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GUEST OBSERVATION
The rapid growth of the giant online accommodation-sharing platform, aka Airbnb, is creating serious concerns about equity and the impacts on our cities and neighbourhoods as we know them. Our recent research shows that the patterns of Airbnb listings in Australia’s biggest cities are highly uneven. The findings suggest impacts on rental housing are likely to be biggest in high-end areas that appeal to tourists. Low-income areas are less affected.
Our research – focusing on the Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan regions – looked into three important questions:
<ul>
<li>Where are the listings?</li>
<li>Who is hosting Airbnb?</li>
<li>What are the impacts on rental markets?</li>
</ul>
Where are Airbnb listings located?
The maps below show the distribution of Airbnb offerings in the Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan regions. These also show the composition of listings: entire (house/apartment, shown in red) versus partial (room only or shared room, in blue).
<img src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/114/animation_Syd.gif?1526600665" width="100%">
In Sydney (shown above), Airbnb offerings are mostly concentrated in popular tourist areas. Interestingly, partial house/apartment listings spread out more to the middle and fringe suburbs. Entire house/apartment listings are more concentrated around the city centre and eastern beaches.
<img src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/116/animation_Mel.gif?1526600836" width="100%">
We see a similar pattern in Melbourne (above). Airbnb listings aggregate around the city centre but also extend beyond the inner core to the residential outskirts. However, the composition of listings (entire versus partial) has less effect on their distribution in Melbourne than in Sydney.
Interestingly, the cities have very different Airbnb market sizes. The populations of the two regions are almost on a par, but Sydney has almost twice as many Airbnb listings as Melbourne. The difference in entire house/apartment listings is even greater.
Who is hosting Airbnb?
To understand who is participating on the Airbnb platform as host and who is not, we analysed Airbnb listings data against the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census-based SEIFA, the most widely used nationwide measure of socioeconomic status.
SEIFA is a suite of four summary measures created from Census information. For each index, every geographic area is given a SEIFA score. This shows how that area compares with others in Australia.
All areas are ordered from lowest to highest SEIFA score. This ranges from the lowest 10% of areas, which are given a score of 1, up to the highest 10%, with a score of 10.
Our analysis showed the sheer scale of inequity of Airbnb listings distribution. Over 95% of all entire house/apartment listings and about 87% of partial house/apartment listings (room only or shared room) in Sydney are in the socio-economically best-off areas (SEIFA deciles 9 and 10).
Airbnb offerings in Melbourne follow a similar pattern. Over 80% of entire house/apartment listings and about 70% of partial house/apartment listings are found in the best-off areas.
Our data analysis establishes that Airbnb hosting mainly occurs in the most affluent pockets of both regions.
What are the impacts on the rental market?
We also looked at the ratio of the size of the rental market to the size of Airbnb listings with specific attention to the socioeconomic status (using SEIFA) of each local government area in Melbourne and Sydney. This produced a few interesting observations, which help illustrate how local long term rental housing stock is, or could be, lost by conversion to Airbnb short-term listings.
In Sydney, there are no low socio-economic areas (SEIFA scores of 1-5) with high numbers of rental dwellings that also have high numbers of entire house/apartment Airbnb listings. This means that, to date, Airbnb is not displacing the rental stock in the most disadvantaged pockets of the Sydney metropolitan region.
Nevertheless, in a small number of high socio-economic areas (SEIFA scores of 8-10), the Airbnb market (entire listing only) represents sizeable proportions of the rental market. For the beachside location of Waverley (decile 10), for example, the number of Airbnb entire listings is almost equivalent to a quarter of the number of rental dwellings. Similarly, in Manly and Pittwater (both 10), Airbnb entire home listings are about 20% of the rental market size.
In other words, considering the very small size of Airbnb in comparison to the total rental market in Sydney – less than 3.5% – the overall impact can be expected to be minimal. However, the impact is not equally distributed, either geographically or socio-economically.
Indeed, the impact of Airbnb on the rental market is of concern in a limited number of areas in Sydney, mainly strategic tourism locations such as beachside areas. Although these are at the highest end of socio-economic spectrum, there is a danger of some local residents being pushed out of the most sought-after areas so tourists can move in.
The pattern in Melbourne is slightly different or, in a sense, less intense than in Sydney. Again, the general trend of high Airbnb listings in high socio-economic areas is observed.
The Melbourne CBD, which has a SEIFA score of 8, has the most Airbnb entire house/apartment listings. These listings represent the highest proportion, about 8%, when compared to the size of the local rental market. The pressure on the rental market, then, is far less than what we see in popular Airbnb spots in Sydney, such as Waverley, Manly and Pittwater.
We also see in Melbourne that popular rental areas in lower SEIFA areas have low numbers of entire house/apartment Airbnb listings. This confirms the Sydney hypothesis that the loss of rental supply is not yet a major concern at the lower end of the rental market.
The patterns we observed suggest that the pressure Airbnb puts on the rental market – at least at this point of time – is limited to a small number of high-end areas, mainly locations that are attractive to tourists. This represents a concern in terms of rental supply in these areas, where some local residents in the long-term rental market might be losing out to the short-term tourism market.
Tooran Alizadeh, Senior Lecturer, Director of Urban Design, University of Sydney
Reza Farid, Adjunct Research Fellow, Griffith University
Somwrita Sarkar, Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation, University of Sydney
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/airbnb-whos-in-whos-out-and-what-this-tells-us-about-rental-impacts-in-sydney-and-melbourne-95865" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

