<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

<html><body>
Centuria Capital Group's subsidiary Centuria Property Funds Limited has exchanged contracts on a Geelong office block for $115.25 million.
The deal caps off an active 1H FY18, with $655 million in property assets bought.
The <a href="https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/60-brougham-street-geelong-vic-3220-2013883351" target="_blank">Brougham Street property</a> will be acquired by the Centuria Geelong Office Fund, a new single asset unlisted property fund which will be launched in February 2018.
On settlement, total Centuria assets under management (AUM) will be $4.5 billion. 
The A-Grade building is 100% occupied, with 94% of its income underpinned by a long-term lease to AAA-rated Victorian State Government entity, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Centuria’s property funds management business is led by Jason Huljich. 
With the new Geelong fund enjoying a 10-plus year lease to a State Government tenant and a starting distribution of 7% p/a paid monthly, Huljich expects strong demand from Centuria’s investors.
“The building is centrally located in the thriving regional city of Geelong, which is benefiting from the relocation of a number of Government agencies, including WorkSafe and the National Disability Insurance Agency. 
“The acquisition complements our investment philosophy and offers reliable, long term income for investors.”
 
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Centuria acquires $115 million Geelong building, growing AUM to $4.5 billion

<html><body>
Fractional property investment company DomaCom has been approved by Trustee Partners for the inclusion of the DomaCom Fund as an investment option for their retail Superannuation Fund.
Trustee Partners currently offer 33 domestic and global managed funds managed by 17 leading fund managers. DomaCom will join this list to provide access to Australian residential, commercial and farmland property delivering further diversification.
DomaCom CEO Arthur Naoumidis said accessing retail super is another significant first for DomaCom, further broadening their potential in the retail space.
"Most advisers have a significant proportion of their clients in retail super who have not been able to access the DomaCom Fund until now," he said.
“DomaCom has the ability to pave the way for creating thematic investment funds to give investors earnings potential in otherwise difficult to access assets such as residential property and farmland. For those interested in investments with impact we can also offer affordable housing, energy and other socially responsible investments”.
Andrew Peterson, CEO of Trustee Partners, says it is a unique offering for financial advisers and their clients.
“Financial Advisers can now create their own white labelled retail super offerings that include direct property using the DomaCom solution and Trustee Partners."
To read more about DomaCom <a href="https://domacom.com.au/" target="_blank">click here.</a>
 
 
</body></html>

DomaCom approved for retail super investment

<html><body>
This year we will learn, yet again, the simple truth that Australia is not a single property market.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the nation has just one united market, because most of the commentary in mainstream media discusses “the Australian property market” and what will happen to “Australian property prices”.
But success in 2018 will be achieved by those who understand that we do not have a single property market, but myriad different ones all doing their own thing, dictated by local conditions rather than national ones.
Have a look at the latest figures from the ABS on annual growth in dwelling prices in the eight state and territory capital cities in the past 12 months.
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li1">Hobart rising and now the national leader with annual growth of 14 percent.</li>
<li class="li1">Canberra rising but still moderate, with growth at 7 percent.</li>
<li class="li1">Melbourne still strong, with annual growth at 13 percent.</li>
<li class="li1">Sydney fading, with the annual growth rate now in single digits.</li>
<li class="li1">Brisbane and Adelaide going nowhere fast, with growth around 3-4 percent.</li>
<li class="li1">Perth (down 2 percent) and Darwin (down 6 percent) still going backwards.</li>
</ul>
Across regional Australia there were multiple market scenarios, with some growing strongly (like Newcastle, Geelong and the Sunshine Coast), others showing moderate growth, many stagnating with little in the way of price growth, some falling moderately and some (notably resources-related markets) down a lot.
You could argue we have a five-speed property market in Australia.
But you’re still going to see twits standing up on ABC Television making statements like “property price growth will be zero this year” and “the national property boom is over”.
You will also read various members of the chattering economist class discussing Australia as a single market and making meaningless forecasts about the future of Australian house prices. 
These sad bastards just don’t know any better. They’re not real estate specialists and they only occasionally turn their attention to residential property, by calling up a couple of graphs on their computer screens to examine what’s happening in what they see as a single homogenous one-size-fits-all real estate industry.
Forecasting that “Australian property prices” will rise 3 percent in 2018 is a pointless exercise, quite useless for the average consumer. The Reserve Bank governor said as much in a speech late last year.
The coming year will have similar variations to the last, with Canberra behaving very differently to Sydney, and Melbourne moving in an opposite direction to Perth.
Even within a single city, there will be different scenarios paying out in various parts of the metropolitan area. 
In Brisbane, there will be good growth in some of the more affordable areas, not much action in the middle market and price decline in the inner-city apartment markets.
Perth generally is moving into a solid recovery phase, but it won’t be evenly spread across the metropolitan area. Vacancies remain very high in the inner-city apartment suburbs and out in suburbia some precincts are moving forward more strongly than others. 
There are a couple of middle-market areas doing well, the Melville and Stirling local governments areas, while more affordable precincts in the north are leading the fight-back, notably the Joondalup and Wanneroo LGAs.
Such is the reality of our myriad real estate markets. Feel free to ignore anyone who generalises.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au
<a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au">ryder@hotspotting.com.au</a>
twitter.com/hotspotting
</body></html>

