sam-dastyari-secret-south-china-sea-recordings/9198044" target="_blank">South China Sea</a>. He was subsequently labelled a Chinese “<a href="https://www.afr.com/news/politics/sam-dastyari-is-a-chinese-agent-of-influence-exintelligence-chief-20171203-gzxktb" target="_blank">agent of influence</a>”.
These revelations resulted in Dastyari resigning from parliament in 2017. Earlier this month it was revealed the federal government had rejected Huang’s bid to become an Australian citizen and stripped him of his <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/australia-denies-citizenship-chinese-businessman-huang-xiangmo/10787052" target="_blank">permanent residency visa</a>.
On the basis of these examples highlighted above, there’s a strong case for making influence peddling open and transparent.
Whether the new laws can achieve that is another matter. They may curtail flagrant scenarios where those leaving public office sell their wares to the highest bidder. But to work effectively, the laws and their enforcers will need to constantly adapt and evolve as agents look for creative ways to wield influence from the shadows.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/112403/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;">
John Garrick, Senior Lecturer, Business Law, Charles Darwin University
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/agents-of-foreign-influence-with-china-its-a-blurry-line-between-corporate-and-state-interests-112403" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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New laws can shine light on foreign influence, but agents will remain in the shadows

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <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>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Staff reporter

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