<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" 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/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Canberra

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Over the second quarter of 2018, there were $4.5 million worth of resales at a loss for Canberra.
That accounted for 1% of the total value of losses nationally, according to the latest CoreLogic Pain and Gain report.
The market also recorded $248.3 million in realised profits which accounted for 1.6% of profits nationally.
Most of the losses were apartments.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/18/CL%20PG%20CAN%202.JPG" alt="">
An example of some apartments which weren't quite loss makers, but barely budged were 37/3-5 Burbury Close Barton, ACT which gained $5,000 rising from $605,000 in 2010 to $610,000 during the June quarter.
At 61/30-32 Blackall Street Barton, ACT, the one bedroom, one bathroom apartment made just $100, a leap from $420,900 to $421,000 over the past five years.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/9/24/Bunda%20bunda.jpg" alt="">
An apartment in the ACT that did make a outright loss is 512/240 Bunda Street City, ACT (pictured above).
The apartment sold for $445,000 in April this year making a loss of $17,900 on its last sale price of $462,900 in 2011.
It is the largest one bedroom apartment in the Manhattan on the Park development.
Over the quarter, the share of houses resold at a loss fell slightly while the share of unit resales at a loss rose, CoreLogic noted.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/18/CL%20PG%20CAN%201.JPG" alt="">
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Canberra house resale profits ticks up: CoreLogic

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Morris Porperty Group has announced its latest project in Canberra, The Barracks.
The mixed-use project is the 17th from the group within a 5 kilometre radius of the city centre.
The 2.6 hectare site was purchased in June and is located between London Circuit and Vernon Circle.
Architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp has been engaged for the project.
The projects first stage will include a public car park with 750 spaces.
Once completed, The Barracks will have around 6000 square metres of retail, including a supermarket and restaurants.
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Mixed-use precinct The Barracks coming to Canberra

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EXPERT OBSERVER
It’s timely that I will be speaking at the Canberra Property Investment Summit on Saturday.
The Canberra market continues to get stronger. The trend in the past 12 months has been steady improvement in the national capital, quarter by quarter - and there have been further advances recently.
And while the Belconnen District remains the market leader in Canberra, challenges are emerging from other sectors.
Hotspotting’s quarterly surveys of sales activity shows a pattern of steadily rising demand in the Canberra market.
Following our Winter survey three months ago, we commented that the Canberra market was “the busiest it’s been since the Price Predictor Index surveys started three years ago”. In this latest (Spring) survey, it’s got even busier.
This reflects other statistics depicting a strong Canberra market. Vacancies remain below 1% (only Hobart has lower vacancies among the capital cities), rents are rising strongly (more so than in any other capital city) and there is evidence of solid price growth in some sectors in the market.
This is particularly so at the top end of the market. Canberra currently has seven suburbs with median house prices above $1 million and all but one has recorded significant growth in their median prices in the past 12 months.
The median price for O’Connor has risen 20% to $1.17 million, Red Hill is up 15% to $1.45 million, Garran has jumped 17% to reach $1.05 million, Deakin is up 11% to $1.32 million and Griffith has grown 10% to $1.52 million.
In addition the suburb of Lyneham, with a median price in the $900,000s, has increased 14%.
Only Yarralumla among the millionaire suburbs has failed to record major median price growth in the past year.
This strong Canberra performance has been built on a local economy that is always solid, underpinned by high average incomes and low unemployment levels.
The ACT consistently ranks in CommSec’s State of the States report as the nation’s third strongest economy behind New South Wales and Victoria.
Hotspotting’s latest quarterly survey indicates that the Belconnen District is still the market leader. It has six suburbs with rising sales activity and others with steady sales performance.
Growth markets in the Belconnen District include Bruce, Belconnen, Flynn, Hawker, Higgins and Macgregor.
The Belconnen District has become an increasingly active market in the past three years.
Throughout both 2013 and 2014, dwelling sales were between 420 and 460 in most quarters, but in 2017 and 2018 all quarters have recorded more than 500 sales, including several with over 600 sales.
But there are now growth clusters right across the Canberra metropolitan area.
The Tuggeranong District has emerged as a challenger to Belconnen’s status as market leader. There are now five suburbs in Tuggeranong with growth trajectories, including Banks, Calwell, Condor, Gordon and Kambah.
The Districts of Gungahlin and Weston Creek both have multiple suburbs with upwardly-mobile sales activity.
Overall, the data adds to the perception that Canberra is a market on the rise, with good prospects for solid price growth in the next 1-2 years.
Terry Ryder is the founder of hotspotting.com.au ryder@hotspotting.com.au twitter.com/hotspotting
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

