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The Brisbane-based, ASX-listed house and land package company Tamawood has cut its profit outlook for the year, after credit delays were holding back construction starts.
Tamawood advised shareholders its net profit after tax for the year to June would be down by $800,000, an 8.8% decline on the $9.1 million reported last year.
The company reported more than half of that the result of delays in construction resulted from customers who couldn't get confirmation of bank loan approvals.
The company makes around 85% of its sales in south-east Queensland, through the Dixon Homes brand.
It said the delays were the result of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
"It's quite a bit," Tamawood executive chairman Robert Lynch told The Australian Financial Review.
"It's just pushing out the profits into next year. It's a slowdown rather than anything else." 
Tamawood is Queensland's seventh-biggest builder with 598 home starts last year.
"The banks are being very careful about every loan," he said.
"The reason for that is they're going through and checking everything again. It's all due to nervousness created by the royal commission."
It also advised its setup costs for its Sydney expansion was above initial expectations.
Tamawood shares closed up 4¢, or 1%, on Friday at $4.04, pointing out there had not been a drop in its dividend over the past 18 years.
The company, listed on the ASX in 2000, has its head office in Brisbane’s south which was recently sold in a $8.5 million deal.
The property at 1821 Ipswich Road, Rocklea (pictured above), sold on an initial yield of 7.4%, with a head lease to Dixon Homes in a 10-year leaseback arrangement.
The property was sold by Rainrose Pty Ltd – an entity linked to Lev Mizikovsky, the founder of Tamawood Limited.
It acquired the Rocklea complex in 2012 for $5.4 million.
The property – once occupied by an indoor go-karting track – is positioned to enable staff to access Dixon Homes’ construction projects and estates throughout south-east Queensland.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Delays in Dixon Homes new starts blamed on royal commission-induced credit showdown

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McCallum, an organic-style country homestead at Michelago, NSW, on a 720 hectare offering has been listed with $1.85 million to $2 million hopes.
Set on the doorstep of the highlands, the property is 54 kilometres from Canberra and 340 kilometres to Sydney.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-michelago-128192378" target="_blank">The sustainably-built residence</a> built by Robbie Wood and designed to harmonise with the natural landscape.
There's recycled timber and stone all sourced from the property plus part of the big old Cowra bridge.
A verandah with outdoor fireplace wraps around three sides of the home set around 1,100 metres at its highest point, with views extending down the valley to Mount Tenant. 
The main house consists of five bedrooms, four bathrooms, country style kitchen, library and several living spaces.
There is a two bedroom guest house with corrugated iron walls and polished concrete flooring.
The property has 900 juvenile olive trees.
The 759 Micalago Road Michelago home is listed through Leanne Palmer of Belle Property Kingston with offers due June 21.
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McCallum, an organic-style country homestead at Michelago for sale

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A Werribee two bedroom unit overlooking the Werribee River has been recently sold at $332,000 by mortgagees.
It was sold by Mitchell Bourchier and Wesley Norris from Barry Plant Werribee. 
It sold at $140,000 in 2014. The subsequent development approval was priced at $284,000.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-unit-vic-werribee-128239602" target="_blank">The 2/22 Golden Avenue </a>unit comes with two large bedrooms, good sized formal living zone, open plan living and dining room, as well as single lock up garage.
Situated on a central allotment, it is 1.5 kilometres to Werribee Train Station, city centre and shops, local schools as well as being only minutes away from Pacific Werribee shopping centre.
The suburb's median unit price sits on $345,000, according to CoreLogic. 
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Werribee two bedroom unit sold by mortgagee

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Hyfield, a cropping property in Western Australia's Kojonup, has been sold for more than $25 million by the wheatbelt farming operations Giovi Ltd, formerly Wellard Agri Ltd.
Situated in the heart of the Great Southern with frontage to Albany Highway and Katanning-Kojonup main road, it consisted of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-cropping-wa-kojonup-7933170" target="_blank">three properties</a>.
<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/2018/6/8/HYFIELD%202.jpg" alt="">
Hyfield, a 2534 ha holding; Crossburn, a 2717 ha holding plus Yaralla, a 2581 ha holding were listed through Ray White Rural WA.
The properties are located within the Golden Triangle which developed its reputation from its late 1830s settlement due to its location, reliable rainfall, soft summers, excellent mixed soils on gently undulating well-drained hills.
<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/2018/6/8/HYFIELD%203.jpg" alt="">
Of the 7831ha, 78 per cent is considered arable. 
The cropping program in recent years has comprised Calingiri, Mace and Spelt wheats, Bass barley, Bannister oats and canola varieties. 
The aggregation has reportedly had a sound fertiliser history since it was acquired by Wellard in 2008.
<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/2018/6/8/HYFIELD%204.jpg" alt="">
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Hyfield cropping property Kojonup sells for $25 million plus

