<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.</p>

<p>The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.</p>

<p>Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.</p>

<p>The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.</p>

<p>The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" /></p>

<p>Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.</p>

<p>But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.</p>

<p>Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.</p>

<p>The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.</p>

<p>Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.</p>

<p>SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.</p>

<p>The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.</p>

<p>The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.</p>

<p>Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.</p>

<p><img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" /></p>

<p>SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.</p>

<p>Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.</p>

<p>If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

<p>Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.</p>

<p>Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.</p>

<p>The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.</p>

<p>“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.</p>

<p>"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.</p>

<p>“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”</p>

<p><img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" /></p>

<p>The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.</p>

<p>The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.</p>

<p>The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.</p>

<p><img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" /></p>

<p>The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.</p>

<p>It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.</p>

<p>Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.</p>

<p>The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.</p>

<p>Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.</p>

<p><img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" /></p>

<p>Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.</p>

<p>A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.</p>

<p>A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.</p>

<p>Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.</p>

<p>Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.</p>

<p>The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.</p>

<p>Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.</p>


Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

<p data-end="288" data-start="269"><strong data-end="288" data-start="269">Article summary</strong></p>

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289"><strong data-end="374" data-start="291">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development</strong>, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443"><strong data-end="513" data-start="445">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences</strong>, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574"><strong data-end="646" data-start="576">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project</strong>, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718"><strong data-end="787" data-start="720">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road</strong>, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<p data-end="1011" data-start="790"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.</p>

<p data-end="1296" data-start="1013">The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion</p>

<p data-end="1296" data-start="1013"><img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" /></p>

<p>The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.</p>

<p>“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."</p>

<p>Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."</p>

<p>"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”</p>

<p><img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." /></p>

<p>The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.</p>

<p>A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.</p>

<p>Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.</p>

<p><img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" /></p>

<p>Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.</p>

<p>“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.</p>

<p>“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.</p>

<p>“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”</p>

<p><img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" /></p>

<p>Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.</p>

<p>With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]</p>


DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<p><a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.</p>

<p>Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.</p>

<p>The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.</p>

<p>The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.</p>

<p>A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" /></p>

<p>The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.</p>

<p>"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.</p>

<p>"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."</p>

<p>The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."</p>

<p>Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.</p>

<p>Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.</p>

<p>The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.</p>

<p>The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.</p>


First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]</p>

<p>The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.</p>

<p>"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]</p>

<p>Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.</p>

<p>The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]</p>


The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

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


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

<html><body>
<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p>Investors splashed out a record $29 billion to purchase commercial property (more than $2m) – office, industrial and retail - in the 12 months to December nationally, up 20 percent on the last two years with foreign investors taking a 38 percent share.</p>
<p>The total, comprising more than $17.2 billion worth of office transactions, $4.8 billion worth of industrial transactions and $7 billion worth of retail property transactions, is an extraordinary 32 percent up on the five year average of $22 billion following a similar rise on the $18 billion average in the previous year.</p>
<p>It was more likely than not that significant levels of investment would continue with foreign investment, particularly from China, and institutions, the key players.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">What we have seen over the last three years has been an extraordinary investment market in terms of sales by number and value.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Local trusts and funds along with foreign investors have dominated the markets, however in 2015 domestic institutions, recovering from the GFC and replacing private investors as competitive buyers once again, have suddenly found themselves outbid.</span></p>
<p>While institutional investors were the second largest player with 35 per cent of purchasers, their share of the market had fallen from 48 percent (Funds 31 percent, Trusts 17 percent) in 2014 to 35 percent (Funds 21 percent, Trusts 14 percent) in 2015, while the foreign investor take at 38 percent was more than 70 percent up on its 22 percent share in 2014.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Weakness in the currency, high relative yields and economic growth (however below trend) had been the key drivers while the large amount of off-shore capital seeking  Australian property had encouraged many domestic investors to dispose of property, reweight portfolios and change exposures.</span></p>
<p>This led to a record year of approximately $29 billion of turnover in commercial property. Conversely, many market fundamentals demonstrated the two-tone nature of the Australian economy – some indicators deteriorated in Perth and Brisbane, many showed substantial improvement in Melbourne and Sydney. Brisbane appeared to have reached a base whilst Melbourne and Sydney continue to improve.</p>
<p>The capital markets had exhibited greater degrees of volatility throughout the year and had finished the year largely unchanged with the ASX200 returning around 1 per cent, the Australian dollar down over 10% against the US dollar and 10 year bonds yielding approximately 2.8 percent.</p>
<p>While property yields have firmed across the board returns remain significantly higher with unlisted property returning up to 10 percent and AREITS returning 13 percent over the last five years. There is no doubt this has also had an impact on investment decisions.</p>
<p>He said the firming of investment yields had yet to fully run its course.</p>
<p>In some markets fundamentals are improving rapidly. We believe this will lead to further tightening in yields as investment capital starts to price in expectations of future NOI (net operating income) growth. This part of the yield cycle is just beginning.</p>
<p><strong>At a glance:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Office sales</strong> - $17.2 billion in sales; previous year $16.7 billion; five year average $12.4 billion. 221 properties sold, 326 in 2014.  Foreign investors purchased 45 percent of the stock ($7.6 <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">billion).</span></p>
<p><strong>Industrial sales</strong> - $4.8 billion in sales; previous year $5.55 billion; five year average $3.8 billion;  221 properties sold, 277 in previous year. Foreign investors purchased 36 percent:</p>
<p><strong>Retail sales</strong> - $7 billion in sales ; previous year $7.2 billion; five year average $5,8 billion. 197 properties were sold, down from the previous year of 221. Foreign investors purchased 26 percent.</p>
<p><em>Tony Crabb is Savills Australia’s national head of research and can be contacted <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/blog/author/109174/Tony" target="_blank">here</a>. </em></p>
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Foreigners take 38% of record commercial property sales: Tony Crabb