Why Canberra property stands out: Hotspotting's Terry Ryder

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There were $3.3 million worth of resales at a loss for Canberra which accounted for 0.8% of the total value of losses nationally, over the first quarter of 2018.
The market also recorded $214.2 million in realised profits which accounted for 1.4% of profits nationally, according to CoreLogic's pain and gain report.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%201.JPG" alt="">
Over the quarter, the share of houses and units resold at a loss increased slightly.
The climb in loss-making resales mirrors what is happening across most capital cities and reflects the slowing rate of value growth across the city.
Click to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%202.JPG" target="_blank">enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/5/PG%20Canberra%202.JPG" alt="">
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Canberra following capital city trend of slowing rate of value growth: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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Canberra’s median house price rose by 27 per cent in the past three years, however it is slowing to an estimated three per cent in 2017/18.
The median house price sits at $700,000 at June 2018.
BIS Oxford Economics released a report this week that estimates that the Canberra market is roughly in balance at June 2018, although a very tight vacancy rate of 0.7 per cent was recorded in March quarter 2018.
This report suggests that part of this tightness is as a result of the removal of around 1,000 asbestos-contaminated houses from the dwelling stock in recent years.
Median house rents have been rising over the past 2–3 years, and unit rental prices are now following.
“In contrast to the low vacancy rate, new dwelling completions have reached a record peak in 2017/18 and this is likely to have been a contributor to the slowdown in house price growth,” said Angie Zigomanis head of BIS Oxford Economics' Residential Research Unit.
“Completions in Canberra also on track to remain elevated and close to record levels in 2018/19.”
Continued high levels of supply are expected to continue to dampen upwards pressure on prices, although with the highest household income of Australia’s capital cities, affordability remains attractive.
The BIS Oxford Economists forecast that this will result in price growth of five per cent in 2018/19, but progressively slowing over the following two years as the recent surge in population reverts to longer term averages.
Canberra’s median house price is forecast to rise by a total 10 per cent in the three years to June 2020, which reflects a rise of three per cent in real terms.
In contrast, the unit sector, where there is more supply coming through, is forecast by this report, to experience price growth of only six per cent, which is actually a two per cent fall factoring for inflation.
For a look at our take on the BIS Oxford Economics report for the national market check out, "<a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-house-prices-forecast-to-tread-water-through-to-2020-21-bis">Melbourne house prices forecast to tread water through to 2020/21</a>".
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Canberra's median house prices stabilises after three year growth spurt: BIS Oxford Economics 

