Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Construction

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New South Wales – for the first time in a decade – has replaced Victoria as Australia’s biggest home building state in the current financial year, according to the Housing Industry Association.
The HIA forecasts around 50,000 dwellings have commenced ­construction in NSW, compared to around 47,000 in Victoria.
<img src="/images/2014/05/28/hia-may-28-one.gif" alt="">
Source: Housing Industry Association.
The last time NSW built more homes than Victoria was in 2003/04. Western Australia is also driving the new home building recovery, also at decade highs of around 27,000 starts. 
The HIA expects NSW to remain the nation’s biggest home builder for the rest of the decade, with Victoria to have annual declines to around 42,000 starts in 2016. Victoria's peak was 60,000 new starts in 2010.
The HIA forecasts the pace of the residential construction recovery to accelerate with a 10% rise in housing starts this financial year reaching 180,000 commencements led by NSW, Western Australia and Queensland.
<img src="/images/2014/05/28/hia-may-28-two.gif" alt="">
Source: Housing Industry Association.
But HIA chief economist Harley Dale while activity at current elevated ­levels will remain, further fast growth faces capacity ­constraints. Starts are expected to dip to 175,000 next year.
Dr Dale said the post GFC period has been a challenging one for new home building. 
"Stimulus measures employed to combat the GFC provided an initial recovery in new dwelling commencements from a historically low level of only 132,000.
"However, the recovery only lasted four quarters during which commencements increased by 25% during the 2010 calendar year. 
"As the effects of the stimulus began to wane, a second wave of new home building weakness took hold.
"This saw a decline in commencements in both 2011 and 2012.
"As it turned out, the magnitude of the subsequent rebound (which began in mid-2012) gathered considerable pace, especially in the second half of 2013.
"Record low interest rates have unlocked pent-up demand at a faster pace than first looked likely," he said.
The latest ABS data, released in mid-April, provided a preliminary estimate of 168,300 new dwelling commencements in calendar year 2013, which represents an increase of 11% on the previous year.
"HIA’s forecast had been for a rise of 8% to 164,400.
"Early last year, a range of forecasts for 2013 commencements across the forecasting community was centred on a level of 150,000 and the highest forecast was for 160,000," Dr Dale said. 
He added the high level of building observed nationally in 2013 could not have been achieved without such a strong contribution from Victoria, driven by healthy numbers of multi-unit dwellings.
"We maintain our view that the elevated level of new home building in Victoria, driven by the multi-unit segment, is likely to transform into a potential point of weakness over the near term, although to a lesser extent than our previous forecast implied.
"Upward momentum gathered through 2013 in both Queensland and South Australia and this was also a helpful development.
"While momentum is expected to continue carrying activity levels higher in Queensland, the softer labour market conditions in South Australia are likely to provide a head wind." 
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Victoria loses residential building crown to NSW: HIA

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Queensland’s building and construction industry, including residential, is a state focus and will be outlined in a new blueprint, according to Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander.
The blueprint, ConstructionQ, aims to grow construction as one of the pillars propping up Queensland’s economy.
In order to help push residential construction, they note that they have already scrapped mandatory requirements for rainwater tanks and greenhouse efficient hot water systems in new homes.
They are looking into speeding up approvals even more, and Mander points to the total number of trend dwelling approvals at 64.3% more than January 2012.
“ConstructionQ is about building on those gains and putting in place a vision which will unleash the industry’s full potential and generate benefits for decades to come,” he said, asking industry members to come forward with suggestions.
“Although we’re hosting ConstructionQ, the Government will work with the sector to help deliver the initiative as we want stakeholders in the construction industry to take the lead.”
Master Builders deputy executive director Paul Bidwell said that it’s time to look at the long-term growth of the industry.
“This is a great opportunity to work with the Queensland Government in charting a course for growth and to shape the policy on issues that have a major impact on builders and trade contractors across Queensland,” said Bidwell.
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Boosting Queensland residential construction a state focus