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GUEST OBSERVATION
If not for the public’s generosity, the iconic Statue of Liberty might not have the solid and impressive footing she does today. In the late 1800s, government funds for the monument were exhausted. Yet through a fundraising campaign, the New York World newspaper garnered support from over 160,000 residents to cover the pedestal costs.
Just as large monuments need solid bases to ensure their long-term existence, so too does the environment. In the case of nature conservation, it requires money to support diverse research projects, on-ground activities, and outreach aimed at protecting and managing species and habitats.
While the health of the environment continues to decline globally, in most regions government funding falls short of what is required to stem the losses. Crowdfunding plays an important and under-appreciated role for biodiversity conservation.
Our new research presents a global analysis of how crowdfunding, still a relatively novel and minor financial mechanism in the conservation community, is contributing to conservation around the world.
Show me the money. What’s being funded and why?
Crowdfunding offers a powerful mechanism for mobilising resources for conservation across borders. We recorded 577 conservation-oriented projects (from 72 crowdfunding platforms), which have raised around US$4.8 million since 2009. The people leading these projects were based in 38 countries, but projects took place across 80 countries.
This pattern has important implications for conservation, because there is often a mismatch between high-priority areas for global conservation and countries with the greatest financial and technical capacity. For instance, we discovered that a third of the projects were delivered in different countries to where their proponents were based. The USA, UK and Australia were the countries with the highest outflow of projects (“project exporters”). Indonesia, South Africa, Costa Rica and Mexico had the highest inflow (“project importers”).
<iframe src="https://greenfirescience.carto.com/builder/c1a70aca-e978-4db7-8e1b-063a590dccf9/embed" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="520"></iframe>Global distribution of crowdfunding for biodiversity conservation: countries where relevant platforms are based, countries where proponents of projects are hosted, and countries where projects are delivered. (Interactive map generated using CARTO)
Crowdfunding could be supporting conservation work of actors that do not have as much capacity for raising funds.
The people leading projects were primarily from non-governmental organisations (35%) or universities (30%), or were freelancers (26%). Importantly, among non-governmental organisations, we discovered organisations operating at sub-national levels proposed a majority of projects.
Additionally, crowdfunding for conservation is not all about research. While most of the projects we reviewed focused on research (40%), many tackled raising awareness of conservation-related issues (31%) or boots-on-the-ground activities (21%). This expands the sphere of anecdotal evidence and commentary about crowdfunding related to conservation, which has so far revolved around research. For the first time, we’ve systematically unpacked how these funds are being used for additional activities to support conservation.
Crowdfunding can also support innovative projects that traditional funding agencies deem too risky or unconventional. For example, one project supported buying and training two Maremma sheepdogs to protect penguins against predatory foxes in southeastern Australia. (That might sound familiar to those who’ve seen the movie Oddball.)
Such opportunities for innovation can have important consequences for conservation worldwide; crowdfunding could be considered an incubator for novel ideas before widespread dissemination.
More than half of the projects we recorded (around 58%) largely focused on species. These included a disproportionate number of threatened bird and mammal species.
Prominent projects to save orange-bellied parrots or Papua New Guinea’s endangered tree kangaroos are important success stories.
This is not to underplay crowdfunding’s importance for ecosystems – whether land-based (20%), marine (9%) or freshwater (4%). Crowfunding is supporting projects ranging from protection of wilderness areas in remote Tasmania to research informing the conservation of the Californian coast.
Crowdfunding benefits extend beyond dollars and cents
The amount of money for conservation via crowdfunding has so far been relatively modest compared to more traditional conservation finance mechanisms. However, the benefits of crowdfunding extend well beyond dollars and cents. Crowdfunding helps communicate environmental issues and empower researchers and communities.
The figure below shows the reach of a single tweet during the Big Roo Count campaign. It shows how conservation-related messages can spread widely and engage communities via social media.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/220580/original/file-20180528-80640-1fmpk6j.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Example tweet (1777 tweets, 512 users) network during the Big Roo Count crowdfunding campaign. Stuart Palmer
Crowdfunding is an exciting new tool in the conservation toolbox. But, ultimately, traditional funding sources, like government agencies, still have a major role and duty to invest adequately in environmental protection and nature conservation. Considering the current extinction crisis, governments must avoid further outsourcing of such responsibilities.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/220560/original/file-20180528-51115-1cctcjc.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Examples of conservation projects supported through crowdfunding.
The discussion over novel sources and recipients of conservation funding continues. At the same time, transparency and oversight remain critical for managing expectations and overall effectiveness of funding. Crowdfunding contributes one more building block to democratising conservation funding and increasing transparency.
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland
Carla Archibald, PhD Candidate, Conservation Science, The University of Queensland
Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life &amp; Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Rachel Friedman, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland
Richard Fuller, Professor in Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Queensland
Rochelle Steven, Postdoctoral Researcher, The University of Queensland
Tiffany Morrison, Principal Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/crowdfunded-campaigns-are-conserving-the-earths-environment-97312" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Crowdfunded campaigns are conserving the Earth’s environment

