<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367540]

The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140747 project_image_fid=367529]

Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Joel Robinson

Smith by Valli delivers design-led apartments to Melbourne’s inner north

<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]

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

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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Three of the eight capital cities are now at the bottom of the retail market, with Darwin now joining Adelaide and Perth, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's (HTW) latest retail property clock.
Brisbane remains the strongest capital city market for retail, retaining its peak of market position.
It has been joined this month by Dubbo and the Gold Coast. 
Melbourne, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour have all moved into the beginning of a retail market decline, while Sydney is approaching the peak of the market.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/2/4/Jan%20Retail%20Clock.JPG" target="_blank">Click</a> to enlarge.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/4/Jan%20Retail%20Clock.JPG" alt="">
There's not great news for Canberra, which is now in a declining market, joining Alice Springs, Echuca and Gippsland.
Hobart's retail market is still nearing the bottom of the market, as is the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, South West WA and the Iron Triangle region.
Retail space in Sydney continues to approach market peak.
Ballarat, Bendigo, Launceston, Burnie-Devonport, the Mid North Coast and the Sunshine coast are all classified as rising markets.
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Three capital cities at the bottom of the retail market: HTW Property Clock

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Moxy Hotels, Marriott International’s hotel brand aimed at the next generation of travellers, is set to debut in Australia with the signing of Moxy Melbourne South Yarra.
Slated to open in July 2021, the 180-room, new build standalone hotel is being developed by Melbourne businessmen Hector Ktori and Peter Arvanitis.
Moxy Melbourne South Yarra has been designed by architectural firm Rothelowman.  
With 30 operating hotels across Europe, North America and Asia and more than 80 properties in development, Moxy Hotels markets itself as redefining the traditional affordable hotel experience with social spaces including a lounge, 24/7 self-service grab-and-go food and drinks. 
"We’re thrilled to be debuting Moxy in Melbourne, a city that radiates the playful essence of the brand," said Richard Crawford, Senior Director of Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Marriott International.
"The Moxy brand will be a game-changer fuelled predominantly by the growing number of Millenial and Gen Z travellers."
Moxy Melbourne South Yarra will open at 30-32 Claremont Street. 
"The next generation of travellers is seeking more than a comfortable bed and room-service burger," said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International. 
"They want to stay in hotels with an approachable price point that offer bold, contemporary design and hyper social experiences that tap into the local culture.
"We’re really excited to partner with Marriott International to bring the first ever Moxy to Australia,” said Hector Ktori, co-owner of Moxy Melbourne South Yarra.
"After visiting a number of Moxy hotels around the world, we’re confident this brand will be a welcome addition to South Yarra, offering guests exceptional value, urban style and lively public spaces in a much sought-after suburb of Melbourne."
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Marriott's Moxy Hotels brand set to make Australian debut in South Yarra

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The announcement by the NSW Government that they will register building practitioners will lift confidence in the building industry.
Most builders, developers and design consultants involved in high rise buildings in New South Wales perform at a high professional level.
But a few recent examples have shaken the communities confidence in the industry and the proposals by the NSW Government to reinforce the whole supply chain of practitioners through registration will help restore confidence.
The NSW Government has stated that it will support the majority of recommendations of the 2018 Shergold Weir Report prepared for the national Building Minister’s Forum.
The recommendations include that building practitioners be registered including builders, project managers, building surveyors (including certifiers), architects, engineers, designers, plumbers and fire safety practitioners. It is clear that the whole supply chain of those involved in building need to be of the highest skill level and undergo Continuing Professional Development.
The NSW Government also proposes appointing a Building Commissioner who will presumably require support staff.
It does seem strange that it took recent failures in high rise buildings to get the NSW Government to support these changes as the 2015 Lambert Report commissioned by the NSW Government proposed wider accreditation but the government at that time did not support this.
The Shergold Weir Report points out that the number of high rise residential buildings is growing quickly in Australia with 30,000 apartments in high rise buildings in 2007 rising to 90,000 in 2015.
It is clear that high rise living has been strongly supported by the market and by home owners and renters as part of a swing to living closer to work and to amenities.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with the NSW Government on how the proposed changes are implemented in a manner that lifts performance without undue increase in the cost of new homes.
CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO 
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Registration of all building practitioners required in NSW to lift confidence: Chris Johnson

