<p data-end="256" data-start="0"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sunland-group">Sunland Group</a> has officially lodged plans for its first Gold Coast apartment project since the departure of the Abedian family from the company three years ago, unveiling a new high-rise proposal for a prominent Broadbeach corner site on Old Burleigh Road.</p>

<p data-end="446" data-start="258">The application was submitted by an entity directed by Tom Jamieson, stepson of longtime Sunland leader Soheil Abedian, and Riaz Rezvanipour, brother-in-law of Sahba Abedian, Soheil’s son.</p>

<p data-end="645" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="448">Sunland acquired the 1,283 sqm site on the corner of Old Burleigh Road and Armrick Avenue for $9.5 million late last year and is now seeking approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/99-101-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">42-storey tower with 81 apartments</a>.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fea2946d-90ee-4cfc-babe-2a8ad5db2cb6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers.png?VersionId=BV0fihJw31nDIQ8ozY_h3GbS8mxDyhnm" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/contreras-earl-architecture">Contreras Earl Architecture</a>, the proposed tower at 99-101 Old Burleigh Road would deliver a predominantly larger-format apartment mix aimed at the owner-occupier market. Plans include 17 two-bedroom apartments, 55 three-bedroom apartments, and nine four-bedroom residences across 35 residential levels.</p>

<p>The development also incorporates three basement levels, four podium parking levels, two levels of communal recreation facilities, and rooftop plant and equipment. A total of 189 car spaces are proposed, significantly exceeding the 90 spaces required under the planning scheme.</p>

<p>The architecture adopts a sculpted, curvilinear form, with deep wraparound balconies and integrated landscaping intended to soften the tower’s vertical expression. The planning report states the building’s “slender footprint/form provides a complimentary yet varied built form within the local streetscape” and contributes to “a varied, yet ordered skyline.”</p>

<p data-end="626" data-start="350">Contreras Earl noted in its Architectural Statement that from the early stages, the project addressed a fundamental challenge: how to accommodate the required residential yield while avoiding the conventional model of a tower sitting on a rigid, fully resolved parking podium.</p>

<p data-end="928" data-start="628">“The most direct response would have been to consolidate parking into a singular, flat podium and extrude a repetitive tower above,” the statement said. “While efficient, this approach would result in a consolidated built form with limited engagement with the surrounding landscape and public realm.”</p>

<p data-end="1147" data-start="930">Instead, the conventional podium model was “deliberately rejected”. The architects described the base of the building as “a landscaped architectural condition where structure, planting and circulation are integrated”.</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149">“Rather than presenting a continuous built mass, the base of the building is articulated through a series of concrete planter elements that organise the podium into a fragmented system,” the statement said. “This approach reduces the perceived bulk of the lower levels while establishing a more permeable interface with the streetscape and adjacent open space.”</p>

<p data-end="1510" data-start="1149"><img alt="Sunland" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="923fad8d-c960-4527-8fbe-975cf1ddf88d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%2010.32.03%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=pngwb0hYOIUpq9vDw6F2EsOiVuHF3DiX" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The site sits within the High Density Residential Zone and inside the City of Gold Coast’s unrestricted “HX” building height area, where the planning framework anticipates intensified residential development tied to the expanding light rail corridor. The planning report notes the area is undergoing “transition toward more intense development forms” given its proximity to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, and high-frequency public transport infrastructure.</p>

<p>Positioned directly opposite Broadbeach Park and within walking distance of Florida Gardens light rail station, the development would sit among a rapidly evolving stretch of Old Burleigh Road that has become one of the Gold Coast’s most active apartment development corridors.</p>

<p>The application joins a growing pipeline of luxury residential projects reshaping Broadbeach, including nearby developments by 5Point Projects, Polycell, and Graya.</p>

<p>The planning report argues the project contributes toward the Gold Coast’s long-term housing targets under the South East Queensland Regional Plan, which forecasts the need for more than 100,000 additional high-rise dwellings across the city by 2046.</p>

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-4" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-1" dir="auto">
<p data-end="305" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="0">The Abedian family departed Sunland Group in late 2023, ending a four-decade association with the company, and subsequently established the private development firm Abedian &amp; Co. The group is currently delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/greenmount-residences-cnr-hill-street-and-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Greenmount Residences</a> at Rainbow Bay and recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/18-mary-avenue-14-18-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">18 Mary Avenue</a> in Broadbeach.</p>
</section>


Joel Robinson

First look: Sunland Group returns to Broadbeach new apartment market with new Old Burleigh Road tower plans

<p style="text-align:start">The Minns Labor Government has established the new Bays West Delivery Authority to lead the development&nbsp;of the Bays West Precinct and Blackwattle Bay Precinct.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Authority is charged with creating Sydney’s newest precinct, a thriving, connected, sustainable hub with White Bay Power Station as its cultural heart. Its vision is to build on the area’s natural, cultural and industrial history to shape a vibrant new neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The precinct will deliver up to 8,500 well-located homes, including a minimum of 10 per cent affordable and essential worker homes. Combine new housing with public open space, opening public access to the waterfront for the first time in more than 100 years, while retaining important deep-water facilities to support Sydney’s working harbour.</p>