What is Airnbn's impact on rental markets?

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The billionaire investor Alex Waislitz in considering launching a listed property fund.
It ill be modelled on his investment companies Thorney Opportunities and Thorney Technologies.
Waislitz, who has made his fortune from investing in ASX-listed small and mid cap companies, has shifted his focus to property over the past few years.
His private Thorney investment group has lent about $20 million to property developers with plans to lend more than $100 million, potentially through a new listed investment company or an unlisted fund revealed to the Australian Financial Review.
Thorney has also partnered in about $1 billion worth of property syndications deals across commercial, residential and industrial deals in the past five years.
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Billionaire Alex Waislitz considers launching a listed property fund

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A four bedroom house over 5 acres in Esk, a suburb in the South East Queensland, has been listed for sale at $299,000 by the mortgagees.
It is presented by Jocelyn Frost from LJ Hooker. It last sold at $234,000 in 2005.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-esk-128256590" target="_blank">Situated at 42 Aspen Drive</a>, the 1980s house comes with four good size bedrooms, open plan living/kitchen/dining, upstairs verandah and double garage space.
It is only 10 minutes from the shopping precinct of Esk, and 30 minutes from Gatton.
The suburb's median house price is $280,000, according to CoreLogic. 
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Esk, Queensland house listed by mortgagee

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<div>A new campaign is encouraging Australians to ’Own Your Banking.’</div>
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<div>Looking at the benefits of customer owned banking, the Customer Owned Banking Association launched the campaign following increased interest and demand from customers.  “Own Your Banking is a direct response to our members telling us they’ve seen an uptick in customer interest and enquiries because people are shocked by stories they’ve been hearing in the Royal Commission,” COBA CEO Michael Lawrence said. “Our model is the only alternative that can claim it is solely customer focused because 100% of profits are used to benefit customers. This is what we’re communicating through the ‘Own your Banking’ campaign. “Four million Australians already own their banking – they are customers of mutual banks, credit unions and building societies across Australia. “We hope ‘Own Your Banking’ will let consumers know there are plenty of alternatives in the Australian banking market that can be trusted to put them first.  “There are more than 70 mutual banks, credit unions and building societies located across Australia. We are market leaders in customer satisfaction and offer award winning home loans and low rate credit cards.</div>
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New campaign encouraging Australians to Own Your Banking