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<p><span>Mirvac Group has exchanged contracts for the sale of 1 Woolworths Way, Bella Vista for $336.45 million, representing a yield of 6.07 percent.</span></p>
<p><span>As part of the transaction, Mirvac Projects will remain responsible for the delivery (including cost) of a new multi-story carpark via a development management agreement.</span></p>
<p><span>The Woolworths headquarters at 1 Woolworths Way is located 30 kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD within Norwest Business Park.</span></p>
<p><span>It is 100 per cent leased to Woolworths Limited until 2031 with Woolworths recently signing a new 15-year lease extension.</span></p>
<p><span>South Korean-based property investors, advised by Inmark Asset Management, bought the property which was marketed by Paul Noonan, Rob Sewell and Simon Storry of JLL and Graeme Russell, Ian Hetherington and Ben Azar of Savills.</span></p>
<p><span>It had a recent book value of $250 million before the new lease and before the envisaged car parking arrangement.</span></p>
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Woolworths HQ at Bella Vista sold to Koreans

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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Housing finance data for November 2015 was released this month by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of housing finance commitments rose by 1.8% in November to $33.3 billion.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-1-1-580x208.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-1-1-580x208.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Looking at the different components of mortgage lending, it shows that the value of commitments to owner occupier non-first home buyers (subsequent buyers who are generally either upgrading or downgrading) is now greater than the value of commitments to investors. </p>
<p>With mortgage rates remaining low and competition from lenders being fierce, refinance activity continued to trend higher while demand from the first home buyer segment of the market remains quite weak.  As investment demand has faded, this demand has been replaced by demand from owner occupiers, mainly those upgrading or downgrading.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-2-1-580x207.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-2-1-580x207.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>In November 2015 there was $21.8 billion worth of housing finance commitments to owner occupiers.  These commitments were split between $1.9 billion for construction of dwellings, $1.2 billion for purchase of new properties, $7.1 billion for refinances and the remaining $11.6 billion for purchase of established properties.  </span></p>
<p><span>A</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">s the chart shows, demand for new properties (construction and purchase of new) is fairly flat while refinance commitments and those for the purchase of established homes continues to rise strongly. Interestingly after its recent low of $17.6 billion in commitments in May 2015, the value of owner occupier commitments has increased by 23.3% to November 2015. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">If you look at the actual number of owner occupier housing finance commitments over the same period they have increased by a much lower 11.8%. This would suggest that although the number of commitments to owner occupiers is rising, the increase in the value of commitments is being exacerbated by borrowers taking out larger mortgages.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-3-580x210.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/01/18/Chart-3-580x210.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The value of investor housing finance commitments was recorded at $11.5 billion in November 2015.  Investor mortgage demand has fallen sharply since peaking at $14.2 billion in April 2015, down -18.7% to November 2015.  Although investor mortgage demand has slowed sharply over recent months, it actually rose by 0.7% over the month.</p>
<p>It is important to remember that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority’s (APRA) guidelines aim to limit housing credit (total value of outstanding mortgages) to investors at 10% per annum.  Investor credit growth was recorded at 9.1% over the year to November 2015, comfortably within these guidelines.  Given this, it is no surprise we have seen a small bounce in investor mortgage demand and we may see further moderate increases over the coming months as lenders aim to grow investor credit at close to the 10% threshold.</p>
<p>Demand remains for mortgages despite the fact that banks have lifted mortgage rates independently of the Reserve Bank cash rate and have increased mortgage rates to investors. Understandably this has seen a slowing of demand from the investor segment of the market however, demand from owner occupiers is rising and currently filling the space. As previously mentioned demand from the investment segment may actually start to pick-up a little due to the fact investor credit growth is now comfortably below 10% per annum. </p>
<p>With home value growth in Sydney and Melbourne now showing signs of slowing it will be interesting to see over the coming months whether mortgage demand continues to grow. </p>
<p>If it does it may indicate that although demand in Sydney and Melbourne is slowing it is picking up elsewhere.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Housing finance demand still growing, driven by owner occupier demand: Cameron Kusher