terryryder-YECXbqmri2

My 2018 message - Australia is not a single property market

<html><body>
<div>And that, sadly, is that.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Australia's auto production industry is no more. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) monthly figures recorded the production of one solitary vehicle in November. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As recently as 2013 it was common to see 15,000-20,000 vehicles per month rolling off production lines.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, the persistently strong Aussie dollar and high cost of manufacturing in Australia ultimately proved to be an obstacle too far.  </div>
 
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB8rLk_emuA/Wk_vB3kA82I/AAAAAAAAn0c/FeEKoG8c4_Y6mVuNjBMxdo0xHEA_P55EQCLcBGAs/s1600/B1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB8rLk_emuA/Wk_vB3kA82I/AAAAAAAAn0c/FeEKoG8c4_Y6mVuNjBMxdo0xHEA_P55EQCLcBGAs/s640/B1.jpg" width="640" height="390" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1326"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Department of Employment <a href="http://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-car-in-front-is-import" target="_blank">projected</a> that the factory closures at Elizabeth in Adelaide (Holden) and Altona in Melbourne (Toyota) could cost 27,500 jobs over the years ahead.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Many in the industry have been employed for more than two decades. And consider how the world has changed since that time - there was no LinkedIn of Facebook back then, for example, and job applications were submitted on paper.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>While the full impact on supply chains is as yet unknown, and despite some better industry readings of late, the manufacturing industry remains in a structural decline, with total employment <a href="http://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/a-thousand-new-jobs-per-day" target="_blank">falling again in 2017</a>. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I took a look at <a href="http://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/growth-hacking" target="_blank">here</a> at where future growth will come from instead.</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>
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Growth after Australia's auto production industry is no more: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
The embattled luxury retailer Oroton has secured a lifeline after one of its major shareholders, Will Vicars offered to take over the company.
Oroton Group's administrator Deloitte has accepted a purchase proposal from the fund manager who owns 18 per cent of Oroton's ASX-listed shares.
The deal marks the end of an era for the Lane family, who founded the business in 1938.
The ASX-listed brand went into voluntary administration in late November. In July the clothing distributor Gazal Corp bought a 7.3 per cent stake for $3.1 million which valued the company as worth $44 million.
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Oroton Group was 21 per cent owned by the founding Lane family and 17 per cent owned by Caledonia Funds Management chief investment officer Will Vicars.
</div>
The deal should see Oroton avoid a break-up of its business and allow its 50 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia to continue trading.
The administrator has not revealed the value of the deal or how much creditors can expect to receive.
"Despite interest, there was no other offer that would have resulted in a superior outcome for the business or employees," administrator Vaughan Strawbridge from Deloitte told shareholders.
Under the binding and exclusive agreement Mr Vicars signed late on December 23 with Strawbridge, he will propose a deed of company arrangement that will rescue the business.
No details of the size of the rescue package, or the returns to creditors, have yet been provided. 
<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
Vicars had been a director of Oroton for 16 years until he resigned in May, having previously acted as the company's white knight when in June he put up $3 million in credit support for the company's working capital facility with Westpac.
Its annual revenue was $123 million.
The board held 10 meetings during the past year, plus 33 unscheduled board meetings to seek to set the company afloat.
</div>
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Luxury retailer Oroton secures trading lifeline from Will Vicars

