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Ray White Mildura has secured almost $19 million in two recent farm sales in the lush region that supplies more than 80 per cent of Victoria's grapes.
One of the largest sales in recent times in Sunraysia was recently finalised by Mark Thornton of Ray White Mildura when he sold <a id="m_-554013802951475589LPlnk789717" href="http://icm-tracking.meltwater.com/link.php?DynEngagement=true&amp;H=eD76f58HlUnRmzbPZf5yw%2B7LSgBzaQg0S1071ajiM0VK9rmBWpxqVAa0HUCW44V1L3lNOXIaPO3qAopSlw0h5F2vWCm8rZjDpHJFmQMOTjNcy6DIp06diQKaB01GQEoXV6CGTENW8WA%3D&amp;G=0&amp;R=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fsold%2Fproperty-horticulture-nsw-trentham%2Bcliffs-7968210&amp;I=20180724040133.000000003449%40mail6-96-usnbn1&amp;X=MHwxMDQ2NzU4OjViNTY4M2EwYmE2ZDI2ZmQ2MTU1YTRkZjs%3D&amp;S=hf74gbQDxkS4f6D9ZutBLBw2bDkv3NxpiLmisaTEFSo" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://icm-tracking.meltwater.com/link.php?DynEngagement%3Dtrue%26H%3DeD76f58HlUnRmzbPZf5yw%252B7LSgBzaQg0S1071ajiM0VK9rmBWpxqVAa0HUCW44V1L3lNOXIaPO3qAopSlw0h5F2vWCm8rZjDpHJFmQMOTjNcy6DIp06diQKaB01GQEoXV6CGTENW8WA%253D%26G%3D0%26R%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.realestate.com.au%252Fsold%252Fproperty-horticulture-nsw-trentham%252Bcliffs-7968210%26I%3D20180724040133.000000003449%2540mail6-96-usnbn1%26X%3DMHwxMDQ2NzU4OjViNTY4M2EwYmE2ZDI2ZmQ2MTU1YTRkZjs%253D%26S%3Dhf74gbQDxkS4f6D9ZutBLBw2bDkv3NxpiLmisaTEFSo&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1532491859254000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGd6ZQ6Cgv7xO1RXhzhwrtzdj2wrA">88 Alfred Elms Rd, Trentham Cliffs</a>.
The buyers were a local winery expanding their operations. Mr Thornton said the landscape was changing in the Sunraysia horticulture region.
"Interest in the property came from many diverse industries and companies not just locally but also nationally and internationally.
"There are many large international corporations that have Sunraysia under their microscope as a place they want to invest in and that is very exciting for our region,” he said.
The buyer of the property was Sunraysia, Qualia Wines who operate a winery just outside Mildura, in Irymple.
<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/2018/7/25/FARM%202.jpg" alt="">
Late last year Ray White Mildura sales agent and partner Damian Portaro sold a 85 ha table grape farm at <a id="m_-554013802951475589LPlnk721845" href="http://icm-tracking.meltwater.com/link.php?DynEngagement=true&amp;H=eD76f58HlUnRmzbPZf5yw%2B7LSgBzaQg0S1071ajiM0VK9rmBWpxqVAa0HUCW44V1L3lNOXIaPO3qAopSlw0h5F2vWCm8rZjDpHJFmQMOTjNcy6DIp06diQKaB01GQEoXV6CGTENW8WA%3D&amp;G=0&amp;R=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.realestate.com.au%2Fsold%2Fproperty-viticulture-vic-yelta-7927130&amp;I=20180724040133.000000003449%40mail6-96-usnbn1&amp;X=MHwxMDQ2NzU4OjViNTY4M2EwYmE2ZDI2ZmQ2MTU1YTRkZjs%3D&amp;S=daOh7IQSEeH11r2Ra5kHLin08LzII2iQ5ssEHdxw6sE" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://icm-tracking.meltwater.com/link.php?DynEngagement%3Dtrue%26H%3DeD76f58HlUnRmzbPZf5yw%252B7LSgBzaQg0S1071ajiM0VK9rmBWpxqVAa0HUCW44V1L3lNOXIaPO3qAopSlw0h5F2vWCm8rZjDpHJFmQMOTjNcy6DIp06diQKaB01GQEoXV6CGTENW8WA%253D%26G%3D0%26R%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.realestate.com.au%252Fsold%252Fproperty-viticulture-vic-yelta-7927130%26I%3D20180724040133.000000003449%2540mail6-96-usnbn1%26X%3DMHwxMDQ2NzU4OjViNTY4M2EwYmE2ZDI2ZmQ2MTU1YTRkZjs%253D%26S%3DdaOh7IQSEeH11r2Ra5kHLin08LzII2iQ5ssEHdxw6sE&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1532491859255000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGoPq0bpQsqnz8UbQi1NACv6SnQOQ">115 Paschendale Ave, Yelta</a> for $7.265 million to buyers with strong foreign interests.
"This farm is essentially now a farm to plate operation,” Mr Portaro said.
"We have some big international wineries looking to buy in Mildura, plus solar farms and large horticultural operations.” Mr Portaro said. 
“This region is the food bowl for Australia and international buyers firmly believe that the future is in farming.”
 