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EXPERT OBSERVER 
<div id="post-body-6541198538703456871" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>What a win it's been for the major banks last week.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Hearteningly there's been sensible commentary aplenty about the misguided recommendations on the structure of mortgage broking, which don't make any sense with a 'real world' hat on. </div>
 <div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL1yB52iNFg/XF1iUBBmg3I/AAAAAAAAuWU/6sYwVipdspstnDR_2fu2Cp6ffJpVlmJcQCLcBGAs/s640/CBA2.jpg" width="640" height="364" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1403"></div>
 <div>
As prominent industry stalwart John Manciameli has pointed out, imagine the outcry when banks raise mortgage rates off the cuff by 50 basis points on 'funding cost pressures' (or whatever) and customers have to pay another $5,000 fee to refinance out of their loan (leaving the borrower paying $10,000 just to get in and out of the deal). Just one of a thousand potentially daft scenarios. 
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Everyone agrees that there should be a 'best interest' imperative for mortgage brokers. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But commission structures should be left alone, and the scenarios being discussed would just load even more power into the four major banks. If broking ain't broke...</div>
<div> </div>
<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
</div>
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Banks flying high; mortgage brokers thrashed: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The RBA has started the year with a significant shift, lowering its growth outlook and acknowledging greater uncertainties and downside risks.
<div>
The RBA has started the year with a significant shift, lowering its growth outlook and acknowledging greater uncertainties and downside risks. While the Board still expects the economy to track towards its employment and inflation targets, and does not see a strong case for a near term change in the cash rate, there has been a clear change in emphasis.
In particular, the Governor has moved from the view, expressed throughout 2018, that “the next move in the cash rate was more likely to be an increase than a decrease” to one in which the probabilities of the next move being up or down are “more evenly balanced”.
This move to a balanced rate outlook is significant because it clearly establishes that the Bank is prepared to contemplate rate cuts - a position that has really only emerged since the housing markets have reversed. It is also consistent with changes announced by other central banks notably the US Federal Reserve. We see these changes as a welcome shift, bringing the RBA’s thinking more into line with our own.
As expected, the Reserve Bank Board again left the cash rate unchanged at 1.5% at its February meeting. Also as expected, the Bank has lowered its forecasts for growth – outlined in the Governor’s decision statement and detailed more fully in his speech a day later.
The RBA’s growth forecast for 2019 has been revised down from 3¼% to 3%, and its forecast for 2020 revised from 3% to 2.75%, the slowdown year to year reflecting a tapering in resource export volumes. It is significant that growth on average is still expected to be around the ‘trend’ rate of 2¾%.
The RBA has also revised its inflation outlook with the forecast for underlying inflation for 2019 reduced from 2¼% to 2%, while the 2020 forecast remains at 2¼%. The Bank is maintaining the view that inflation will gradually move into the 2-3% band, although it is expected to take somewhat longer than previously expected. There are good reasons why the Bank lowered its growth forecasts.
Firstly, while it still assesses the outlook for global growth as “reasonable”, it recognises that “downside risks have increased” (notably, when asked to rank the risks to the economic outlook, the Governor still nominates ‘global’ issues as a bigger concern).
Secondly, it has made some significant changes around the household sector and housing.
For some time, Westpac has argued that the fall in house prices in Sydney and Melbourne would be associated with a negative wealth effect weighing on consumer spending. In the RBA’s previous writings, it tended to dismiss this prospect.
Although it is still downplayed, the Governor’s latest speech gives more weight to the issue, noting that rising housing prices provided an offset to slow income growth for some households and this effect is now shifting but that an expected pick-up in household disposable income was seen as providing a counterweight to the wealth effects of lower housing prices.
Specifically, consumption growth is expected to hold at 2.75% in line with disposable income growth, implying a stabilisation in the savings rate. This ‘housing-consumer nexus’ is seen as a key area of uncertainty. It remains the key point of difference between Westpac’s 2.6%yr growth forecast for this year and next and the RBA’s at or above trend view.
Westpac has also argued that residential housing construction would be a drag on growth in both 2019 and 2020. The RBA did not support that view, referring to a strong pipeline and only a gradual decline. Recent falls in dwelling approvals, across both high rise and non high rise segments, are now pointing more clearly to a significant drag on growth from the housing construction downturn.
Accordingly the RBA has downgraded its view, the Governor indicating dwelling investment is forecast to decline by about 10% over the next two and a half years.
The RBA continues to see rising business investment and higher levels of public infrastructure spending as the key growth drivers. It also remains positive about the labour market, reaffirming its forecasts for the unemployment rate to fall further to 4¾% by the end of 2020 and an associated lift in wages growth.
The Reserve Bank’s revised view has narrowed the gap with our own but Westpac remains more downbeat. Even so, our weaker forecasts have not been weak enough to warrant forecasting a rate cut. Accordingly, even if the RBA moves further towards Westpac’s current view it seems likely that rates will remain on hold.
The threshold for policy is whether spillovers knock the labour market off course. Our current forecasts do not incorporate that prospect but we acknowledge downside risks. 
Read full report <a href="https://westpaciq.westpac.com.au/wibiqauthoring/_uploads/file/Australia/2019/February/er20190208BullInterestRates.pdf">'Australian interest rates' (PDF 77kb)</a>
BILL EVANS is Chief Economist for Westpac
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RBA shifts to a more balanced view: Westpac's Bill Evans