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An apartment development project in South Australia’s Woodville West has the state government partnering with the private sector as they explore how to lower construction costs.
The project is a 1,500 square metre block, allocated by Renewal SA, for a four or five storey apartment building comprising of 16 to 20 dwellings at Woodville West's The Square with aims to bring the price for the home buyer down to $200,000s to low-$300,000s per apartment on completion.
This is under a project called the Apartment Construction Cost Demonstration, part of looking at increasing affordability. The results of the project will be a commercially-replicable development model that can be sold at fair price points in inner and middle ring metropolitan locations. They look to achieve the construction at a target cost per square metre that will reduce overall costs. This cost should be $1,800 to $2,000 per square metre. They will then share these learnings with the industry, including techniques and practices around building layout, construction methodology and material choice.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development John Rau said the main focus is to reduce the costs for a home buyer.
“Finding a solution to the current high construction cost of apartments will help bring down the purchase costs, meaning more South Australians will be able to afford houses in areas of their choice,” said Rau.
“Creating more quality, affordable housing along Adelaide’s key transport corridors – particularly medium-density dwellings such as apartments - is an important goal for South Australia’s property sector,” he said.
A first of its kind in the state, it has been sourcing advice through an Industry Reference Group – made up of real estate industry experts including builders and architects.
“The key to the success of this project will be innovation and collaboration between the builder, design team, Renewal SA and industry, who will need to explore elements including building and site layout, construction methodology and choice of material," he explained.
Members from the industry involved also include the Housing Industry Association, the Urban Development Industry Association, the Property Council, Master Builders Association, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Planning Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors.
“Innovations that achieve lower apartment construction costs will be shared with the building industry so that the greatest number of people can benefit,” he said.
The UDIA (SA), who are on the panel, have welcomed the project. Executive director Terry Walsh said that the project has the potential to make a significant difference to the cost of property.
“The UDIA, which is represented on the project’s Industry Reference Group, is keen to explore not only improvements in building techniques, processes and materials but also ways of streamlining approval and regulatory processes. We hope that lessons learned from this project will help reduce time and costs associated with not only apartment construction but all forms of housing construction," said Walsh.
Currently, an expression of interest process is open to find a builder partner that will be part of the panel selecting the design team.
Construction for the apartment project is anticipated for the first half of 2015.
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South Australian government researching how to lower apartment construction costs

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The federal government intends axing the Tools for Your Trade grants program for a loans scheme because apprentices misused the scheme instead spending the money on tattoos, fancy wheels on their cars, and partying.
The Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says tax-exempt cash grants of up to $5,500 were paid to apprentices doing training in areas of established skills shortage but without receipt for tools.
"I think the whole skills and training area was just hanging out to be rebuilt or streamlined, and so we’ve stepped in and done that,” he told the Australian Financial Review Weekend.
 “We’ve got evidence that they were spending the money on tattoos and mag wheels for their cars, and birthday parties,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“Because the money was basically being thrown at them they just spent it on whatever they wanted to.
“You certainly didn’t have to provide a receipt for tools. I think the whole skills and training area was just hanging out to be rebuilt or streamlined, and so we’ve stepped in and done that.”
The Coalition will replace Tools for Your Trade with the Trade Support Loans program, which will provide interest-free loans of up to $20,000, similar to HECS for tertiary students, to support them through their training.
It will offer apprentices loans of up to $20,000 at concessional interest rates over a four-year apprenticeship. Apprentices will need to begin repaying their loan when their income exceeds a minimum annual threshold ($53,345 in 2014-15).
The loans will be available to apprentices doing a certificate III or IV qualification that leads to an occupation on the national skills needs list.
The budget papers say that apprentices who successfully complete their training will receive a 20% discount on the amount to be repaid.
The money will be capped at $8,000 in the first year of the apprenticeship, $6,000 in the second, $4,000 in the third and $2,000 in the fourth.
The loan program will cost $439 million over five years.
The budget is set to save almost $1 billion over the next four years by scrapping the Tools for Your Trade program from 1 July this year.
This program was originally introduced by the Howard government.
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Tools for Your Trade federal grants spent by apprentices on tattoos, mag wheels and parties

