<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365684]

Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Joel Robinson

Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323057]

The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323055]

Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146358]

MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5346]

It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5347]

Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5360]

Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110588]

Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

ALTA Property to deliver $200 million Queens Road apartment tower

Construction is set to begin at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/orchard-mews-glen-iris-18-scott-grove-glen-iris-vic-3146">Orchard Mews</a> in Glen Iris, with&nbsp;PC Whitehall &amp; Sons&nbsp;now appointed as the townhome development moves into its next phase.

The development by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/montcoeur">MontCoeur</a>,&nbsp;located at 18 Scott Grove, is now around 30 per cent sold, with completion targeted for late-2027.

Orchard Mews comprises a curated collection of three- and four-bedroom customisable townhomes, positioned within one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>’ more tightly held residential streets. The low-density project has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a>, bringing together a team known for high-end residential projects across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150128 project_image_fid=366285]

The development is defined by its focus on flexible living and long-term usability. Each residence includes multiple living zones and a customisable multipurpose room, allowing buyers to tailor spaces to suit changing needs, whether as a home office, additional bedroom, wellness area or entertainment space.

Architecturally, the townhomes emphasise natural light and spatial volume, with dual-aspect layouts and double-height living areas incorporated into the design. Interiors feature natural stone benchtops, premium appliances, and a neutral material palette intended to support everyday functionality rather than statement-driven finishes.

All residences are all-electric and include private lifts and secure double garages, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainability and future-focused housing in Melbourne’s established suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150128 project_image_fid=366277]

Outdoor connections are also central to the offering, with a mix of private courtyards and terraces extending internal living spaces and integrating with the landscaped surrounds.

The Scott Grove address places Orchard Mews within close proximity to some of Melbourne’s key lifestyle and education amenities, including Scotch College, Sacré Cœur, Cabrini Hospital and the retail hub of Chadstone. Public transport access is also nearby, with trams and Gardiner Station providing connectivity to the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

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Construction to commence at luxury Glen Iris townhome project, Orchard Mews

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.

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;

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.

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.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<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" />

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

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.

<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" />

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.<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" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

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;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

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

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A commercial property occupied for many years as the local Westpac Bank at 115 Mentone Parade in Mentone has been sold in a transaction negotiated by agents Gray Johnson with a sale at circa $2.1 million.
The two level property has been purchased by a local general practitioner for his own occupancy.
The property was occupied for many years as a Westpac Bank. 
It has a former banking chamber at street level and an executive office above and has been leased for many years by Westpac.
Recently vacated by the bank their lease remains in place until December this year at a current annual rental rate of $116, 186 net plus GST.
The freehold property occupies a central position in the Mentone Parade shopping strip and abuts a Coles Supermarket.
With a street frontage of 9.2 metres the property also benefits from rear laneway access providing on the property car parking for six vehicles.
The site area is 495 sqm on which the building area is 325 square metres inclusive of the executive office area of 72 sqm on the first floor level.
Gray Johnson selling agent Rory White says the property with its very central location and street presence was marketed as ideal for a multitude of user and occupier potentials from retail to professional services.
 “On one side the neighbour is a prominent retail butchery while on the other side is the local Hocking Stuart real estate office.
“The purchaser will benefit from the remainder of the Westpac lease rental term while the settlement is on a ninety day basis.” Mr White says.
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Former Westpac Bank Branch sold to local Medico in Mentone

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Employment rose by a record 210,800 in June after falling by 264,100 in May (previously reported as 227,700 decline). Full-time jobs fell by 38,100 and part-time jobs rose by 249,000.
The unemployment rate rose from 7.1 per cent to 7.4 per cent in June. It was the highest jobless rate in 21½ years (since November 1998).
Hours worked rose by 4.0 per cent in June after falling by 0.7 per cent in May. Hours worked are down by 5.7 per cent over the year.
Participation rate: The participation rate rose from a 19½-year low of 62.9 per cent in May to 64.0 per cent in June.
Spare capacity: In June, the underutilisation rate fell from 20.1 per cent to 19.1 per cent. The underemployment rate decreased from 13.1 per cent to 11.7 per cent.
Unemployment across states in June: NSW 6.9 per cent (May 6.4 per cent); Victoria 7.5 per cent (6.9 per cent); Queensland 7.7 per cent (7.8 per cent); South Australia 8.8 per cent (7.9 per cent); Western Australia 8.7 per cent (8.1 per cent); Tasmania 6.9 per cent (6.3 per cent); Northern Territory 5.7 per cent (7.4 per cent); ACT 5.1 per cent (4.1 per cent). Biggest job gains occurred in New South Wales (80,800); Queensland (52.900) and Victoria (29,500).
A raft of companies is affected by the employment data but especially those dependent on consumer spending.
What does it all mean?
The healing process is beginning – but no one said it was going to be easy. In fact health authorities warned about virus outbreaks and ‘hot spots’ as state and territory economies re-opened. The aim is to keep the virus suppressed rather than aim for elimination as there always is a balance of health and economics.
The lift in jobs in June reflects the re-opening of businesses as they move out of hibernation. It will be important to keep the virus suppressed (contained) so that more workplaces can re-open, more people get work, and there is a progression to relative normalcy.
We shouldn’t get too hung up on historical job market comparisons. The current situation is different to past recessions, being a health emergency rather than an economic emergency. The quick recovery of economies is dependent on a vaccine being found rather than a central bank rate cut or government tax or spending measure. Understandably the published unemployment rate may understate the ‘true’ rate but that is why JobKeeper was devised – to ensure people remain connected to their workplace.
Australia has done well in suppressing the virus and in responding to outbreaks. Vigilance is required. But we can be comforted in the fact that federal; state and territory governments as well as the Reserve Bank are doing all that it takes to support and stimulate the economy.
As well as today’s data on jobs, SEEK reported that job advertisements lifted 41.5 per cent in June. And the Federal Government is unveiling a $2 billion JobTrainer skills package to assist job seekers in returning to the workforce.
We continue to expect the jobless rate to peak around 8 per cent, well short of the generational high of 11.2 per cent set in December 1992. We expect the JobKeeper package to be amended and extended to ensure that the job market and broader economy continue to heal. The hope is that job seekers find employment relatively quickly to ensure they are not ‘locked out’ of the job market. It took 7½ years for the jobless rate from 11.2 per cent to 6.0 per cent in the 1990s/early noughties.
CRAIG JAMES is the Chief Economist at CommSec
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Record lift in jobs as economy reopens: CommSec's Craig James