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EXPERT OBSERVER
Australia’s population expanded by 387,969 people over the year to December 2017 to 24,770,709 people. Overall, Australia’s annual population growth rate fell from an upwardly-revised 1.67 per cent (previous 1.60 per cent) to 1.59 per cent - still near the fastest population growth in 3 years.
<div class="x_WordSection1">
The ACT’s annual population growth rate rose from 2.08 per cent in the September 2017 to 2.15 per cent in the December quarter – the strongest growth rate in over 5 years. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/21/can-growth.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/21/can-growth.jpg" alt="">
Employment rose by 57,900 in the three months to May after a gain of 60,600 in the previous three months. Over the past 12 months, 307,600 people have found jobs, down from 415,900 in the 12 months to February – near the largest annual increase on record. A record 12.54 million Aussies are employed.
Over the quarter, employment rose most in Public Administration and Safety (up 88,900), Manufacturing (up 41,100), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (up 29,100) and Accommodation and Food Services (up 22,700).
Healthcare and Social Assistance remains Australia’s leading employer, employing 1.7 million people or 13.3 per cent of all jobs. Retail Trade is in second place with 1.3 million employees.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/6/22/employers.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/6/22/employers.jpg" alt="">
In the year to May, 57.5 per cent of those aged 60-64 years and 13.9 per cent of those aged 65 years and over were in the job market – both record highs.
In the year to May, the average weekly actual hours worked per person employed was just 31.8 hours – a record low. 
The demographic data on jobs provides insights on the job market, wages and prices, and ultimately on interest rates. The data on employment by industry gives insights into which industries are growing the fastest as well as insights on the performance of the broader economy.
</div>
<div class="x_WordSection2">
<h1>What does it all mean?</h1>
The Reserve Bank recently said that immigration supports Australia’s ageing population. Net immigration slowed during the December quarter. In fact it was the slowest annual growth rate in 2½ years. Migration did account for 62 per cent of total population growth. 
Canberra is cool. Long derided by other Aussies, population growth is the strongest in five years in the national capital. And its babies, not overseas or interstate migrants are driving population growth. According to the ACT government, natural increase will account for 62 per cent of the territory’s population growth by 2020.
Clearly Canberra is great for families, and its superior pay packets is attractive for young professionals. According to the Bureau of Statistics, Aussie public sector wages increased by 2.3 per cent over the year to March. And during the quarter to May, Public Administration and Safety jobs growth was the strongest across all occupations.
And there is no stopping Aussie Baby Boomers. There are more people aged between 60 and 64 years that are currently working than those not working. Senior Aussies are continuing to work due to improved health, technology, more jobs in the services sector, a need to boost superannuation savings and a rise in flexible work options. Older worker participation is expected to increase further because of a gradual rise in the retirement age from 65½ currently to 67 by 2023.
<h1>What do the figures show? </h1>
Population Statistics
Australia’s population expanded by 387,969 people over the year to December 2017 to 24,770,709 people. Overall, Australia’s annual population growth rate fell from an upwardly-revised 1.67 per cent (previous 1.60 per cent) to 1.59 per cent - still near the fastest population growth in 3 years.
Over the past year population growth was strongest in Victoria (2.30 per cent), followed by the ACT (2.15 per cent), Queensland (1.67 per cent), NSW (1.50 per cent), Tasmania (0.94 per cent), Western Australia (0.83 per cent), South Australia (0.62 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.23 per cent).
The ACT’s population growth rate at 2.15 per cent is the highest since September 2012.
Australia’s population grew by 68,731 people over the December quarter, after growing by an upwardly-revised 104,450 people (previous 103,918 people) in the September quarter.
A total of 240,400 people migrated to Australia over year to December, up from an upwardly-revised 258,000 (previous 250,200 people) in the year to September. Migration growth is down from the peak of 315,700 migrants in the year to December 2008.
Net migration rose by 35,900 in the December quarter, but the change in annual migration in 2017 fell by 3,600 people, the slowest growth rate in 2½ years.
There were 308,500 babies born in the past year – lower than the record growth of 312,200 babies born in the year to March 2013 – but up by 4,300 births from the year to December 2016.
There were 160,900 deaths in the past year, up by 3,100 deaths from the year to December 2016.
Natural increase for the year ended 31 December 2017 was 147,500 people, up by 0.9 per cent or 1,300 people from the year to December 2016.
Industry Employment
Employment rose by 57,900 in the three months to May after a gain of 60,600 in the previous three months.
Over the past 12 months, 307,600 people have found jobs, down from 415,900 in the 12 months to February – near the largest annual increase on record. A record 12.54 million Aussies are employed. 
Over the quarter, employment rose most in Public Administration and Safety (up 88,900), Manufacturing (up 41,100), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (up 29,100) and Accommodation and Food Services (up 22,700).
In the quarter, the number of jobs fell by the most in Transport, Postal and Warehousing (down 29,300), Retail Trade (down 29,100), Education and Training (down 28,600), Health Care and Social Assistance (down 26,000) and Construction (down 20,000).  
Over the year to May, 16 out of 19 sectors added jobs. The strongest gains were in Manufacturing (up 63,100), Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (up 52,700),Construction (up 47,100) and Health Care and Social Assistance (up 39,200).
Three sectors shed jobs over the past year including Transport, Postal and Warehousing (down 30,000), Other Services (down 28,900) and Retail Trade (down 400).
Health Care and Social Assistance remains the biggest employer with 1.7 million employees (13.3 per cent of the total) followed by Retail Trade (1.3 million jobs or 10.2 per cent), Construction (1.2 million or 9.4 per cent) and Education and Training (1.0 million or 8.0 per cent).
Detailed Employment
In the year to May, 57.5 per cent of those aged 60-64 years and 13.9 per cent of those aged 65 years and over were in the job market – both record highs.
At the same time that the participation of seniors are reaching new highs, younger Aussies are looking for work. But participation in the workforce of those between 15-19 years fell to 6-month lows of 54.7 per cent (year to May 2018). Workforce participation of those 20-24 years rose to 78.8 per cent in May, up from 78.6 per cent in April.
A greater proportion of young married women are also in work. In the year to May, an average of 75.6 per cent of married women aged 25-34 years were in the workforce – a record high.
In the year to May, the average weekly actual hours worked per person employed was just 31.8 hours – a record low. On average, people are working 2 hours a week less than they were a decade ago.
<h1>Why is the data important?</h1>
Demographic Statistics are issued by the Bureau of Statistics each quarter. The figures include estimates of births, deaths, in-bound and out-bound migration movements and estimates of population change by State.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides detailed labour market figures one week after releasing ‘top level’ statistics of employment &amp; unemployment levels across states and territories. The detailed data is useful in identifying broader underlying trends and instructive about the health of the economy.
<h1>What are the implications?</h1>
The job market should continue to improve over the coming year. Business conditions are at near-decade highs and indicators of job vacancies and advertisements are at the highest levels for around six years.
There is still spare capacity but it is slowly being used. Wages should gradually lift over the year amid emerging skills shortages in some industries. Improved job security and rising sharemarkets (the ASX200 is at decade-high levels) should support consumer spending, despite elevated household debt and falling home prices in some cities.
Australia’s population is still growing, albeit down from recent breakneck rates. Rising numbers of Aussies adds to demand for a raft of businesses across a range of industry sectors. The lift in the growth of the population – and the physical population numbers – lift demand for roads, schools and hospitals, thus boosting the outlook for builders, building material companies and construction companies. Health, education and construction workers are also in high demand. 
Our way of life is changing and governments will need to meet the challenges of a larger population through superior urban planning and world class infrastructure, especially public transport in Australia’s growing capital cities.
CommSec expects official interest rates to remain unchanged until early next year.
Ryan Felsman is a senior economist at CommSec.
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Canberra's population growth at five year high: CommSec