<html><body>
<div>Personal credit growth was negative again in November 2017, as it was in October 2017, and on an annual basis it has been negative since 2015 as Aussies elect to cut up their credit cards (or at least, apply for fewer cards and personal loans). Housing credit continues to swing across from investors to owner-occupiers - in part due to loan switching - but in aggregate the annual rate of growth at 6.4 per cent remains higher than a year earlier when it was 6.3 per cent. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yCCn4mLAfY/WkdoqRqLgVI/AAAAAAAAnus/pa_QXMs6Mc0Doek8mBChxLX3KX27AzleQCLcBGAs/s640/RBA1.jpg" width="640" height="378" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1354"></div>
 Annual credit growth was steady year-on-year at 5.4 per cent. 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ljdXLu8nUFQ/WkdorDaKAvI/AAAAAAAAnu0/4IleZattKeA89bssvZ6Yp07INR016KMHwCLcBGAs/s640/RBA2.jpg" width="640" height="376" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1365"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Cross-checking to APRA's monthly figures we can see that ADIs grew their investment loan exposures at just 2.8 per cent, miles below the arbitrary 10 per cent speed limit, so there is plenty of potential capacity for investment loans to pick up again in 2018. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_3V-T87s3I/Wkdoqtj6aSI/AAAAAAAAnuw/BV3AtDI3h-w22j7p8K64BFth2AOnLL7uwCLcBGAs/s640/APRA.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1370"></div>
<div>
 On the other hand, APRA's figures showed that monthly owner-occupier credit grew by an up-tempo 0.56 per cent to $1.04 trillion, suggesting that non-banks have picked up the slack created by tighter lending standards. 
</div>
<div>Low mortgage stress</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The unemployment rate continued to trend lower in 2017, now down to its lowest level in 4½ years with further declines to come in 2018, and S&amp;P has its 30-day prime mortgage arrears at the lowest level we've seen. Arrears may or may not pick up a bit in 2018, but they are presently tracking at such a remarkably low level it could hardly be a surprise if they did. 
</div>
 
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yg8nUBdByQ/WkdopQzcUuI/AAAAAAAAnuo/5fduST_I4iEZnj-8g1srhqzQhTmDp1mXgCLcBGAs/s640/Arrears.jpg" width="640" height="380" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1344"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Reserve Bank's figures suggest that the ratio of household debt to disposable income will likely tick past 200 per cent in 2018, but serviceability remains very comfortable for most households, with the cost of living indexes very benign and household income growth passed its nadir.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It was interesting to see that the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) incorporated the two uppermost points I raised at the UBS Conference panel debate, namely on Australia's household debt distribution by quintile and the tremendous growth of mortgage offsets (see borrowers and buffers) in its latest paper on household debt (though it appears to have given the buffers point relatively short shrift!). The fact is, though, that mortgages are easier to service than they used to be, and overall households are managing pretty well, while the outlook is improving nicely in the resources states. Roll on 2018 and the 'surprisingly resilient' articles...</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>
</body></html>

Non-banks pick up slack for investment loans: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
Darling Point had a great year. Its 12 sales triggered a $5.6 million best median price place on CoreLogic top list of 2017.
Dawes Point topped the apartments list.
Point Piper was excluded from calculations as it did not see the sale of 10 or more houses, but it did rank third with apartments.
Darling Point house sales included a four bedroom at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-darling+point-124922942" target="_blank">14 Thornton Street</a> that fetched $7.06 million.
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
Houses                        Sales Volume Medium Value                                         
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
NSW Darling Point Woollahra 12 $5,682,520        
NSW Vaucluse Woollahra 86 $5,471,853               
NSW Bellevue Hill Woollahra 68 $5,316,587             
Vic Toorak Stonnington 124 $4,761,631                   
NSW Longueville Lane Cove 37 $4,259,644             
NSW Tamarama Waverley 14 $4,254,666                 
NSW Dover Heights Waverley 36 $4,133,440           
NSW Mosman Mosman 259 $4,041,599                    
NSW Double Bay Woollahra 12 $3,994,114               
NSW Mcmahons Point North Sydney 20 $3,980,169  
Units 
NSW Dawes Point Sydney 13 $3,176,621
NSW Barangaroo Sydney 12 $3,119,329
NSW Point Piper Woollahra 25 $2,989,216
NSW Darling Point Woollahra 85 $2,292,686
NSW The Rocks Sydney 30 $2,025,499
NSW Millers Point Sydney 41 $1,810,199
NSW Cabarita Canada Bay 15 $1,766,719
NSW Seaforth Manly 18 $1,672,213
NSW Palm Beach Pittwater 11 $1,626,911
NSW Milsons Point North Sydney 42 $1,620,837
 
 
 
