A new 25-storey apartment tower proposed for Mercer Street would push Geelong’s western gateway skyline higher, with Morphy Birrell Property Group lodging plans for a project directly beside one of the city’s most significant heritage streetscapes.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">FK</a>-designed development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/65-67-mercer-street-geelong-vic-3220">65-67 Mercer Street</a> has now been referred to Victoria’s Planning Minister. The site sits opposite the Geelong rail corridor and immediately south of the heritage-listed St Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church and Ashby Hall precinct.

Rather than compete with the neighbouring ecclesiastical buildings, the proposal adopts a sculpted podium intended to reference the materiality and scale of the heritage context. Planning documents note the design draws cues from the “dark stone brick” church and surrounding masonry buildings, while the tower above transitions into a softer, curved form oriented toward Corio Bay and the Geelong waterfront.

<img alt="First look: Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b797d10c-d4a6-47af-b8df-1aeaa3b382be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/public%20square.png?VersionId=QGIpcz1x1hKB6lQLl2iobyHqb6PS2Ztc" />

The development forms “Stage 5” of Morphy Birrell Property Group’s broader Mercer Street precinct strategy, following the completion of the 21-storey Miramar tower on Cavendish Street and several additional approved redevelopment stages nearby. Planning consultants Ratio said the proposal “represents an exemplary development outcome” aligned with the strategic ambitions for Central Geelong’s continued urban renewal.

The mixed-use project would replace an existing low-rise commercial building and surface parking area on the 3,320 sqm corner site. FK’s urban context report describes the proposal as a residential development comprising apartments, resident amenities, commercial space, and integrated landscaping positioned to maximise bay views and northern sunlight access.

Renders show a deeply articulated tower with curved balconies stepping above a lower masonry podium that frames a landscaped forecourt facing Mercer Street. The design intentionally preserves sightlines toward the adjacent church buildings, with the podium scaled to reinforce the heritage edge before the tower recedes upward.

<img alt="First look: Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2bdca91e-66f7-4ac7-8baa-2f93bd5b564e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/geelong%20site.png?VersionId=QOhbino4ZgzKYw5dW3QE14E.2yq.Sv87" />

The planning report highlights the site’s strategic location within 400 metres of key Geelong destinations including Cunningham Pier, the Geelong Station precinct, Deakin University, and the convention centre. Bus services run directly along Mercer Street, while the Corio Bay foreshore sits around 100 metres north of the site.

The proposal arrives amid accelerating redevelopment across central Geelong, where planning policy continues to encourage higher-density housing close to transport infrastructure and the waterfront. Mercer Street in particular has emerged as a focal point for taller apartment development due to its proximity to Geelong Station, the bay, and major civic infrastructure.

Joel Robinson

Morphy Birrell Property Group targets 25-storey Geelong tower beside landmark church precinct

Development giant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hamton">Hamton</a> and joint venture partner Hostplus have revealed the next residential stage of their $3 billion Moonee Valley Park masterplan, lodging plans for 512 more apartments within the precinct on surplus racecourse land at 110 Wilson Street, Moonee Ponds.

The proposed development, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/trackside-house-110-wilson-street-moonee-ponds-vic-3039">Trackside Gardens</a>&nbsp;in the planning application, follows the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/first-look-exclusive-hamton-and-hostplus-reveal-sixth-stage-of-moonee-valley-park-masterplan">recent unveiling of the sixth-stage Cox Place Precinct</a> and continues the long-running transformation of the Moonee Valley Racecourse into one of Melbourne’s largest urban renewal projects.

Positioned on the north-eastern edge of the racecourse adjacent to CityLink, Trackside Gardens will comprise three residential buildings rising between 61.8 metres and 86.4 metres within a heavily landscaped precinct shaped by Hamton’s Nature Based Cities framework.

The project forms part of the broader Moonee Valley Park redevelopment being delivered by Hamton, Hostplus and the Moonee Valley Racing Club, which is reshaping the 40-hectare racecourse site into a mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, retail, commercial space, hotels, parkland and community infrastructure.

Trackside Gardens sits separately to the recently proposed Cox Place Precinct, a five-building stage comprising around 1,100 residences, two build-to-rent buildings, two build-to-sell towers, retail, office space, and a hotel overlooking the racetrack. Together, the projects continue to accelerate housing delivery across the precinct.

<img alt="First look: Hamton expands Moonee Valley Park masterplan with 512-home Trackside Gardens precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fc1941e-52d3-41c6-abc4-0f13fe8ae5ea" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/DA%20Edits%20%281%29.png?VersionId=7qwRHq5dcvXWNot2hNOgoQhN2GIWudNK" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a> with landscape architecture by Tract, Trackside Gardens has been conceived as a botanical-style residential precinct prioritising canopy planting, communal green space, and vertical landscaping.

“The architectural vision for the proposed development centres around buildings in a botanical park setting that champions the important role of nature,” the planning submission states.