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A Canberra commercial office refurbishment has brought to life a section of a 1960s building.
Property developer ICON Developments, in conjunction with Camlen Property Group, worked with architects peckvonhartel to modernise the property at 10 Hobart Place.
Two of the building’s 10 floors have been transformed into flexible workspaces with an industrial-style aesthetic, including polished concrete floors, exposed ceiling services and glass internal corridor partitioning.
Other additions to the building include new end-of-trip facilities, including showers, lockers and change rooms, as well as bike storage.
The building has a total of 4,500 square metres of lettable area and spaces of from 65 square metres to 530 square metres are immediately available to prospective tenants. Further tenancy options from 180 square metres are also available for lease.
The site is close to the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Courts, The Australian National University (ANU) Action Campus, and Canberra Shopping Centre.
Ashley Murdoch from ICON Development said Canberra’s west precinct of the CBD has undergone recent activity in a bid to revitalise the city and make it a more vibrant and exciting place to work, live and visit, and to continue to attract investment.
“Through this refurbishment, we wanted to stay true to what makes the city unique. Located at the heart of the CBD and surrounded by so much of what gives Canberra its distinct character, the building represents professionalism and style within a corporate business environment,” said Murdoch.
The revitalisation also saw an 80s themed basement bar called ‘88mph’. 
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Canberra office undergoes modern refurbishment 

