ANZ believes the Reserve Bank is in no rush to move again.

Following the release of the May Monetary Policy Board Minutes, ANZ has taken the view that the RBA is now firmly in a holding pattern, with the cumulative impact of previous rate hikes giving the Board scope to assess how the economy evolves from here.

That positioning, in ANZ’s view, makes a June rate hike unlikely.

The bank continues to expect the cash rate to remain unchanged at 4.35 per cent for an extended period, with the RBA adopting what is effectively a wait-and-see approach.

The Minutes point to a Board that sees financial conditions as already restrictive, but without a clear read on just how restrictive they are. That uncertainty has shifted the focus away from immediate policy action and toward monitoring both domestic conditions and global developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East.

As ANZ interprets it, the Board is deliberately avoiding strong forward guidance.

Instead, it is allowing itself flexibility, acknowledging that monetary policy has limited ability to influence the near-term trajectory of inflation, while also recognising that economic growth is likely to remain below potential for some time.

Despite that pause in momentum, ANZ notes that the Board still carries a tightening bias.

The Minutes reveal that, in weighing up its decision, the Board seriously considered another 25 basis point increase. The key debate centred on the trade-off between inflation and activity, particularly in the context of global uncertainty.

Ultimately, most members leaned toward the inflation side of that equation.

Underlying inflation is still expected to remain above target for an extended period, regardless of how external risks evolve. That has led to a view within the Board that the risks to its inflation objective have increased, and that the current cash rate may not be sufficiently restrictive to fully contain those pressures.

That’s important.

While the decision, for now, is to hold, the underlying tone of the Minutes suggests the door to further tightening has not been closed.

ANZ also points to commentary from Assistant Governor (Economic) Sarah Hunter, who highlighted the risk that inflation could pass through the economy more quickly and broadly than in previous cycles. Both Hunter and a majority of the Board expressed concern that inflation expectations could become less anchored after such a prolonged period above target.

That combination, persistent inflation and the risk of expectations shifting, is what continues to underpin the RBA’s cautious stance.

However, where ANZ diverges from the RBA is on the outlook for activity.

The Board appears relatively comfortable with current spending patterns, effectively downplaying recent declines in business and consumer sentiment. It notes that sentiment has historically been only weakly correlated with actual spending, and that feedback from its liaison program has not yet pointed to a meaningful slowdown in consumption.

ANZ is less convinced.

The bank believes the link between household disposable income, sentiment and spending is more direct than the RBA is currently acknowledging. With inflation continuing to erode real incomes, ANZ expects household spending to soften more materially than the central bank is forecasting.

That divergence matters because it shifts the balance of risk.

If activity weakens more than expected, the trade-off between inflation and growth changes. In ANZ’s view, that would reduce the need for further tightening and reinforce the case for the RBA to remain on hold.

It also suggests that the current policy setting may already be doing more work than the Board fully appreciates.

The broader takeaway from ANZ’s interpretation is that the RBA is walking a narrow path.

On one side sits the risk of inflation remaining elevated for longer than expected. On the other is the growing pressure on households and the potential for a sharper slowdown in activity.

For now, the Board is choosing to wait.

But it is a pause that still carries an underlying tightening bias, rather than a clear pivot toward easing.

In practical terms, that leaves the cash rate anchored at 4.35 per cent for the foreseeable future, with the next move still uncertain.

For borrowers, it reinforces the reality that relief is not imminent.

And for the broader economy, it highlights the delicate balance the RBA is trying to strike, between bringing inflation back to target and avoiding an unnecessarily sharp slowdown in growth.

According to ANZ, it is a balance that is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.

Joel Robinson

RBA to hold rates for "prolonged period" rather than hikes: ANZ

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/venturecrowd-property-projects">VentureCrowd</a> is down to the final Canopy Villa release at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara, as construction continues on the 59-residence gated community positioned above 100 hectares of natural savanna on the Gold Coast.

The remaining Canopy Villa forms part of one of four collections within the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>-designed community and has attracted interest from buyers seeking larger-format homes that combine privacy, security and low-maintenance living. Positioned within a private cul-de-sac and facing a protected black she oak forest, the four-bedroom villa includes a large private outdoor area suited to pet owners and families wanting more flexible space.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/cumulus-grand-villas-carrara-17-baltimore-court-carrara-qld-4211">Cumulus Grand Villas</a>, located at 17 Baltimore Court, comprises a mix of three and four-bedroom villas across the Skyline, Canopy, Savanna and Broadview collections. Prices currently range from $1.455 million to $1.895 million, with the final Canopy Villa priced from $1.825 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360477]

The Canopy Collection villas offer four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 245 sqm of internal space, alongside double garages and landscaped private areas. Expansive glazing, open-plan living spaces and private balconies have been designed to maximise natural light and outlooks toward the surrounding savanna landscape.