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Late on Wednesday night the so-called “brumby bill” was passed without amendment in the New South Wales Parliament. The controversial Coalition bill, supported by the Christian Democrats and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, means that feral horses must be kept in Kosciuszko National Park.
It also creates a community advisory panel, with no scientific experts appointed, to advise the minister on how to manage the horse population in the alpine ecosystem.
The NSW government has attracted accusations of a conflict of interest. Former Nationals member Peter Cochran, who now runs a commercial venture offering brumbie-spotting rides through the National Park (and who has donated extensively to Deputy Premier John Barilaro) reportedly commissioned lawyers to draft the bill. Peter Cochran, John Barilaro and Gladys Berejiklian have denied all accusations of conflict of interest and underhanded conduct.
The bill has also been criticised by scientific bodies. In a letter to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week, the Australian Academy of Science noted that the legislation removes consideration of scientific advice, and called for the bill to be withdrawn or substantially amended.
In a rare move, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has also written to the NSW government, expressing concern over the potential degradation of this internationally significant national park.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/222112/original/file-20180607-137285-1izt88d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Damage caused by feral horses in the Australian alps. D Thompson and Stuart Rowland, Friends of Currango/Flickr
Out of step with other states
The NSW Labor Party does not support the bill and has pledged to repeal the legislation if elected next March. The legislation represents a radical change in NSW’s management of feral horses, coming after a 2016 draft strategy that recommenced reducing their population by 90% over 20 years.
NSW now stands in contrast to other Australian states. Last Saturday, Victoria launched its Feral Horse Strategic Action Plan. That plan aims to protect native species and ecosystems in national parks by removing or controlling feral horses and is a welcome step in the right direction. Victorian environment minister Lily D’Ambrosio called on the NSW and federal governments to support a unified approach to feral horse management in Australia’s alpine regions.
Is culling in or out?
The Victorian plan excludes aerial culling but will revisit horse control methods if the proposed trapping methods don’t reduce environmental impacts. Aerial culling is widely practised throughout Australia, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland (where culling was used to improve road safety), and the Australian Capital Territory, which borders Kosciuszko National Park.
Barilaro argued against aerial culling when he presented the Brumby bill to parliament, calling it cruel and barbaric. He reiterated that the bill is meant to prevent lethal control in his response to Victoria’s announcement. But surprisingly, the draft legislation makes no mention of control methods, lethal or otherwise.
The deputy premier also referred to the Guy Fawkes National Park horse cull in northern NSW in 2000 to support his argument against aerial culling. But an independent enquiry found that the cull was an appropriate humane response to the situation, where horses were starving to death and causing environmental damage after a fire. The RSPCA and independent reports show that aerial culling is an acceptable and humane way to manage horse numbers.
Further, the brumby bill now locks in the predictable outcome that thousands of horses are likely to starve to death in the next drought or after large fires. It is therefore puzzling that actions likely to increase horse suffering are not of great concern to many within the pro-brumby lobby.
Greater emphasis, instead, has been put on a cultural argument for protecting feral horses: for example, by claiming that feral horses made enormous contributions to Australia’s World War One effort. However, the cultural heritage report prepared for the NSW National Parks Service says “there is no definitive evidence that remount horses were directly taken from the brumby population of what is now Kosciusko National Park”.
The Sydney Olympics opening ceremony was also offered as evidence that brumbies are integral to Australian culture. However, Australian Stock horses, not brumbies, were showcased at the Sydney Olympics – a distinct breed, established by horse enthusiasts in the 1970s.
That said, it is true that horses in the snowy mountains do have local cultural value. But so too does the native fauna and flora threatened by feral horses, many of which only occur in Australia’s high country. This includes species such as the southern corroboree frog, alpine she-oak skink, broad-toothed rat, Raleigh sedge and mauve burr-daisy.
Can we compromise?
Is a compromise possible, in which both cultural and conservation goals can be accommodated? We think so. The feral horse population can be removed from the national parks and sensitive ecosystems. Brumby herds can thrive on extensive private property in the region, an approach already proven in South Australia’s Coffin Bay National Park.
The brumby bill was written and presented to parliament by groups with at best a perceived conflict of interest, and promoted by using inaccurate information about culling and heritage. It has been roundly criticised by leading national and international scientific bodies for not taking adequate account of science and the key role of national parks in conserving biodiversity.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/97920/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">That this bill has now passed the NSW upper house is a further backward step for conservation goals and Australia’s international reputation for environmental protection, and sets a dangerous precedent by undermining prominent national and state environmental policy. It remains to be seen how this legislation aligns with the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, given that it literally tramples over several matters of national environmental significance.
Don Driscoll, Professor in Terrestrial Ecology, Deakin University
Euan Ritchie, Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life &amp; Environmental Sciences, Deakin University
Tim Doherty, Research Fellow, Deakin University
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/passing-the-brumby-bill-is-a-backward-step-for-environmental-protection-in-australia-97920">original article</a>.
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Passing the brumby bill is a backward step for environmental protection in Australia