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<p>GUEST OBSERVER</p>
<p><span>An overhaul of education and training standards is in the best interests of the consumer and the profession.</span><br><br><span>Responding to the review of training in the property services industry conducted by NSW Fair Trading, REINSW is firmly of the view that the overwhelming majority of issues that attract the attention of the regulator and aggravate consumers, can be resolved by substantially improving the education of property professionals for both entry and continuing professional development.</span><br><br><span>We suggest a higher entry level education standard. It not only better equips the new entrant for the profession, it also allows that new entrant the opportunity to commit themselves to the disciplines required by the profession. This will then, it is submitted, positively impact on a higher retention rate and increase the aggregate competencies of the profession.</span><br><br><span>In order to reduce the churn, which the panel has identified at 80 per cent of new entrants, REINSW proposes new entrants complete an additional three units prior to starting work. This will at least in part address this at the commencement of the new entrants employment and with on-going study together with practical on- the-job experience will grow the new entrant into a capable, knowledgeable and skilled professional.</span><br><br><span>REINSW has also called for additional on the job training. Under the Institute’s suggested educational regime the student will take seven units of competence into the workplace and receive an additional 17 units of competence within the context of practical application and repetition.</span><br><br><span>The complete education, which involves both classroom and on the job training, particularly in a service industry such as real estate is not so much desirable, but essential. Without it the service provider is ill-equipped to respond to the demands and disciplines of the profession.</span><br><br><span>The delivery and assessment of training should be undertaken by trainers who regularly update their property industry work experience and skills. The qualification level of the trainers should be at least a one-step higher level than the qualification currently being taught within the relevant property associated discipline.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><em>John Cunningham is President, REINSW and can be contacted <a href="https://www.reinsw.com.au/imis15_Prod/web" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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Real estate agent education, training overhaul needed: REINSW

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<div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
<p><span>Retail landlords caught in the collapse of electronics retailer Dick Smith have been urged to approach the thriving Jaycar Electronics retail chain.</span></p>
<p><span>Jaycar boss, and former Dick Smith marketing director Gary Johnston has launched an ad campaign in <em>The Australian Financial Review</em>, encouraging landlords with leases to Dick Smith to ring for a "confidential no-obligation discussion" about their premises. </span></p>
<p><span>He told the <em>AFR</em> he would be pleased to pick up half a dozen former Dick Smith premises. </span></p>
<p><span>"We're already in negotiations with a number of landlords," he said.</span></p>
<p><span>"We're interested in the retail strips and good, free-standing sites, but not the shopping centres.</span></p>
<p><span>"The great bulk of our customers are men, who have a deep-seated dislike of shopping centres." </span></p>
<p><span>About a fifth of the Dick Smith stores in Australia and New Zealand are in the malls of the country's two biggest mall landlords, Westfield owner Scentre Group and Vicinity Centres.</span></p>
<p><span>Jaycar more than 90 stores in Australia and New Zealand.</span></p>
<p><span>"I've been around long enough see the threat of the dotcom business, but I believe we are still a nation of shopkeepers and I still have faith in bricks and mortar retail," Mr Johnston said.</span></p>
<p><span>"We have a big website and our customers are tech savvy, but they love to come in and have a browse around."</span></p>
<p><span>Mr Johnston said the Jaycar business owned about half its retail premises.</span></p>
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Jaycar seeks expansion into Dick Smith retail space