Construction is now underway across the fully funded development, which VentureCrowd says has become an increasingly important consideration for buyers assessing off-the-plan opportunities on the Gold Coast. The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/devcon">Devcon Property Group</a>, which has operated in South East Queensland since 1993 and delivered more than 1,000 homes across the region.

VentureCrowd Director of Property David Whitting previously said the project responds to changing buyer priorities in the prestige Gold Coast market.

“Flexible floorplans have proven particularly relevant for purchasers aged between 40 and 65, including next home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Whitting said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360505]

The buyer profile at Cumulus has reflected that shift toward owner-occupier-driven demand. Stuart Towns and Tracey Loynes recently purchased a Canopy Villa, drawn to both the lifestyle offering and the flexibility the home provided for their next stage of living together.

The couple, who met three years ago, sold their Robina home earlier this year after identifying what they saw as strong long-term investment potential at Cumulus while remaining within the same Gold Coast market. The villa’s private backyard was a major drawcard for their dog Luna, while proximity to golf courses including Emerald Lakes also aligned with their lifestyle interests.

Beyond the residences themselves, the community has been planned around shared lifestyle and recreation amenities. The Infinity Terrace will include a 20-metre heated pool, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining spaces and elevated retreat areas overlooking the surrounding landscape. Walking trails, a private nature reserve, orchard and herb garden are also integrated into the masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135663 project_image_fid=360473]

BDA Architecture Director Darren Greenaway said the design approach was heavily influenced by the site’s outlook and secluded setting.

The practice sought to create what Greenaway described as a “little piece of paradise,” drawing inspiration from the elevated views, surrounding greenery and quiet location.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/carrara-qld-4211">Carrara</a> continues to attract buyers seeking larger homes within proximity to the coast but without direct beachfront pricing. Cumulus sits within easy reach of Broadbeach, Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and the M1, providing connections north to Brisbane and south toward the Gold Coast Airport and northern New South Wales.

The first stage of Cumulus Grand Villas is targeting completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135663]

VentureCrowd nears sell-out of Canopy Collection at Cumulus Grand Villas in Carrara

Waverley Council has made a call that many councils have been reluctant to make publicly. Growth is coming, regardless of who controls it.

The release of the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan is less about whether the Eastern Suburbs’ primary centre will change, and more about how that change is shaped, funded, and ultimately experienced on the ground. Waverley Council has released a 100-page plan which is effectively the first comprehensive blueprint for Bondi Junction in over two decades, and in doing so, signals a clear shift in how councils are positioning themselves in the current planning environment.

For the past 18 months, the conversation across New South Wales has been dominated by the State Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms and the emergence of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway. Both have created faster, more centralised avenues for development approvals, particularly in well-located, infrastructure-rich areas like Bondi Junction.

Waverley Council’s response has been to move early, and decisively.

Rather than react to individual proposals as they come through the HDA or broader State-led reforms, Council has sought to establish a clear, place-based framework that sets the terms for how Bondi Junction evolves. The underlying position is relatively straightforward: if densification is inevitable, it should be tied to infrastructure, public domain improvements, and a cohesive vision for the centre, not delivered piecemeal through ad hoc applications.

<img alt="bondi junction" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7f1f729c-ed99-4c6c-bf87-ffbce6991941" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-19%20at%209.58.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ULX4OlXKjeJ5BvNCNGL86evgXCjCfMih" />

At its core, the document is attempting to reposition Bondi Junction from what it largely functions as today, a transport interchange anchored by a major retail centre, into something far more layered. The ambition is to transform it into what the plan describes as the “civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East,” a place that is active beyond commuting hours and capable of supporting a broader mix of uses, experiences and communities.

That repositioning is built around four key ambitions.

The first is to create a true destination. Bondi Junction already attracts significant foot traffic, with more than 86,000 daily transport users and millions of annual retail visits, but much of that activity is transient. People pass through, rather than stay.

The Master Plan seeks to change that dynamic. It leans heavily into the idea of an “18-hour economy,” extending activity well beyond traditional retail hours through dining, cultural programming, events, and a more active night-time offering. This is not just about adding more hospitality venues, but about fundamentally shifting how the centre operates, from a daytime shopping destination to a place that functions across the full span of the day and into the evening.

Oxford Street Mall sits at the centre of that shift.