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Labor's Bowen and Shorten had insisted they'd adopt all of the Royal Commission recommendations sight unseen - a pretty much ill-advised idea when you think about it - ostensibly because they wanted to be seen as 'tough' on the banks, but just as likely to put pressure on the government to clamp down on lending and credit further.
What the ALP think-tanks hadn't foreseen is the major banks getting off relatively lightly and some cataclysmic reforms recommended for the mortgage broking industry, especially in terms of commission structure.
The initial reaction from Bowen, on his Twitter feed, seemed to misread the mood:
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<div class="separator"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgb5a4Mt4Y/XFyPFXaKgdI/AAAAAAAAuWI/vgdeNgBxAHM9NNI2GOoMwVEAPG3HpLHdQCLcBGAs/s1600/CB.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dsgb5a4Mt4Y/XFyPFXaKgdI/AAAAAAAAuWI/vgdeNgBxAHM9NNI2GOoMwVEAPG3HpLHdQCLcBGAs/s640/CB.jpg" width="640" height="122" data-original-height="138" data-original-width="721"></a></div>
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<div class="separator">The Coalition (and apparently even the Reserve Bank Governor) believe that ramming through such wholesale changes to the broking industry warrant caution, since they'd reduce competition in the market, line the pockets of the 4 major banks as they carve up more market share, and decimate the mortgage broking industry, putting thousands of brokers out of business.</div>
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 My view is that overwhelmingly brokers add value to consumers, and help borrowers to navigate the maze. Some of the information put forward by the banks during the hearings was misguided at best, misleading at worst. Although naturally a 'best interest' test must be enforced, the existing model is superior to a potential fee-for-service alternative.</div>
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<div>It'll be interesting to see whether Bowen is so in favour of implementing all recommendations now.</div>
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<div>If I was a betting man I'd say the ALP will demur on this point, or give a waffling or non-committal answer...else they'll face instantly losing the votes of 16,000 brokers. </div>
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<div>Of course, they might well decide that they don't need those votes anyway given signals from internal polling, but let's see what their response is, if any. </div>
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<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
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Royal Commission backfires on mortgage broker reform: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Governor chose to repeat the statement’s concluding paragraph which explains the policy decision with the same words that he used in December despite lower forecasts and recognition of downside risks.
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As expected, the Board of the Reserve Bank decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.5%. At the February meeting, the Board discusses the executive’s revised forecasts which will be released in the February Statement of Monetary Policy on February 8.
However, in recent statements, the Governor has provided readers with growth and inflation forecasts and this was repeated in today’s statement.
For 2019, forecast growth has been revised down from 3 ¼ per cent to 3 per cent, and 2020, from 3 per cent to “a little less” due to slower growth in exports of resources.
It is important that this 3 per cent growth forecast is above the assessed trend rate of 2 ¾ per cent, and the implied 2020 forecast is likely to be around trend.
If a central bank is forecasting above trend growth, then it is highly unlikely to adopt an easing bias, and indeed the chances are still likely that the Governor will persist with his assessment that even though rates are likely to remain steady for some time, the next move is likely to be up.
The inflation forecasts were also revised with the underlying inflation forecast for 2019 reduced from 2 ¼ per cent to 2 per cent, while the 2020 forecast remains at 2 ¼ per cent. Hence the Bank is maintaining the view that inflation will gradually move into the 2 to 3 per cent band, although it will take somewhat longer than previously expected.
There are good reasons why the Bank lowered its growth forecasts. Firstly, while it still assesses the outlook for global growth as “reasonable”, it recognises that “downside risks have increased”. Secondly, it has made some significant changes around the household sector and housing.
For some time, Westpac has argued that the fall in house prices in Sydney and Melbourne will be associated with a negative wealth effect.
In the RBA’s previous writings, they tended to dismiss any wealth effect, but in today’s statement the Governor notes “the main domestic uncertainty remains around the outlook for household spending and the effect of falling housing prices in some cities”.
In linking house prices with household spending, he appears to be recognising the risk of a negative wealth effect.
Westpac has also argued that residential housing construction will be a drag on growth in both 2019 and 2020. The RBA has not supported that view, referring to a strong pipeline. But, recent falls in dwelling approvals, including for detached housing, clearly point to a significant drag on growth from the housing construction downturn.
The statement continues to point to “rising business investment” which in the December statement was linked to “business conditions are positive”. The Governor has obviously decided that the strong negative signal from the recent NAB business survey was insufficient at this stage to review the business investment outlook.
Given that the survey was taken in early January, Westpac thinks that approach is reasonable but there will be considerable interest to see whether future surveys send a more positive signal.
The Governor maintains his positive rhetoric around the labour market and confirms its forecast that the unemployment rate will fall to 4 ¾ per cent by the end of 2020. He also expects a further lift in wages over time, supporting household incomes.
Financial conditions in the US attract some attention, although the recent sharp decline in equity prices is noted to have been partly reversed. He also observes that market participants no longer expect the FOMC to be tightening monetary policy.
The Sydney and Melbourne housing markets are assessed as “going through a period of adjustment”, and credit conditions have tightened.
This is the approach which he has taken in previous statements but it is very significant that he has begun to recognise a potential wealth effect, meaning that the price adjustment may have implications for the real economy.
With a more cautious view on the wealth effect and recognition that dwelling construction will contract, Westpac’s GDP forecast for 2019 and 2020 is 2.6%, with recent data releases pointing to downside risks even for those modest numbers.
Finally, the Governor chose to repeat the concluding paragraph which explains the policy decision with the same words that he used in December despite lower forecasts and recognition of downside risks.
Notably, it includes the sentence “Further progress in reducing unemployment and having inflation return to target is expected, although this progress is likely to be gradual.”
Conclusion
With these revised forecasts, the RBA is clearly less comfortable with its previous positive outlook. Its growth forecasts remain significantly above Westpac’s own view.
With our forecasts of 2.6% growth in 2019 and 2020, it still seems that the more likely outcome will be for steady rates, even if as we expect, the RBA will eventually have to adopt growth forecasts much closer to Westpac’s current view.
Westpac confirms its long-held forecast that the RBA cash rate will remain on hold in 2019 and 2020.
BILL EVANS is the Chief Economist for Westpac
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Reserve Bank lowers growth and inflation forecasts but remains confident: Bill Evans