“The proposal incorporates principles of biophilic design, with landscape and environmentally sustainable development influencing the ultimate design response of the buildings and prioritising the ground plane to ensure a high amenity for both occupants and visitors.”&nbsp;

Trackside Gardens will deliver 512 apartments across the three buildings, alongside 518 basement car spaces and 523 bicycle spaces. Around 20 per cent affordable housing is proposed across the broader North East Precinct, equating to around 158 dwellings.&nbsp;

The affordable housing component will be concentrated within the Wilson East building, while the remaining apartments are expected to be delivered as build-to-sell residences.

Trackside Gardens has been designed around Hamton’s Nature Based Cities initiative, founded by Executive Chair Paul Hameister OAM in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Urbis, Ark Resources and Tract. The initiative promotes integrating higher-density urban development with significant biodiversity, tree canopy and landscape outcomes.

<img alt="First look: Hamton expands Moonee Valley Park masterplan with 512-home Trackside Gardens precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89353449-7b3c-42fd-8fd8-8bf64a5ef80f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_4.png?VersionId=X8jRt0P2L7fIWjLhfX6gPknXToXIBeLj" />

A comprehensive landscape strategy would introduce deep soil planting, vertical greening, communal gardens, and new pedestrian links throughout the site.

Planning documents state the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating, a 7.5-star average NatHERS rating, and “Exemplary” Nature Based Cities certification.&nbsp;

The proposal joins an expanding pipeline of approved and proposed buildings within Moonee Valley Park, including the recently launched Eveline apartments and the approved Grandstand North and South towers.

Hamton has increasingly focused on precinct-scale, nature-led communities across Melbourne’s middle-ring suburbs, with projects spanning Hawthorn, Kew, and Moonee Ponds.

Hampton unveils Trackside Gardens, latest stage of $3 billion Moonee Valley Park masterplan

The Paul Gedoun-led <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ss-projects">S&amp;S Group</a> has achieved another milestone in its $1 billion transformation of Rainbow Bay on the southern Gold Coast with the completion of the company’s third project in four years, the $160 million <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a> residences.

Delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a> and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker Architects</a>, Esprit buyers have now moved into the 94 apartments across two interconnected buildings at 217-227 Boundary Street.

The successful settlement of Esprit marks another astounding chapter in the S&amp;S story, which launched its highly successful Flow apartments three years ago and created its own ultra-luxury branded fingerprint on an area craving new luxury residences.

Most early purchasers have secured gains of well over $1 million since the project launched in 2021.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172129]

S&amp;S Projects Founding Director Paul Gedoun said the completion of Esprit reflects sustained demand for premium apartments in tightly held coastal locations.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
“Esprit has attracted buyers seeking a combination of quality design, considered amenity and a location that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate,” said Gedoun.

“We identified some years ago that Rainbow Bay is a unique market where supply of luxury residences is limited, and we see the settlements in Esprit further underpinning this thinking - that for both owner-occupiers and investors.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172174]

A key feature of the development is ‘Club Esprit’, a 1,000sqm residents-only rooftop level combining wellness and recreation, believed to be a first for the Gold Coast, and which is fast becoming a signature of the S&amp;S brand.

Positioned to capture views across Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay and the Tweed River, the rooftop includes a 25-metre lap pool, gym, yoga lawn, sauna and steam facilities, ice bath, private dining spaces, outdoor cinema and landscaped areas for residents.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a> Director Jayde Pezet, who led the sales campaign for Esprit and S&amp;S’s Flow and Awaken apartments, said the project’s performance reflects both the strength of the product and the depth of demand for premium apartments on the southern Gold Coast.&nbsp;

“In some cases, we’ve seen values double since launch, which is a clear reflection of how tightly held Rainbow Bay has become and the level of demand for well-executed projects in this market,” said Pezet.&nbsp;

“Buyers recognised early what S&amp;S Projects was delivering here, and that conviction has been rewarded as the project has progressed towards completion.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=214819]

Esprit offers a mix of two- three and four-bedroom apartments and sits within walking distance of the beachfront, cafés and local amenities, reinforcing its appeal as both a lifestyle and investment destination.

The project is the third completed by S&amp;S Projects in Rainbow Bay, following Flow Residences and Awaken Residences, which together have contributed to the suburb’s emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after coastal pockets. &nbsp;

S&amp;S Projects is continuing its investment in the area with Radia, a $215 million development currently under construction.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172175]

Gedoun said the completion of Esprit signals continued confidence in the southern Gold Coast market.&nbsp;

“We’ve seen strong interest in well-located, high-quality apartments, particularly in areas where future development opportunities are limited."

“That’s been a key factor in the performance of Esprit and the broader Rainbow Bay market”.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102921]

Owners move in as Esprit completes at Rainbow Bay

Few developers can boast a portfolio across South East Queensland's luxury markets quite like <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic Property Group</a>.

The builder-developer, founded in 2004 by Managing Director Brook Monahan, has projects in planning, on the market, and under construction, from Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach to Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane.

With a pipeline exceeding $2 billion, Mosaic remains highly selective when it comes to development sites, having spent years refining its strategy around feasibility research and product planning. The group is set to continue growing into 2026 and beyond.