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The family members of Australia's sixth largest wine company, McWilliams Wines, are being asked to provide $15 million in a rights issue to bolster the company's weak balance sheet.
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McWilliams chief executive Jeff McWilliam said raising equity was a practical route because banks were still wary of the wine industry.
"I think their confidence in the wine industry is not there yet," he told the Australian Financial Review.
"We've had to become less reliant on debt funding".
<a href="https://cdn.mcwilliams.com.au/mcwilliams-wines-au/2018/05/15075950/McWilliams-Wine-Group-Ltd-Prospectus-14-May-18.pdf" target="_blank">Its recently lodged June 1 prospectus</a> for a 5-for-7 non-renounceable entitlement offer at 42¢ per share shows that McWilliams generated revenue of $100.7 million in 2016-17 but made a loss of $22.6 million before tax.
McWilliam’s is one of the pioneering wine entities within Australia which has been perfecting the winemaking craft since 1877, when founder Samuel McWilliam first planted vines on the banks of the Murray River in New South Wales.
With over 140 years of history, six consecutive generations of the McWilliam family have strived to be at the forefront of Australian wine innovation.
The Mount Pleasant winery was named Winery of the Year in the James Halliday Wine Companion 2017, and its 2011 Maurice O’Shea Shiraz was named Shiraz of the Year in the 2015 edition.
McWilliam’s is also the exclusive Australian distributor for Champagne Taittinger, Henkell, and Mionetto prosecco.
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The company continues to operate Hanwood Estate, as well as produce premium wines under the McWilliam’s and Mount Pleasant brands.
McWilliam’s also holds a 30% shareholding in MRWP, which is Margaret River’s largest contract processing facility and now controls Evans &amp; Tate.
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At the date of this Prospectus, McWilliam’s is 100% family-owned.
At the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) level, the loss was $14.3 million. Revenue in 2015-16 was $107.9 million, with an EBITDA loss of $167,000.
Revenue for the first half of 2017-18 was $48.8 million, while EBITDA was $5.63 million.
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<div>
<div id="article-inline-ad">Jeff McWilliam will shortly step down from the CEO role handing over to the former Parmalat executive David Pitt.</div>
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<div>The company had shifted its bottling line and packaging operations out of Sydney to the Riverina area. </div>
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<div>
The company was also working closely with corporate advisers Pendulum on a cost-cutting program to strip out $10 million of costs.
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The prospectus also outlines that $1.675 million of the proceeds will go towards the repayment of a loan to E&amp;J Gallo, the privately-owned United States wine giant, which held a small stake in McWilliams until late 2014.
Mr McWilliam said the company had been trying to lift itself out of the lower price point brackets and be less reliant on lower-priced commercial wine. "We've been trying to move away from sub-10 dollars to between 10 to 15 dollars," he said.
McWilliams Wines had been selling some of its products into China for 20 years.
Its exports to mainland China and Hong Kong represent about eight per cent of the company's total annual sales of $100 million.
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Banks still wary about wine industry lending: McWilliams boss

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Set on approximately 860 sqm land, a 1970s north-west Geelong house has been listed by mortgagees with an indicative selling price of $415,000.
It was listed by Brad Archer from Burns Archer Realty.
The Lara auction has been scheduled for June 16.
It sold at $200,000 in 2005.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-lara-128381554" target="_blank">Located at 19 Ponds Drive</a>, the home comes with three bedrooms, lounge, and kitchen with adjacent meals area. 
It is only a short stroll to the Kevin Hoffman Walk and its surrounding parklands with all other amenities.
The suburb's median house price sits on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-lara-128381554" target="_blank">$445,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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Lara three bedroom house listed by mortgagee

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All of the busiest suburbs for auctions on the weekend were in Victoria. Reservoir topped the list with 19 homes set to go under the hammer, followed by Bentleigh East and Mount Waverley with 14 auctions each.
A Reservoir four bedroom house with hopes for over $1 million (above) sold for $1.26 million.
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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-reservoir-128199090" target="_blank">Located at 29 Queen St</a>, Reservoir, the house with city skyline with comes with four generous bedrooms, formal lounge, kitchen/meals with stainless steel cooker and adjoining living room.
Other features include gas heating and ducted evaporative cooling, wood heater (living room), high ceilings, laundry, and large storeroom/kitchenette.
It is within walking distance to buses, Regent Station and Plenty Road trams, local cafes and parks, and Preston Primary School. 
There was a higher sale at $1,332,000 according to the REIV.
<table><tbody>
<tr>
<td>2 Ashton St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/19d3ef48.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Passed in at Auction</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Barry Plant</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36 Callander St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/560a5051.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Passed in at Auction</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Ray White</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>2/15 Cheddar Rd, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/259295.jpg"></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Ray White</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>30 Dawson St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>5</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/9f6c6038.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Ray White</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>23 Kia Ora Rd, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/ab4503cd.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Nelson Alexander</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>21 Lloyd Av, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/19d3ef48.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Passed in at Auction</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Nelson Alexander</td>
<td> </td>
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<td>2/6 Mccrae St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/953d8ea5.jpg"></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Barry Plant</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>27 Moira Av, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>4</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/c492629f.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Passed in Vendor Bid</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Nelson Alexander</td>
<td> </td>
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<td>791 Plenty Rd, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/ddd9262b.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Love &amp; Co</td>
<td> </td>
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<td>3/90 Purinuan Rd, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/5e91fe25.jpg"></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Ray White</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>29 Queen St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>4</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/9e344320.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Nelson Alexander</td>
<td> </td>
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<td>2/214 Spring St, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>2</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/d6f4f25d.jpg"></td>
<td>Unit</td>
<td>Passed in at Auction</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>Stockdale &amp; Leggo Reservoir</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
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<td>47 Wattle Gr, RESERVOIR</td>
<td>3</td>
<td><img src="https://reiv.com.au/REIV/propertyimages/prices/ceac3eb8.jpg"></td>
<td>House (Res)</td>
<td>Auction Sale</td>
<td>19/05/2018</td>
<td>LJ Hooker South Morang</td>
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A clearance rate of 64 per cent was recorded on the weekend compared to 63 per cent last weekend and 80 per cent this weekend last year. 
There were 798 auctions reported to the REIV, with 512 selling and 286 being passed in, 153 of those on a vendor bid.
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Reservoir weekend auctions top out at $1,332,000