Long seen as underperforming relative to its potential, the Mall is identified as one of the key catalyst projects in the plan. It is to be reimagined as a day-to-night spine, combining retail, dining, wellness and cultural uses in a way that creates a continuous flow of activity. Outdoor dining, rooftop venues, laneway activation and a curated events program are all part of the strategy, alongside significant public domain upgrades that aim to improve comfort, safety and usability.

&nbsp;

The second ambition is to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class interchange.

Despite being one of the most heavily used transport nodes in Sydney, the current experience is fragmented. Connections between the station, Westfield, Oxford Street Mall and surrounding streets are often unclear, and major roads create physical barriers that disrupt pedestrian movement.

The Master Plan proposes a more seamless, people-focused network. That includes clearer pedestrian links, improved wayfinding, better integration between transport modes, and a rethinking of how arrival into the centre is experienced. The aim is to shift the perception of Bondi Junction from a place people move through, to a place they arrive in.

The third ambition focuses on greening and open space.

One of the more consistent pieces of community feedback throughout the Vision phase was the need for more greenery, better public spaces, and a more comfortable urban environment. Despite being surrounded by major parks, Bondi Junction itself has relatively limited accessible open space, with much of the public realm dominated by hard surfaces and traffic infrastructure.

The plan responds with a network of new and upgraded public spaces, increased tree canopy, and what it terms the “Parkline,” a green link connecting Waverley Park through to Centennial Park. This is not just about aesthetics. It is about addressing heat, improving liveability, and ensuring that increased density is matched by access to high-quality outdoor space.

The fourth ambition is perhaps the most important from a development perspective: growth that gives back.

Bondi Junction is already the primary location for new housing supply in the Waverley LGA, and that is expected to continue. The area carries a target of 2,400 new dwellings by 2029, with further growth projected beyond that as demand for well-located housing continues to rise. The Master Plan does not seek to limit that growth. Instead, it attempts to shape it.

New housing is to be concentrated around transport, with stepped building heights designed to protect the character of surrounding neighbourhoods. At the same time, the plan introduces a more explicit link between development uplift and public benefit. This is where value capture becomes central.

The document outlines a framework where increased development potential is tied to contributions that fund public domain improvements, community infrastructure, open space, and affordable housing. It is an approach that recognises that much of the transformation of Bondi Junction will be delivered by the private sector, but seeks to ensure that the benefits of that growth are shared more broadly. The Civic Precinct is a key part of that equation.

Leveraging Council-owned land, the plan proposes a consolidated civic and cultural hub centred around Ebley Street. This would include new community facilities, cultural spaces, and potentially a new Council Chambers, creating a focal point for civic life that currently does not exist in Bondi Junction at scale.

It is one of several catalyst projects identified in the Master Plan, alongside the Oxford Street Mall transformation. These projects are intended to anchor change, acting as early interventions that unlock broader investment across the precinct.

Importantly, the Master Plan is not just a design document. It includes a delivery framework that sets out how these ambitions are intended to be realised.

Council is explicit in acknowledging that it cannot deliver the transformation alone. Implementation will require coordination between State agencies, private developers, landowners and the community, with a mix of planning agreements, infrastructure contributions and direct delivery mechanisms used to fund and stage improvements over time.

The plan outlines a mix of short-term, medium-term and long-term actions, from immediate public domain upgrades and planning controls, through to larger-scale projects that will unfold over the next decade or more. In practical terms, the next 12 to 24 months will be the most important.

This is when the Master Plan will move through exhibition, refinement and eventual adoption. It is also the period in which Council will seek to embed the framework into its planning controls, giving it weight in the assessment of future development applications.

Council officers have indicated that once the Master Plan is in place, it could be used as a benchmark when assessing Housing Delivery Authority proposals, and potentially reduce the need for further HDA declarations within Bondi Junction. In effect, it is an attempt to bring planning control back to the local level, while still aligning with State housing targets.

That tension between State-led reform and local planning control is not unique to Waverley. It is playing out across Sydney.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

If delivered as intended, Bondi Junction will become denser, more active, and more complex. It will support more residents, more workers, and a wider range of uses, extending beyond its current retail core into a more layered urban environment.

“The civic and cultural heart of Sydney’s East”: Bondi Junction masterplan revealed

Toorak's dress circle St Georges Road, home to some of the city's priciest homes, is set for a rare new apartment development.

Blood Diamond Group, an entity tied to Tina Brandi, wife of David Brandi who has been a prolific bidder on The Block over the years, has filed plans for an ultra-exclusive development across an amalgamated 3,662 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/104-106-st-georges-road-toorak-vic-3142">104 and 106 St Georges Road</a>.