In Brisbane, Mosaic currently has three projects in the market. It is in the final release stage at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Bedford</a> in Kangaroo Point, which is approaching complete sellout ahead of its late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328123]

Designed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, The Bedford comprises 128 two- and three-bedroom residences. A selection of ultra-luxury Masterpiece Series Skyhomes, positioned across the top levels, offer expansive floor plans and sweeping views of the river and city.

High-end inclusions, such as natural stone benchtops, bespoke cabinetry, and Miele appliances, feature throughout all apartments, alongside the Rooftop Recreation &amp; Retreat Sky Terrace. This includes a resort-style pool with sun deck and loungers, spa, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, private dining room with a full kitchen, residents' lounge, multiple barbeque and relaxation zones, an outdoor viewing deck, and landscaped gardens with water features, all oriented to sweeping city and river views.

A gym with indoor and outdoor zones, and a golf simulator, further enhances recreational choice within the building.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134792 project_image_fid=328119]

A defining feature of the development is its integrated mixed-use component, which will deliver Kangaroo Point's first major supermarket, alongside a café and liquor store, bringing long-awaited convenience to the peninsula.

Monahan says The Bedford represents the culmination of a near-decade-long journey, after first identifying the A-grade Prospect Street site in 2016. While they came close to acquiring it at the time, the site was ultimately purchased by Woolworths' development arm, Fabcot. The opportunity resurfaced in 2024 when the site, vacant for nearly three decades, was brought back to market.

Monahan says Mosaic projects often begin years before any formal plans are drawn. Their new South Brisbane development is no exception, with the site first earmarked in 2018.

"We aren't opportunistic," Monahan says. "Every site purchase is carefully considered. As seen with Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane, it can take years to eventuate. There are sites we're looking at now that we may not secure for several years."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141711 project_image_fid=353495]

A similar story unfolded at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-carter-by-mosaic-77-linton-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Carter</a> in Kangaroo Point, opposite The Gabba. Like The Bedford, it is also approaching sellout of its 125 two- and three-bedroom apartments. The majority of sales are attributed to returning customers and referrals, with a balanced mix of investors and a strong majority of owner-occupiers.

BDA Architecture was again engaged to design the 22-storey building, which will feature a suite of wellness and lifestyle amenities, including a golf simulator and cinema, a commercial-grade gym, and a rooftop recreation level with a pool, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, teppanyaki bar, private dining spaces, and landscaped terraces.

Construction is on track for completion in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=362759]

Mosaic's latest offering is its most ambitious yet, boasting a rare, north-facing riverfront position on Montague Road in South Brisbane.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-riversdale-by-mosaic-south-brisbane-91-montague-road-south-brisbane-qld-4101">The Riversdale by Mosaic</a> is a 39-storey tower comprising just over 200 residences and Masterpiece Series Sky Homes. Designed in partnership with Bureau Proberts, it will feature nearly 3,000 sqm of genuine, internationally benchmarked six-star, hotel-style amenities, including a wellness precinct, pool, gym, massage and treatment rooms, cinema, golf simulator, and extensive outdoor dining areas across a two-level rooftop deck.

Early works are underway, with full construction expected to commence in the second half of 2026, and an anticipated late 2029 completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151614 project_image_fid=362759]

Since 2012 alone, Mosaic has completed more than $2 billion in projects and is set to deliver another $2 billion worth of developments, comprising hundreds of luxury apartments, each defined by Mosaic's signature standards of quality, detail, and delivery.

"We never arrive, there is no finish line," says Monahan. "Our ambition is to keep evolving what luxury means, creating design- and lifestyle-led residences in incredible locations, places people genuinely aspire to and want to live, homes that are loved deeply and endure long beyond their moment."

Mosaic's Midas Touch

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> (Urban) has broken ground at Keira Place, its new major mixed-use residential precinct in the heart of Wollongong CBD.

Held at 120-122 Smith Street, the groundbreaking marked the commencement of construction on Stage 1 of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, with the opening of the new display suite. 
&nbsp; 
Keira Place is a State Significant Development that will deliver new housing supply, affordable homes and inclusive living options within walking distance of Wollongong’s CBD, coastline, transport, hospital and education precincts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369868] 
&nbsp; 
Stage 1 is now under construction and will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, along with activated ground-floor retail and commercial space. 
&nbsp; 
Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the groundbreaking represented a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected Urban’s long-term commitment to regional cities.

“Today’s groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong’s city centre,” Elias said. 
&nbsp; 
“Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369869] 
&nbsp; 
Hon. Paul Scully MP, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Member for Wollongong said Keira Place is exactly the kind of development Wollongong needs – delivering new homes close to transport, employment and services, while supporting the continued growth and renewal of the CBD.