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had broad-reaching implications for the commercial property sector and will continue to do so for some time, according to the latest report from valuation firm Herron Todd White.
"Whilst neighbourhood shopping centres currently resemble ghost towns and are struggling with often only the anchor tenants trading, we also have real concern for local retail shopping precincts," the firm said.
"These local retail strips, particularly in inner city areas, are usually the life of a suburb, however with local cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, clothing retailers, beauty services and gymnasiums almost all being forced to close, these strips are also near deserted."
The report illustrated that established retail strips built almost entirely around restaurants and late night trade such as Crown Street in Surry Hills, Oxford Street in Paddington, King Street in Newtown and Darling Street in Balmain are bearing the brunt of these closures.
Other usually strong retail precincts including the CBD, Bondi Beach and Manly have also been severely impacted by the abrupt halt of tourism and additionally in the case of the CBD, the closure of most offices.
Understandably, based on this lack of trade, tenants are seeking rental relief from their landlords.
"In addition to this, we are seeing significant increases in vacancy rates with tenants not renewing existing leases and properties that were available preCOVID-19 remaining on the market with agents reporting little to no interest," the firm continued.
"There have been very few transactions from which to gauge how the rental market is performing."
Some limited evidence has indicated significant reductions in the rental rates being achieved in Sydney.
A recent example of a property in Darlinghurst, that only managed to achieve 30 per cent of the rental it had previously received in 2019, was provided in the report.
"On a more positive note, there are some locations that seem to have weathered the storm better than others," the report said.
"Macleay Street, Potts Point has seen many retailers continue to trade throughout the pandemic and as a result, the increase in vacancy does not appear to be as significant as we have seen in other retail precincts."
"This can be explained by the demographic and typical trade base for these retail shops, which is generally considered to be mostly locals.Further, the high proportion of the population living in units in this area has meant that many have relied on local businesses throughout the pandemic."
Much like the near halt in retail leasing activity, sales activity is minimal with often only properties that were on the market prior to the pandemic being transacted.
That said, the majority of campaigns have been withdrawn from the market or moved from being an active auction campaign to an expressions of interest campaign.
Therefore, the firm found that it is very hard to gauge where the market currently sits.
"We do note that there have been a few recent investment sales, indicating that there is some demand for well-located retail assets with strong lease covenants that are considered low risk."
"In completing valuations of retail assets during this period of uncertainty, we are reflecting the current risk associated with vacancies and adjusting letting up periods based on the current market activity and enquiry level being reported by local agents."
"Looking ahead, we are of the view that investors will shy away from retail assets as they are considered to be highly volatile, with the risk of lengthy vacancies higher than usual and the overall lack of demand for space likely to result in a decline in values."
The firm concluded that there is a defined path to recovery for the retail sector, however the sector faced significant challenges in the immediate future.
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COVID-19 pandemic has deep implications for the Sydney's commercial property sector: HTW