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Mildura farm sells to local winery

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Skilled professionals are increasingly likely to have an equally skilled partner at home. This makes it harder for companies to fill overseas positions when the move affects two professional careers.
Multinational corporations are starting to recognise and try to understand the complexities of managing talent globally. But we wondered whether they are considering the “right” scope of complexities. As an example of these complexities, and contrary to popular belief, the expatriate spouse – not the expatriate – remains the number one influence on the success of overseas postings.
Three major, interrelated elements create this largely unrecognised complexity.
The family context
An overseas assignment can be an enriching experience for the whole family, but making it a success is a different story. Career paths are no longer choices for a single breadwinner, but compromises between couples or within families.
This means there are a number of stakeholders to consider when an overseas assignment is on offer. The dynamics between the various immediate family members play a major role in whether the assignment is a success.
Research often reports organisational support for spouses as either inadequate or misaligned. One reason for this is that organisations do not have a good enough understanding of expatriate spouse experiences and attitudes to relocation.
Most recently, research has identified that there are four different types of spouses – some more resilient and ready for an international relocation than others. This is to say that spouses and their personal and professional career endeavours may differ greatly. And the lack of knowledge about this makes it difficult to manage.
The reason for any inadequacy or misalignment of organisational support might well stem, then, from not fully understanding the journey of the other family members who are likely invested but involuntarily affected by the way the assignment is managed.
This type of reasoning similarly applies to families with a female breadwinner, families with or without children, those who identify as LGBTIQ, single parents and families going through a divorce, among other scenarios. The chart below illustrates the range of family contexts.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/232212/original/file-20180816-2915-sgy80t.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Corporate support for people on overseas assignments needs to consider the diversity of possible family contexts. Author provided
Philosophically, it is about managing the family as a dynamic and complex network of actors. That is in addition to the complexities inherent in any particular individual employee or family member.
The assignment context
We are seeing an increase in the types of international assignments, including short-term, long-term, rotational, flex-assignments and so forth. You can add to this the propatriate (a professional expatriate committed to their parent company), the glopatriate (a globetrotting expatriate committed to a global career beyond their parent company), the inpatriate (a relocation from the subsidiary into HQ) and the self-initiated expatriate (a non-organisational form of expatriation) among others. We now have many assignment types – some of which have not existed or been recognised as such, say, ten years ago.
The assignment type matters to the multinational corporation. It is the context for the length, purpose and expatriate and family allowances of the assignment.
The location context
Globalisation continues to create opportunities across borders. These in turn are linked to international assignment opportunities.
Today, countries like China, Brazil, India, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Nigeria and Iraq present some of the greatest challenges for international assignees, their partners and children.
But what do we really know about these countries? And to what extent are dual-career families ready (or supported) to relocate to these places and be successful – as a family or as individuals?
Another difficult challenge to manage is the fact that some assignment locations are considered more dangerous than others. Some research suggests this keeps potential expatriates and their families from considering the assignment in the first place.
Managing challenges of diversity is key
In short, the increased diversity of assignments – in all ways – presents policy and compliance challenges for talent management departments. Creating the right tools to enable multinational corporations to understand and respond swiftly to these challenges is key to competing and winning with a global talent strategy.
Global mobility specialists must fully understand past, present and potential trends to then acquire the agility needed to manage talent in today’s world – across diverse demographic, assignment and family contexts.

In the end however, if the expatriate and their family are not convinced this will be a good experience, no amount of deliberation or support will make it a success. The real key to success is to ensure the expatriates and their families understand their “window of opportunity” for such a life-changing move.
Miriam Moeller, Senior Lecturer, International Business, The University of Queensland
Jemaine Tsoi, PhD Researcher, UQ Business School, The University of Queensland
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-secrets-to-managing-overseas-postings-for-modern-families-start-with-the-spouse-100893" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Starting with the spouse is the secret to managing overseas postings for modern families