The proposal would replace two existing homes on the riverfront site with a five-level apartment building cascading down the steeply sloping land toward the Yarra River. Designed by Charles Wright Architects, the development has been carefully shaped around the site’s topography and river environs, with the upper levels stepping back to reduce visual bulk from both St Georges Road and the Yarra corridor.

Planning documents describe the proposal as “a site layout and building typology that is consistent with the emerging character of the area and which provides exceptional amenity for future residents without compromising that of neighbouring properties.”&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: Blood Diamond Group unveils riverfront apartment plans for Toorak Pavilion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ea19a17e-7528-4fa8-b727-05f2f7c025e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Toorak%20pavilion%20a_0.png?VersionId=rZ2IjdoUL_UrRl1sZ4wZHnQXbYUaEmUQ" />

The scheme comprises 12 apartments, including 10 three-bedroom residences, one one-bedroom apartment, and a substantial split-level five-bedroom penthouse. A 624 sqm communal rooftop terrace will crown the building, while three undercroft levels embedded into the hillside will accommodate apartments and basement parking.

The design leverages the site’s dramatic northern outlook across the Yarra River, with living areas and balconies oriented toward the water. A central atrium running the full height of the building is intended to draw natural light deep into the residences and improve internal amenity.

Landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo Design &amp; Landscape</a> will play a major role in softening the built form, particularly along the river edge where significant setbacks have been introduced. The proposal includes a minimum 30-metre setback from the Yarra River boundary, preserving a substantial landscaped buffer between the development and the waterway.

While a mature English Oak near the front of the site is proposed for removal, the plans retain a large English Elm closer to the riverfront, alongside other established vegetation in the lower section of the property.

<img alt="First look: Blood Diamond Group unveils riverfront apartment plans for Toorak Pavilion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed3bf19b-5bc7-482f-bde7-41f709a13c3a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Toorak%20pavilion%20b.png?VersionId=SG_kBGu4rOaSPY8FtVcmPJfSCrstuOfg" />

Architecturally, the building adopts strong horizontal forms with expansive glazing and curved balcony edges facing the river. Planning documents note the upper levels “adopt a receding form” to ensure the building responds appropriately to the Yarra River environs overlay controls.&nbsp;

The surrounding streetscape is characterised by large contemporary homes embedded into the hillside, many presenting as modest one or two-storey forms to the street before expanding toward the river frontage below. The planning report notes this established pattern heavily influenced the massing strategy for Toorak Pavilion.&nbsp;

Until the recent sale of the landmark Clendon Road mansion Coonac for around $130 million, St Georges Road held the state's most expensive home, the $80,000,088 derelict "Ghost House" mansion that was bought by crypto king Ed Craven.&nbsp;

Blair House, also on St Georges Road, sold for $74.5 million in 2022.

First look: Toorak Pavilions slated for dress circle St Georges Road

Six months after a development site on Kangaroo Point’s Shafston Avenue sold for $6.55 million, plans have been lodged for a 23-storey apartment tower.

A company named JMT Mega Capital, understood to be interstate investors when the 1,222 sqm double block traded late last year through Patona Property, is proposing an 84-apartment development in place of the existing low-rise buildings.

The slender tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/212-220-shafston-avenue-east-brisbane-qld-4169">212–220 Shafston Avenue</a>, overlooking the Brisbane River, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/aplus-design-group">Aplus Design Group</a>. It will comprise a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments above six basement levels, topped by rooftop resident amenities.

<img alt="First look: 23-storey Kangaroo Point tower planned for Shafston Avenue riverfront precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e17ba9e-553e-42ef-92b6-22081671521a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium_3.png?VersionId=hlVUf99vrOjUs.vhQs0qV0DhOncUy9T8" />

The development has been designed as a vertically articulated tower with recessed balconies, curved façades and planted edges intended to soften its scale within the evolving Shafston Avenue skyline. In the submitted Urban Design Report, Aplus Design Group said the tower had been “shaped with a slender vertical expression, articulated façades, recessed balcony zones, integrated planting and a clearly defined podium relationship, helping to reduce perceived bulk and create a more elegant contribution to the Shafston Avenue streetscape and broader Kangaroo Point skyline.”

The scheme comprises 84 apartments, including 25 one-bedroom units, 34 two-bedroom apartments and 25 three-bedroom residences. A total of 104 car spaces are proposed across six basement levels, including resident, visitor and accessible parking.

Residents will have access to rooftop communal open space and shared amenities, while the development also incorporates deep planting zones and subtropical landscaping throughout the podium and tower levels. The project includes 35 per cent communal space coverage across the site and a 17.5 per cent deep soil zone allocation to support urban greening outcomes.

