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One of the few beach boxes at Mount Eliza is for sale.
It has been offered at $150,000 plus.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-other-vic-mount+eliza-124044050" target="_blank">Beach box 119 Canadian Bay Foreshore</a>, the 15 sqm property is in a well held beach precinct.
The property is offered by L Cooper Real Estate agent Philip Stone.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

One of the few remaining bathing boxes at Mount Eliza listed for sale

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A palatial near beachfront Western Australian home in Dunsborough has been listed for just shy of $5 million.
Set on 763 sqm just off the shores of Geographe Bay, the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-dunsborough-124425038" target="_blank">2010 built home</a> won the Master Builders Association for the best contract home.
The first floor includes a gym and home office with external access, with the second floor featuring a wine cellar, the master suite and a balcony offering ocean views.
It last traded before its rebuild for $2.8 million in 2008.
The residential record in Dunsborough was set last year when a four bedroom beachfront home sold for $4,675,000.
JHY Realty agent Lee York has the listing.
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Dunsborough in WA set for residential price record

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Australian actress Portia de Rossi, alongside TV host wife Ellen DeGeneres, have been voted the fourth most desirable neighbours of 2017.
They claimed seven percent of the voting, according to the 10th annual Zillow Celebrity Neighbour Survey.
The outgoing presidential family the Obama's topped the list with 14 percent, edging out wrestler turned Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson who took out 13 percent of the public vote.
The Obama family saw strong votes among both male and female voters and across generations.
Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars of the TV show 'Fixer Upper', came in third with eight percent.
Portia and Ellen achieved more votes than the likes of British singers Adele and Taylor Swift. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner made the top eight with five percent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%209.50.19%20am.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</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/2017/01/10/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%209.50.19%20am.jpg" alt="">
Pop sensation Justin Bieber was voted as the least desirable neighbour, earning the most votes in the survey's history, topping his own record from 2014.
He scored a massive 36 percent of the votes, a two point percentage increase from his 2014 result.
Way back in second were reality stars Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, who scored 23 percent of the vote.
Taylor Swift, also among the top in the most desirable neighbour section, came in fourth with four percent of the votes, behind Tom Cruise with seven percent.
Twenty-eight percent of surveyed adults said they would not want to live next to any of the celebrities listed in the poll.
 
 
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Aussie Portia de Rossi outranks Bieber but the Obama's voted the 2017's Most Desirable Neighbour

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New data has found a growing proportion of borrowers are seeking the security that comes with a fixed rate home loan, according to the latest national home loan approval data from Mortgage Choice.
Fixed rate home loans accounted for 22 percent of all loans written in December, up from 19.5 percent in the month prior.
“This is the fourth consecutive month that we have seen fixed rate demand increase,” Mortgage Choice chief executive officer John Flavell said.
“With speculation mounting that the Reserve Bank of Australia could soon lift the official cash rate, it is clear that a growing proportion of borrowers wish to beat any potential rate hikes by opting for a fixed rate home loan.”
Mr Flavell said current market conditions combined with a spate of rate increases by Australia’s lenders meant a rate rise by the Reserve Bank this year was now more likely than not.
“In December, the United States’ Central Bank announced it would increase the Federal Funds rate by 25 basis points to 0.75 percent.
Furthermore, the bank indicated that the Federal Funds rate could rise by a further 75 basis points throughout 2017 – through three separate rate increases.
“Closer to home, many of Australia’s lenders have already started to raise rates across their suite of home loan products.
In addition, the Reserve Bank of Australia has stated that the time for easing the monetary policy setting has now passed.
All of these factors combined would suggest that a rate increase by the Reserve Bank could be right around the corner.
“Borrowers understand this and that is why a growing proportion of mortgage holders are opting for fixed rate products.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/09/variable_rate.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</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/2017/01/09/variable_rate.jpg" alt="">
Across the country, fixed rate demand was highest in New South Wales, with this type of product accounting for 27.34 percent of all loans written throughout the month of December.
“Queensland wasn’t far behind, with fixed rate home loans accounting for 24.64 percent of all loans written within the state.
At the other end of the spectrum, fixed rate demand was lowest in Victoria, with this type of product making up just 12.69 percent of all home loans written,” he said.
“Looking ahead, I wouldn’t be surprised to see fixed rate demand continue to rise across most of the states as a growing proportion of borrowers look to beat the threat of rising rates.”
<table style="width: 403px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="101">
 