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ residential building approvals are suggestive of a healthy 2014, according to the Housing Industry Association’s chief economist Harley Dale.
Noting that the March 2014 approvals have seen healthy growth, Dale noted that the approvals cycle itself may well have peaked.
“New home building has a large reach into the wider domestic economy and the sector is very much Australia's economic barometer in 2014,” he said.
“If you're searching for highlights to the Australian economy, new housing is the best shot you can take,” he continued.
“Leading indicators such as building approvals are clearly a positive for the economic outlook. How many of these approvals are converted into dwelling commencements and over what timeframe will exert a considerable influence over wider domestic economic activity.”
Over March, the total seasonally adjusted building approvals actually fell 3.5% to 15,598, the second consecutive monthly decline, while detached house approvals remained flat, down 0.5%. Over the March quarter, detached housing approvals grew 7.7%.
The approvals for ‘other dwellings’ fell by 7.5% over the month, down 7.2% over the quarter.
“The momentum in approvals has slowly shifted from multi-units to detached houses and that is evident in the March quarter results,” he said.
This comes after multi-unit dwelling approvals hit a record high in last year’s December quarter.
Seasonally adjusted, approval increases were seen in New South Wales (8%) and Tasmania (33.1%). Approvals were flat in South Australia. They fell in Victoria (12.5%), Queensland (3.3%) and Western Australia (9.1%). The Northern Territory saw a 25% decline in trend terms, with the ACT increasing 0.7%.
New South Wales Minister for Planning, Pru Goward, was jubilant over the state’s result.
“Over the 12 months to March 2014 nearly 51,000 new homes were approved in NSW, the highest in almost eleven years,” said Goward.
“Today’s figures also show more than 4,700 new homes were approved in March this year, compared to just less than 3,100 last March,” she said.
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Healthy building approvals, but cycle may have peaked: HIA

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A recent announcement from planning minister John Day has noted that new building standards are going to be put on homes being built in bushfire areas, under new construction standards.
The Building Code of Australia and the Australian Standards AS3959 will identify mandatory provisions for properties being built in bushfire-prone areas under new planning schemes across Western Australia.
The new guidelines are open for public comment, however the plan is for the standards to apply from May 2015, and will apply to all properties in areas mapped by the government as bushfire-prone or within 100 metres of one hectare or more of bushland.
“If land intended for development is located on a bushfire map or close to a large area of bushland a bushfire hazard assessment will be required,” Day announced.
“The assessment will identify the bushfire risk level and the Australian Standards to be applied when the new home is constructed.  These standards are used in many jurisdictions across Australia and include requirements such as the placement of ember screens over evaporative air-conditioner units, window screens and appropriate construction methods."
The measures look to reduce the severity of the effect of a fire on a home.
Part of this will be the introduction of uniform state-wide maps, explained Emergency Services Minister Joe Francies, led by the Fire and Emergency Services commissioner, based on the Keelty Report into the Perth Hills bushfires.
These will be available to the public.
The WA Planning Commission, at the same time, released the State Planning Policy and Planning Guidelines on Bushfire Risk Management. These are all available for public comment, and look to provide both government and developers guidance when planning developments in these areas.
This may cause an extra hoop for developers to jump through, with the current draft suggesting that some developers will be required to supply a Bushfire Management Plan prepared by a fire consultant, jointly endorsed by a local government and authority responsible for emergency services.
It also notes that: "Any planning proposal or development application that will result in the introduction, or intensification, of development in an area that has an extreme bushfire hazard level and/or requires construction standards of BAL-40 or BAL-FZ shall only be supported if it is unavoidable development."
New developments will be required to provide the highest achievable protection, and where earlier strategic planning has not been seen to address bushfire risk, "assessing greenfield or infill development will require the exercising of statutory planning discretions."
It notes that this may include situations where new risks are identified, requiring planning measures to be taken where they have previously been unexpected.
Subdivisions may also be implicated.
The public consultation period on the State Planning Policy closes on 4 July, while the guidelines' commenting period closes on 1 August.
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New construction requirements coming for houses in WA bushfire areas