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Service station yields have continued to firm over the past five years, more particularly for national branded retailers and the sale of quality investment product, according to the June Herron Todd White (HTW) commercial report. 
The report took a look at the service station investment across the nation. 
"Second tier, independent branded service stations and regionally-based assets continue to attract investment within a softer yield range," the valuation firm said. 
The two most recent and prominent service station portfolio auctions for 7-Eleven realised an average analysed yield for the New South Wales holdings of below 4.5%.
These sales comprised a varying degree of asset quality, however all featured 12-year initial lease terms with all outgoings except land tax and management recoverable by the landlord.Each lease had fixed three per cent annual increases and four additional five-year options.
"There have been limited recent service stations sales since the COVID-19 pandemic, however we would anticipate investor interest to remain in quality service station assets despite these uncertain times," the valuation firm said. 
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Investors continue to show interest in service stations with record low yields and strong levels of interest at recent portfolio auctions.
The mix of available service stations has varied from neighbourhood, national brand sites to purpose- built, multi-brand, multi-retail offerings.
The report notes the market continues to seek service stations with strong lease covenants (typically in excess of 12 years) to a quality national tenant, fixed annual increases and future development potential.
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Service station ownership in New South Wales is highly concentrated within a select group of operators.The four largest providers are Ampol (formerly Caltex), BP, Shell-Coles Express and 7-Eleven.There is a higher level of independent operators in regional and coastal areas outside of Sydney.
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2018 was considered the peak year for sales in this sector.A strong development pipeline for new service station sites has been underway for the past few years with a number of operators undertaking asset recycling style portfolio auction programs to release funds for these projects.
The service station market is still considered a safe bet, even with falling demand via more fuel-efficient motor vehicles, social pressure to reduce our carbon footprint and the falling world oil price, the report noted. 
Major fuel retailers are seen as able to maintain fuel and shop margins in an ever increasingly competitive market space and manage the environmental aspects of the day to day operation of the asset and the future potential redevelopment of the site.
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"Risks to the retail fuel market segment are still considered long term with electric and other low-emission options within the next ten to 15 years," the valuation firm said. 
Location is a fundamental that will continue to underpin quality service station investment assets.
A recent sale is the BP service station at 133 Pittwater Road, Manly (pictured above), which was redeveloped in 2019 with new tanks, lines, canopy, convenience store, pumps and forecourt.
It has a passing net rental of $295,000 per annum plus GST.The selling agent reports that the property listing attracted more than 200 enquiries with a final sale price in early April 2020 of $7.2 million exclusive of GST.
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This sale equated to an analysed yield of 4.1%.
<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/2020/7/13/preston%20.jpg" alt="">
A BP service station at 14 Bernera Road, Prestons (pictured above) sold in April 2020 for $8 million exclusive of GST, equating to an analysed yield of 5.53%.
The site is a 3612 square metre, rectangular shaped, internal allotment with single street frontage to Bernera Road.
The property is located within an established industrial precinct of Prestons.
Improved on the site is a modern, circa 2015 built, BP service station with a sublease to Pie Face and a separate Burger Edge food and beverage outlet.
The property sold subject to an existing head lease to BP Australia until 31 December 2030 with three further five year options.
The property has an advised net income of $442,617 per annum net plus GST with annual CPI or four per cent increases.BP is responsible for all outgoings.
"It would appear that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, investments that reflect good management, strong lease covenants and future redevelopment upside are still considered attractive with no evidence to date reflecting a softening in demand in this sector," the valuation firm said. 
"As the New South Wales economy returns to something approaching business as usual in the coming months, the biggest challenge for the balance of 2020 may not be oil demand and prices, but reducing the level of unemployment in the economy." 
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Investor interest remains in quality NSW service station assets: HTW commercial 