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Allan Raad of Wentworthville, NSW and his brother-in-law Yousef Joseph Bazouni of Sandringham, NSW, have been convicted and sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to ASIC charges concerning a breach of director’s duties and the fraudulent removal of company assets. 
Raad pleaded guilty to using his position dishonestly to gain an advantage and for having fraudulently removed property. 
Bazouni also pleaded guilty to these offences on the basis of complicity, in that he aided, abetted, counselled or procured the commission of the offences by Raad. 
Raad was sentenced to a total of 18 months' imprisonment for the offences and released on a recognisance order to be of good behaviour for two years. Bazouni was convicted but no penalty imposed and ordered to be of good behaviour for 12 months. As a result of the convictions, both men are automatically disqualified from managing companies for five years. 
ASIC had alleged that on 2 July 2011 in Sydney, NSW Raad engaged in illegal phoenix activity by dishonestly using his position as a director of Cornish Property Services Pty Ltd (the Company) with the intention of indirectly gaining an advantage for himself by causing the sale of the assets of the Company to Bazouni’s newly-incorporated company Flow Management Pty Ltd (Flow Management) for an amount of $20,000. Raad later onsold some of those same assets for $176,000, Raad received the proceeds of the sale and subsequently used the proceeds to pay: 
<ul>
<li>$50,000 for outstanding legal fees owed by the Company but for which he was personally liable;</li>
<li>$23,509.20 to creditors of the Company who held personal guarantees against Raad and/or his wife;</li>
<li>$51,731.81 towards credit card debts for which he was personally liable;</li>
<li>$10,000 towards repayments for a home loan account Mr. Raad shared with his wife;</li>
<li>$22,300 to Bazouni’s credit card; and</li>
<li>$4,000 was paid to existing unsecured creditors of the Company.</li>
</ul>
The Company was placed into voluntary liquidation soon after with an estimated deficiency of $1,110,695.93. 
ASIC also alleged that between 21 July 2011 and 13 August 2011 Raad fraudulently removed $21,609.16 and $16,044.93 from the Company’s account. It was alleged that Bazouni was complicit in helping Raad remove the funds.
ASIC commenced an investigation following the lodgement of a report by the Liquidator Bruce Gleeson of Jones Partners Insolvency &amp; Recovery.  ASIC assisted the Liquidator to conduct an investigation and prepare his report by providing funding from the Assetless Administration Funding. 
ASIC Commissioner John Price said, ‘ASIC is committed to addressing illegal phoenix activity.  ASIC is a member of the Australian Taxation Office-led Phoenix Taskforce, which comprises 29 Commonwealth and State governments agencies who are sharing intelligence and information to detect, deter and prosecute directors and facilitators that engage in illegal phoenix activity.' 
Suspected illegal phoenix can now be reported directly to the Phoenix Hotline on 1800 807 875. Further information is also available from <a href="https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/contact-us/how-to-complain/illegal-phoenix-activity/">ASIC’s website.</a>
The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
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Two former company directors convicted for engaging in illegal phoenix activity 

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Market conditions impacted Sunland's sales volume during the last year, with 304 sales completed to the value of $170 million compared to 2017 where 524 sales were achieved to the value $376 million.
Sunland Group also announced its after tax profit was down, to $31.3 million for the full year ended 30 June 2018, lower than their profits last year at $35.3 million.
They made $32 million in new site acquisitions in Brisbane and a medium-density, residential development in Victoria scheduled to settle in late 2018. 
The group launched four new residential projects during the 2018 financial year including Magnoli Apartments, 272 Hedges Avenue, Arbour Residences on the Gold Coast, and The Hills Residences in Brisbane.
The group also released new land stages within its master planned community at The Heights in Pimpama on the northern Gold Coast.
As at 30 June 2018, Sunland had 14 active projects along Australia’s east coast.
It represents a $3.6 billion portfolio comprising 4,977 residential homes, urban land lots, multi-storey apartments, and 27,000 sqm of retail.
Sunland boss Sahba Abedian said the group achieved revenue from property sales of $290 million during the period, generated from 425 settlements.
Delivery continues at 18 Macpherson Street in Warriewood and The Gardens in Chirnside Park, which are both sold out ahead of its 2019 financial year scheduled completion.
Contracted presales for projects total 381 as of 30 June 2018, with a combined value of $314 million.
The portfolio achieved an average return of 24%.
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Sunland Group sales activity shrinks 

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More than 5,000 hectares of land on the banks of the Cudgegong River in New South Wales’ Mudgee region has been listed for sale.
CBRE Agribusiness and Logical Livestock Marketing have been appointed to market the Warragundi Aggregation, comprising a 5,798 hectare mixed enterprise, consisting of cattle, sheep, water and cropping.
Located near the township of Goolma, approximately 25 minutes’ drive to Mudgee and 15 minutes’ drive to Gulgong, the aggregation offers water access and fodder crops that have maintained a core breeding herd during extended dry periods.
The aggregation includes a range of pastures, including chicory, cocksfoot, fescue, phalaris, ryegrass, sub clover and white clover mix.
CBRE’s Richard Royle and Logical Livestock Marketing Simon McKittrick are selling the aggregation on a ‘walk in, walk out’ basis.
The combined aggregation includes an average carrying capacity of approximately 1,400 breeders and 600 replacements, plus 2,500 merino ewes or 25,000 DSEs.
Offers are due to close September 7.
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Warragundi aggregation at Mudgee listed