The application exceeds the mapped building height under the Kangaroo Point Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan and is being assessed under Brisbane City Council’s impact assessment pathway. The design team argues the additional height is supported by the site’s strategic inner-city location, existing high-density zoning, and proximity to transport and employment hubs.

“The design has been developed to make better use of a well-serviced urban site within an established high-density residential setting, while improving the street presentation and overall quality of the public realm interface,” the report states.

<img alt="First look: 23-storey Kangaroo Point tower planned for Shafston Avenue riverfront precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ab44b1e-ff45-4bf3-8da8-8aa0cd79db33" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_10.png?VersionId=tSxeGekZOqj1e9g3PEn_yFoC3taKDp3U" />

The proposal adds to a growing pipeline of apartment developments reshaping Kangaroo Point ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, with demand continuing to strengthen for new housing supply in well-connected inner-city precincts.

Mosaic has nearly sold out its under-construction <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-bedford-by-mosaic-16-30-prospect-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Bedford by Mosaic</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-carter-by-mosaic-77-linton-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">The Carter</a>,&nbsp;while Pikos recently completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye Residences</a> nearby. Pikos is also delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gaia-kangaroo-point-108-lambert-street-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Gaia</a>, over 230 three- and four-bedroom apartments on Lambert Street.

First look: 23-storey Kangaroo Point apartment tower planned for Shafston Avenue riverfront precinct

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

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

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A Coffs Harbour beachfront resort development opportunity has been announced to the market.
The property, BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort has been operating for 30 years in the holiday location.
The development is currently operated by the Mantra Group who have a five year lease remaining.
It offers the only direct local access to the popular Diggers Beach.
Set across two strata-titled totalling 6030 sqm of beachfront lots, the resort has a reception, administration, conference, F&amp;B, leisure and recreational facilities.
The bluechip investment is being managed by Knight Frank Directors Donald Watson-Brown and Ryan O'Hanlon.
Watson-Brown suggested that it offers a lucrative holding income of over $420,000 per annum for a site with extensive development upside.
"The resort offers flexibility and plenty of options in its investment proposition," said Watson-Brown
"The current owners are keen for development of the property to go to a party that has a vision to use the property in a positive way for the local area – whether that is mixed-use residential, hotel, or other type of development."
The accommodation offerings of the resort are not included in the sale.
“Aanuka Beach Resort has proved to be an integral part of the local history of the Northern NSW Coast tourism industry, providing generations of beachgoers lifelong holiday memories," he said. 
Fellow director Ryan O'Hanlon spoke of Coffs Harbours location for investors.
“Positioned within close proximity of the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour is a historically strong-performing holiday destination and this is a great development opportunity."
“The offering represents a highly strategic play for future development on the site. Underpinned by direct access to Diggers Beach, the owner of the Aanuka Resort infrastructure will control the future use, refurbishment or even larger-scale development of this historically successful holiday precinct," he said.
Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour is located approx. 535 km north of Sydney and 389 km south of Brisbane.
The property is located 2 km to Coffs Harbour City, 8.5 km to the airport, 1 km to the Park Beach Plaza Shopping Centre and 10 km to Coffs Harbour Stadium.
The property is for sale via expressions of interest.
 
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Aanuka beachfront resort development in Coffs Harbour on the market

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Coles has placed its newly developed Coburg North Village shopping centre — anchored by a flagship Coles Supermarket — in Melbourne, on the market through Savills.
The 6,283 square metre GLA centre, on the corner of Gaffney and Sussex streets, will by sold by expressions of interest closing July 13.
The deal includes a new 15-year lease to Coles and Liquorland with the property earning an estimated $1.9 million per annum.
According to marketing agents Pat De Maria, Tom Forrest and Steven Lerche, the complex is expected to attract strong local and off-shore interest due to the appeal of retail investments.
Retail property transactions are currently running at $7 billion to $8 billion a year, bolstered by off-shore and institutional investors and compressed yields, according to Savills’ research. 
“The limited availability to purchase quality retail investments, and the high level of investment demand has intensified competition for available assets,’’ De Maria said.
The centre opened in August 2015 and has a flagship full-line ‘market style’ Coles Supermarket and Liquorland of 4,175 square metres. 
There are 15 other retailers, including a medical centre and pharmacy.
Forrest said the centre benefitted from a large main trade area accommodating more than 46,000 residents and was forecast to grow to 52,050 by 2026.
 