"This project reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to increasing housing supply in well-located areas." 
&nbsp; 
Wollongong Lord Mayor Cr Tania Brown said Keira Place would deliver lasting community benefits for the city. 
&nbsp; 
"Keira Place is a welcome addition to Wollongong's CBD delivering new housing, affordable homes and activated street-level spaces that will benefit our community for years to come," Brown said. 
&nbsp; 
"Urban Property Group's investment reflects the confidence that quality developers have in Wollongong's future, and I look forward to seeing this precinct come to life."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144442 project_image_fid=369867] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a>, with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/dko">DKO,</a> Keira Place prioritises liveability and long-term performance, with landscaped shared spaces, generous apartment layouts and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape along Smith Street. 
&nbsp; 
Residents will have access to landscaped podium areas, communal rooftop amenities with views to Mount Keira and the Wollongong skyline, and convenient ground-level retail.

The development will have 10-year Latent Defects Insurance by Resilience Insurance.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144442]

Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD

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>
Through 2008, outstanding loans to households by Australia's banks totalled less than $700 billion.  The final 2016 numbers are not yet plugged into the chart below, but the monthly banking statistics suggest that the total by the end of the year will exceed $1.5 trillion. 
Australia has experienced strong population growth during this period, but nevertheless outstanding housing debt has been compounding at around 9 percent per annum. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/28/A1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Such a strong pace of increase in household debt is bound to be reflected in housing market conditions one way or another, and in Australia's case the result has been price increases in Sydney and Melbourne. 
This dynamic since the financial crisis has been arousing the interest of short sellers, including from overseas. 
Although house prices have declined in Perth, Darwin, and parts of regional Queensland in particular, to date the most heavily populated markets have held up well. 
If anything, housing market sentimen<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/deuces-are-wild">t</a> seems to be improved in Sydney and Melbourne again at the beginning of 2017. 
Changes to the lending environment
Regulators have encouraged several tweaks to lending criteria over the years since the financial crisis first erupted. 
"Low-doc" loans, once fairly commonplace, today only comprise a small share of the mortgage market, while 100 per cent mortgages have thankfully gone the same way.
In fact, new mortgages today overwhelmingly have a loan to value ratio (LVR) of 90 per cent or lower, although in reality many borrowers have used equity from existing properties to fund their deposits. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/28/A3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Lending standards in Australia are higher than they were, but on some measures remain concerning.
For example, the share of interest only loans remains high by international standards, despite having declined from somewhat alarming levels in 2015. 
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ASIC had previously reported that about two in three investor loans in Australia were interest only mortgages, and around a quarter of owner occupier loans - with the repayment typically increasing when the interest only period ends. 
Shorting: what and when
Short sellers rarely bet on house prices directly, rather they tend to be interested in the outcomes of a market downturn (and housing markets are necessarily always cyclical). 
Some will sell the stock of banks, others will look at developers or home building companies, materials companies, retailers of household goods, financiers, or the institutions that insure mortgages. 
Alternatively some may look at buying Australian government bonds, while one of the cleanest and potentially profitable ways to bet against the housing market might be to short the Australian dollar, which at 76.7 US cents arguably still has plenty of downside. 
Timing short bets is important
Maintaining short positions can be costly in terms of interest or dividend obligations, while opportunity cost of suboptimal market timing is another factor to be considered. 
There has been plenty of discussion of the potential impact of an apartment glut in Australia, but in the case of both Melbourne and Sydney accelerating population growth appears to be absorbed much of the new supply to date, although tens of thousands of apartments remain under construction.
The potential for non-resident buyers defaulting on apartment settlements has been another salient risk closely watched by sceptics, though to date news of any fallout appears to have been relatively contained.  
One market risk which cannot so easily be quantified is the potential for defaults in the scenario whereby mortgage rates increase, prices in secondary and lower socio-demographic areas decline, and a swathe of interest only loans reach the end of their interest only period. 
Maths can get ugly
Anyone who had a standard variable rate mortgage in 2009 at above 8 percent will recall that principle and interest repayments could be excruciatingly difficult.
Consider that a homeowner with a $600,000 interest only mortgage at 4.5 percent today might be paying only ~$2,250 per month, whereas as and when the mortgage flips to principal and interest, were the mortgage rate to have increased to 6 percent the repayments could be more than 50 percent higher, even on a 30 year product.
Mortgage repayment calculators don't always give the option to calculate what would happen in a 7 percent scenario, but the answer on a 30 year product might be a potentially punishing ~$4,000 per month. 
With the amount of outstanding interest only debt having increased at an unprecedented pace through this cycle it's not too hard to analyse when this market risk will arise, and in turn which areas might see defaults increase. 
The most successful shorters will be those that can combine market timing with bets lined up against those companies with the most vulnerable financials. 
The big players
Market participants will be well aware of the attractive mortgage rates that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has been offering lately, and in turn the growth in the CBA investor mortgage book looks likely to bump up against the notional 10 percent per annum cap set by the regulator APRA.
Unfortunately for analysts the market data reported for investor loans has been muddied by reclassifications from investor to owner-occupier loans.
For example, the Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC) switched more than $21 billion of loans between July and October 2015 taking outstanding investor credit down from $156 billion to $135 billion and in turn causing its year-on-year growth in outstanding investor credit to appear negative for some time. 
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Despite the reclassification Westpac retains the greatest balance of outstanding investor loans, while Commonwealth has the largest total of outstanding household mortgage debt, although the quality of loans rather than the volume is what should be of interest to analysts. 
Investors today typically pay higher mortgage rates than owner-occupiers, with further tweaks a possibility in 2017. 
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What shorters should really be paying attention to is which financiers, insurers and developers have been active in the highest risk markets, areas which have been discussed here on this blog previously. 
Prospective borrowers should take into account the likelihood that mortgage rates may move higher over the years ahead. 
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/">blogger</a>.
His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.
 