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The 110 hectare Goulburn Valley farming property, Allans at 766 Palmer Road Kyabram, has been listed for sale.
It is to be auctioned by Rodwells Ruralco Property on September 28 bringing an end to five generations of ownership by members of the Allan family.
John Allan (1866-1936) was the 20th Premier of Victoria serving for two and a half years from March 1924 and as a local activist in the Country Party.
He also played a formative role in the VFU.
Constituents came to the property to raise their issues with the Premier when he was at home.
The property at 766 Palmers Road is seven minutes west of the Kyabram township.
For many decades, it was operated successfully as a family dairy farm.
When the local Murray Goulburn factory closed some time ago the family ceased dairying and in recent years have grazed their own cattle on the holding as well as agisted livestock owned by other local farmers.
The property has access to two Goulburn Murray Water channels.
The property has highly productive pastures with the majority of the holding having been laser levelled for flood irrigation with two recycling dams included in the new paddock layout.
On the property is an older style four bedroom, two bathroom timber homestead.
Pat Allan, the matriarch of the family, says that she has owned the property for the last 64 years.
She says her great grandfather added purchases of any neighbouring blocks that came on to the market.
One of these was a former small block that housed the long closed Wyuna South school where the building was removed and the title consolidated.
Rodwells Ruralco Property Echuca based branch manager Andrew Miller is marketing the property.
“I am anticipating an auction result in the $700,000 range."
<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/2018/8/21/RURALCO%20766%20PALMERS%20ROAD%20IRRIGATION.jpg" alt="">
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Auction set to end Allan family's five generation Kyabram farm ownership

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A former British Consul's home at Kenmore has been listed for September 9 auction.
The 12 Gladesville Street offering is a 1763 square metre property.
It has housed the England cricket team on numerous occasions and, as rumour has it, also welcomed Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
Ray White Toowong agent Kris Matthews said the home had six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
"This grand-style property is the biggest to go on sale in Kenmore for at least the last five years,” Matthews said.
"The spaciousness available with two kitchens, a huge entertaining area and extensive renovations since 2005, make this property a gem that’s held its character.” <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/2018/8/24/KENMORE%202.jpg" alt="">
The property was lived in by a British consulate for 32 years.
Its granny flat was built in response to 9/11, to allow two Australian Federal Police officers to live on-site.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/24/KENMORE%203.jpeg" alt="">
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British Consul's Kenmore home set for auction 