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The thought of various government support measures expiring in the months ahead, causing some sort of fiscal cliff over which economies and share markets will plunge, has caused much consternation. But as with the original fiscal cliff of December 31, 2012 in the US, it’s likely to be tapered into a fiscal slope. Particularly with so called “second waves” of coronavirus reaping havoc with the economic outlook. Of course, this will add to the public sector’s debt burden associated with the coronavirus shock, in turn adding to concern about some sort of fiscal day of reckoning down the track.
This note looks at the key issues around fiscal support and the budget in Australia ahead of the Treasurer’s Economic Statement (due 23rd July) which is expected to provide new economic forecasts, an estimate of the budget cost of support measures so far and outline plans for future support measures.
Fiscal stimulus to be extended
It made sense for many of the coronavirus government support measures to expire at the end of September as it avoided a permanent/hard to reverse lift in public spending, and to borrow from the analogy likening the support measures to a bridge across a chasm, once the coronavirus chasm has been crossed there is no longer the need for the bridge. However, its increasingly clear that support will be needed for longer:
First, the second wave of coronavirus cases in Australia has seen the Victorian Government return Melbourne to a “stay at home” six-week lockdown which will slow the recovery. While we estimate the direct impact on the Australian economy to be around $5bn which will knock around 1% off GDP this quarter, there is a high risk that it impacts confidence in other states (as people “self-isolate”) and that other states may also return to a lockdown if cases spread, with NSW most at risk. This already appears to be impacting economic activity, with our Australian Economic Activity Tracker which combines timely weekly data faltering over the last two weeks, after ten consecutive weeks of recovery.
Second, the easy gains from the initial reopening including the unleashing of pent up demand may have mostly been seen but distancing requirements and travel restrictions mean that it will take much longer for some industries - travel, events, culture, accommodation, restaurants and housing construction - to get back to normal.
Third, the coronavirus shock has accelerated the shift to a digital world, such that job losses associated with automation are now likely occurring faster than new jobs are being created. Three examples of this are a faster take up of online retailing meaning less jobs in retailing, more working from home meaning less office demand and less jobs in public transport and less business travel in favour of virtual meetings meaning less use of airlines and hotels.
The last two mean that “spare capacity” will linger well into the future and this is likely to show up in a long tail of high unemployment. Without the JobKeeper wage subsidy and changes to JobSeeker, “effective unemployment” would have risen to 14.8% in April and would still be around 13.6% now.
The initial spike in “effective unemployment” may be reversed quickly taking it down to say 9% by year end, but getting it back to 5% as seen early this year could take years as some sectors take a long time to recover and accelerated structural change impacts. This suggests both a short-term and a long-term challenge for government which will likely be met at least in the short term by more fiscal stimulus.
Will it be enough?
By extending programs like JobKeeper beyond September and announcing additional stimulus including the likely bring forward of tax cuts, the Government will effectively taper the fiscal cliff and turn it into more of a slope. This helps solve the short-term reality that a lot of jobs won’t have come back by October. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough given the long tail of unemployment flowing from the coronavirus shock discussed earlier. The Government’s focus looks likely to shift to economic reforms in the October budget and this makes sense, but more fiscal support may ultimately be needed to soak up the likely long tail of unemployment.
Can we afford the surge in the deficit and debt?
Our assessment remains that it is affordable. First, were it not for the support measures the economic hit would be far greater, ultimately resulting in an even bigger public debt blowout.
Second, as Keynes showed, it makes sense for the public sector to borrow from households and businesses at a time when they have cut their spending, and to give the borrowed funds to help those businesses and individuals that need help.
Third, the support programs won’t cause a permanent step jump higher in public spending.
Fourth, Australia’s starting point for net public debt was low at 23% of GDP compared with other advanced countries averaging 83%. See the next chart. And even with projected budget deficits it will remain relatively s
mall.
The hit to the economy will mean a hit to government revenue and this is shown in the line called “parameter changes”. Budget data released for the period to May suggests that this has been running at just over $10bn a month since March.
The Government has already announced significant policy support and this is shown in the line “stimulus so far”. We have allowed for the three policy support packages in March, the health package and industry support packages. These are dominated by JobKeeper now estimated to cost $70bn.
However, the need for additional support for the economy has also been recognised by the Government. As a result, in its 23 July economic statement we are likely to see:
An extension of JobKeeper – although it’s likely to be revamped with a monthly eligibility test and different pay rates and companies are likely to be discouraged from accessing it for jobs that won’t be revived;
The doubled JobSeeker payment is likely to be pared back;
Income tax cuts due from 2022 may be brought forward;
Additional investment incentives; and More industry support packages.
The Government will partly fund extra support by taking JobKeeper from those who no longer need it, but the bulk will likely come from the $60bn saving already seen on JobKeeper, which we expect to be fully spent and then some (see “new stimulus”) although it may not all be announce next week.
As a result of the Government’s fiscal response and the hit to public revenue from the economic downturn, the budget deficit is expected to blow out from around $95bn for the past financial year to around $223bn this financial year before improving from 2021-22, as support programs phase down and the economy recovers. This would see the budget deficit as a share of GDP peak at around 11% of GDP in 2020-21, which would be its highest since World War 2. Spread over several years, this will add nearly 20% of GDP to Australia’s public debt. This raises two questions though: will it be enough? And can we afford it?
budget deficits it will remain relatively small.
Australian Federal budget deficit
Fifth, borrowing to finance the budget deficit is in Australian dollars and, with a current account balance, we are not dependent on foreign creditors risking a foreign currency crisis.
Sixth, the cost of Government borrowing is very low at less than 1% for ten years. This is partly being facilitated by the RBA buying bonds, but bond rates would be low anyway.
Finally, consider what would happen if “shock horror” the Government and the RBA agreed to cancel the bonds that the RBA owns? Apart from a lot of grinding teeth from some commentators the answer would be very little – the Government’s loss on its “investment” in the RBA would be offset by a reduction in liabilities. In other words, it’s not necessarily the case that all public debt has to be paid back if it’s owned by the central bank. For the technically minded, the limit to this would be if all the extra money that the central bank printed to buy the bonds causes inflation – but as Japan has seen, if there is lots of spare capacity, inflation is not an issue.
Concluding comment
With the private sector spending hit by coronavirus it makes sense for the Government to continue to help fill the breach and support the economy. The best approach to getting debt back down is to grow the economy aided by a reinvigorated economic reform agenda, but for a while government fiscal support will continue to be needed.
Dr Shane Oliver is head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital
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The fiscal cliff is more likely to be a fiscal slope: Shane Oliver