 
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Outstanding housing debt has been compounding: Pete Wargent

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Australia is likely to continue to attract international retail brand entrants in 2017, according to CBRE’s latest report.
Australia’s favourable macroeconomic conditions (relatively strong growth in population and consumption compared to other developed economies) and low international brand penetration (28%) to date enhance the case for entry into Australia.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/16/Figure%2011.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Many international retailers are entering the market and taking market share from incumbent businesses that are grappling with the lower sales growth environment and thinner profit margins.
The low penetration rate of international brands appears to have enabled high turnover per store for some new entrants.
H&amp;M’s Sydney and Melbourne stores were among the group’s best global traders with its Australian sales (per store) achieving top three results in its global platform in 2015 and 2016 and twice as productive as its average store sales globally (according to its annual results).
But new international brands entering the market and recently arrived international brads expanding will, at some point, likely cause cannibalisation of incumbent store sales and also lower sales growth for new entrants, the report says.
In some overseas markets new entrants went through a period of consolidation because initial brand rollout plans were too aggressive.
Australia would not be impervious to this scenario if brand rollouts prove overly ambitious, but we suspect that previous experiences should lend some caution to new entrants.
According to CBRE’s retail brand database (tracking about 450 international retailers globally), more than 90 existing international retailers are looking to roll out stores across Australia over the next five years, and another 50 plus brands are looking at launching their first flagship store.
“Luxury retailers were the largest group (by number) to enter Australia in 2016 and we expect this trend to continue for a further two to three years before slowing down as they reach their store targets,” the report stated.
Mid-range fashion and specialist clothing brands are expected to increasingly contribute to brand entry over the next five years.
These types of retailers have a broader target market than luxury brands, who tend to focus on CBD or super prime regional centre locations.
“We are expecting to see the second phase of fast fashion retailers expanding into suburban and regional locations,” the report says.
H&amp;M, for example, has opened numerous stores in suburban locations (typically regional shopping centres) as well as targeting major regional cities.
“We expect other fast fashion brands will follow suit over the coming years, absorbing space that may be vacated by discount department stores and other retail incumbents,” the report warned.
“We expect that over the next five years up to 1.2 million sqm or 7% of current retail stock will be sought by international retailers.
“If this occurs the level of demand is expected to almost absorb the supply pipeline (CBD and shopping centres) over the next five years, reducing the risk of oversupply.”
The upside risk is additional demand from domestic retailers, although that is not a given as the domestic retail industry has experienced profit margin pressure over the past few years.
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International brands to continue coming and setting up shop: CBRE

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Victoria’s industrial &amp; logistics sector posted its strongest year of sales on record in 2016, with $1.92 billion in assets changing hands, an increase of 15% from 2015, according to leading commercial real estate firm CBRE.
The record numbers were helped by Melbourne, which was the strongest performer nationally, according to CBRE’s Industrial and Logistics, Q4 2016, MarketView report.
Both domestic and offshore investors sought out industrial assets in all of Melbourne’s core industrial precincts, with the focus on super core stock or assets that add value/repositioning angles, said CBRE director, Industrial &amp; Logistics – Capital Markets, Rory Hilton. 
“2016 was a strong year for offshore investment in Melbourne’s industrial &amp; logistics market – with global capital continuing to seek out opportunities that offer scale and quality in key markets,” Hilton said.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/23/MelbIndSales.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/02/23/MelbIndSales.png" alt="">
The quarter ended December saw $394 million in property transactions, boosting Victoria’s numbers. New South Wales was second, recording $1.559 billion in transactions during 2016, followed by Queensland with $537.67 million, $617.2 million in Perth, $146.05 million in South Australia and $31.25 million in the ACT.
Nationally, however, total sales of industrial and logistics assets fell to $4.831 billion during 2016 from a record $5.267 billion in 2015, due to the available stock shortfall.
CBRE senior research manager Kate Bailey said Melbourne experienced further yield compression in Q4, moving 10 basis points to 6% – reflecting continued demand for high quality industrial assets. 
“This change was driven by yields in Melbourne’s south east region, which saw a 25 basis point compression to 5.8% - the lowest in Melbourne,” Bailey said. 
Secondary yields in inner locations are expected to continue compressing as investors look to capitalise on the increasing demand for last mile delivery facilities by refurbishing existing assets. 
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 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/02/23/MelbvsAust.png" alt="">
On the supply front, there was 128,000 sqm of new stock added in Melbourne during the December quarter – down 53% on the same period in 2015. 
Despite this, a number of notable developments are proposed, including the Target Distribution Centre in Trugganina and the Greens Road warehouse in Keysborough. 
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 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/02/23/MelbSupply.png" alt="">
Hilton said Melbourne’s strong industrial leasing market would continue to support investment in the sector. 
“Strong levels of pre-leasing and leasing activity in the second half of 2016 are set to flow into the capital markets 2017, underpinning heightened investment in the sector,” Hilton said. 
“Top tier logistic, retail and industrial companies are attracted more than ever by Victoria's impeccable transport infrastructure, the efficiency of Melbourne Ports, high standard of blue and white collar work force – all of which continue to position Melbourne’s industrial and logistics sector as an attractive destination for capital.”   
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Melbourne leads rest of Australia with record industrial & logistics sales turnover: CBRE