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Households are feeling the pinch from frozen wages feeds into slower economic growth, and policymakers need to find a solution. 
<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/rbas-philip-lowe-says-australians-fear-foreigners-and-robots-20170619-gwtr20" target="_blank">The crisis really is in real wage growth.</a> – Reserve Bank Governor Philip Lowe, 2017
Increased inequality and low wage growth are constraining economic growth. But why is wage growth so low? And how should policymakers respond?
<a href="https://wir2018.wid.world/" target="_blank">Income inequality has increased significantly</a> in most advanced economies since the early 1980s. In particular, very low rates of wage increase are widely blamed for the weak growth in aggregate demand this century and <a href="http://larrysummers.com/2016/02/17/the-age-of-secular-stagnation/" target="_blank">secular stagnation</a> since the Global Financial Crisis. The GFC was itself brought on by the rise in consumer debt that was used at first to support demand in an attempt to offset the impact of weak wage growth.
Fairfax columnist Ross Gittins recently <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/with-wage-growth-on-the-blink-it-s-time-to-restore-union-bargaining-power-20180727-p4ztym" target="_blank">noted</a> that “many economists were disappointed by this week’s news … that consumer prices rose only 2.1%”. That was because low inflation is “usually a symptom of weak growth in economic activity and, in particular, of weak growth in wages”.
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Thus, today it is widely agreed that wages need to increase faster. The <a href="http://www.oecd.org/social/in-it-together-why-less-inequality-benefits-all-9789264235120-en.htm" target="_blank">OECD</a>, the <a href="http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2015/02/" target="_blank">IMF</a>, leading US scholars, former US Treasury Secretary <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2016-02-15/age-secular-stagnation" target="_blank">Larry Summers</a>, Nobel prize winner <a href="http://evonomics.com/joseph-stiglitz-inequality-unearned-income/" target="_blank">Joseph Stiglitz</a> and most recently Stephen Bell and I in our book, <a href="https://www.mup.com.au/books/9780522872279-fair-share" target="_blank">Fair Share</a>, have all argued that increasing inequality is bad for economic growth.
To solve this problem, the critical issue for policymakers is what is causing this rising inequality and weak wage growth? Unless we better understand the causes, we are unlikely to achieve an effective policy solution.
First, we can quickly dismiss the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/am/treasurer-says-tax-cuts-for-big-business-will-boost-wages/9399324" target="_blank">explanation offered</a> by federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, whose so-called “economic plan” assumes present low wage growth will respond positively to higher company profits. According to Morrison, a company tax cut will lead to more investment and thus more jobs, so eventually the benefits will trickle down and increase wages.
Unfortunately, this logic is the reverse of reality. It ignores the evidence that slow wage growth across all the developed economies has been a problem over a couple of decades now.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/232195/original/file-20180816-2924-1yqkxof.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/232195/original/file-20180816-2924-1yqkxof.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
Slow wage growth is a continuing long-term problem in the developed economies.<a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/"> </a>
In fact, the evidence strongly suggests higher profits will not drive higher wages. The benefits of a company tax cut will largely be returned to shareholders, while the only wages that increase will be those of senior management.
Instead, higher investment will require increased consumer demand. And that in turn depends on stronger wage growth. In short, aggregate demand in a flat economy, like ours, is wages-led. Wages drive investment, not the other way around.
Broadly speaking, there are two serious schools of thought about what is causing weak wage growth and rising inequality.
One explanation puts most of the blame on a weakening of trade-union power.
The other explanation emphasises the impacts of technological change and, to a lesser extent, globalisation on the labour market. Together technology and globalisation are said to have changed job structures and demands for skills. They have reduced the share of middle-level jobs, which has directly increased income inequality, and they can depress the demand for labour more generally and thus wages in developed countries, but especially for less skilled labour.
These two explanations are not mutually exclusive – both may have played a role. However, I want to consider their relative significance as the basis for arguing which policy responses should be given priority.
Trade union power in Australia and its impact
A very distinguished professor of labour economics and former Industrial Relations Commission deputy president, Joe Isaac, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8462.12270" target="_blank">recently argued</a> persuasively that an important explanation of slow wage growth is “to be found in the change in the balance of power in favour of employers and against workers and unions”.
Isaac starts by noting that union membership in Australia has fallen from about 50% of all employees in the 1970s to the present 15%. This is one of the lowest rates in the OECD.
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Isaac also finds some correlation between income inequality (measured by the Gini coefficient) and trade union density for 11 OECD countries. More relevant, though, would be the change in inequality relative to the change in union membership, especially as Australia has always had a relatively high Gini coefficient.
Isaac argues that this loss of membership and the reduced authority of the Fair Work Commission has weakened the bargaining power of organised labour in Australia. Employers are now able “to determine no wage increase or an increase less than their profits would warrant, with less resistance from workers and unions”. Although Isaac admits that “this conclusion is based on the association over time of union power decline and slow wages growth”, he concludes that “it seems reasonable to claim, at least prima facie, a causal connection between them”.
I am more sceptical. While I wouldn’t rule out any impact on wages and employee conditions from a decline in trade union membership and the possibly associated changes in the power of the Fair Work Commission, I question Isaac’s analysis for the following reasons.
First, it is uncertain how much trade union power has declined as a result of loss of membership. Another test of trade union power is the proportion of wages determined by awards and collective agreements – as Isaac shows, this proportion has largely remained the same in Australia. Indeed, in some countries, such as France, trade union membership has always been very low, but they have a highly centralised system of wage determination, which allows the unions a lot of influence.
Second, other countries have also experienced increases in inequality – much greater than in Australia in most cases – but don’t seem to have experienced any notable loss of union power. For example, some of the biggest increases in inequality over the last 30 years, as measured by the Gini coefficient for final disposable income, have <a href="https://data.oecd.org/inequality/income-inequality.htm" target="_blank">occurred in countries like Sweden, Finland and Germany</a>, which are not associated with any loss of trade union power.
Third, Isaac’s analysis of wage inequality focuses entirely on a decline in the wage share of total <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/factor-income.asp" target="_blank">factor income</a>. This ignores changes within the distribution of earnings. These latter changes are more important in many countries, and certainly for Australia.
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While the wage share in Australia has declined since the 1970s and early 1980s, this was at least partly a result of deliberate policy under the Hawke/Keating governments’ Accord with the trade unions, when it was accepted that the wage share had been too high. Even today the <a href="http://ace2017.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Declan-Trott-Full-Paper.pdf" target="_blank">wage share is still higher than in 1960</a>, when the economy was generally considered to be performing exceptionally well.
Fourth, the changes in the distribution of earnings largely reflect changes in the structure of occupations rather than changes in relative wage rates. But trade unions seek to influence wage rates, and it is difficult to see how they can exert much direct influence over the structure of jobs.
For these various reasons, I don’t think the loss, if any, of trade union power can explain much of the increase in inequality in most countries over the last 30 years. It is necessary to look elsewhere for the explanation, and the main driver seems to have been the impact of technological change.
Impacts of technology and globalisation
In <a href="https://www.mup.com.au/books/9780522872279-fair-share" target="_blank">Fair Share</a>, Stephen Bell and I examine the causes of increased inequality over the last 30 years in most of the advanced economies. A critical starting point is to distinguish between changes in the job structure and changes in relative wage rates. As we <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=CwtNDwAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PT135&amp;dq=%22no+change+in+relative+wage+rates,+but+employment+increased+faster%22&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjo7u3o7evcAhUI7bwKHTz_AO4Q6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&amp;q=%22no%20change%20in%20relative%20wage%20rates%2C%20but%20employment%20increased%20faster%22&amp;f=false" target="_blank">note</a>:
Even if there were no change in relative wage rates, but employment increased faster for both high-paid and low-paid jobs, the earnings distribution would show up as more unequal. What would have happened is that the composition of the top and lowest deciles of earnings would have altered, which would increase the median income of the top decile and reduce the median income of the lowest decile, which would in turn be reported as an increase in the inequality of earnings.
The consensus in the studies we reviewed is that increased inequality of earnings largely reflects the impact of technological change. Globalisation and increased participation in global value chains may also have played a role, but less so in Australia, which we attribute to Australia having a more flexible labour market than, say, America.
We also surmise that <a href="https://theconversation.com/finance-drives-everything-including-your-insecurity-at-work-101107" target="_blank">increased financialisation</a> and the capture of rents generated by technological change may help explain the very large increase in remuneration for the top 1%.
Interestingly, the OECD specifically rejected the hypothesis that regulatory changes have helped drive any significant increase in inequality. It <a href="http://www.oecd.org/els/soc/dividedwestandwhyinequalitykeepsrising.htm" target="_blank">found</a> that “the net effect of regulatory reforms on trends in ‘overall earnings inequality’ remains indeterminant in most cases”.
The principal impact of technological change, and globalisation to a lesser extent, has been to reduce the share of middle-level jobs. In particular, new <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/publications/view/1314" target="_blank">information</a> and <a href="http://ceda.com.au/Research-and-policy/All-CEDA-research/Research-catalogue/Australia-s-future-workforce" target="_blank">communications technology</a> has had its <a href="http://www.urbanvillageworld.com/resource_center/Offshoring%20Article%20-%20Foreign%20Affairs1.pdf" target="_blank">greatest impact</a> on <a href="http://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2017/04/04/world-economic-outlook-april-2017" target="_blank">relatively routine tasks</a> <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://ideas.repec.org/p/mlb/wpaper/1192" target="_blank">involving middle-level jobs</a>, such as clerical occupations and the operation of basic machinery.
Technological change has also driven the fall in the relative price of capital goods. This has led to some substitution of capital for labour. Again, this is “particularly pronounced in industries with a high predominance of routine tasks”, as the <a href="http://www.oecd.org/els/oecd-employment-outlook-19991266.htm" target="_blank">OECD notes</a>.
These changes in job structure and the relative decline in the middle-level jobs have been the most important cause of increasing inequality in many countries, including Australia. Technological progress has also led to an increase in the demand for skills. In some countries that has increased the premium paid for skilled labour, but the extent of this depends upon the policy response affecting the supply of skills.
In Australia’s case, Bell and I <a href="https://www.mup.com.au/books/9780522872279-fair-share">find</a> that the premium for skills, and consequently relative wage rates, did not change much because of the increase in education and training effort. Accordingly, much of the increase in earnings inequality in Australia reflects changes in the job structure rather than changes in relative wage rates (see also <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8462.2003.00296.x" target="_blank">Keating</a> and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://ideas.repec.org/p/mlb/wpaper/1192" target="_blank">Coelli &amp; Borland</a>).
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ivRs4/1/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="550"></iframe>
So what does this mean for policy?
Consistent with his view that a weakening of trade union power has driven the increase in inequality, Isaac <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8462.12270">recommends</a> changing the Fair Work Act to rectify “the unbalanced industrial power in the labour market”. I can support most of Isaac’s recommended changes, and especially greater rights of union entry, which should help better police adherence to awards and wage agreements.
I also agree that Isaac’s recommended legislative changes are unlikely to result in unions abusing their increased power. This is because, as he puts it, “there are now prevailing forces, such as global competition and structural changes, which will continue to keep union power in check”.
However, these “prevailing forces” are what really caused most of the increase in inequality, as discussed above. I therefore doubt that these legislative changes will do much to reverse the increase in earnings inequality.
Instead, the best way to respond to the impact of technological change on the job structure and possible associated changes in wage premiums is to improve education and training. Enhanced education, training and labour market policies will help workers adjust to the challenges posed by new technologies and will also spur the adoption of those technologies.
In addition, if the supply of skills thereby increases in line with the increase in their demand, there should not need to be any change in relative wage rates. Although these types of reforms take time, in the end they can boost both aggregate demand and potential output, with benefits all round.
In short, as Thomas Piketty, in his <a href="http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674430006" target="_blank">major study on inequality</a>, <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=T8zuAgAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PA313&amp;dq=%22the+best+way+to+increase+wages+and+reduce+wage+inequalities%22&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiepIuH--vcAhVEVLwKHa5_D6EQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&amp;q=%22the%20best%20way%20to%20increase%20wages%20and%20reduce%20wage%20inequalities%22&amp;f=false" target="_blank">concluded</a>:
To sum up: the best way to increase wages and reduce wage inequalities in the long run is to invest in education and skills.
Michael Keating<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-keating-528224"></a>, Visiting Fellow, College of Business &amp; Economics, Australian National University
This article was originally published on The Conversation. 
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This is what policymakers can and can't do about low wage growth: Michael Keating