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<div>
<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Australia's largest and most recently listed mortgage aggregator Australian Finance Group (AFG) released its December 2015 quarter </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Mortgage Index</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">, which now again includes figures at the state level.</span>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The index, which is not seasonally adjusted, showed a solid 7 per cent increase in the volume of mortgages sold from the prior corresponding period, up from $12.9 billion in December 2014 to $13.8 billion last quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/14/AFG1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/14/AFG1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>This was in spite of the investor share of the market continuing to decline, with this sector slinking back down to a 6 year low.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Investor loan volumes are expected to stabilise from here, with the impact of tighter lending rates for investors and tougher lending criteria now largely baked in. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click to enlarge</div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/14/AFG2.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>The investor segment of the market had clearly become overheated in 2013, contributing to slowing rental growth.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State versus state</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>At the state level, AFG recorded more than $5 billion of mortgages written in New South Wales for the third time, as the state saw mortgage volumes up by 12 per cent from one year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The data series adds further weight to the suggestion that the Melbourne market may be set for a bright 2016, with mortgage volumes in Victoria up by nearly 18 per cent over the year in rising to a new high, despite the final quarter of the year being a short one due to the Christmas break.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mortgage volumes written also increased by 13 per cent over the year in South Australia, but have declined in Western Australia (-10 per cent) and the Northern Territory (-21 per cent respectively).</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/14/AFG3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/14/AFG3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mortgage sizes have soared</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The average size of mortgage written continues to rise, up by 20 per cent over the past three years to a fresh all-time high of $476,479.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/14/AFG4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/14/AFG4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>The average size of mortgage written in NSW increased to a new high of $583,708, with mortgage sizes also rising by around 7 per cent over the past year in Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. </span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/14/AFG6.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2016/01/14/AFG6.jpg" alt=""></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>While AFG's index may be distorted by changes in market share, meaning that users should be wary of premature extrapolation, the figures do provide further hints as to what to expect in the year ahead.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It is evident that markets will increasingly be driven forward by owner-occupiers rather than investors, while the market in Melbourne continues to defy...well, people like me, I suppose, who felt that the market have may peaked some years ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall, APRA's cooling measures appear to have worked and the property market seems to have calmed after the frenzy we saw around April and May last year, particularly in Sydney.<br><br>That said, mortgage volumes - and particularly mortgage sizes - have to date remained very high, with owner-occupiers plugging most of the gap being left by investors. Accordingly, we might expect to see a more sustainable and balanced market going forward in 2016. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Our mortgages are getting bigger: Pete Wargent