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Ingham’s new Murray Bridge feedmill in South Australia is to be sold off and leased back to the chicken supplier.
The new state of the art facility will be situated at Flagstaff Road in Murray Bridge, about 75 km from Adelaide.
The facility, to be constructed by Ahrens, will include warehousing, grains, meal and product silos. 
Ingham’s CEO Mick McMahon said the move was to meet growing demand for chicken.
“Chicken is the most popular meat in Australia and the demand continues to grow. We supply more than one third of the nation’s chicken production with our South Australian sites supplying the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australia. To meet the growth in demand, we are increasing our investment in the business over the next few years and the majority of this will be in South Australia,” said McMahon.
The listing agents are CBRE’s Chris O’Brien, Mark Granter and Danny Thomas, who are marketing the property through an expressions of interest campaign closing April 4. 
The sale includes a 20-year leaseback to Ingham’s, with further options. 
O’Brien said the scale of the property and strong tenancy profile would attract global investment interest. 
“This sale represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire an investment grade agricultural asset backed by a long term lease agreement to Ingham’s – one of the region’s most respected companies,” O’Brien said. 
Murray Bridge is a well regarded farming and agricultural area, with primary production including horticulture, viticulture, dairy, intensive livestock production and associated processing activities. 
 
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Ingham’s Murray Bridge feedmill to be sold with leaseback option

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The Dove &amp; Olive Hotel in inner Sydney’s Surry Hills has changed hands for about $11.85 million, passing from The Good Beer Company to a member of the Murphy publican family.
The two-level pub has 12 poker machine entitlements, a beer garden and terrace, and a rooftop bar. It specialises in craft beer.
The pub has sold to a company held by Sonya Deale, after a campaign run by JLL’s Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group’s John Mucsa, according to a report in The Australian.
The agent was cited by the newspaper as saying Surry Hills was developing as one of Sydney’s most sought-after city fringe areas, with the Devonshire Street pub at the heart of the precinct.
 
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The Dove and Olive Hotel in inner Sydney sells for over $11.8 million

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A corner site in Melbourne’s Doncaster suited for mixed use development and earning holding income has sold at auction for $4,200,000.
The properties at 1094 Doncaster Road and 2 Elvie Street, Doncaster, Vic 3108 have a land area of 1380 sqm with frontage to Doncaster Road and Elvie Street.
The property at 1094 Doncaster Road  has a two-storey office building. Its estimated fully leased income is about $89,523 pa.
The one at 2 Elvie Street is a single storey dwelling which has been converted and used as a medical practice. It earns a rent of $32,000 pa. 
The site is close to shopping centre Westfield Doncaster, transport and parks.
The selling agents were CBRE’s Sandro Peluso, David Minty and Chao Zhang and Dawson Real Estate’s Ben Dawson.
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Corner site in Melbourne's Doncaster fetches $4.2 million at auction

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A retail property leased to a cafe in Sydney’s Darlinghurst has recently sold for $940,000 at a rate of more than $17,000 sqm.
Located at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-darlinghurst-501820410" target="_blank">13a Burton Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010</a>, the 55sqm property is leased to "Cafe on Burton" for $54,750 plus GST.
Located next to Pocket Bar and opposite the Commons, with a constant thoroughfare of people going to and from work.
The cafe is on a new lease for three years plus an option for a further five years. Rent increases are 3% annually and lessee pays 50% outgoings in the first year and 100% from the second year.
The selling agent was Daniel Marano of Oxford Agency.
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Shop leased to cafe in Sydney's Darlinghurst sold

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Three new tenants have moved into Frasers Property Australia’s Key Industrial Park in Melbourne’s Keysborough. 
The tenants are driveline products manufacturer Dana Australia, Licensing Essentials and hardware supplier Pinnacle Diversity.
Key Industrial Park is nearly 100 hectares of Industrial 1 zoned land with major frontages to Greens Road, Perry Road. It is Melbourne's South East benchmark in industrial development and provides access to EastLink and all other major road networks and proximity to the main port, airport and CBD.
Leading driveline products manufacturer, Dana Australia, has signed a seven-year lease for a 10,000 sqm facility comprising 8,972 sqm warehouse and 1,028 sqm office plus 100 car spaces. 
Licensing Essentials has also entered into a seven-year lease for 8,120 sqm space comprising 7,720 sqm warehouse and 400 sqm office.
Pinnacle Diversity committed to a five-year lease. The company will supply and distribute home hardware products from its 7,242 sqm premises comprising 6,842 sqm warehouse, 400 sqm office.
“We are very pleased with the level of activity at The Key Industrial Park with all three companies committed to leases prior to practical completion,” said Anthony Maugeri, general manager Southern Region C&amp;I for Frasers Property. “The lack of land and quality warehouse facilities in Melbourne’s South-East has helped us secure the most recent deals,” 
Dana was a pre-commitment with Frasers Property speculatively building two tenancies adjoining this building. These buildings were both leased prior to completion. Dana and Licensing Essentials recently moved in and Pinnacle Diversity is expected to move in soon.
The three new tenancies are located on Hudson Court. 
The deals were negotiated by Ben Fahey and Andrew Hanna from Frasers Property, Kosta Finn from Savills, Danny Green from Cushman Wakefield and Matt Ellis from JLL.  
The Key Industrial Park has been developed to accommodate purpose built facilities for Adairs, Symbion, AstralPool, BIC Oceania, TriMas, Early Settler, Rinnai, Sealy, Miele &amp; DANA.
 