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Dwelling approvals fell by 3.5% in March, according to the ABS but approvals are still up 20% over the year.
CommBank economist Savanth Sebastian noted the current number of annual dwelling approvals (15,958) is well above the decade average (13,489).
House approvals are up 19.1% over the past year while apartment approvals are up 21.3%.
The latest ABS data showed mixed results across the states, with the total number of building approvals jumping 32% in Tasmania, followed by 8% in New South Wales.
But approvals fell across the remaining states, dropping 12.5% in Victoria.
Building approvals remain well below the 2003 peak. Michael Workman, senior economist at CBA, noted there is a difference in this cycle as multi‑units have about a 45% share of the total, well up on the 30% of a decade ago.
Workman also says the lag between approvals and construction is longer than previously experienced. 
"We expect to see sharp rises in the construction activity data in coming quarters.
"It should also flow into higher spending at big box retailers as the new dwellings are kitted out," he said. 
The ANZ estimated the elevated level of dwelling approvals was likely to add around 0.35-0.40ppts to economic growth in 2014-15.
But they added that despite expectations that non-residential and residential building will go some way to offsetting weaker mining investment in the coming years, the data highlighted the volatile nature of the current cyclical recovery in building activity, particularly for the high-density housing and commercial building sectors.
Consequently there are concerns that the downward trend in approvals for high density living – down four of the last five months - may signal approvals have hit an earlier than expected peak. 
HIA-RP Data’s Residential Land Report has meanwhile warned Australia’s residential land market activity continued to tighten at the end of last year.
The data providers Residential Land Report has shown residential land sales fell 1.8% to 15,447 lots in the December quarter, representing the second straight quarter of declining activity. 
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Fears of early peak in dwelling approvals 

<html><body>
Confidence in the outlook for the construction industry has hit its highest level since March 2008, although it will take time for improving conditions to translate into new jobs in the sector, a national survey has revealed.
Confidence improved in the March quarter across all measures of business activity and expected profitability, the Master Builders National Survey of Building and Construction, released last week, found.
Builders surveyed reported improvements in sales contracts, display centre enquiries and work on books compared with the previous quarter.
The index for builders’ own business activity rose in March for the third consecutive quarter, reaching 62.8, well above the neutral 50 point mark. This indicated builders expected business activity to pick up over the next six months, Peter Jones Master Builders chief economist said.
“This is particularly reflective of the residential building sector’s response to low [interest] rates and is an encouraging trend,” Jones said.
The Master Builders Association expects improvements in the outlook for work to increase margins and profitability, allowing builders to consider hiring employees and sub-contractors.
However, the index for hiring intentions in the sector rose to only a neutral level of 50.2, indicating most employers surveyed would keep headcounts level in the next six months. Demand for apprentices increased slightly, with 22.2% saying they planned to hire new apprentices.
The survey showed the availability of labour in the sector has increased, with builders having little difficulty in finding staff across all categories of worker. There were particularly high levels of availability of electricians, painters and building consultants.
The Master Builders Association noted that as the business cycle turned and conditions improved, it was likely that builders would once again experience some difficulty in finding certain types of sub-contractors and employees.
A separate study by the Department of Employment, also released last week, showed the number of job advertisements for construction trade workers increased by 2% in March compared with the previous month.
Over the year to March 2014, job ads for construction workers were up by 33.7%, according to the Internet Vacancy Index, which counts online job ads newly lodged on SEEK, MyCareer, CareerOne and Australian JobSearch during the month, although the increase came from a low base.
National availability of labour (index)
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Role
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Sep-13
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Dec-13
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Mar-14
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Site Manager
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
23.7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
34.8
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
29.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Project Manager
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
33.7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
33.9
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
26.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Foreman/Supervisor
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
32.7
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
34.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
23.9
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Concretors
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
16.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
22.9
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
19.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Bricklayers
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
18.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
31.6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
18.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Steel Fixers
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
17.4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
26.8
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Office Staff
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
16.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
18.4
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Tilers – Wall and Floor
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
26.6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
14.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Plaster Fixers
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
14.8
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
17.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
13.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Carpenters
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
20.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
22.2
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
13.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Scaffolders
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
11.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.9
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
11.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Labourers
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
12.5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
21.0
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
10.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Tilers – Roof
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
12.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
14.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
9.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Building Consultants
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
14.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
16.5
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
9.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Painters
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
9.6
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
17.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
8.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="154">
Electricians
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.1
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
15.3
</td>
<td valign="top" width="154">
7.1
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Note: Respondents are asked about the degree of difficulty in finding a range of subcontractors/employees. The higher the index, the more builders are experiencing large difficulty in finding employees or sub-contractors. A low index reading indicates slight or no difficulty in finding subcontractors/employees.
Source: Master Builders Association 'National Survey of Building and Construction' (March 2014).
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Confidence in construction industry at highest point since GFC