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<h2 class="mt0"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">According to the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index, dwelling values were absolutely flat across the combined capitals during December, with negative movements in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra being offset by a rise in dwelling values across the remaining five capital cities.</span></h2>
<p>The Sydney housing market was the main drag on the December results, with dwelling values down 1.2%, while values were down 1.5% in Adelaide and 1.1% in Canberra. The remaining capitals saw a rise in dwelling values, led by a 2.3% bounce in Perth values and a 1.0% rise in Melbourne values over the month.</p>
<h2 class="mt0"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="color: #135cae; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.3em;">Index results as at December 31, 2015</span></span></h2>
<div>
<p><img src="https://corelogic.com.au/contentAsset/raw-data/1fa07848-c6e4-4690-9274-f824244c11d9/fileAsset" alt="2016-01-04--Dec_Index" width="569" height="271"></p>
<p>After dwelling values had been broadly rising since June 2012, the December quarter results revealed a 1.4% fall in dwelling values across the combined capitals, the largest quarter on quarter fall since December 2011.</p>
<p>Six of the eight capital cities recorded a negative result over the December quarter, with weaker conditions in Sydney and Melbourne acting as the greatest drag on capital city performance. </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.32.33%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.32.33%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>The largest quarterly fall was recorded in Sydney, where dwelling values were down 2.3% over the final three months of the year, followed by Melbourne, where dwelling values were 1.9% lower. The only capital cities to show a rise in dwelling values over the December quarter were Brisbane (+1.3%) and Adelaide (+0.6%).</p>
<p>This was in contrast to the first three quarters of 2015, where capital city dwelling values rose by 9.3%, largely driven by a 14.1% surge in Sydney values and a 13.3% increase in Melbourne. </p>
<p>In stark contrast, the final quarter of 2015 showed Sydney as the weakest performer of any capital city, with dwelling values down by -2.3% while Melbourne recorded the second weakest result of -1.9%.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.33.28%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.33.28%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>The complete 2015 calendar year results reveal a 7.8% increase in capital city dwelling values which is the lowest rate of capital gain over a calendar year since 2012 when values slipped 0.4% lower over the full year.</p>
<p>Highlighting the diversity in the capital city housing markets, dwelling values fell across four of the eight capitals in the 2015 calendar year. The largest of these falls were recorded in Perth, down by 3.7%, and Darwin down by 3.6%. Hobart and Adelaide also showed subtle falls of 0.7% and 0.1%. </p>
<p>Despite the recent weakening of housing market conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest capital city housing markets still recorded much stronger annual gains than all other capital cities,  11.5% in Sydney and 11.2% in Melbourne. Dwelling values in Brisbane and Canberra were up a more sustainable 4.1% over the year.</p>
<p>The wealth created from housing in Sydney and Melbourne has been exceptional over the past twelve months.</p>
<p>In dollar terms, Sydney home owners have seen approximately $82,000 added to their wealth thanks to the strong capital gains over the year while home owners in Melbourne have seen the value of their dwelling grow by approximately $60,400. Brisbane home owners are $18,560 better off while Canberra owners have seen the value of their homes increase by approximately $21,900.</p>
<p>Home owners in the remaining capital cities have seen some erosion of their wealth via falls in the value of their dwelling. The largest losses have occurred in Perth where the average dwelling is now worth approximately $19,970 less than it was 12 months ago, while Darwin home owners have seen the value of their home shrink by a similar $18,150.</p>
<p>The annual decline has been milder in Adelaide and Hobart, however dwelling values are still $515 lower in Adelaide over the year and down $2,430 in Hobart.</p>
<p>The slowdown in housing market conditions across Sydney and Melbourne in the last half of 2015 is being driven by a range of factors that can best be described as both organic and externally influenced.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.34.56%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/01/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-13%20at%2010.34.56%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>Organic market conditions have been derived from affordability pressures, rental yield compression and cyclical factors, while factors from external influences largely stem from a change in the regulatory framework introduced by APRA which has made it more expensive and difficult for investors to access housing finance. Added to this is higher mortgage rates and more restrictive credit policies and loan servicing requirements.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Tim Lawless is head of the CoreLogic RP Data research and analytics team and can be contacted <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/author/timlawless/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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tlawless-5VLUrbAk9s

Capital gains stall in the final month of the year: Tim Lawless

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<p>2015 was a lacklustre year for rental growth in Australia with rents increasing by just 0.3% in 2015; not exactly the news investors are looking to read about but good news for those looking to rent.</p>
<p>We’ve never seen rental growth as sluggish as it is at the moment. Furthermore, we’re expecting to see more of the same over the coming months due to increases in the supply of new housing, rental stock and a further slowdown in migration rates. </p>
<p>The only cities to see an increase in weekly rental rates were Sydney with an increase of 1.9 percent, Melbourne (2.2 percent), Hobart (0.6 percent) and Canberra (1.9 percent) while rates fell in Brisbane by (-0.3 percent), Adelaide (-0.2 percent), Perth (-8.0 percent) and Darwin (-13.3 percent). <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<p>A comparison between December 2015 and December 2014 shows in 2014 annual rental growth was slowing but was tracking at a much higher 1.8% which highlights just how much the rental market eased throughout 2015. </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-12%20at%209.21.53%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-12%20at%209.21.53%20AM.png" alt=""></p>
<p>The construction boom across the capital cities, coupled with slowing population growth, low mortgage rates and the recent heightened level of activity from investors are the major contributing factors to the slowing rental growth in 2015.</p>
<p>Although Sydney and Melbourne saw the largest ramp up in new housing supply, both cities still recorded rental increases over the year, although rental growth is slowing relative to 12 months earlier.</p>
<p>It is clear that the increase in investment stock continues to provide landlords with little scope to lift rental rates while the low mortgage rate environment provides little incentive to push yields higher.</p>
<p>We envisage that growth in rental rates is likely to remain weak or potentially slow even further over the coming months. The good news for those looking to rent is the possibility <span style="line-height: 1.3em;">that rental rates will fall even further over the coming year.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">While the news for renters will be welcomed, investors may be facing weaker capital gains coupled with little in the way of rental growth or yield.</span></p>
<p>The large pipeline of residential construction activity and recent high levels of investment demand means that renters are likely to continue to have plenty of choice.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-12%20at%209.15.47%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><em><strong><img src="/images/2016/01/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-01-12%20at%209.15.47%20AM.png" alt=""></strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>
<p><em><em>Cameron Kusher is research analyst for CoreLogic RP Data. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></em></p>
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Annual national rental growth lowest on record for landlords: Cameron Kusher