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Geoff and Dalrae Shaw’s versatile Rockhampton district property Comanche has been sold $15.7 million.
It was bought by the Canberra-based, Rural Fund Management.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-mixed+farming-qld-glenroy-7957726" target="_blank">Comanche</a> was marketed by Mark Simpson at Ray White Rural and Ray Taylor at Landmark Harcourts.
Bidding kicked off at $11 million from the eight registered bidders.  
Located in the Glenroy district 86 kilometres west of Rockhampton, the 7599 hectare (18,778 acre) freehold property has a 9 kilometres frontage to the Fitzroy River, with a water allocation.
Comanche country is described as a mixture of frost free softwood, brigalow and belah scrub and alluvial river flats.
Rockhampton has been pinpointed as the FIFO hub for the proposed Adani Carmichael mine.
It is reported that approximately 1,100 FIFO workers are to be located in the Rockhampton region for the two year construction period.
Post construction, this workforce is expected to be reduced to approximately 625.
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Rural Fund Management buy Rockhampton farm Comanche

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Moody's Investors Service says that Sympli, the joint venture between ASX Limited and InfoTrack - a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian Technology Innovators Pty Limited - will, subject to regulatory approval, provide the first seamless and fully integrated solution for online conveyancing services in Australia. 
"The venture will not just rival PEXA, the current sole electronic lodgement network operator in the country, but will become the first company in Australia to replace the whole paper-based property settlement process with digital services," says Shawn Xiong, a Moody's Analyst. 
Moody's explains that while PEXA currently monopolizes the last settlement stage of the conveyancing process, the InfoTrack-ASX venture will provide digital services for the entire conveyancing process. 
Over the next two years, Moody's expects that the move online will mostly benefit PEXA because of its first-mover advantage. 
But Sympli will benefit from InfoTrack's existing market position and relationships in the Australian conveyancing market, as well as its legal and technological capabilities, particularly its smart contract technology.
This situation, combined with ASX's significant experience and existing infrastructure in providing integrated electronic settlement services, will create a one-stop solution for industry practitioners.
"As a result, Sympli should win market share over time," Moody's concluded
The shift to electronic from paper-based settlements in the Australian conveyancing industry presented an unprecedented opportunity for digital-based property services providers such as the InfoTrack-ASX venture, adds Xiong. 
Moody's analysis is contained in its recent report Property Services — Australia: InfoTrack and ASX venture to drive competition in electronic property services.
It was co-authored by Xiong with Trung Vu, a Moody's Associate Analyst. 
ASX and InfoTrack announced the establishment of Sympli, a 50:50 joint venture that will provide electronic property settlement services likely starting at the end of 2018. 
<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/2018/6/8/MOODYS%201.jpg" alt="">
Moody's points out that the property services industry is fragmented, with industry players serving only parts of the conveyancing process. 
Meanwhile, most state governments — including Western Australia (WA), New South Wales (NSW), South Australia and Victoria (VIC) — have committed to transitioning the property industry to a paperless environment.
And, mandates are in place in WA, NSW and VIC to push all transactions online by December 2017, July and August 2019, respectively. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/8/MOODYS%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here to enlarge:</a>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/8/MOODYS%202.jpg" target="_blank" style="font-size: 12.16px;"> </a><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/2018/6/8/MOODYS%202.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
Moody's says that service providers with a large reliance on traditional information brokerage and manual property settlements — such as SAI Global Holdings — will likely struggle to grow in light of the new competition.
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Moody's praises Sympli, the new online conveyancing service