<p>Located just minutes from the Sydney CBD and connected to a world-class metro, ferry, walking and cycling links, the Bays West precinct will rebalance housing growth towards well-serviced inner-city locations and help tackle the state’s housing crisis.</p>

<p>The Bays West Delivery Authority,&nbsp;an agency of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, will report to the NSW Minister for Lands and Property who already has oversight of major precinct renewal projects including at Blackwattle Bay and Barangaroo.</p>

<p>As part of the broader Bays West transformation, the Minns Government recently announced that a proposal from Lendlease to redevelop part of the Bays West Precinct has progressed to Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s unsolicited proposals process.</p>

<p><img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ed71eb9-d8e8-4fa7-b9d1-de4531dcf2f3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-25%20at%209.42.31%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=IDryFIbped9SNDg72LEN_EecvhUsOPvp" /></p>

<p>The Minns Labor Government has also confirmed the Bays West precinct will have a new suburb name. This will be the first major suburb built in close proximity to Sydney’s CBD in decades and will encompass the area currently being referred to as Bays West, including Glebe Island and the White Bay Power Station. Served by a new Metro station just five minutes from the CBD, it will become one of the most populous suburbs in the Inner West and one of Sydney’s premier cultural destinations.</p>

<p>An early works program is taking shape, which&nbsp;includes the first stages of an international design competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aim of the Bays West&nbsp;International&nbsp;Design Competition is to&nbsp;ensure design excellence is embedded in the project from the start. The competition will deliver an&nbsp;urban framework that defines the character, ambition and long-term identity of&nbsp;this&nbsp;former industrial precinct as it transitions to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable residential&nbsp;neighbourhood.</p>

<p>The competition will be led by the Bays West Delivery Authority in partnership with Government Architect NSW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It will launch with an invitation for a global Expressions of Interest, before moving to an invitation-only stage that will be assessed by a panel that&nbsp;will provide advice to Cabinet who will select a winner.</p>

<p>Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said the establishment of the new Authority is the first step in transforming the Bays West precinct into a vibrant, livable suburb minutes from the Sydney CBD and two stops from Hunter St Station on the Metro West line.</p>

<p>“The Authority will deliver well-located homes close to the heart of the city and integrate the new precinct with Blackwattle Bay and the new Sydney Fish Market.</p>

<p>“This is a generational opportunity to build a new suburb on the city’s edge and open the harbour foreshore to the public for the first time in a century.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the new Bays West Delivery Authority established by the Minns Government will turbocharge the development of Sydney’s newest suburb.</p>

<p>“The Authority is working at a record pace to deliver an international design competition, planning pathways and a financial model so that this development benefits Sydney with well-designed homes in a central location, close to public transport, jobs, entertainment and essential services.</p>

<p>“If we want Sydney to stay liveable and affordable, we need to be bold about using underutilised government-owned land to deliver homes for the future while making sure essential working harbour functions can be accommodated.”</p>


Bays West Delivery Authority established to "turbocharge" Sydney’s newest suburb

<p>Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.</p>

<p>A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.</p>

<p>Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.</p>

<p>“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.</p>

<p>Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.</p>

<p>“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.</p>

<p>The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.</p>

<p>It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.</p>

<p>The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.</p>

<p>One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.</p>

<p>Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.</p>

<p>The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.</p>

<p>Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.</p>

<p>Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.</p>

<p>Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.</p>

<p>“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”</p>

<p>Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.</p>

<p>Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.</p>

<p>Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.</p>


400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

<p>Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p>The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.</p>

<p>Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" /></p>

<p>“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.</p>

<p>The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”</p>

<p>The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" /></p>

<p>The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.</p>

<p>According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.</p>

<p>“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.</p>

<p>A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.</p>

<p>Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.</p>

<p><img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" /></p>

<p>All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.</p>

<p>The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.</p>


Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

<p>Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.</p>

<p>The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.</p>

<p>Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" /></p>

<p>Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.</p>

<p>The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.</p>

<p>"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.</p>

<p>The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.</p>

<p>The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" /></p>

<p>Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.</p>

<p>Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.</p>


First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

<p>Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.</p>

<p>From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.</p>

<p>The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).</p>

<p>Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.</p>

<p>Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.</p>

<p>The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.</p>

<p>There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.</p>

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

<p>While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.</p>

<p>The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.</p>


Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

<p>The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.</p>

<p>While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.</p>

<p>It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.</p>

<p>Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.</p>

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="252" data-start="225">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="413" data-start="389">Stamp Duty Benefits:</strong> Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.</p>

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Benefits</strong>: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.</p>

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="920" data-start="893">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.</p>

<p><strong data-end="1162" data-start="1135">Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.</p>

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Concessions:</strong> Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.</p>

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong data-end="1617" data-start="1590">First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.</p>

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Relief:</strong> Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.</p>

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant</strong>: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.</p>

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

<p><strong>First Home Owner Grant:</strong> The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.</p>

<p><strong>Stamp Duty Exemption</strong>: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).</p>

<p><em>Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.</em></p>


Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

<p>In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.</p>

<p>Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.</p>

<p>Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.</p>

<p>A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.</p>

<p>NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.</p>

<p>As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.</p>

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

<p>NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.</p>

<p>The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.</p>

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

<p>NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.</p>

<p>The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.</p>

<p>The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.</p>

<p>The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.</p>

<p>Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.</p>

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

<p><strong>Energy Efficiency:</strong> Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.</p>