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<p><span>A decent result for Retail Trade, which increased by 0.4% to a fresh high of $24.77 billion in November. Trend retail trade has increased nicely from $21.7 billion at the end of 2012 to $24.7 billion.</span></p>
<p><span>Over the past 18 months total industry retail turnover has declined only once, in July last year. </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/12/RT1.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2016/01/12/RT1.jpg" alt=""> </span></p>
<p><span><span>Year-on-year retail turnover growth improved to 4.3%, which is well ahead of the 5 year average of 3.4%.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/12/RT2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2016/01/12/RT2.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">State versus state</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The long run data suggests that retail activity has largely followed house price growth, implying in turn that the economy probably needs dwelling prices to continue rising if household consumption is not to stall.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/01/12/RT3.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><img src="/images/2016/01/12/RT3.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<div>Looking at the year-on-year figures suggests that retailers in New South Wales (+4.7 per cent) and Victoria (+6.0 per cent) have been the major beneficiaries of the "wealth effect" of rising house prices.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Slower growth has been experienced in South Australia, Western Australia, and particularly the Northern Territory, as mining construction activity tails off.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/12/RT4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/12/RT4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Industry groups</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the long run much of the growth in retail turnover has been accounted for by consumables.<br><br>Although household goods retail has picked up strongly of late, department stores have struggled to main market share as online retail has taken hold.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="/images/2016/01/12/RT7.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div><img src="/images/2016/01/12/RT7.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<span>All industry groups have seen solid growth in retail turnover over the past year, with house price growth making its impact felt here too.</span><br><br><span>Household goods retail turnover has led the way for some time now, with an impressive 6.6 per cent growth over the year to November.</span><br><br><span>Perhaps surprisingly the slowest annual growth was seen in the food retailing space, while department stores saw turnover slip in the month of November.</span>
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong><br><br><div>Overall, a reasonable result that was in line with expectations, but one which suggested that for retail turnover to keep picking up from this level either house prices need to keep rising, or the household savings ratio will need to decline. </div>
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<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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Australian retail trade trending up nicely: Pete Wargent