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Unibail-Rodamco has completed the acquisition of Westfield.
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Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield combines two of the strongest and most respected names in the real estate industry to build on their legacies.
With a portfolio valued at €62 billion, of which 88 percent is in retail, seven percent in offices and six percent in convention and exhibition venues.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield owns and operates 102 shopping centres in 13 countries, of which 56 are flagships in the most dynamic cities in Europe and in the United States.
Its centres welcome 1.2 billion visits per year.
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The $32 billion takeover of Frank Lowy's retail landlord giant Westfield only ever faced mooted opposition.
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Under the headline, Macquarie Capital buddies up to Unibail-Rodamco, the Australian Financial Review fleetingly noted that Macquarie Capital was the latest investment bank to pick up consultancy fees in Australia's biggest ever takeover.
After Unibail-Rodamco's $32 billion cash and scrip bid for Westfield Group, sources told the AFR's Street Talk said the Paris-headquartered Unibail "hauled in" Macquarie's bankers to help with elements of the "deal execution", helping Unibail manage its foreign currency risk. 
Macquarie was the latest in a long list of banks to secure a place on Unibail's side of the deal ticket. 
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<div>Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank were first there, while others involved include Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.</div>
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<div>All up advisory fees on the deal topped $US100 million. </div>
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A byproduct of Macquarie's role was that its real estate research analysts, spearheaded by Rob Freeman, were placed on restriction effective mid-takeover consideration. 
Macquarie Equity's team equities research team was one of the few that initially did not hold back. 
Macquarie noted while the transaction had strategic merit, but needed financial merit.
"We do not believe the current terms are compelling enough for WFD unitholders," it fleetingly suggested before the clamp came. 
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<div>But no higher offer ever emerged.</div>
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<div>The transaction had been unanimously recommended by Westfield's board as well as Unibail-Rodamco's management board and supervisory board</div>
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<div>Under the terms of the offer, Westfield shareholders will receive 0.01844 Unibail shares and $US2.67 for every Westfield security they hold. 
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Unibail initial terms were handing over cash worth $US5.6 billion to Westfield securityholders, as well as 38.7 million of its own shares. 
Taking into account exchange rates and share price movements, the pocketed offer was less than the $10.01 when the deal was announced in December. 
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Unibail-Rodamco completes the acquisition of Westfield

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The body of evidence against the foreign investor tax increase expected in next week’s State Budget continues to grow, according to Queensland’s property industry. 
New research from the AEC Group, commissioned by the Property Council, has estimated that the decline in foreign investment in Queensland since the Government introduced an additional foreign investment tax in 2016, has equated to a decrease in Gross State Product of between $2.4 billion and $3.9 billion.  
The analysis indicates that the revenue expected to have been collected through the foreign investor tax equated to less than 1% of the overseas economic contribution Queensland lost between 2015-16 and 2016-17.
“It is clear that reduced foreign investor interest in Queensland has cost the state far more than the revenue raised through this foreign investor tax,” Property Council Queensland Executive Director, Chris Mountford, said.
“Regrettably we are still seeing the Government pursue short-sighted tax increases without adequately considering the long term consequences.”
“We certainly acknowledge that the State Government’s tax increase is not the only factor that has reduced the flow of foreign investment to Queensland. But it has played a big part, and it is a factor that is entirely in the control of the State Government.”
“The data shows the State Government has kicked a significant fiscal and economic ‘own goal’," Mountford said.
The State  Government intends to increase the stamp duty surcharge on foreign buyers of residential property from 3% to 7% of the purchase price from 1 July 2018.
 
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Foreigners' property tax is Queensland Government's own goal 

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

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Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

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A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

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Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

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Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

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While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

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The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

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“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

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