<p><strong>Cost Savings:</strong> Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.</p>

<p><strong>Environmental Impact:</strong> Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.</p>

<p><strong>Improved Comfort: </strong>Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.</p>

<p><strong>Market Value and Desirability:</strong> Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.</p>

<p><strong>Compliance with Building Codes:</strong> NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.</p>


The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

<p>Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.</p>

<p>Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.</p>

<p>Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.</p>

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]</p>

<p>The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.</p>

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

<p>One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]</p>

<p>The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.</p>

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]</p>

<p>The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.</p>

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

<p>Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]</p>

<p>Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.</p>

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

<p>One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.</p>

<p>The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.</p>


alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;">Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.</p>

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.</p>

<p>It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.</p>

<p style="line-height: 1.38;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe></p>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

<p>In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.</p>

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

<p>Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.</p>

<p>You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!</p>

<p>Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:</p>

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

<p style="line-height:1.38">Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.</p>


Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

<p>Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.</p>

<p>They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.</p>

<p>They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.</p>

<p>Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.</p>

<p><img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" /></p>

<p>Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor</p>

<p>Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.</p>

<p><img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" /></p>

<p>Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>​</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p>The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.</p>

<p>With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.</p>


Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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<p><span>Across the country there were 47,483 unique new property listing over the 28 days ended 7 February 2016. The number of new property listings is 11% higher than at the same time last year.  </span></p>
<p><span>If we look back over recent years it is the highest number of new property listings at this time of year since 2010. If we look at the combined capital cities we have also seen a large ramp-up in new listings with 27,430 new listings which is 5.4% higher than at the same time last year.  </span></p>
<p><span>Again it is the highest number of new property listings over the corresponding period since 2010. The first chart shows that over the Christmas / New Year period there is typically a sharp fall in new listings.  If history is any guide new listings are likely to continue to rise until the middle of March.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-1-1-580x139.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-1-1-580x139.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-2-1-580x144.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-2-1-580x144.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Total residential property listings experience a seasonal fall each Christmas / New Year period however, the slowdown is nowhere near the magnitude of the slowing in new listings.  The most recent data in the chart also indicates that total listings are actually starting to decline.  Across the country there are 239,398 total unique property listings which is -1.6% lower over the week but 0.2% higher relative to the same period in 2015.  </span></p>
<p><span>For the combined capital cities there are 99,137 total unique property listings which is -1.0% lower over the week but 2.6% higher year-on-year.  Much like new listings, total listings typically continue to rise up until the middle of March each year.  Given this it will be interesting to see if the fall in total listings over the most recent week will be short lived or whether there are some different factors at play.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-3-1-580x326.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-3-1-580x326.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p>If we look at the number of listings across the individual capital cities there are some rather interesting differences across the cities. While new listing overall are higher than a year ago they are lower in Sydney and Darwin. </p>
<p>In fact new listings in both Sydney and Darwin are at their lowest level for this time of year since 2012. Elsewhere new listings in Melbourne and Brisbane are at their highest level on record (since 2007) for this time of year. In Adelaide and Perth new listings are at their highest levels for this time of year since 2010 and in Hobart and Canberra they are at their highest levels at this time of year since 2014. </p>
<p>Whether the surge in new listings in most capital cities is in response to a belief that housing demand is improving or trying to beat a potential slowdown remains to be seen.  The rise in Perth new listings in particular is counterintuitive considering it has been the weakest capital city housing market over the past twelve months and you would expect given those conditions fewer people would be looking to sell.</p>
<p>Turning to total listings, although they are 2.6% higher year-on-year across the combined capital cities, Sydney, Perth and Darwin are the only cities in which total listings are higher than a year ago. This seems more in-line with market conditions with concerns the Sydney market is slowing and values falling in Perth and Darwin it appears that total listings reflect the slowdown in sales activity in these markets. </p>
<p>If we look at the other capital cities relative to the same time of year previously, Melbourne listings are at their lowest level since 2011, Brisbane its lowest since 2008, Adelaide and Hobart listings are at their lowest levels since 2010 and Canberra listings are at their lowest level since 2014.  The relatively low level of stock across these cities has the potential to spark competition for the available stock and lead to increasing values. </p>
<p>Of course this would only occur if buyer demand is also rising and it is a little too early in the year to tell if that is occurring.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-4-1-580x207.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/02/12/Chart-4-1-580x207.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The CoreLogic RP Data Listings Index tracks pre-listing activity by real estate agents across our proprietary platforms. The index points to properties about to be listed for sale and correlates with new listings data.</p>
<p>At a national level, the listings index is at its highest level since early October of last year however the seasonally adjusted data still shows the seasonal slowdown. In terms of a comparison to the current reading compared to the comparable week in past years, the Index is at its highest level for this time of year on record.</p>
<p>Looking at the Listings Index across individual capital cities shows some varied trends when we compare the current value to the value over the same week in previous years.  The Index is lower relative to a year ago in Sydney (-8.9%) and Adelaide (-3.1%). In Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Darwin the Index is at a record high for this time of year.  In both Perth and Canberra the Index is at its highest level for this time of year since 2011. Based on this data we can expect over the coming weeks new listings to be higher than they were across most capital cities.</p>
<p>The listings data and Listings Index will be interesting to track over the coming weeks. The capital city housing markets were showing softer value growth conditions over the second half of 2015 however, early indicators for 2016 have showed a bit of a rebound in the CoreLogic Home Value Index and improved auction clearance rates.  It is important to note that the indicators early in the year are based on a thinner number of sales so it will be important to track the trends as they are updated week to week.</p>
<p>What we do know is that the amount of properties listed for sale both in terms of new listings and total listings is high and it will be interesting to see how well these properties are absorbed by the market over the coming weeks and months.  Particularly as auction volumes and buyer activity typically starts to pick-up between now and Easter.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