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A private island 90 minutes from Canberra has been given an official $600,000 to $650,000 price guide after failing to sell at recent auction.
The 91 hectare island is priced less than Canberra's $727,000 median house price.
Wade Island on Lake Burrinjuck, beside the historic village of Wee Jasper, last sold for $485,000.
Its only inhabitants currently are the wildlife, mostly kangaroos and wallabies.
Wade Island comes with approval for self-sufficient holiday cabins.
It can only be accessed by a land bridge - and only when they water is low.
Despite the lure of island life, sales campaigns for private islands typically can take years to complete.
There's the Port Stephen's Garden Island which sold six years after its initial listing.
Back in 2012 it was asking $6 million, before being advertised last April with $4 million hopes.
This was reduced to $2.75 million before its recent sale through McGrath Terrigal's Adrian Culpin.
The 1.4 hectare island was mostly overgrown when traded for $480,000 in 2001.
Award winning architect Philip Pratt was commissioned to design a home with a mix of Australian rural architecture and Japanese Modular design.
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Private island near Canberra listed for cheaper than city's median house price

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ICON Developments in partnership with Camlen Property Group have breathed new life into an office building, following an extensive refurbishment which has created a unique offering within Canberra’s Civic precinct.

10 Hobart Place is driving the trend for building owners to refurbish existing property to meet growing market demand in the capital, in order to enhance tenant amenity and attract tenants. Through this refurbishment, two of the building’s ten floors have been radically transformed into chic and flexible workspaces.

With many adjacent buildings being redeveloped into multi-residential projects, 10 Hobart Place provides a point of difference within Canberra's burgeoning Civic precinct, surrounded by a range of commercial, retail and residential buildings. 

10 Hobart Place totals 4,500 sqm of lettable space offering flexible tenancy areas with office space catering for tenants from 65 sqm to 530 sqm.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/dmc_6193.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dmc_6193.jpg?itok=0UF6dBxw" title="The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The refurbished interiors of 10 Hobart Place. Image: ICON</figcaption></figure>The charm of its 1960’s exterior has been maintained, with the redesign of 10 Hobart Place delivering modern office accommodation with an industrial-inspired aesthetic, including polished concrete floors, exposed ceiling services and glass internal corridor partitioning.

Canberra’s Civic precinct has experienced a significant amount of development activity in recent years in a bid to revitalise the city and make it a more vibrant and attractive place to work, live and visit, and to continue to attract investment.

Working with peckvonhartel on the redesign, ICON has updated end of trip facilities, building amenities, services and tenant spaces to set a new standard for commercial occupiers in the heart of Canberra’s CBD. 

The building now offers new premium end-of-trip facilities, including separate male and female showers, lockers and change rooms, as well as bike storage.

<blockquote>
Through this refurbishment, we wanted to stay true to what makes the city unique. Located at the heart of the CBD and surrounded by so much of what gives Canberra its distinct character, the building represents professionalism and style within a corporate business environment.