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Centuria, now Australia’s largest office-specific REIT, has grown their portfolio to $1.4 billion, according to their half year financial results.
They also appointed Grant Nichols as new fund manager of CMA.
Mr Nichols, is an experienced fund manager with over 15 years of experience in Australian office markets.
He said “In the last year, CMA delivered 10.9% return on equity to unitholders, and is now Australia’s largest sector-specific listed office REIT"
“Having made CMA a pure-play in office assets, Centuria has continued to improve the quality of the portfolio – its delivery on strategy is evident in its strong returns to unitholders.”
“With a high-quality, fit-for purpose portfolio 89% weighted to the eastern seaboard and an average building age of 15.5 years, CMA is well positioned to capitalise on tenants seeking to expand or reposition across Australian metropolitan markets,” he concluded.
Over the past half year Centuria acquired a $521 million portfolio of four office assets which took the portfolio to $1.4 billion  (from $930.5 million at FY18) and made them Australia’s largest office-specific REIT.
They divested their remaining industrial assets, at "premium-to-book values".
Centuria retained high occupancy of 98.8% overall, with 100% occupancy throughout their WA, SA, VIC and NSW properties.
Over 14,500 sqm of net lettable area (6.7% of the portfolio NLA) was leased across sixteen transactions during the past half year – extending the WALE to 4.3 years.
The fund returned a statutory profit of $14.7 million in 1H19 and funds from operations of $26.5 million. 
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Centuria now Australia’s largest office-specific REIT with $1.4 billion portfolio