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Insolvency firm Ferrier Hodgson has raised concerns that the improvement in residential construction may not be “long enough and strong enough” to allow downstream construction businesses to recover from financial damage suffered over the past two years.
The total number of new dwellings commenced rose 8.2% in the December quarter in seasonally adjusted terms, following a fall of 0.6% in the September quarter, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures out last week showed.
The number of new houses started in the December quarter of 2013 was up 4.2% in seasonally adjusted terms compared with the previous year, while units were up 20.6%.
However, the seasonally adjusted number of new dwelling starts was still below the previous peak in 2009, which preceded a slump in construction activity that lasted until early 2012.
Ferrier Hodgson noted that while initial signs were promising, the recovery had been patchy and construction businesses would need to monitor where growth was occurring and consider chasing work outside of their local area.
“A national construction-led recovery doesn’t necessarily mean the construction work will be spread evenly around the country and will almost certainly not be driven out of the hotspots of the last boom,” Ferrier Hodgson said in a report.
The Housing Industry Association noted that while NSW and Western Australia had driven much of the recovery in construction to date, there had been only a modest number of dwelling commencements in each of those states during the December quarter.
Victoria contributed most to growth in dwelling starts in the December quarter with commencement numbers up 11.3%. Activity in Queensland also grew strongly, with dwelling starts up 15.8%.
Ferrier Hodgson said downstream businesses such as landscapers, cabinet makers and manufacturers of household products could expect a lag of up to 24 months before they saw the benefits of increased residential construction.
Numerous construction-related businesses went under during the downturn in construction, and smaller businesses would continue to struggle to meet ongoing fixed costs through a prolonged downturn and long recovery, the liquidation firm said. 
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Construction recovery may not be “long enough and strong enough” for related businesses

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics' finance statistics have seen strong results for 2014's first two months, particularly in comparison to the past five years. However, it may not mean that prices will continue to surge upwards. Loan Market director, Mark De Martino, said that 13% more home loans were approved in the first two months of this year, than 2013, and that the results saw the highest total for January and February since 2009.
<blockquote>
De Martino expected March and April may be in the running to set new records.
</blockquote>
“The data released today by the ABS confirms that 2014 is off to a great start - home owners and buyers are returning to the market and they’re building momentum,” he said. He also said that he expected March and April may be in the running to set new records. “In the shortest month of the year there were only 227 fewer home loan approvals than the best month in 2013. Considering this, we should expect to see demand for finance growing and reaching new highs throughout 2014,” he said.   Meanwhile, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) were pointing to new home lending as showing encouraging signs. HIA economist, Diwa Hopkins, said that owner occupier loans for the construction of new dwellings increased in Feburary by 0.8%, with the three months to February seeing a 7.2% uptick. “This strong growth in housing finance is consistent with other leading indicators of the residential construction sector, including dwelling approvals and new home sales,” added Hopkins. She also pointed to a strong uptick in the value of lending to investors for the purpose of constructing new dwellings for rent or resale. "In the three months to February 2014, the value of this form of finance increased by 13.2%,” she said. Commbank's Craig James also pointed to the value of loans to fund the construction of homes, which soared by 22.3% to a record $2.75 billion in February, however he also noted that consumer confidence is a mixed bag - rising in Western Australia and New South Wales, but falling in all other states. "Anyone concerned about rising home prices need only look at the latest lending data for home construction. In February, loans to the tune of $2.75 billion were committed to fund home construction with the main driver being investors. In short, the supply of homes is set to rise to meet strong housing demand and as a consequence the growth of home prices will soften," said James.
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