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EXPERT OBSERVER
In brighter news, there's been no COVID-19 community transmission to speak of in Australia this week...ex-Victoria. 
Unfortunately the Victorian government's shocking mismanagement of hotel quarantine means that there's now a potentially nasty second wave of the virus spreading exclusively in that state. 
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With another couple of hundred cases over the past 24 hours Victoria now has 1,124 active cases.  
Elsewhere local cases have essentially been running at zero all week, which is a great result. 
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Victoria will now go into another lockdown, this time for at least six weeks, which is a disastrous hammer blow for the local economy. 
Auctions slump
Sydney recorded rock solid auction results on Saturday, with the median price of property sold under the hammer rising to $1,260,000. 
In Melbourne. however, auction success volumes and results have unsurprisingly begun to plummet as consumer confidence has been demolished by the lockdown announcement. Alas it's now only a matter of time before someone rolls out another 'tale of two cities headline'...sigh.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bS9hrg3w0aM/Xwn-fG6nTCI/AAAAAAAA26I/K1-zMVsC9cE0307sg6isljwJ2gh9q--YACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/AUc.jpg" width="640" height="132" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="681">
To date Melbourne's housing prices have fallen by about 3 per cent since April.
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Look out below
I'm not usually in the business of making serious predictions, which are usually broad brush and often prove to be pointless.
But these sorts of auction results in Melbourne have normally been commensurate with something close to double digit pace declines in housing prices, and in all likelihood may point to a 10 to 20 per cent decline in Melbourne's market. Given that Greater Melbourne is Australia's second largest economic hub - and that it's long been accounting for such a significant share of growth - the decision to lock down for six weeks has all but cruelled the chance of a meaningful recovery any time soon. 
Research across half a century of historical data from the Bank of England has shown that falling house prices lead to fear of negative equity, falling confidence, and consumers declining to spend, borrow, or invest.
 If the Federal government wants to stand any chance of getting the Australian economy back on its feet this year the Treasurer should announce on July 23 a temporary stamp duty holiday for the remainder of 2020 (and fund the difference for the states by making use of bond yields at record lows).
Alternatively, and more sustainably, broaden the GST and raise the rate to 12.5 per cent. 
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers and a best-selling author and blogger 
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Melbourne lockdown kills chance for a meaningful property recovery: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
<div>Yet another inflation target miss was recorded for the June quarter.</div>
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<div>Nothing too earth-shattering there - the target has consistently been missed for years - but this one was a real corker, with headline inflation down by -1.9 per cent in the June 2020 quarter.</div>
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<div>And now the annual inflation rate has also turned negative, which a true rarity.</div>
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<div>Stated the ABS:</div>
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<div>'Since 1949, this was only the third time annual inflation has been negative. </div>
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<div>The previous times were in 1962 and 1997-98.'</div>
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<div>Underlying inflation was pretty flat for the quarter.</div>
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<div>Grattan recently produced a fairly damning indexed chart showing how inflation would've tracked higher had the target been hit over the past five years versus the actuals, a period through which there's been a persistent output gap, weak wages growth, and oodles of spare labour force capacity. </div>
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<div>We're still getting no closer to the inflation target then. </div>
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GuyrxR0LcdU/XyE197Iof6I/AAAAAAAA3Us/7ilsxHD355ESAA7OgfmRuvoGqYN1PbStwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1361">
The main contributors to the weakness over the quarter included declining childcare and fuel prices.
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The CBD rental markets were hit with a swathe of Airbnb and student rentals in the June quarter, and the rental price index also turned negative year-on-year...for the first time ever. 
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There will be something of a bounce in Q3 in some categories, and truthfully there weren't too many surprises here, but overall there's a long way to go before things recover.
<div>Detailed report as always from from James Foster here.</div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers and a best-selling author and blogger 
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Annual inflation negative for the third time ever: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
New research on disadvantage in Australia has found the gap between rich and poor is very wide in Sydney, while much of Queensland struggles with educational disadvantage and regional NSW and Victoria are both more disadvantaged when it comes to health.
Previous research on poverty has placed a heavy emphasis on income and economic outcomes at a given point in time. But disadvantage often goes beyond just economic factors. It’s also necessary to analyse the educational, health and social inequities in society to get a more accurate understanding of disadvantage.
At the core of our new research, published in our <a href="https://mappingthepotential.cssa.org.au/index.php/about/" target="_blank">Mapping the Potential report</a>, is the idea that disadvantage in Australia is more varied and complex than many people may think.
How we conducted our research
This research, conducted by the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods and commissioned by Catholic Social Services Australia, expands on the socioeconomic indexes produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics by adding more detailed variables across health, education, social and economic domains.
We also incorporated a “persistence” element to disadvantage – in that, disadvantage isn’t tied to a singular point in time, but persists for a longer period.