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Dexus made a half yearly net profit after tax of $726.4 million, down 27%, mainly due to net revaluation gains of investment properties being lower, according to their half year results.
The funds from operation, the more accurate measure for real estate investment trusts, was $353 million, up 9.8 per cent on the previous corresponding period.
They have restated a goal/guidance for distribution per security growth of circa 5% for FY2019.
Dexus Chief Executive Officer, Darren Steinberg said it had been a productive six-month period where the company added value through enhancing our development pipeline and attracting new investors to our funds management business.
"This has all been achieved while maintaining low balance sheet gearing."
“In our office portfolio we continue to outperform the MSCI office benchmark over one, three and five years through driving higher rents and lower incentives, particularly in Sydney which has been reflected in property valuations during the period."
“In our funds management business, we now have $15 billion under management with investors and partners that can invest alongside us through the cycle, reinforcing our objective of being the wholesale partner of choice in Australian property,” he concluded.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/6/Dexus%20Office%20Portfolio.JPG" alt="">
Funds from Operations (FFO) reached $353.3 million, up 9.8% on the previous corresponding period.
Gearing was down to 23.7% from 24.1% at 30 June 2018.
There was a one-year unlevered total return of 13% in the Dexus office portfolio and 15.5% in the Dexus industrial portfolio
Office portfolio occupancy increased to 97.3% with Sydney office leasing spreads of +18%.
The group’s $5.2 billion development pipeline progressed, replenishing both the industrial and office development pipelines.
Dexus established a new circa $2 billion unlisted trust that invests in Australian logistics properties seeded from Dexus’s existing portfolio.
They delivered $34.7 million of trading profits (post-tax).
Dexus shares closed up 1¢ to $11.85 per security.
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Dexus net profit down 27% due to revaluation on investment properties

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In the first half of the 2019 financial year the Commonwealth Bank's exposure to commercial property has remained flat, according to their mid year report.
The report note their commercial portfolio remains, diversified across sectors and by counterparty.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/6/CBA%20Graph%203.JPG" alt="">
CBA have lower apartment development exposures.
Their top 20 counterparties are primarily investment grade (weighted average rating of BBB equivalent) and account for 16.4% of their Commercial property exposure.
34% of the portfolio investment grade, and the majority of subinvestment grade exposures are secured (91%).
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/6/CBA%20Graph%201.JPG" alt="">
Impaired exposures remain low, 0.12% of the portfolio.
Geographical weighting has remained steady during the half.
They have been continuing ongoing comprehensive market and exposure monitoring of the portfolio.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/2/6/CBA%20Graph%202.JPG" alt="">
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