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Coles puts flagship Coburg North Village in Melbourne on market

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Hi Margaret, my wife &amp; I live on 50 acres we bought the property 20 years ago , built a house &amp; lived in since. We have 10 cows which we make a little money on each year &amp; is the only income of the property. Our main income is away from the property (apart from the office &amp; shed) my question is would we be CGT exempt because we use the other 45 acres for farming, although it's not our main source of income?
Answer: The answer to this question has many parts and depends on a number of circumstances, and so I checked with Property Success tax expert Ian Rodrigues to see what he thought about it. The first this to check is the actual date that you purchased the property.  It appears to be after they introduced the Capital Gains Tax rules but that is worth checking first as if it was before, then everything changes.  It's also important to know if you bought the property or if it was passed to you, perhaps through an inheritance as this impacts as well. The Principal Place of residence exemption should apply to the house and surrounding land up 2 hectares (about 5 acres). You mention an office and shed - were these rented out, or did you use them for conducting any kind of business, and subsequently claim any proportional deduction on them?  If you did then this will mean that a part of your principal place of residence will be considered to be liable for capital gains tax and this will need to be established. The rest of the land outside the 5 acres are subject to CGT regardless of how they were used. There are major issues to consider here in regard to:-         1. was farming a business for tax (and so, what went into your tax returns?). Small business CGT concessions could apply here and         2. what is the valuation split of PPOR and acres? Sometimes the house is the substantial part of these acres and therefore carry the much of the value of the entire block, and at other times the acres are prime land and therefore make up a substantial part of the calculations.  Your situation is a little complicated,  and it is absolutely critical that you get advice based on all the facts of this situation. Although the outcome may end up the same, you need some serious planning put in place, as you may have access to small business CGT rules and super rollover rules too. 
Have a property question?  <a href="mailto:%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20/n%20&lt;/script&gt;&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;This%20email%20address%20is%20being%20protected%20from%20spambots.%20You%20need%20JavaScript%20enabled%20to%20view%20it.%20&lt;script%20type='text/javascript'&gt;%20%20&lt;/script&gt;" target="_blank">Ask Margaret!</a>
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mlomas-KC9MUPZ6Ca

CGT exemption and farmland: Ask Margaret

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If you looked only at the generalised data excreted by research company computers, you’d think not much is going on in Adelaide.
According to one set of figures, house values are up 3.9 percent in annual terms and units 3.6 percent. But Adelaide is busier and more vibrant than those numbers indicate, particularly when you look at sales activity.
Adelaide started 2016 in solid fashion and continues to be one of the strongest city markets in the nation. The steady start to the year is encouraging, given that the March Quarter is typically the period that produces the smallest number of sales in the South Australian market.
Adelaide currently has more suburbs with rising sales momentum than Brisbane does, although it’s a smaller city, and considerably more than Sydney now does.
Generally, Adelaide had a solid year in 2015. Each of the four quarters had sales activity on a par with, or higher than, the corresponding period a year earlier. The June and September quarters were both substantially higher than the year before.
This continues a pattern of steadily rising sales over the past three years. In 2013 the SA market recorded between 7,000 and 7,500 dwelling sales per quarter. In 2014 sales rose above 8,000 per quarter and in 2015 every quarter was above 9,000 sales. The current year looks like continuing the pattern.
Our research for The Price Predictor Index shows that the growth suburbs in Adelaide are primarily middle-market areas and outer-ring precincts, with few top-end markets standing out.
The No.1 municipality is now the Port Adelaide Enfield LGA, one of the largest municipalities in Adelaide, covering the inner north and north-west of the city. Eight suburbs in this LGA having rising sales patterns, mostly suburbs with median house prices in the range from $380,000 to $510,000. They include Broadview, Northgate, Windsor Gardens and Largs Bay.
The Onkaparinga LGA, which always features as one of the strongest markets, has six growthsuburbs and six markets with steady sales activity in the far south of the Adelaide metropolitan area.
Many of the more active precincts are middle-market areas. The Charles Sturt LGA, which includes bayside suburbs like Henley Beach and West Beach, has seven suburbs with upward momentum. Growth markets include Findon, Kidman Park, Seaton and Semaphore Park.
The Tea Tree Gully LGA in the north-eastern suburbs stands out in most of our surveys as a highly consistent market. It now has six suburbs with steady sales patterns, plus five that are rising– including Hope Valley, Modbury and Ridgehaven.
The Holdfast Bay LGA has four Rising Steadily markets, including the bayside Glenelg suburbs and Somerton Park.
Another thing worth considering about Adelaide is the rental yields on offer. With negative gearing in the firing line in this long and boring Election campaign, cities that can offer higher rental yields become more appealing. If you borrow at 4 percent to buy a property returning 6 percent, negative gearing becomes a non-issue.
The cheaper precincts in the Adelaide metropolitan area provide houses with median yields between 6 percent and 7 percent. Areas that are slightly more expensive typically have yields in the 5.5 percent to 6 percent range.
 Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a>. You can <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email him</a> or follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter.</a>
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Adelaide tops Brisbane for property sales momentum: Terry Ryder