In our research, disadvantage was data-driven. And to quantify disadvantage, we chose variables that were generally considered relevant for each area. For economic disadvantage, for instance, we looked at low incomes, low-skilled jobs and unemployment. Areas with a large share of people with these characteristics tended to be more disadvantaged.
Health disadvantage was based on various chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart and circulatory conditions, and obesity.
Educational disadvantage focused on levels of educational attainment and child educational disadvantage - both cognitive and physical development. We used data from the <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/australian-early-development-census#:%7E:text=The%20Australian%20Early%20Development%20Census,in%20the%20community%2C%20not%20individuals." target="_blank">Australian Educational Development Census</a> to gauge this.
Social disadvantage was less clearly defined. We focused on variables that contribute to <a href="https://www.oecd.org/insights/37966934.pdf" target="_blank">social capital</a>, or the interpersonal networks that help a society function effectively. Regions with social disadvantage, for example, tended to have low rates of volunteering, internet connection and social cohesion.
Geographically, we analysed these variables at the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Australian+Statistical+Geography+Standard+(ASGS)" target="_blank">SA2 level</a> (areas comprised roughly of suburbs and towns) across Australia. We then aggregated the results to the federal electorate level to avoid singling out and possibly stigmatising individual suburbs.
For comparison purposes, each index was standardised to an average score of 1,000 across all SA2s. Nearly all SA2s (95%) had a score between 800 (high disadvantaged) and 1,200 (low disadvantage).
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336906/original/file-20200522-102642-2uyeuo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336906/original/file-20200522-102642-2uyeuo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
The Conversation, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-ND</a>
To better understand differences between our major populations, we further aggregated our results to nine larger geographic entities: the five major capitals, the regional areas of NSW, Queensland and Victoria and a “catch all” remainder of Australia region. This last grouping was used due to the small number of electorates in some states and territories.
The most disadvantaged parts of Australia
The key finding of the report is there is considerable variation in the types of disadvantage experienced across Australia. Moreover, the types of disadvantage varied between locations, as well.
Australia’s most disadvantaged electorate overall was Hinkler in regional Queensland. Hinkler ranks poorly in three of the disadvantage domains we tracked: health, economic and social.
Australia’s least disadvantaged electorate is North Sydney.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336908/original/file-20200522-102678-4snacf.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336908/original/file-20200522-102678-4snacf.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
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When we looked at each type of disadvantage individually, we found that electorates had very different needs.
From an economic perspective, for example, our most disadvantaged electorate is Blaxland in Western Sydney. Our most disadvantaged health electorate is Braddon in regional Tasmania.
The most disadvantaged educationally was Spence in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Socially, the most disadvantaged electorate was Parkes in regional NSW.
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336919/original/file-20200522-57709-h82zlg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336919/original/file-20200522-57709-h82zlg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
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When comparing the larger regions in our report, we found Adelaide faces the most disadvantage overall, while Sydney and Perth have, on average, the least overall disadvantage.
Even the best-performing regions have pockets of high disadvantage. For example, while Sydney has a relatively strong overall result, it also has the most economically disadvantaged electorate in Australia (Blaxland) and several suburbs with scores below 800.
The research also shows the vast disparities between urban and regional areas in Australia. For example, according to our data, nearly the whole of regional NSW is considered disadvantaged. In contrast, the inner suburbs of Sydney are much better-off.
<img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/316985/original/file-20200225-24694-1eticck.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="">
Differences in disadvantage between regional NSW and greater Sydney.
Most concerning was the deep level of disadvantage found in predominantly Indigenous communities, mostly in the Northern Territory. The electorate of Lingiari, for instance, has a marked split between the relatively advantaged suburbs around Darwin and the deeply disadvantaged areas outside the city.
We also found a number of electorates in coastal NSW, Queensland and Tasmania with significant health disadvantage. This is concerning given the threat of future outbreaks of COVID-19.
Why this data matters
The indexes remind us that despite nearly 30 years of continued economic growth in Australia, prosperity has not come to all parts of the country. Nor is economic advantage necessarily an indication of other facets of well-being, such as educational or health equality.
This data is important because it can help non-profit organisations make better-informed decisions on where and how to allocate future resources and investments.
It will also help governments at all levels gain a deeper understanding of the types of disadvantage that exist within regions and how their programs and other methods of assistance – both financial or non-financial – can be most effective.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-phillips-98866" target="_blank">Ben Phillips</a>, Associate Professor, Centre for Social Research and Methods, Director, Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877" target="_blank">Australian National University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brenton-prosser-10876" target="_blank">Brenton Prosser</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canberra-865" target="_blank">University of Canberra</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/where-are-the-most-disadvantaged-parts-of-australia-new-research-shows-its-not-just-income-that-matters-132428" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Where are the most disadvantaged parts of Australia? New research shows it's not just income that matters