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Three new tenants move into Key Industrial Park in Melbourne's Keysborough  

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A retail investment opportunity on Coolangatta’s famous beachfront on the Gold Coast has changed hands for $1.45 million on a yield of 7.1 percent.
The property at 14 &amp; 15/120 Marine Parade, Coolangatta, was sold to Caamii Pty Ltd.
The deal was brokered by Dru Morgan of Ray White Commercial on behalf of a private owner.
Morgan said the two shops - a seafood outlet and a newsagency -  are located on the ground floor of the 4.5-star luxury Reflections Towers at Coolangatta.
“Both tenancies are on long term leases,” he said.
Morgan said the two tenanted strata shops (nearly 84 sqm) were returning a net rental income of nearly $103,000 per annum.
“This property offered a unique retail investment opportunity as there are no other beachfront retail spaces on the market in Coolangatta,” he said.
 
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Beachfront Coolangatta shops sell for $1.45 million 

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The building approvals in the current cycle began to rise from mid-2012, according to HIA’s latest report.
It took until late 2015 for the cycle to peak and approvals have subsequently maintained very high levels from a historical perspective.
Australia’s latest new home construction cycle, for which building approvals formed a very accurate lead indicator, is the longest and largest in the nation’s history.
This has produced very healthy outcomes for the broader Australian economy.
The December 2016 numbers for ABS Building Approvals (the latest available data) confirm that we have passed the peak for this cycle.
However, actual residential construction activity will remain healthy throughout 2016/17 and into 2017/18 due to the continuing gap between building approvals and new dwelling commencements (starts).
In monthly terms building approvals peaked in October 2015 at a level of 21,546.
The annual peak for building approvals was a staggering 241,561 over the 12 months to November 2015.
In calendar year 2016 building approvals reached a level of 230,813 compared to 240,009 in 2015.
A gradual decline in building approvals in the early stages of the down cycle provides an important signal for the Australian economy.
This trend is consistent with continued healthy levels of new dwelling commencements and residential work being done in 2016/17 and into next year.
This situation in turn provides positive impacts on economic growth and employment.
For example, construction absorbs 9 per cent of the workforce and is the third largest employer, after health (12.8 per cent) and retail (10.5 per cent) in the Australian economy.
Record levels of residential construction and related jobs have in recent years offset job losses in other sectors.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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There was considerable variation in the evolution of dwelling approvals among the states in 2016 compared to 2015.
This is not a surprising finding – this building cycle has been marked by larger than normal divergenes in housing conditions around Australia given that the up-cycle began before Australia’s largest ever resources investment boom had peaked.
In original (i.e. not seasonally adjusted) terms three out of eight states recorded increases in total building approvals in calendar year 2016.
The strongest increase occurred in the Australian Capital Territory (+44.6 per cent), followed by South Australia (+3.8 per cent) and New South Wales (+1.2 per cent).
Total building approvals declined in Western Australia and the Northern Territory (-23.4 per cent in each instance), Tasmania (-23.0 per cent), Queensland (-5.9 per cent), and Victoria (-1.3 per cent).
Comparing the December 2016 quarter to the December 2015 quarter, there was a decline in approvals nationwide of 14.2 per cent (in unadjusted terms, see chart below).
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-2.jpg" alt="">
Different jurisdictions played varying roles in this overall result.
The main drivers of this annual change in the December 2016 quarter were New South Wales (-6.4 percentage points) and Queensland (-4.9 percentage points).
Contractions were also evident for: Western Australia (-1.5 percentage points); and Victoria and South Australia (-0.9 percentage points in each instance).
Tasmania had a minor - 0.1 percentage point result.
In terms of the number of building approvals, the decline in NSW (-3,884) acted as a large drag on the national outcome (-8,560).
The following analysis provides greater detail on developments in approvals for different dwelling types.
This breakdown of building approvals – separating out semi-detached style product from medium/high density (MHD) units, for example provides important ‘colour’ to the building approvals landscape and is often forgotten in generalised commentary regarding detached houses ‘versus multi-units’.
Let’s start from the top with the aggregate profiles to provide the necessary background.
The chart below shows monthly changes in seasonally adjusted approvals.
There were 51,173 total seasonally adjusted building approvals in the December 2016 quarter, a level 15.2 per cent lower than approvals in the September quarter.
As previously noted, building approvals were 3.8 per cent lower in 2016 than in 2015.
Seasonally adjusted building approvals for detached houses totalled 28,275 in the December 2016 quarter, a level 2.2 per cent lower than in the September quarter of 2016.
Total approvals for ‘other dwellings’ – usually referred to as ‘multi-units’ numbered 22,900 in the December 2016 quarter.