New residential property listings are ramping up quickly in 2016: Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The REIV is embarking on a comprehensive consultation process with members in a bid to address underquoting.</span></p>
<p>The Institute will gain valuable input from members on a suitable outcome which will drive industry-wide change and best serve the interests of consumers.</p>
<p>Industry input would be received via a member-wide, online survey and through forums in key regional centres in the next fortnight.<span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>We are committed to ensuring this issue, which is clearly impacting on members of the public, is addressed in a timely and effective manner.</p>
<p>Poor price quoting is a symptom of a broader, more important issue – the educational qualifications required to practice as an agent in Victoria.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We currently have a situation in this state where a Certificate III is all that is required to sell or manage real estate.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">This is the same level as that required to work in hospitality – as a waiter or barista.</span></p>
<p>There are also some registered training organisations (RTO’s) which are offering a full licensed course (Certificate IV) in just five days.</p>
<p>These fast-tracked courses are clearly impacting on the industry, and creating poorly trained, inadequately qualified real estate agents.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The agents receiving this training are a significant threat to consumers.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The Institute would continue to press for the introduction of higher educational qualifications.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><em>‎Enzo Raimondo is chief executive officer of <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">The Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.</em></span></p>
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enzoraimond-7fvRFHPR52

Price quoting issue needs to be addressed: Enzo Raimondo

<html><body>
<div>Net permanent and long term migration into Australia seems to be steadying, summimg +266,400 in the year to August, according to the latest ABS Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures. </div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/11/C2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/11/C2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The number of permanent settlers per annum appears to be very gradually rising again, with 57.1 per cent of settlers hailing from Asia. </div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/11/C5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/11/C5.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div> </div>
<div>It feels as though annual population growth in 2016 will be tracking at around +1.3 per cent, or somewhere between +300,000 and +350,000. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, the composition of growth has changed very significantly since the peak of the mining investment boom in 2012, with Sydney and Melbourne accounting for a record and ever-greater share of the headcount growth. In aggregate, regional population growth has slowed. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chinese arrivals</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>More dramatically, total annual short term arrivals increased by a very strong +10.6 per cent over the year to August, to sit at a smidgen under 8 million.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Outbound trips are still increasing too, but at a far less sprightly pace (in fact the pace of outbound growth is less than half of that of short term arrivals, meaning that a positive rebalancing continues). </div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/11/C3-1.jpg" target="_blank"> Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/11/C3-1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p>The annual number of Chinese arrivals continues to accelerate at an astonishing pace, increasing by +23.1 per cent over the past year to a new high of 1.18 million. </p>
<div>There are now more annual visitors from China and Hong Kong to Australia than there are from our more proximate neighbour New Zealand. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="/images/2016/10/11/C4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/11/C4.jpg" alt=""> </p>
<div>While many are short term arrivals <em>bona fide</em> tourists, a total of precisely 500,000 short term arrivals into Australia over the year to August were primarily for the purposes of education.</div>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/11/C1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><img src="/images/2016/10/11/C1.jpg" alt=""></p>
<div> </div>
<div>Higher education is hugely attractive for international students from Asia, since it comes with the lure of potential permanent residency, obviously a big drawcard. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Note that there are now more than two years of water under the bridge since the higher education boom really teed off in earnest, meaning that over the next year or two there may is likely to be a very strong uplift in students being granted permanent residency (as indeed is forecast by the DIBP) or sundry visa types.</div>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></p>
<p>While permanent and long term migration to Australia seems to have levelled out, arguably the more significant trends are taking place beneath the surface. </p>
<div>There is plenty of noise in month-to-month figures, but simply following the trend in the number of monthly visitors from China shows a doubling from less than 50,000 per month in early 2012 to well over 100,000 per month in Q3 2016. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In terms of the property sector, while it's true that that the incoming wave of Chinese capital most impacts new and off-the-plan properties, there are now so many permanent residents and citizens of Chinese heritage that the impacts have shifted into established property too. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>News</em> draws a tangible link between education arrivals and Chinese property buying activity, notably in inner Sydney suburbs such as Haymarket, Ultimo, Kensington, Surry Hills, Waterloo, and other parts of South Sydney, for example. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Chinese visitors more than double in 4 years: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<div id="post-body-9168898991581718703" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>The ABS produced its muchly awaited revised first home buyer numbers yesterday. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As flagged previously, the numbers are a bit lower than previously reported, although the month to month movements remained broadly consistent with what we have already seen. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The statistics more or less confirm what we already knew: that there are fewer first homebuyer loans being written than there were in the lead up to the financial crisis (though actually not that many fewer Australia-wide). </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/10/12/B1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/12/B1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>Unfortunately the figures don't shed any light on how many first-time buyers have elected to buy an investment property instead of a home (which the NAB survey implies more than accounts for the downward shift in first homebuyer numbers). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And nor does these series cover first homes bought without finance i.e. for cash, thanks to the so-termed 'bank of Mum and Dad'.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unlike Britain, Australia doesn't have agonizingly high rates of inheritance tax, and thus in my opinion inequality is likely to increase in favour of those lucky folks with wealthy parents. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sydney effect</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Drilling down to the state level, not at all surprisingly the impact of higher prices on first homebuyers has been felt most keenly in Sydney. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Not that we actually needed a graph to confirm this!<br><br>Even the majority of middle-aged peeps have given up trying to buy homes in the more desirable suburbs, while investors have practically been running riot since mid-2012. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/10/12/B2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/12/B2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br>Elsewhere there doesn't seem to me to have been all that much of a change.<br><br><div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Loan sizes revised down</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The data for the average first homebuyer loan size has been revised down for recent years, although the chart patterns still tend to mirror the averages for non-first homebuyers. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>One interesting observation here is that the average first homebuyer loan size over the past ten years has not increased at the same rate as median house prices. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/10/12/B3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/12/B3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>You could read any number of things into this statistic (and no doubt people will!). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>For example, the figures could support the recently held argument that parents are tipping in far greater deposits than they were during 2008 and 2009, being the period when the first home owners grant (FHOG) was doubled. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>It has to be said that the divergence does seem to begin at the right time for that to be the case.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Anyhoo, here are the figures at the state level, which I've just tidied up on a 3mMA basis to smooth out some of the jagged edges (the chart'd give you a headache otherwise). </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/10/12/B4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><img src="/images/2016/10/12/B4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<br><div>First homebuyers look to be steadily gearing up again in Queensland, and particularly in Tassie of late, as the Hobart market tightens and rents rise.  </div>
<div> </div>
<div>In 2014, first homebuyers in Western Australia were taking on larger loans on average than anywhere in the country. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And in 2015, the Northern Territory became the very epicentre of first homebuyer extravagance. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This is no longer the case - in either location. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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</div>
<div class="post-footer"> </div>
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What's going down with first home buyers? Pete Wargent