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Facial recognition technology is increasingly being trialled and deployed around Australia.
Queensland and Western Australia are reportedly already using real-time facial recognition through CCTV cameras. 7-Eleven Australia is also deploying facial recognition technology in its 700 stores nationwide for what it says is customer feedback.
And Australian police are <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-police-are-using-the-clearview-ai-facial-recognition-system-with-no-accountability-132667" target="_blank">reportedly using</a>a facial recognition system that allows them to identify members of the public from online photographs.
Facial recognition technology has a somewhat nefarious reputation in some police states and non-democratic countries. It has been used by the police in China to identify anti-Beijing protesters in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/technology/hong-kong-protests-facial-recognition-surveillance" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a> and monitor members of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/apr/11/china-hi-tech-war-on-muslim-minority-xinjiang-uighurs-surveillance-face-recognition" target="_blank">Uighur minority</a> in Xinjiang.
With the spread of this technology in Australia and other democratic countries, there are important questions about the legal implications of scanning, storing and sharing facial images.
Use of technology by public entities
The use of facial recognition technology by immigration authorities (for example, in the channels at airports for people with electronic passports) and police departments is authorised by law and therefore subject to public scrutiny through parliamentary processes.
In a positive sign, the government’s proposed identity matching services laws are <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1037969X20920008" target="_blank">currently being scrutinised</a> by a parliamentary committee, which will address concerns over <a href="http://www.unswlawjournal.unsw.edu.au/article/who-owns-information-law-enforcement-information-sharing-as-a-case-study-in-conceptual-confusion/" target="_blank">data sharing</a> and the potential for people to be incorrectly identified.
Indeed, Australian Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow recently <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/technology/harm-against-humans-rights-chief-warns-of-facial-recognition-threat-20200611-p551o6" target="_blank">sounded an alarm</a> over the lack of regulation in this area.
At the moment, there are not strong and clear enough legal protections in place to prevent the misuse of facial recognition in high stakes areas like policing or law enforcement.
Another specific concern with the legislation is that people’s data <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-governments-proposed-facial-recognition-database-is-causing-such-alarm-125811" target="_blank">could be shared</a> between government agencies and private companies like telcos and banks.
How private operators work
Then there is the use of facial recognition technology by private companies, such as banks, telcos and even 7-Elevens.
Here, the first thing to determine is if the technology is being used on public or private land. A private landowner can do whatever it likes to protect itself, its wares and its occupants so long as <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://legal.thomsonreuters.com.au/the-law-of-private-security-in-australia-2nd-edition/productdetail/99342" target="_blank">it doesn’t break the law</a> (for example, by unlawful restraint or a discriminatory practice).
This would include allowing for the installation and monitoring of staff and visitors <a href="https://theconversation.com/cctv-who-can-watch-whom-under-the-law-63046" target="_blank">through facial recognition cameras</a>.
By contrast, on public land, any decision to deploy such tools must go through a more transparent decision-making process (say, a council meeting) where the public has an opportunity to respond.
This isn’t the case, however, for many “public” properties (such as sports fields, schools, universities, shopping centres and hospitals) that are privately owned or managed. As such, they can be <a href="https://theconversation.com/non-police-doing-police-type-work-operate-in-a-perilously-grey-area-of-law-53219" target="_blank">privately secured</a> through the use of guards monitoring CCTV cameras and other technologies.
Facial recognition is not the only surveillance tool available to these private operators. Others include iris and <a href="https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/retina-scan" target="_blank">retina scanners</a>, <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140916102000.htm" target="_blank">GIS profiling</a>, <a href="https://www.datasciencecentral.com/profiles/blogs/the-7-most-important-data-mining-techniques" target="_blank">internet data-mining</a> (which includes “<a href="/news">predictive analytics</a>,” that is, building a customer database on the strength of online behaviours), and “<a href="https://hbr.org/2019/01/neuromarketing-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank">neuromarketing</a>” (the use of surveillance tools to capture a consumer’s attributes during purchases).
There’s more. Our technological wizardry also allows the private sector to store and retrieve huge amounts of customer data, including every purchase we make and the price we paid. And the major political parties have compiled <a href="https://www.aspg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/02-Onselen-Errington-full.pdf" target="_blank">extensive private databanks</a> on the makeup of households and likely electoral preferences of their occupants.
Is it any wonder we have started to become <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2524167" target="_blank">a little alarmed</a> by the reach of surveillance and data retention tools in our lives?
What’s currently allowed under the law
The law in this area is new and struggling to keep up with the pace of change. One thing is clear: the law does not prohibit even highly intrusive levels of surveillance by the private sector on private land in the absence of illegal conduct.
The most useful way of reviewing the legal principles in this space is to pose specific questions:
Can visitors be legally photographed and scanned when entering businesses?
The answer is yes where visitors have been warned of the presence of cameras and scanners by the use of signs. Remaining on the premises denotes implied consent to the conditions of entry.
Do people have any recourse if they don’t want their image taken?
No. The law does very little to protect those who may be upset by the obvious presence of a surveillance device on a door, ceiling or wall. The best option for anybody concerned about this is to leave the premises or not enter in the first place.
What about sharing images? Can private operators do whatever they like with them?
No. The sharing of electronic data is limited by what are referred to as the “<a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/" target="_blank">privacy principles</a>”, which govern the rights and obligations around the collection, use and sharing of personal information. These were extended to the private sector in 2001 by amendments to the Commonwealth <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/cth/consol_act/pa1988108/" target="_blank">Privacy Act 1988</a>.
These privacy principles would certainly prohibit the sharing of images except, for example, if a store was requested by police to hand them over for investigation purposes.
Can private businesses legally store your image?
Yes, private or commercial enterprises can store images of people captured on their cameras in their own databases. A person can ask for the image to be disclosed to them (that is, to confirm it is held by the store and to see it) under the “privacy principles”. Few people would bother, though, since it’s unlikely they would know it even exists.
The privacy principles do, however, require the business to take reasonable steps to destroy the data or image (or ensure there is de-identification) once it is no longer needed.
What if facial recognition technology is used without warnings like signs?
If there is a demonstrable public interest in any type of covert surveillance (for example, to ensure patrons in casino gaming rooms are not cheating, or to ensure public safety in crowded walkways), and there is no evidence of, or potential for, misuse, then the law permits it.
However, it is <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-does-the-law-say-about-secret-recordings-and-the-public-interest-140731" target="_blank">not legal to film someone covertly</a> unless there is a public interest in doing so.
What does the future hold?
Any change to the laws in this area is a matter for our parliamentarians. They have been slow to respond given the difficulty of determining what is required.
It will not be easy to frame legislation that strikes the right balance between respecting individuals’ <a href="https://theconversation.com/animal-activists-v-private-landowners-what-does-the-law-say-110279" target="_blank">rights to privacy</a> and the desires of commercial entities to keep their stock, patrons and staff secure.
In the meantime, there are steps we can all take to safeguard our privacy. If you want to protect your image completely, don’t select a phone that switches on when you look at it, and don’t get a passport.
And if certain businesses want to scan your face when you enter their premises, give them a wide berth, and your feedback.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/141357/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rick-sarre-22428" target="_blank">Rick Sarre</a>, Adjunct Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180" target="_blank">University of South Australia</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/facial-recognition-technology-is-expanding-rapidly-across-australia-are-our-laws-keeping-pace-141357" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Facial recognition technology is expanding rapidly across Australia. Are our laws keeping pace?