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Vacancy across Melbourne’s 10 key retail strips has fallen by a quarter over the last four years, driven largely by strong population growth in the city's inner suburbs, according to the latest Savills research.
The research found that overall vacancy rate had fallen to 7 percent from 9.5 percent over the four years from May 2012 with 184 shops now vacant, down from 253.
Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn and Church Street, Brighton were the top performers with vacancy rates of 2.1 and 2.3 percent respectively, while Bridge Road trailed the field at 13.6 percent. 
Savills Victorian research manager, Monica Mondkar, said while vacancy in some strips remained high, the most vibrant retail and entertainment precincts outside of the CBD were doing well and could look forward to continued growth as Melbourne’s inner suburbs recorded double digit population growth.
"Some strips, such as Bridge Road, have struggled in recent years but that has been more to do with tenancy mix and a lack of local government initiatives," she said.
"Retailers in the most popular strips, such as Chapel Street, South Yarra and Toorak Road, Toorak, can generally now look forward to tighter vacancy with stronger fundamentals underpinned by the massive influx of residents to new apartment developments.
"Retailers left behind will be those in strips where the mix of retailers has failed to attract consumers and where they lack effective local government support.’’ 
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Of the 2,620 shops surveyed, the Cafes, Restaurants &amp; Takeaway Food Services category had seen the largest increase of 20 percent to 581 shops, Services was up 12 percent to 612 shops, while Clothing, Footwear &amp; Accessories fell 15 percent to 663 stores.
Notable leases included those of national fashion retailers, Peter Sheppard at 626 Burke Rd, Camberwell, Bendon at 143-151 Bridge Rd, Richmond, Mimco at 87 Church St, Brighton, Flannel at 40b Church St, Brighton, and Trenery at 1015 High St Armadale, while international brands, Canadian cosmetic retailer As Colour opened a store at 230 Chapel St, Prahran, and Nike leased space at 71-73 Church St, Brighton.
ABS retail trade (seasonally adjusted) indicates that Victorian retail trade grew by 5.2 per cent in the 12 months to March, above the national average growth of 4.1 per cent, while consumer confidence, buoyed by low interest rates, measured 103.2 points in May, up from 102.4 points a year ago.  
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Savills Victorian director-Retail Services, Michael Di Carlo, said the increase of 186 new stores in food and beverages and services retailing correlated with the dramatic growth in the number of apartments.
"Population growth has been the key to the growth in these sectors, and these are the sectors which cater for the most immediate needs of local residents. The decrease in fashion related stores, on the other hand, may be about the competition from national and international brands along with a preference for that type of shopping elsewhere including the CBD or the larger enclosed centres," Di Carlo said.     
He said yields and rents varied widely according to the particular attributes of the strip.
"Strip retail, especially suburban strip retail has long been a favourite of the small investor and in recent years that focus has intensified with the emergence of the SMSF and of course record low interest rates.
"Yields have always been tight in these markets but those factors have seen even further downward pressure to the point where yields around 3.5 to 4.5 per cent are now much more common,’’ Di Carlo said.
"Rents can vary dramatically between precincts and indeed, in some cases, within precincts  They are very much about the location, the position within the location and current and historic vacancy levels.’’
He said rents for strips shops in the best strip locations generally ranged between $800 and $1200 a square metre.    
 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Vacancy in Melbourne’s top retail strips down 25 percent: Savills

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Over the week ending June 3 there were 20 commercial auction results reported with a preliminary clearance rate of 35 percent, down from 42.6 percent the previous week across 54 results, according to CoreLogic.
In comparison, at the same time last year, 47 commercial results were reported with a higher success rate of 59.6 percent.
There were 215 auctions reported over the past four weeks, with 116 sales. Of these 116 sales, 95 have been reported with a sale price, representing $199.3 million in total value.
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Commercial auctions down for week ending June 3, 2016: CoreLogic