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<p>Earlier this week, housing finance data for August 2016 was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). </p>
<p>Over the month there was $31.4 billion worth of housing finance commitments which was -1.0 percent lower over the month and -5.1 percent lower than it was at its peak in April 2015.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/13/chart-1-580x211.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<h1 class="title"> <img src="/images/2016/10/13/chart-1-580x211.jpg" alt="">
</h1>
<div class="entry">
<p>The $31.4 billion worth of commitments in August was split between $19.5 billion worth of commitments by owner occupiers and $11.9 billion in commitments to investors.</p>
<p>The value of lending to owner occupiers has fallen over two consecutive months while lending to investors has risen for the fourth consecutive month.  The value of lending to owner occupiers is now -8.6 percent lower than its peak in December 2015. </p>
<p>Investor lending remains well below its April 2015 peak, down -18.5 percent however, the recent rebound has seen the value of investor lending increase by 10.0 percent from its recent trough in April 2016.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/13/chart-2-580x210.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/13/chart-2-580x210.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The $19.5 billion worth of mortgage borrowing by owner occupiers was comprised of: $1.8 billion for construction of dwellings, $1.0 billion for purchase of new dwellings, $6.4 billion for refinancing of established dwellings and $10.2 billion for purchase of established dwellings. </p>
<p>The two largest components of owner occupier lending; refinancing and purchase of established dwellings, have both trended lower over recent months. </p>
<p>The value of refinance lending is -13.4 percent lower than its peak of $7.4 billion in December 2015 and purchase of established dwellings is -11.2 percent lower than its $11.5 billion peak in September 2015. </p>
<p>With an interest rate cut which wasn’t passed on in full by most lenders in August, there is a decent probability that refinance activity will increase over the coming months.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/13/chart-3-580x211.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/13/chart-3-580x211.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>For investors there was $11.9 billion in mortgage lending in August 2016, which was split between $0.9 billion in lending for construction and $11.1 billion for established housing. </p>
<p>The value of lending for construction was at its lowest level since September 2015 and down -49.5 percent from its recent peak of $1.7 billion in March 2016. </p>
<p>The $11.1 billion in lending for established housing has increased over four consecutive months and is at its highest level since August 2015. </p>
<p>Housing credit data also highlights the recent up-tick in investor mortgage lending with monthly investor credit data increasing over each of the five months to August 2016.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/13/chart-4-580x214.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/13/chart-4-580x214.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Focusing solely on new construction which includes owner occupier construction of dwellings, owner occupier purchase of new dwellings and investor lending for construction, there was $3.7 billion in lending in August 2016. </p>
<p>The $3.7 billion was the lowest value of lending for new housing since September 2015 with lending for new housing having trended lower since March 2016.  Based on this data, only 14.9 percent of the total value of housing finance commitments in August 2016 were for new housing. </p>
<p>Of the $3.7 billion, 23.1 percent of lending was to investors.</p>
<p>The trends ae emerging whereby demand from the investment segment is increasing again while owner occupier demand is slowing. Although investment demand is lifting, it is not expected to lift to the substantial levels recorded earlier in the current housing cycle. </p>
<p>The fading demand from owner occupiers reflects that many have already upgraded or downgraded in the current cycle as much as the fact that particularly in Sydney and Melbourne it is probably getting a little harder to justify a move in the context of significant transactional costs. </p>
<p>When owners look at the cost of upgrading and the market exit cost (agent commission etc) and entry costs (stamp duty) many are probably now considering a renovation as a better option than moving.</p>
<p>Housing market listings have increased in spring and over recent months auction volumes and clearance rates have also increased.  It will be interesting to see whether this translates into a lift in housing finance commitments over the coming months as the data becomes avaialable.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.</em></p>
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Investor housing demand rises as owner occupier fades: CoreLogic