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MadeComfy, a performance-based short-term rental specialist, has opened a Brisbane office.
It has appointed 13-year property veteran Melissa Baker as its new Queensland general manager.
This follows a $6 million capital raising in May following consistent 500% year-on-year growth in Sydney and Melbourne.
MadeComfy recently released a study of the Queensland short-term rental market that showed the demand for short-term rentals (STR) more than doubled over the last two years, with STR making up 11.8% of Australia’s total tourist accommodation.
The STR report showed that short-term rentals in Queensland contributed $162 million to national tourism revenue in 2016, providing over 1.2 million nights of accommodation to the almost 1.5 million international visitors Brisbane attracted.
Melissa Baker said MadeComfy’s research has shown conclusively that Australia’s demand for short-term accommodation options are only going to keep increasing.
"Compared to Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane enjoys year-round bookings which is great for local property owners who may be considering short-term rental options such as Airbnb, Booking.com or HomeAway.”
MadeComfy claims they are delivering property owners in Sydney and Melbourne an approximately 7% to 11% rental yield return.
It was recently recognised as Sydney’s most innovative company at the 2018 NSW Business Chamber Award as well as being named as one of Westpac’s 200 Businesses of Tomorrow.
MadeComfy say they combine technology and property management services to deliver easy, transparent and profitable short-term rental experience for homeowners.
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Short-term rental service raises $6 million to expand to Brisbane