</body></html>

Darling Point had highest median value in CoreLogic's best list in 2017

<html><body>
Outback and mining towns dominated Australia's cheapest median home prices.
The list was prepared by CoreLogic.
Queensland's Dysart was among the busiest locations with 44 house sales.
There was a $98,000 median house price in the mining town.
Sales included a highest home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-dysart-126340350" target="_blank">107 Beardmont Crescent</a> at $67,000.
Dysart is a service centre for the nearby Norwich Park coal mine, which closed in 2012, the Saraji coal mine, and the Lake Vermont Coal Mine, as well as grazing properties in the district. Most residents are employed by the coal mines.
Houses                Volume              Median                                                         
WA Mount Magnet Mount Magnet 12 $68,605     
WA Norseman Dundas 19 $80,314.                      
WA Kambalda East Coolgardie 15 $90,978            
Tas Rosebery West Coast 40 $91,907                   
Tas Queenstown West Coast 73 $93,707               
Tas Zeehan West Coast 18 $96,377                      
Qld Dysart Isaac 44 $98,187                               
Vic Rupanyup Yarriambiack 11 $99,299                
SA Pinnaroo Southern Mallee 12 $103,928           
Vic Sea Lake Buloke 11 $105,235                       
 
Units
SA Elizabeth Vale Playford 12 $128,118
Qld Beachmere Moreton Bay 11 $135,981
WA South Hedland Port Hedland 44 $136,227
Qld Woree Cairns 54 $142,780
Vic Moe Latrobe 33 $143,014
SA Whyalla Stuart Whyalla 37 $146,462
Qld Kooralbyn Scenic Rim 14 $146,839
Qld Edmonton Cairns 10 $152,917
Qld Manunda Cairns 63 $153,919
NSW North Albury Albury 13 $154,580
 
</body></html>

Dysart, the Queensland mining town dominates the cheapest median housing locations in 2017

<html><body>
A 9.9 percent yield at Ouyen in Victoria tanked as the highest gross rental yield across Australia this year.
It was based on the Mildura district town's $124,315 median house price.
The three bedroom home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-ouyen-117697315" target="_blank">4 Cooper Street Ouyen</a> that is for sale at $195,000 to $210,000 is suggested to have a a $250 to $260 a week rental prospect.
Houses            Median Value Gross Yield
Vic Ouyen Mildura $124,315 9.9% 
NSW Broken Hill Broken Hill $148,084 9.6% 
WA Kambalda East Coolgardie $90,978 9.2% 
Tas Gagebrook Brighton $156,712 9.1% 
SA Coober Pedy Unincorporated SA $130,463 9.1% 
WA South Hedland Port Hedland $203,452 8.9% 
Tas Queenstown West Coast $93,707 8.8% 
NSW South Kempsey Kempsey $228,435 8.7% 
Tas Bridgewater Brighton $186,166 8.6% 
NSW Condobolin Lachlan $207,067 8.6% 
 
Units
Qld Port Douglas Douglas $256,024 9.3%
Qld Manunda Cairns $153,919 9.0%
Qld Bungalow Cairns $160,812 8.9%
Qld Edmonton Cairns $152,917 8.9%
Qld Westcourt Cairns $211,390 8.7%
Qld Manoora Cairns $164,431 8.4%
Qld Edge Hill Cairns $185,089 8.2%
Qld Holloways Beach Cairns $186,552 8.0%
Qld Cairns North Cairns $240,453 7.6%
Qld Parramatta Park Cairns $235,248 7.5%
 
</body></html>

Victoria's Ouyen has highest house yields of Australia in 2017

<html><body>
Queensland's Gladstone has the cheapest property rentals of the country.
CoreLogic calculated Barney Point has the cheapest house median rental and South Gladstone has the cheapest when it comes to units.
There is a three bedroom Barney Point cottage at 8 Callide Crescent <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-barney+point-415504567" target="_blank">available at $170 a week</a> (above).
Blackall, Clinton, Calliope and West Gladstone are also on the national top 10 list for 2017.
 
Houses                    Median Value Median Rent
Qld Barney Point Gladstone $186,162 $150             
Qld Blackall Blackall Tambo $175,361 $150             
Tas Zeehan West Coast $96,377 $150                     
Tas Rosebery West Coast $91,907 $160                  
Tas Queenstown West Coast $93,707 $160               
Vic Ouyen Mildura $124,315 $160                            
WA Kambalda East Coolgardie $90,978 $160             
SA Peterborough Peterborough $109,475 $165          
SA Coober Pedy Unincorporated SA $130,463 $170     
Qld Dysart Isaac $98,187 $170                                  
 
Units 
Qld South Gladstone Gladstone $120,964 $120
Qld Clinton Gladstone $241,178 $120
SA Whyalla Stuart Whyalla $146,462 $135
SA Millicent Wattle Range $172,655 $143
SA Whyalla Norrie Whyalla $158,967 $150
Qld Tannum Sands Gladstone $184,350 $150
Qld Calliope Gladstone $174,677 $150
Qld West Gladstone Gladstone $170,353 $150
Qld Barney Point Gladstone $135,473 $150
SA Whyalla Whyalla $166,005 $153
 
 
</body></html>

Latest Investing Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Investing Insights

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

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News