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>The almost 4.5 year growth phase in capital city home values have driven prices higher and this week we look at the now significant premium for housing in Sydney and to a lesser degree the premium in Melbourne.</p>
<p>CoreLogic calculates capital city median selling prices on a rolling three month basis. </p>
<p>As at September 2016, the combined capital city median house price was recorded at $600,000 and the median unit price was $510,000. </p>
<p>Importantly, because a median is based on sales and transactions that are mostly occurring in Sydney and Melbourne, this figure is heavily influenced by these two cities.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20house.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20house.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>With home values rising at a much stronger rate in Sydney and Melbourne there is increasingly a significant premium for housing across these two cities. </p>
<p>The median house price in Sydney is recorded at $890,000 and the median unit price is $675,000.  In Melbourne, median price are recorded at $641,500 for houses and $485,100 for units.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/25/Sydney%20Vs%20Melbourne%20units.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/25/Sydney%20Vs%20Melbourne%20units.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>The second chart highlights Sydney median unit prices and Melbourne median house prices over time.  Interestingly, Sydney units have regularly been more expensive than Melbourne houses and this remains the case currently. </p>
<p>In fact, Sydney median unit prices have consistently been higher than Melbourne median house prices since February 2012.</p>
<p>Looking at median selling prices of houses over the September quarter across the individual capital cities shows a substantial premium in Sydney. </p>
<p>Across the cities, median prices were recorded at: $890,000 in Sydney, $641,500 in Melbourne, $505,000 in Brisbane, $440,000 in Adelaide, $480,000 in Perth, $349,500 in Hobart, $500,000 in Darwin and $625,000 in Canberra. </p>
<p>The median house price in Sydney is 39% higher or $248,500 more expensive than median prices in the second most expensive city, Melbourne. </p>
<p>Although the premium for Sydney housing is rising and wide on an historic basis, the Sydney premium (in percentage) terms was higher than it is currently for all capital cities back in late 2003.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20selling%20house.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20selling%20house.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Turning to the median selling price of units, we’ve already noted that Sydney median unit prices are higher than median house prices in all other capital cities at $675,000. </p>
<p>Elsewhere median unit prices are recorded at: $485,100 in Melbourne, $390,000 in Brisbane, $351,500 in Adelaide, $410,000 in Perth, $283,000 in Hobart, $440,000 in Darwin and $421,000 in Canberra. </p>
<p>Sydney’s median unit price is $189,900 or 39% higher than Melbourne’s. </p>
<p>As with houses, although the Sydney unit premium is substantial, in percentage terms it has been greater in the past.  </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20selling%20units.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/10/25/Quarterly%20median%20selling%20units.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>Although the gap in housing costs has been greater in the past, in dollar value terms it is substantial.</p>
<p>And is likely to be a challenge in the future. Housing in Sydney and Melbourne has become more expensive than elsewhere in the country due to much stronger job and broad economic conditions.</p>
<p>Despite these factors we anticipate that the substantial cost of housing in Sydney will make it a less desirable location for people to migrate to. </p>
<p>The latest demographic data shows that a greater number of net overseas migrants are choosing to move to NSW rather than Vic. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, net interstate migration into Vic is at a record high while the outflow from NSW is historically low but has started to pick-up.</p>
<p>We expect that migration, particularly interstate migration, into Vic (which is a proxy for Melbourne) will continue to rise while over the coming years while it is anticipated to slow into NSW (as a proxy for Sydney).</p>
<p>Housing costs are likely to be one of the key drivers of this change. While both economies are strong and creating jobs we expect that more interstate migrants will be attracted to Melbourne due to its substantially more affordable housing costs, rather than Sydney.</p>
<p>Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, cheaper housing alone is proving not enough to attract people to these cities.</p>
<p>This highlights the importance of a strong economy with decent employment prospects and shows that housing affordability alone is no longer enough of a lure to attract migrants to a region.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/">here</a>.</em></p>
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Analysing the Sydney housing price premium: Cameron Kusher