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Sydney’s Crown Development Group has purchased a significant residential development site in Brisbane’s West End for $35 million. 
The purchase at 117 Victoria Street marks Crown’s first entry into the Brisbane market.
It plans to construct a high-density residential tower on the riverfront site with over 400 apartments and adjacent recreational areas.
Cushman &amp; Wakefield’s Nick Spiro and Andrew Gard managed the expressions of interest campaign generating interest from local, interstate and offshore developers with over 200 inquiries.
Located in close proximity to South Brisbane and West End’s retail, dining and entertainment precincts, the 117 Victoria Street site (pictured above) comprises a 12,500sqm high density residential zoned lot with an assessable development height of 12 storeys.
It is one of the last remaining development sites over 1Ha in Brisbane’s inner south area. The land has a 5,100sqm office/warehouse facility which was previously occupied by Computershare.
The sale is the largest development site transaction within Brisbane’s city fringe market in 2018, representing a return to positive development market sentiment after a period of subdued demand. 
Crown’s residential development project will complement existing developments within the West End peninsula, including Turrisi’s Bohemia West End, Stockwell’s Virtuoso, BPM’s Bank Street Project, Sekisui House’s West Village site and Pradella’s Light &amp; Co project.
Commenting on the sale, Nick Spiro, said the West End development market has been subject to substantial swings in sentiment, however, Crown’s purchase of 117 Victoria Street was a sign that the development market "has passed its low point and is well positioned for future growth.”
The last three sites over 1ha in West End have sold to Crown, R&amp;F and Sekisui House who are all national or offshore developers.
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Crown Group secures Brisbane West End residential development site for $35 million

An entity directed by HSN's Rafi Assouline and Rebel Property's Allen Linz has filed plans for an impressive new precinct in Woolloomooloo.

The major mixed-use development would transform a prominent William Street site into a new residential village anchored by affordable housing and a large public park.

The proposal, submitted as a State Significant Development Application, covers 164-172 and 174-194 William Street, a 6,398 sqm site between Forbes Street and Dowling Street on the southern edge of Woolloomooloo.

Designed by fjcstudio in collaboration with Bangawarra, Studio Bright and Tribe Studio Architects, the scheme would deliver 227 apartments across four residential buildings ranging in height up to 18 storeys, alongside retail space, public domain improvements and a new publicly accessible park.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eb59b7c-914a-4a5c-b849-3a56749f5e93" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.18.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=mxM6EEqeoLjrCiTlCzTKTvzpKuh6kSkH" />

It's another design scheme for Rebel, who took <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-rebel-property-group-takes-woolloomooloo-precinct-to-nsw-government">concept plans to the NSW Gov late last year</a>.

The latest plans will be a mix of 167 build-to-sell apartments and 60 affordable apartments, with the affordable housing component representing 15 per cent of the project's gross floor area. The apartment mix includes 12 one-bedroom, 53 two-bedroom, 89 three-bedroom apartments and 13 penthouses, while the affordable housing component would comprise 42 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b3d4553-8a8c-4af5-aa8c-519ffb1e28c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_Yb6ibN7eDnOtQjCNDK2eviORa4qzgv." />

Rebel Property is seeking to take advantage of the NSW Government's infill affordable housing bonus provisions under the Housing SEPP, which provide additional floor space and height in exchange for the delivery of affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years. The planning pathway allows a 30 per cent increase in floor space ratio and building height where 15 per cent of the development is dedicated to affordable housing.