 
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap width="56">
NSW/ACT
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap width="60">
VIC/TAS
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap width="60">
QLD
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap width="60">
SA/NT
</td>
<td colspan="2" nowrap width="67">
WA
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="115">
 Variable
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
72.66%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
87.31%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
75.36%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
84.45%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="52">
83.91%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Basic Variable
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
9.76%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
16.04%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
25.14%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
33.53%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="67">
15.66%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Standard Variable
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
10.74%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
21.01%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
7.17%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
13.77%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="67">
13.42%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Ongoing Discount
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
46.96%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
43.43%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
36.61%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
32.59%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="67">
51.52%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Line of Credit
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
1.32%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
1.58%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
0.61%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
1.03%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="67">
0.86%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="101">
Introductory Rate
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
3.88%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
5.25%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
5.83%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
3.53%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="67">
2.45%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="115">
 Fixed
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="56">
27.34%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
12.69%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
24.64%
</td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" nowrap width="60">
15.55%
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="52">
16.09%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
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Fixed rate home loan demand surges again

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Sydney has had a slight softening in the growth in home values, according to CoreLogic's opening 2017 data report.
The property data firm says that Sydney saw an increase of 15.1 percent in home values over the last 12 months. It came in at 15.5 percent during 2016.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/09/Capital%20city%20home%20values.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</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/2017/01/09/Capital%20city%20home%20values.jpg" alt="">
Melbourne ranked second in increases over the last 12 months while Perth suffered a decline of 4 percent plus in home values.
However Sydney saw a mild 0.2 percent softening during the first week of 2017.
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Sydney prices start 2017 softer after stellar 15.5 percent increase in 2016: CoreLogic

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A list of the top 10 most viewed properties in 2016 has been released by the UK property portal, rightmove.co.uk.
1. Eaton Square, Belravia, London
The most viewed property (pictured above, below) was a 10,500 sq ft home in <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-37662774" target="_blank">Eaton Square</a>, that comes with an asking price of £55 million.
Formerly headquarters for the Belgian government during World War II, since then it has been completely renovated and was put on the market in late 2015.
It features chandeliers, retractable glass ceilings, a roof terrace, a basement swimming pool and a passenger elevator.
<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/2017/01/06/Eaton%20Square.jpg" alt="" width="699" height="431">
2. Alderley Edge, Cheshire
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/06/Rightmove-2.JPG" alt="">
This <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-28779972" target="_blank">impressive home</a> belongs to ex-footballer Ashley Ward and wife Dawn, star of the reality TV show Real Housewives of Cheshire.
Located in 12 acres of land features includes six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, hair and nail salon.
A games room, cinema and offices with separate staff accommodation on site too are also available.
The mansion has been on the market since October 2013, despite a huge interest in the property.
3. Thorne Island, Wales
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-3.jpg" alt="">
This <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-56952067" target="_blank">island fortress</a> off the Pembrokeshire coast has sparked huge among investors.
Originally built to defend Milford Haven it can accommodate 100 people with its 10 bedrooms and three bathrooms, however a complete renovation is needed before it can be considered habitable.
4. Bracknell, Berkshire
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-4.jpg" alt="">
Better known as <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44355174" target="_blank">4 Privet Drive</a> – home to the Dursleys in the Harry Potter films.
The three-bedroom property famously features a cupboard under the stairs.
It came onto the market in September, but has since been removed from sale.
5. Windlesham, Surrey
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-5.jpg" alt="">
Featuring eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms and five reception rooms there is enough space for everyone.
The <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32456853" target="_blank">new-build mansion</a> also features a 14-seat cinema, spa with a sauna, gym, indoor pool and a wine cellar.
Unfortunately the impressive property has failed to find a buyer since first listing in October 2014 resulting in a much reduced price tag since.
6. Bridgnorth, Shropshire
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/06/Rightmove-6.JPG" alt="">
One of the few remaining <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-39125694" target="_blank">cave houses</a> in Britain this property has two bedrooms and generated a lot of interest last year.
Featuring a 650 sq ft cave at the back it is complete with gothic archways and vaulted pillars.
Local artist Anthony Dracup once lived here and previous owners of the cottage have kept the unique character features and integral art work alive.
7.  Ampthill, Bedford
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-7.jpg" alt="">
This <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62134349" target="_blank">three-bed terrace house</a> is located in one of Bedford’s most desirable locations, just a 45-minute ride from the local train station to London.
With an affordable price tag, character features like a wood burner and a generous garden the property was hugely popular on Rightmove last year.
8. Notting Hill, London
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-8.jpg" alt="">
A <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59358044" target="_blank">house</a> where tradition is fused with contemporary the eight bedroom, nine bathroom home includes four reception rooms and a sub-basement car park that features a car lift.
However the centre piece of this property is a lavish spa with an oval-shaped massage area and a large gym.
9. Bungay, Suffolk
<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/2017/01/06/Rightmove-9.jpg" alt="">
This <a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62271320" target="_blank">six-bedroom fixer-upper</a> dates back to at least 1613 and was home to novelist Sir Henry Rider Haggard. 
Arranged over three storeys it comes with 1.66 acres of land as well as interesting original architectural features such as wooden mullioned windows, large fireplaces and curved stairways.
10.  Holland Park, London
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/01/06/Rightmove-10.JPG" alt="">
This seven-bedroom, 9,000 sq ft contemporary home features a basement pool, gym and indoor cinema and was first listed in January 2016.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist Kate Gould designed the gardens and terraces.
The driveway has space for two or three cars with lifts to all floors.
The Addison Road address is one of Holland Park’s most prestigious streets, with shops and restaurants in close proximity.
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Top 10 most viewed properties across the UK during 2016