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Thursday’s lending indicator data from the ABS shows the value of new finance commitments for the purchase of dwellings fell by a record 11.6% over May 2020.
This is the largest single monthly drop in the 18 year series.
In seasonally adjusted terms, it represents a $2.2 billion monthly fall in the value of housing finance, and is $2.0 billion below the decade average level of lending.
But CoreLogic data suggests that the June results could show a partial recovery.
Can CoreLogic sales data tell us what will happen to the housing finance data?
The chart below shows the monthly value of new finance for housing from the ABS, against the number of property transactions estimated by CoreLogic.
The two metrics have moved quite closely together historically. This suggests that when more money is lent for the purpose of buying property, we will typically also see a rise in the number of transactions.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2020/7/13/CL%20July%2013.JPG" alt="">
While this is intuitive, there is something curious about the relationship. In some instances, shifts in the direction of sales volume estimates produced by CoreLogic are a month ahead of changes in the direction of new housing finance. The correlation coefficient between the two series is slightly strengthened when the sales volumes are lagged by one month.
The lagging of finance data has been particularly evident in the dramatic disruption that has played out amid COVID-19. CoreLogic sales volumes started rebounding over May, while housing finance saw a record decline.
This could be because of the way sales volumes and finance commitments are dated. CoreLogic sales volumes generally date sales from the sale’s contract date. But housing finance commitments, according to the ABS, are only counted when the following three criteria are met: 
1. A home loan application has been approved; 
2. a loan contract or letter of offer has been issued to a borrower; and 
3. the borrower has accepted the offer.
This means that a housing finance commitment could occur in the month after property is purchased. The lag between the two events could be days, or weeks depending on multiple factors, including the time it takes for a property to be valued, or the time the borrower spends reviewing the loan contract before accepting it.
More recently, anecdotal evidence suggests an additional lag in the housing finance data could be caused by COVID-19 related factors. These include banking staff and processes adjusting to remote working conditions, processing additional forbearance provisions, and a surge in refinancing applications.
Understanding this detail of the data could help us understand whether housing finance numbers will have fallen further in June, or if they would start to recover. Based on the fact that CoreLogic sales estimates rebounded 29.5% over June, housing finance values may actually have bottomed out in May. Other indicators suggest transaction activity has been steadily recovering.
One of these is the change in volume of valuations ordered for property purchases through CoreLogic platforms. Underlying data shows an 11.5% increase in valuations for the purchase of property between May and June. The Early Market Indicators report has continued to show an uplift through July, rising 11.1% in the week ending July 9th.
The number of advertised listings provides another signal for higher sales. While the number of new capital city listings has increased by more than 40% since early May, while the total listings count has reduced by close to 3% over the same period. This implies a new listings to sales ratio of around 1.3. In other words, more homes are being sold than what is being added to the market.
Despite signs of rising transaction activity and finance volumes recently, significant headwinds lie ahead for sales activity. With the re-introduction of the stage 3 lockdown across Melbourne, the impact on sales volumes is two-fold. There is the physical limitation on selling homes that come with social distancing, as well as a more general fall in consumer confidence.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index has declined in the past two weeks of measurement. Declines in consumer sentiment are associated with falls in property tractions. This means that while finance volumes could bottom out in May for the 2019-20 financial year, the potential for another significant fall exists while social distancing policies are required.
By Eliza Owen, Head of Research Australia at CoreLogic 
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