&nbsp;

At the centre of the development is a 1,356 sqm sunlit public park designed to become a new community gathering space at the gateway to Woolloomooloo. The park would be complemented by a network of pedestrian laneways connecting William Street with the surrounding streets, improving permeability through what is currently a largely impermeable block.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="257af931-a393-4007-8c6d-7219796df58d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=KAHy94GrhaReFsWTGDKfy39EDJ8gEEv4" />

The design team says the public domain has been heavily influenced by the site's topography and Aboriginal cultural heritage, drawing on the escarpments, gullies and landscape characteristics that historically defined the area before urbanisation. The landscape design has been developed in partnership with First Nations consultancy Bangawarra.

The project would be delivered across four separate buildings. The William Street East and William Street West buildings, designed by fjcstudio, would contain the majority of the apartments. Melbourne-based Studio Bright has designed the Forbes Street building, while Tribe Studio Architects is responsible for the Dowling Street building.

Rebel had secured approval for the concept plans late last year.

Joel Robinson

First look: HSN, Rebel, advances Woolloomooloo precinct plans

A locally heritage-listed furniture showroom on Water Street is set to become the centrepiece of a new mixed-use residential development as local developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group">Keylin</a> seeks approval for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lotus-on-water-street-290-water-street-fortitude-valley-qld-4006">Lotus on Water Street</a>, a 15-storey project on the Fortitude Valley side of Spring Hill.

The proposal spans 290 Water Street and 137-141 Warry Street, combining several properties into a 2,869 sqm site that sits between Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill and the rapidly evolving Victoria Park precinct. Keylin's plans would deliver 132 apartments alongside new retail, hospitality and commercial space, while retaining and repurposing the historic Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom that fronts Water Street.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-teece">Jackson Teece</a>, Lotus on Water Street comprises a 12-storey residential tower rising above a three-storey podium and communal rooftop terrace. The development includes 76 apartments classified as multiple dwellings and a further 56 units proposed as short-term accommodation, designed to be flexibly used as either accommodation or permanent residences. The apartment mix comprises six one-bedroom, 54 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom homes.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9822bb79-6c49-49c9-95ba-319e8c8d81c3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20front.png?VersionId=ioW8zbN4UVebbLetTFuv92t.HkdgfR5e" />

Residents would have access to an extensive rooftop recreation level spanning more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space. Plans include a pool, gym, sauna, infrared sauna, yoga area, library, private dining room, barbecue facilities and landscaped entertainment spaces, making the rooftop the project's largest shared amenity offering.

At street level, the proposal focuses on the adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings along Water Street, where 518 sqm of retail and commercial space is planned across shop, office and food and drink outlet uses. A permeable residential lobby would be positioned between the retained heritage buildings, creating a pedestrian connection between the historic streetscape and the new tower behind.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="269cf3e0-7d13-48bf-a318-05a00deb5c10" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20podium.png?VersionId=DLXmTCLsp6GOcLpQ0h.0z7wKCw59EhN_" />

The heritage retention strategy is central to the scheme. The development application notes that the Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom and adjoining heritage buildings will remain, with only non-significant structures on the site earmarked for removal under a previously issued Heritage Exemption Certificate. Levels one and two of the new podium are recessed behind the heritage façades to maintain their prominence within the streetscape.

Jackson Teece has drawn inspiration from the site's manufacturing history when designing the podium. The planning documents state that the façade incorporates perforated metal screening that references the woven and rattan furniture historically produced on the site. Cascading and climbing plants are integrated throughout the podium to soften the building's presentation and screen parking levels behind. The landscape strategy also informs the project's name, Lotus on Water Street, drawing on the historic Spring Hollow waterholes that once ran through Spring Hill and the blue water lilies associated with Meeanjin, Brisbane's traditional name.

The proposal also incorporates the neighbouring property at 141 Warry Street, currently occupied by a healthcare service. The existing building would remain, with nine dedicated parking spaces allocated within the new development to support its ongoing operation. In total, Lotus on Water Street proposes 117 car spaces, including 110 resident spaces and seven visitor bays, alongside 100 bicycle spaces.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70cf07bc-4fd8-4e70-92dd-be8b21c4e4f0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20site.png?VersionId=txlxrJImM0Sm_vTzHVKh5DDUkyL_CiiA" />

The site sits within the Spring Hill East Precinct of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan and is positioned around 650 metres from both Fortitude Valley Station and Exhibition Station. It is also within walking distance of the King Street precinct, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Quarter and Victoria Park, which is earmarked to become a major venue precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Planning documents describe the location as a key gateway between Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley and highlight the area's increasing importance as new transport infrastructure and Olympic-related investment reshape Brisbane's inner north. The development team argues the project will contribute additional housing supply while activating a section of Water Street that has historically received less investment than other parts of the Valley.

Keylin has become increasingly active across Brisbane and southeast Queensland, assembling sites in strategic inner-city locations. They are currently selling and delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria Spring Hill</a>, just over 140 apartments due for completion in 2027.

Keylin plans heritage-led Lotus on Water Street apartment development in Fortitude Valley

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Staff reporter

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