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Interest and value levels appear to be remaining strong in the rural areas of the NSW Central Tablelands, according to Herron Todd White’s 2016 December report.
The property valuation advisory firm says that the usual buyers - neighbouring landholders, local landholders, some Sydney based buyers - are active.
However they are seeing some buyers relocating from western areas to be closer to the regional centres where their children are going to school and closer to services.
Residential amenity, along with access and proximity to regional centres continue to be key features of attraction, HTW advised.
The season remains good, it noted.
"Naturally a large portion of producers (and horticulture / viticulture operators too) are requiring some respite from wet weather as various crops ripen," HTW said.
"The northern end of the Northern Tablelands is enjoying possibly its best season in ten years, following good winter rainfall, with the exception being parts of the eastern side which generally perform best with autumn rains.
"That said, cattle prices remain buoyant (forget any talk of boom), lamb prices remain buoyant and there is great activity to get summer crops such as soya bean in where possible."
This has led to a strengthening of demand for all sections of real estate.
"We have seen a rise in the number of corporate sales in the area and agents advise that sales of smaller properties are occurring," the report stated.
Residential sales remain steady, with slightly less completions than 12 months ago.
With seasonal conditions and commodity prices as they are, HTW noted the expectation is for increased activity into the new year.
The southern end of the Northern Tablelands, concentrating on the Tamworth Regional Local Government area, has seen both a mix of local farming family expansion and corporate interest with the sale of two large aggregations in the Garoo area (south of Tamworth) to RIFA Australia, which reflected improved rates of $7,350 per cow area and $7,300 per cow area.
Local expansion in the Nundle area saw the sale of Tindaroo (pictured above) at an analysed rate of $7,700 per cow area.
Other areas of interest were properties in higher rainfall areas, particularly south of Walcha in the Niangala area, which saw the sale of Aberbaldie to Paraway Pastoral at an analysed rate of approximately $5,900 per cow area and the sale of Eulo for an analysed rate of approximately $6,400 per cow area.
Both these properties, whilst in an 850 to 950 millimetres rainfall area, had limited recent pasture and fertiliser development.
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NSW Central Tablelands rural buyers seeking proximity to regional centres: HTW

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A narrow beach box at Mornington Peninsula is for sale at $85,000.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-residential+land-vic-mornington-201386674" target="_blank">Beach Box 4 Shire Hall Beach</a> the property is freshly painted, secure and boasts an enviable position on the tightly held Shire Hall 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/2017/01/06/BathingBox.jpg" alt="" width="476" height="317">
It has magnificent views to the Mornington harbour and beyond while remaining in close proximity to vibrant Main Street.
Further features include a raised deck, stainless steel umbrella holders and grab rail.
The property is offered by Simon Farrar.
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Freshly painted bathing box at the Mornington Peninsula listed for sale

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A prime location at Low Head in Tasmania is for sale.
Located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-low+head-123730742" target="_blank">397 Low Head Road</a>, the 787 sqm property is only 45 minutes from Launceston with a protrudes into Bass Strait at the mouth of the Tamar Estuary.
It has sweeping coastal and water views to the north, west and north west.
It last sold at $880,000 in 2007. It had been on and off the market since 2011 with prices expectations at around its last sale price.
It is uniquely located to maximise the very best Low Head has to offer - relaxing, beaches, fishing, boating, coastal trails, the Low Head Pilot Station and Lighthouse just to name a few.
<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/2017/01/06/397%20Low%20Head%20Road-2.jpg" alt="">
Other selling points include proximity to the Tamar Valley Wine Route and the internationally renowned Barnbougle Dunes Golf Links and Lost Farm Golf Links.
It offers a kitchen, living area, two bedrooms and a lounge all with expansive water views downstairs.
Upstairs is the master bedroom, with views to the west, northwest and the north.
The garden features a flag pole, double outdoor shower and undercover BBQ area.
There is ample car parking space available for a boat if required along with a two car garage and a single garage.
The property is offered by Harrison Humphreys agents Ben Humphreys and Gordon Humphreys.
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Low Head, Tasmanian beachfront home listed for sale