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<p>I'm not yet clear whether there has been a revision to the Residex house price index methodology.</p>
<div>But, for what it's worth, here are the latest median prices, which have now been disclosed.</div>
<p>The Sydney median house price hit a new high of $1,117,500 in December 2016.<br><br>The Sydney median unit price increased to a new high of $725,500.</p>
<p>Click to enlarge</p>
<div class="separator"><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/2017/02/10/RESI1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p><br>The median unit price rose by 7.4 percent in 2016, while the median house price increased by 7.1 percent.</p>
<div>One of the metrics I've been tracking has been the change in Sydney unit prices when priced in Chinese yuan terms. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As you can see in the chart below, Sydney unit prices have increased by only 15 percent since this cycle began for offshore Chinese buyers. </div>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/10/RESI2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<div class="separator"><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/2017/02/10/RESI2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p> </p>
<div>Rising prices have therefore not been much of a deterrent for Chinese buyers.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, regulatory measures have been.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Upon discussion this week with developers in Brisbane, it's clear that activity from China has, if not halted, slowed up dramatically since last year. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rates on hold</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>In other news, there were few surprises in the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Decision, whereby the official cash rate was left in hold at 1.50 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The RBA expects reasonable growth in the economy in the December quarter, and expects growth to remain at around 3 per cent over the next couple of years. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The real cash rate now sits just below zero.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/10/REAL%20CASH%20RATE.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div class="separator"><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/2017/02/10/REAL%20CASH%20RATE.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator">
<em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of </em><a href="https://allenwargent.com/"><span class="s2"><em>AllenWargent</em></span></a><em> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and </em><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/"><span class="s2"><em>blogger</em></span></a><em>. </em>
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Sydney median prices rose in 2016: Pete Wargent

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<p>Most people jump into markets when they hear they’re booming. Few will buy in a down market, with an eye to the future.</p>
<p>They’ll wait until a newspaper report tells them prices have jumped in the past year, which means they’re too late to maximise the best opportunities to buy well.</p>
<p>Perth is the most depressed of the capital city markets and buyers are staying away in droves. The real estate industry is working hard to talk up the market, claiming buyers should dive in before prices rise. Such claims are among real estate’s greatest clichés, but they will be right in the not too distant future – at the right time Perth will represent great buying, after 3-4 years of falling prices. But most won’t make a move until they read there’s a new boom on.</p>
<p>Another example of this conundrum is provided by Townsville. The North Queensland city has had a lot of negative publicity recently and you wouldn’t buy there on the current numbers.</p>
<p>But I rate locations on their future prospects, often in defiance of the current situation, to alert investors to areas poised for growth. Townsville is a classic case.</p>
<p>It’s among the sturdiest regional economies in Australia. I rate economic diversity and Townsville has more than most regional centres, with strong elements of government admin, education, defence, resources, health, tourism and manufacturing – plus an export port.</p>
<p>Its property market had a run of strong annual growth up to 2011 – and, after decline in the past few years, is ready to resume its forward progress. Its comeback will be boosted by major events, including retail projects, CBD commercial and infrastructure spending. It is also receiving economic impetus from the expansion of its military economy and will benefit from the $22 billion Adani mining project.</p>
<p>Townsville is forecast to be one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, reaching a population of 340,000 by 2050, according to demographer Bernard Salt in a 2015 report.</p>
<p>Townsville has over 100 education facilities, including the James Cook University, where around 12,000 students are enrolled.</p>
<p>It’s close to the Barrier Reef and tourism is a big industry. The city received 1.2 million domestic visitors in the year to September 2016, injecting $925 million (up 35 percent on the previous year). Around 12,000 cruise ship passengers visit Townsville each year and, following a Cruise Ship Terminal upgrade, larger numbers are expected in the future.</p>
<p>Trade through the Port of Townsville often tops one million tonnes per month and it is now Queensland’s third largest port. Examples of the port’s growth include an $85 million export facility opened by Glencore in 2015 and Puma Energy’s $150 million fuel import terminal.</p>
<p>The Townsville house market was one of the strongest among the Queensland regional cities over the five years to 2011, with median prices rising 50 percent. In recent years, there have been few signs of growth and many suburbs remain in decline as a result of recent economic reversals.</p>
<p>News of Clive Palmer’s nickel refinery closing in 2016 has not helped the market.</p>
<p>But Hotspotting expects an economic revival in 2017 and better results in the property market, a sentiment shared by Herron Todd White. In the October 2016 edition of its In Focus report, HTW said conditions in the residential market were starting to stabilise.</p>
<p>A core problem for Townsville has been oversupply, bringing an adjustment in rents. Despite that, yields remain attractive and are generally in the 5-6 percent range for houses. Some of the unit markets have median yields close to 7 percent.</p>
<p>So it’s a good time to consider Townsville as it gears for a growth phase. Job-generating projects are set to get under way in 2017, headed by a $1.9 billion CBD makeover. The Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area plan is designed to create a modern city space where 30,000 people are expected to be living and working in the CBD by 2030.</p>
<p>New developments will include bars, restaurants and shops. This will also be the site of a sports stadium, convention centre, arts precinct and a redevelopment of the North Yards railway sheds.</p>
<p>Townsville will thrive on the Adani coal project, which will have its HQ in Townsville, if the miner’s undertakings are kept. But nothing is certain in the resources sector and Townsvillemay have to fight to maximise the benefits because other regional cities can sniff the opportunities. Hence this headline in the local paper on 10 February: “Townsville declares war on Rocky.”</p>
<p>In a story on the front page of the Townsville Bulletin, Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the gloves were off in beating out other regional cities for Adani's FIFO hub.</p>
<p>Townsville is likely to benefit from other mining activity in Central Queensland, despite being hundreds of kilometres from the mine sites, in many cases. As one example of how major mining companies approach staffing these days, reports suggest BHP Billiton “has turned to Townsville locals to fill 200 fly-in, fly-out jobs in the Bowen Basin”.</p>
<p>There are 270 jobs on offer at the company’s Peak Downs and Saraji mines near Moranbah and a spokesman for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) says they are advertising FIFO roles from Townsville.</p>
<p>Townsville is also likely to benefit from plans for Singaporean Armed Forces to train at Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Townsville Field Training Area. Up to 14,000 Singapore personnel will conduct unilateral army training for up to 18 weeks a year by 2021. Land will be used for tank training and $300 million will be spent on new facilities. This is the plan that became contentious recently when rural landholders claimed their properties would be forcibly resumed to make way for the military manoeuvres.</p>
<p>Then there’s a $225 million solar farm planned in the Upper Ross, with the project attracting federal funding and a solar power purchase agreement reported to be the biggest in the country. Under a 13-year contract, EnergyAustralia will buy 80 per cent of the electricity generated by the 142MW facility, enough power for 52,000 homes.</p>
<p>With so many large-scale projects in its future, Townsville is poised to return to growth and tuned-in investors will be looking around for opportunities.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">T<em>erry Ryder is the founder of </em><a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/"><span class="s2"><em>hotspotting.com.au</em></span></a><em>. You can  </em><a href="mailto:%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20var%20prefix%20=%20'ma'%20+%20'il'%20+%20'to';%20var%20path%20=%20'hr'%20+%20'ef'%20+%20'=';%20var%20addy38821%20=%20'ryder'%20+%20'@';%20addy38821%20=%20addy38821%20+%20'hotspotting'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'com'%20+%20'.'%20+%20'au';%20document.write('%3Ca%20'%20+%20path%20+%20'/''%20+%20prefix%20+%20':'%20+%20addy38821%20+%20'/'%3E');%20document.write(addy38821);%20document.write('%3C//a%3E');%20//--%3E/n%20%3C/script%3E%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3Cspan%20style=/'display:%20none;/'%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3EThis%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20%3Cscript%20type='text/javascript'%3E%20%3C!--%20document.write('%3C/');%20document.write('span%3E');%20//--%3E%20%3C/script%3E"><span class="s2"><em>email him</em></span></a><em> or follow him on </em><a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting"><span class="s2"><em>Twitter.</em></span></a></span></p>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Tuned in investors turning towards Townsville