As a design-focused developer, we always endeavour to create iconic projects that will stand the test of time, and by combining old and new, we believe that 10 Hobart Place does just that. Through this refurbishment we were able to offer cutting-edge office accommodation as well as contribute to the wider urban renewal we have been witnessing in the city.

We really wanted to attract vibrant professionals and establish a creative community within the building which in turn will have a positive impact on the precinct. To promote this cohesion, we have introduced a ground floor café and an 80’s themed basement bar called ‘88mph’ which has been well received by tenants.

- Ashley Murdoch, ICON Developments
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/dmc_7105.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/dmc_7105.jpg?itok=hjoKxd0e" title="10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>10 Hobart Place's premium end-of-trip facilities. Image: ICON</figcaption></figure>Canberra's Civc precinct has become a highly sought after office market by both the private and public sector, having undergone a transformation in recent years into a mixed-use precinct, adding a diverse mix of residential and ground floor retail amenities within an established office location. 
Within the 10-storey building, two floors have concurrently been refurbished however further tenancy options from 180 square metres are available for lease.

The building is located in close proximity of the ACT Magistrates and Supreme Courts, The Australian National University (ANU) Action Campus, and Canberra Shopping Centre.
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Laurence Dragomir

ICON breathes new life into a 1960's Canberra office building

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The Canberra retail market, like markets across the country, have experienced difficult trading conditions over recent years, although some improvement has been noted of late.
Retail sale statistics issued in February by the ABS indicate growth has remained unchanged in seasonally adjusted terms in the ACT.
The trend is stable for retailers. Against this backdrop of retail activity is the geography of Canberra’s commercial property.
Retail areas in the ACT are structured to reflect the principles of a hierarchical system of centres, which comprises: The City Centre (also known as Canberra City or Civic), Town Centres (Woden, Belconnen, Tuggeranong, and Gungahlin), Group Centres include (Calwell, Charnwood, Chisholm, Conder, Curtin, Dickson, Erindale, Hawker, Jamison, Kaleen, Kambah, Kingston, Kippax, Manuka, Mawson, Wanniassa, Weston), and Local Centres.
Consequently, the ACT is well catered for the provision of goods and services. 
Although population continues to increase, supply levels of retail premises remain high and demand generally soft especially for those smaller local shopping centres that have struggled with declining patronage given the attraction of Group Centres and the Town Centres providing competition from larger supermarkets with a greater range of products.
Rents vary depending on the location, size and strength of the centre, plus the use and attributes of the premises.
The outlook for the Canberra retail market is for slow-medium take-up levels to continue over the next 12 months, with a need for incentives to continue.
A Canberra CBD two storey commercial building of approximately 365 square metre has been sold for $1.025 million (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-act-city-501962422" target="_blank">Located at 19-21 East Row</a>, it is within close proximity to the End of Trip for the proposed Light Rail on corner of Northbourne Avenue &amp; Alinga Street.
As a part of the Iconic Sydney Building, the ground floor has leased to Alice Thai Restaurant, while first Floor is presently vacant.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/11/east%20row.jpg" alt="">
A Phillip property currently set up as a restaurant in the Sky Plaza has been listed for sale with $875,000 hopes (pictured below).
It is presented by David Toner from BMR Commercial. 
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-act-phillip-502744322" target="_blank">Located at unit 167, 98 Corinna St</a>, the 121 square metre property features car parking and an exclusive designated alfresco area.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/11/corinna%20st.jpg" alt="">
 A Weston 136sqm unit has been listed currently on the rental market is priced at $66,733 (pictured below).
<a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-act-weston-502431134" target="_blank">The 8/21 Brierly St unit</a> is approximately 136 square metres and directly adjacent to the entrance of Cooleman Court.
The unit has recently been refurbished to create a more modern retail premise.It includes a large open shopfront, shopfront windows, access to toilets, and a back office/stock room. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/11/weston%20.jpg" alt="">
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