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It is difficult to be negative about the economy when data shows that there were more new vehicles sold in 2016 than any calendar year before.
And it is not just so-called ‘standard’ vehicles being sold, but sports/luxury vehicles are taking a bigger share of total sales.
It’s not hard to see why people are updating their rides.
Car affordability is at the best levels recorded, employment is rising, interest rates are at record lows and wealth levels are at record highs.
Car affordability is even stronger when you consider that vehicles built in 2016 are far superior to those sold in the early 1970s.
Vehicle sales should remain solid in 2017. Interest rates are unlikely to rise any time soon and car manufacturers are competing hard for business, restraining prices.
In addition, all indications point to firm conditions in the job market.
The area to watch is the housing market as softer home prices could restrain car buying enthusiasm - although even that seems to be an unlikely outcome.
The services sector expansion is now accelerating at a healthy pace. In fact the Performance of Services index is now showing the fastest pace of expansion in almost 10 years.
And more importantly the resurgence in activity is broad-based with all five components of the index recording strong gains.
In particular the lift in new orders and the employment sub-indices bode well for hiring in coming months.
It was interesting that respondents noted a variety of reasons for the lift in service sector activity - from stronger customer demand, a lift in mining sector activity, to a lower Australian dollar and “good agricultural harvests”.
As we have been saying for a couple of months, the result mirrors the lift in activity noted across internal Commonwealth Bank Indicators like the Business Sales Indicator.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/05/CS-1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</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/2017/01/05/CS-1.jpg" alt="">
The Reserve Bank will be quietly confident on how the economy is panning out.
The key will be how non-mining business investment evolves over the next six months. CommSec expects no change to interest rates over 2017.
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), new motor vehicle sales totalled 98,763 in December, down 0.9 per cent on a year ago.
In 2016, a total of 1,178,133 new vehicles were sold – a record for a calendar year.
Sales by State: NSW (397,563), Victoria (326,269), Queensland (233,026), Western Australia (100,234), South Australia (71,738), Tasmania (19,751), ACT (18,816) and NT (10,736).
Respective market shares by vehicle type were: passenger (41.3 per cent), SUV (37.4 per cent), light commercial (18.5 per cent), and heavy commercial (2.8 per cent).
The top-five segments by volume were small cars (224,450, down 4 per cent), medium SUV (172,194, up 16.5 per cent), 4×4 ute (146,820, up 10 per cent), large SUV (142,495, up 2 per cent) and small SUV (110,414, up 2 per cent).
The sub-total of sales by buyer type for 2016 was: private (571,544, down 7 per cent), business (472,156, up 13 per cent), government (40,989, down 1.4 per cent) and rental (60,335, up 6 per cent).
Buyers using their ABN to buy a single car count as a business sale, while novated leases count as private.
Leading vehicle sources: Japan (325,689), Thailand (285,465), Korea (162,642), Germany (87,392) and Australia (87,096).
The top-selling vehicle was the Toyota HiLux, ahead of the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Ford Ranger, Mazda 3, Toyota Camry, Holden Commodore, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Triton and Hyundai Tucson.
Top makes for 2016: Toyota (14th year in succession) with 209,610 units (up 1.6 per cent), ahead of top full- importer Mazda (118,217, up 3.7 per cent) and Hyundai (101,555, down 0.4 per cent). Holden finished outside the top-three, in fourth place on 94,308 (down 8.4 per cent), holding out a resurgent Ford (81,207, up more than 15 per cent).
The Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Services Index lifted by 6.6 points to 57.7 in December – marking the highest result since May 2007.
AI Group notes “All five activity sub-indexes in the Australian PSI® were above 50 points and indicate expansion in December.
Sales jumped 14 points in December, up to 62.1 points from 48.1 in November.
New orders rose by 6.4 points to 60.4 points. Stocks lifted 5.7 points to 52.6 points, growing in ten out of the past eleven months.
The employment subindex picked up the pace, growing by 4.3 points to 56.6 points.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/01/05/CS-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</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/2017/01/05/CS-2.jpg" alt="">
“A number of respondents to the Australian PSI® noted that conditions were more positive in December with: customer demand strengthening; increased orders from the mining sector; a lower value for the Australian dollar; interest rates remaining stable and (for regional services) good agricultural harvests.
Overall, there was a sense of increased confidence from respondents across many services sub-sector.”
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries releases estimates of car sales on the third business day of the month.
The figures highlight the strength of consumer spending as well as conditions facing auto &amp; components companies.
The economy appears to be regaining momentum.
But as always more data is required to confirm the change in direction.
Certainly confidence levels are healthy, providing optimism early in the New Year.
The Reserve Bank is comfortably on the interest rate sidelines.
Savanth Sebastian is a senior economist for CommSec.
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Difficult to be negative after record car sales in 2016: Savanth Sebastian

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

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The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

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The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

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Joel Robinson

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

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Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

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From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

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While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

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Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

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Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

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The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

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Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

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The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

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AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

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As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

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AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Staff reporter

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