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<p>The median lot value in Australia rose by another 3.3 percent in the September 2016 quarter.</p>
<div id="post-body-7885676193843177499" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>The Housing Industry Association (HIA) reported that the median lot value hit at a record high of $243,585. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Since June 2012, the median lot value has increase by 28 percent or nearly $54,000.<br><br>
</div>
<div><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/16/HIA.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a></div>
<div class="separator"><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/2017/02/16/HIA.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator">Source: (HIA)</div>
<br><div>The picture around the country was mixed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Land values in the Kimberley have well and truly crashed by 74 percent from the prior comparative period, for example.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>At the other end of the scale Sydney's <strong><em>median</em></strong> lot value is not approaching $1,000 per square metre. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perhaps this is not all that surprising given that volumes were down by nearly 30 percent in Sydney year-on-year, with a dearth of shovel-ready land being made available. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The next most expensive city for vacant land prices is Perth at $701/sqm.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The volume of lot sales increased to 1,121 in the quarter, following some low volumes in previous quarters. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed, volumes were still some 7 percent below their 2015 peak, according to the HIA. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, capital city land sales rose by about 10 per cent in the year to September 2016, reflecting higher demand and generally stronger economic conditions, while volumes across regional Australia posted a gain of just 1.1 percent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of </em><a href="https://allenwargent.com/"><span class="s2"><em>AllenWargent</em></span></a><em> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and </em><a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/"><span class="s2"><em>blogger</em></span></a><em>. </em>
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Where the capital city land prices are rising the most: Pete Wargent

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<p>After several months of uncertainty and low confidence levels in the Alice Springs residential space, it is likely the market should see further stabilisation throughout 2017, according to HTW’s February 2017 update.</p>
<p>The valuation firm says the unit market has seen the most volatility and experienced two years of price reductions.</p>
<p>For this segment, that has reduced the 10-year compound annual growth rate for median prices for this segment to 4.06% in the December quarter 2016 from 7.57% in the same period in December 2014.</p>
<p>The house segment for the December quarter indicated a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 5.29% down from 6.15%.</p>
<p>“Of greatest interest will be the older style, circa 1980s two bedroom unit segment which has been hardest hit with significant price drops of up to 30% over 2014 and 2015 from the highs of 2010 and 2011,” says HTW.</p>
<p>“We have seen a few more sales in this segment (unit sales were at 158 in the year to December 2016, up from 134 in the previous period) providing some indication that some level of confidence is returning.</p>
<p>“We note that while this segment should still be treated with caution for investors with rent levels still showing reductions, for first home buyers, price levels in some cases are at 2009 levels, showing a great opportunity to enter the market.”</p>
<p>A four bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nt-alice+springs-124486430" target="_blank">24 The Fairway</a>, Alice Springs (above) has been listed for over $1,000,000.</p>
<p>Similarly a two bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nt-alice+springs-107622519" target="_blank">15 Tietkins Avenue</a>, Alice Springs (below) was sold for $427,000.</p>
<p><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/2017/02/22/15%20Tietkins%20Avenue.jpg" alt=""></p>
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