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The short-term rental management company MadeComfy has raised $6 million from the South African wealth group Investec.
MadeComfy manages properties for homeowner investors renting them out on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb in return for a commission of 20 per cent or more.
David Phillips, the head of emerging companies at Investec, said its missed the Airbnb opportunity so instead are involved in MadeComfy.
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The new capital would allow MadeComfy to expand beyond its 500 properties in Sydney.
It now has around 100 properties under managements in Melbourne since it expanded last November.
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">It is aiming to manage 3500 properties by 2020.</div>
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MadeComfy co-founder Quirin Schwaighofer said the company was prepared for any regulatory changes that might emerge after NSW government review of the home-sharing industry,
Fairfax media reported MadeComfy has partnered with the Dee Why branch of real estate agent Raine &amp; Horne and Belle Property agencies in Mosman and Neutral Bay to provide home management services to landlords who want to rent out their property on Airbnb rather than renting them out to long-term tenants.
MadeComfy is also experimenting with working with hotels partnering with the Ovolo hotel in Darling Harbour, which provides check-in service, free wi-fi and discounted breakfast for Airbnb guests who book through MadeComfy.
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The $6 million capital injection will make Investec the biggest minority shareholder in MadeComfy.
Mr Schwaighofer and co-founder Sabrina Bethunin will still have the majority stake in the company.
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<div class="cq-article-content-media section">Last year, the company raised $1.1 million from investors including former LinkedIn Australia chief executive Cliff Rosenberg.</div>
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Investec invests $6 million in MadeComfy

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Bellfield, a mixing farming property located 12 kilometres North of Dalby, a town in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, was sold on May 15.
It was sold by Roger Lyne and Andrew Kirtley from Ray White.
Positioned on a 2,012 hectares (approx 4,972 acres), <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/%20https:/www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-mixed+farming-qld-dalby-7931038" target="_blank">the 1251 Bunya Highway property</a> comes with 3,633 acres of cultivation over open downs soils and 1,309 acres of quality grazing for fattening or backgrounding.
<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/2018/5/15/dalby%202.jpg" alt="">
The main homestead is circa 1900s and includes six bedrooms.
It also comes with six equipped bores and four earth dams to supply water to the property.
Other features include five cottages, sheds, silos, barns, two cattle yards and extensive stable complex. 
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Dalby mixed farming opportunity hits the market

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A Sandy Bay three bedroom house with historic significance serving as the coach house for the Mawhera Estate in the 1880s has been sold for $3.1 million.
Renovated in the 1960s by the current owners, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-sandy+bay-128086170" target="_blank">504 Sandy Bay</a> house was featured on the cover of a 1968 copy of Australian Home Beautiful.
The lower level with views of the Derwent River features proportioned lounge-room, north-facing patio, and kitchen with the access to the patio.
<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/2018/5/15/sandy%20bay%202.jpg" alt="">
The upper level comes with two large bedrooms and a sitting room both with water views, and a large bathroom. On the upper level are two large bedrooms and a sitting room, each with windows designed to capitalize on the water views. A large bathroom completes the accommodation on this level.
<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/2018/5/15/sandy%20bay%203.jpg" alt="">
From Sandy Bay Road, secure wrought iron gates provide access to a garage and additional off-street parking; whilst on the river side, paths and steps meander through gardens to two boathouses on the water's edge and a semi-private beach.
<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/2018/5/15/sandy%20bay%204.jpg" alt=""> 
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Historic Sandy Bay trophy home listing sold at auction

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.

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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."

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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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