That level was 26.9 per cent lower than the approvals in the September quarter of 2016. In the 12 months to December 2016 approvals were 5.5 per cent lower than in 2015.
The overall profile for detached house approvals in 2016 suggests this segment of the new home building market remains in relatively healthy shape in early 2017.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-3.jpg" alt="">
Drilling down from this aggregate profile we consider five categories of residential building approvals.
Comparing the December 2016 quarter to the same period in 2015, all of the five categories of dwellings recorded a decline in approvals: detached houses (-5.8 per cent); semi-detached, row, terrace or townhouse homes (-10.1 per cent); flats or units in 1 or 2 storey buildings (-21.9 per cent); flats or units in 3 storey buildings (-25.8 per cent); and flats or units in 4 or more storey buildings (-27.4 per cent).
All the categories combined recorded a national decline of 14.2 per cent.
In terms of last calendar year, all categories except semi-detached, row or terrace dwellings posted a negative change.
Building approvals in the ‘semi-detached’ category increased by 3.8 per cent in 2016.
The remaining categories posted declines in 2016 of: detached houses (-1.9 per cent); flats or units in 1 or 2 storey buildings (-27.1 per cent); flats or units in 3 storey buildings (-7.7 per cent); and flats or units in 4 or more storey buildings (-7.5 per cent).
The chart below shows how approvals for each of the different dwelling types have been contributing or detracting from total growth in the number of building approvals in a quarter over the same quarter a year ago.
Clearly, up to the December 2016 quarter, approvals for all categories have driven declines in aggregate approvals, but to a widely varying extent.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/02/21/HIA-4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/02/21/HIA-4.jpg" alt="">
Detached house approvals
<ul>
<li>51.2 per cent of total building approvals in 2016 compared with the decade average of 60.9 per cent;</li>
<li>A significant 5.8 per cent decline during the three months to December 2016 to reach a (non- seasonally adjusted) level of 27,610. This level is 13.8 per cent lower than in the December 2015 quarter;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 9,735 dwellings over 2016 in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Eastern seaboard states the primary geographical drivers of growth in 2016.</li>
</ul>
Semi-detached and townhouse approvals
<ul>
<li>14.6 per cent of total building approvals in 2016 compared with the decade average of 13.5 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 2,781 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Strong 3.8 per cent growth in 2016, driven by the eastern seaboard states;</li>
<li>Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and Victoria contributed to aggregate growth nationally;</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 1 or 2 storey buildings
<ul>
<li>1.4 per cent share in 2016, compared with the decade average of 2.9 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 271 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms. Growth driven by South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, but declines elsewhere.</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 3 storey buildings
<ul>
<li>2.2 per cent share in 2016, compared with the decade average of 2.5 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 426 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Decline of 7.7 per cent in 2016;</li>
<li>Annual decline a result of pull-backs in New South Wales and the Northern Territory. Growth in Victoria and South Australia was insufficient to offset the declines.</li>
</ul>
Approvals for units in 4+ storey buildings
<ul>
<li>30.5 per cent share in 2016 compared with ten year average of 20.1 per cent;</li>
<li>Average monthly approvals of 5,826 dwellings over 2016, in unadjusted terms;</li>
<li>Some slow-down in 2016, driven mainly by Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory. The Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales were the two star contributors to growth.</li>
</ul>
Australia’s new home-building boom looks set to taper off from 2017.
Building approvals for new housing have faded (moderately) in the past year, but they didn’t tank.
ABS building approvals figures show that the number of houses and ‘other dwellings’ approved in 2016 were lower than in 2015 by less than 4 per cent.
This outcome is not a precursor of any serious declines in new dwelling commencements in the first half of 2017.
The steady trend in detached house approvals suggests that actual activity will similarly remain reasonably healthy in the short term.
A slightly more positive short term outlook applies to semi-detached type approvals.
Overall, we retain our long held outlook for continued healthy levels of new home construction in 2016/17, and to a lesser extent in calendar year 2017:-
Detached house construction will remain healthy in the short term, but the volume of building will be lower than last year;
The semi-detached market has some further growth to it in the first half of 2017 – a tick in the box that shouldn’t be missed;
The pipeline of work in progress is substantial, particularly in terms of medium/high density dwellings.
HIA Economics will shortly be releasing their latest forecasts for dwelling commencements.
This release will include updates for the subscription products of: dwelling starts composition forecasts; regional building approvals forecasts; and long term forecasts.
For further information go <a href="https://hia.com.au/en/BusinessInfo/economicInfo/housingForecasts.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.
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