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Shane Moran, of the Moran health care family, is the mystery buyer of Darling House, the priciest cottage yet sold in the NSW Government's Millers Point sell-off.
He paid $7.7 million for the 1840's Georgian Regency property which was previously an low income aged care facility. He now plans a boutique low care aged care enterprise.
It's no great surprise as the visionary Moran family have a very long association with heritage buildings across Sydney.
The property was marketed with the possibility to be turned into a grand family home, but Moran is intent on re-establishing its previous use.
But with an intimate club-like 10 rooms, it will be aimed squarely at wealthy retirees whose middle aged children likely work and live in the city proximity.
Set back from the street on 759 sqm, the standalone sandstone house offers ten bedrooms, ten ensuite bathrooms and picturesque gardens in a quiet enclave.
It's a little less grand that where Shane calls home. That's Swifts, the 56 room neo-Gothic castlelated mansion in Darling Point.
Darling House, formerly known as the Rocks Cottage Type Hospital, was sold by Richard Shalhoub of McGrath in conjunction with Shayne Harris from Savills.
The transformation of the suburb is set to make Millers Point a very special part of the city.
Darling House was first owned by local businessman Joseph Farris whose early tenants including surgeon, Leopold Sachs. 
The Sydney Harbour Trust took over the property in 1901.
This article was first published in the Daily Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Shane Moran to open Millers Point aged care home

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Construction continues to be the mainstay of China’s economy -- flowing through to heavy industries such as steel and cement -- but the rebound is not sustainable, according to NAB's latest commentary on the country's growth outlook.
The NAB Group Economics report titled China’s economy at a glance, says new construction starts rose by 16 percent year-on-year (yoy) over the first five months of the year – with lower growth in May than March and April. But May's slower growth was largely due to base effects.
NAB says the construction rebound is not sustainable, with recovery in house prices largely driven by policy relaxation, loose credit and the poor performance of alternative investment options for individuals – re-inflating the property bubble that had previously deflated to a degree across 2014 and 2015.
Among other economic factors, growth in industrial production was unchanged in May at 6 percent yoy – in line with market expectations.
Fixed asset investment was softer in May, with trends mixed at a sub-sector level – with an acceleration in real estate investment, while investment in manufacturing continued to trend lower.
China’s trade surplus widened in May to US$50 billion (from US$45.6 billion previously) due to a month-on-month increase in exports. Price effects continue to influence trade values – with commodity imports increasing strongly in May – particularly construction related iron ore and copper.
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Construction still drives China’s growth but sustainability concerns remain: NAB

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The ratings agency S&amp;P forecasts real estate investment trusts should expect a slowing in the tightening of capitalisation rates despite more offshore capital investing in Australia.
S&amp;P's outlook for property is in its report titled "Asia-Pacific REITs' Large Buffer Will Bear A Downturn". 
S&amp;P analysts Craig Parker and Graeme Ferguson noted the spreads between bond yields and property capitalisation rates were at their widest historically.
It noted rents for Australian commercial property having seen "sluggish growth,"
But capital inflows looked set to continue this year for the REITs.
"The major commercial real estate markets of Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore are experiencing subdued rental growth, offset by substantial capital appreciation partly because of buoyant investment flows," they said.
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S&P tips tightening REIT cap rates

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Senibong Cove, Walker Corporation’s Malaysian master planned community, has been announced as “World Silver Winner” at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards, 2016 Master Plan Category.
Lang Walker, Chairman of Walker Corporation said this was their third FIABCI award after securing two categories at the FIABCI Malaysia Property Awards 2015.
FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards recognise projects that best exemplify excellence in all the real estate disciplines, illustrating the FIABCI ideal of 'providing society with the optimal solution to meet property needs'.
The FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards were established to recognise and reward overall merit of projects, with judging panel made up of top real estate professionals and experts. 
Longtime employee Don Carvalho accepted the award.
Mr Quay Chew Keong, Project Director at Front Concept – the Malaysian arm of Walker Corporation, said they are extremely satisfied with our achievement at the FIABCI Prix d'Excellence Awards. To receive global recognition for the project delivery to date is extremely satisfying.
“The exciting part is that there is still so much more to come," he said.
"This is only the beginning for Senibong Cove – the master plan has just started to take shape. Our project team has worked tirelessly to ensure the delivery and success of this project and I applaud their efforts.”
The win was attributed to various factors, including the preservation and integration of the surrounding natural habitat to deliver families a unique design, incorporating boardwalks, natural rivers, lush greenery and immaculately landscaped parks.
Describing the award winning Senibong Cove, Mr Walker said the recognition of Senibong Cove is due to a variety of carefully planned features throughout, coupled with a sustainable approach to development.
“Moreover, it represents the creation of a complete community offering every conceivable necessity within minutes of resident’s front door. All these elements combine to make it a statement in luxury real estate”, he added.
Walker Corporation is one of Australia’s largest private development companies. Successfully running for over 50 years, with a legacy is developing large-scale, award winning developments in residential, commercial, industrial and the retail space.
For more information about the award winning Senibong Cove, visit: <a href="https://www.senibongcove.my">www.senibongcove.my</a>
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