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<div><span>Sadly an inevitable consequence of the internet age for investors has been a focus on shorter and shorter timeframes. </span></div>
<div><span><br>While extra frequency of analysis can be interesting and fun, for most investors the best results will be secured by seeing the big picture and building a long term plan around it, particularly so in property investment which is ideally suited to a longer time horizon.</span></div>
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<div>When it comes to population and demographic projections, there are certainly plenty of cranks making forecasts, but if you're going to pay attention to any of them, then bugrudgingly it's got to be the cranks that determine policy. </div>
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<div>Over the short term to June 2019, the drivers of a rebound population growth from net overseas migration are clear enough, at least according to the latest available figures from the Department of Immmigration and Border Protection (DIBP). </div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">But what about for the longer term?</span></strong></div>
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<div>It is often said that infrastructure investment is a key driver of property price growth, and this can certainly be the case whereby the multiplier effect of new projects generate economic activity, while infrastructure can also make certain suburbs a more appealing prospect. </div>
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<div>Of course, we have just been through a once-in-a-century resources investment boom, which temporarily caused a spike in dwelling prices in some towns, before they <a href="https://www.smartpropertyinvestment.com.au/news/14137-6-mining-towns-go-from-boom-to-bust" target="_blank">crashed</a> again as supply responded and contractors skipped town. </div>
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<div>Infrastructure investment is evidently only one part of the puzzle, and it needs to be coupled with a strong and sustainable growth in population, economic activity, and household wealth. I'd further add land supply constraints to that. </div>
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<div>In this context I took another read of Infrastructure Australia's latest estimates and projections, so let's take a 60-second look at what they say. </div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">"Population a key driver of economic growth" </span></strong></div>
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<div>The "three Ps" model of economic growth applied by the Australian Treasury has population growth at its very core: </div>
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<div>In the 2015 Intergenerational Report population growth was assumed to drive for <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">almost half</span></strong> of the projected economic growth, measured in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), over the next four decades.</div>
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<div><span>Projected population figures quoted in April 2015 by the Infrastructure Australia audit background paper were somewhat higher than the equivalent figures released in 2008, and tend to mirror previous projections by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reasonably closely. </span></div>
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<div>Notably, it is clearly articulated that state governments are planning for their capital cities to continue taking on a continually greater share of the state's population, particularly in the most populous states.</div>
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<div><span>As such, going forward an ever greater share of the actual population growth must correspondingly take place in the capital cities, as confirmed by the projections. </span></div>
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<div><span>These are telling numbers indeed, but for mine it's the texture provided by the Government that is the really interesting bit:</span></div>
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<div><span>"Population growth is likely to have its greatest impact in Australia’s cities. Around the globe, cities are increasing their share of national population. Australia is already one of the most urbanised countries in the world. It would be unusual – if not remarkable – if Australia were to chart a materially different path from its past (or where the world is heading), at least over the next 15 years or so."</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span>Looking forward</span></span></strong></div>
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<div><span>On the medium level projections, by 2031 Australia’s capital cities will be home to 6.4 million extra people (around 43.4 per cent more than 2011). The growth to 2061 (15.7 million persons) is around 1 million persons more than the current combined population of all of Australia’s capital cities.</span></div>
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<div><span>Note in particular the enormous projected growth in Greater Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth respectively (click to enlarge).</span></div>
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<div><span>Or looked at graphically.</span></div>
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<div><span>Looked at another way, the gradients of capital city projections show how the four largest cities are expected to garner the great bulk of the projected growth in population.</span></div>
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<div><span><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Infrastructure plans and peri-urbanisation</span></strong></span></div>
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<span>Projected population growth between 2011 and 2031 is evidently huge - the equivalent of an entirely new Melbourne and Brisbane combined! - while t</span><span>he projected growth to 2061 is more than all of the existing population of the capital cities cobbled together.</span>
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<div><span>However, according to the Australian Government, regional development and decentralisation policies tend to have a short life span, and thus regional population growth is forecast to decline as a share of the pie:</span></div>
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<span>"It is unclear whether governments and the Australian community would support material ongoing interventions over the long term to encourage decentralised growth. P</span><span>roposals for investment in regional areas need to be supported by rigorous and transparent analysis."</span>
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<div><span>A handful of areas which are close to the capital cities might be expected to grow appreciably, being "peri-urban" locations with social and economic linkages to the capital cities. These are cited as follows:</span></div>
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<div><span>Notes the Government: "In the absence of employment growth in these locations, ‘journey to work’ trips to and from the capital city may increase appreciably."</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Infrastructure investment: cities are critical</span></strong></div>
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<div>The infrastructure audit background paper could hardly have been more explicit in its conclusions, so to wrap up I will simply quote it directly:</div>
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<div><span>"Within the capital cities, the location of new development and population growth will be critical. While the cost of providing new infrastructure in ‘greenfield areas’ is substantial, the cost of retrofitting or augmenting some infrastructure (for example transport links in tunnels) in established areas can also be high. </span></div>
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<span>With a few exceptions, the population case for expanding infrastructure networks in regional areas is less obvious. Arguments for investment in infrastructure in those areas will be driven more by social considerations."</span><br><span><br></span>While I don't agree with the intended policy - I don't originally hail from a capital city myself after all - it is abundantly clear that infrastructure investment will be focussed very heavily on the capital cities. </div>
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<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
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