Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" 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%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

COVID-19

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Melbourne real estate will fully open with safety measures from November 23, the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews advised today.
However from October 26, if the daily average of new cases is fewer than five and there are fewer than five cases with an unknown source in the prior fortnight, agents would be allowed to hold private inspections and to hold outdoor auctions subject to gathering limits.
In the meantime the spring Melbourne real estate market will remain only as online inspections for several more weeks.
Thousands of Melbourne home vendors were hopefully awaiting today's decision to commence their marketing.
The government has confirmed only services related to property settlement and the commencement of or ending of a lease, including removalists, are to be allowed until October 26.
The re-opening was advised by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in his five-step road map out of stage four lockdowns from September 14.
If all goes to plan, a fourth step would begin on November 23, provided there were no new cases for 14 days.
All retail would then also be open and the real estate industry would open with additional safety measures.
Restrictions were introduced in late March which included a ban on on-site auctions, with two loosening of rules from May allowing auctions to go ahead with just 10 bidders, which was later raised to 20.
Auctions were banned again when stage four was enacted in August, along with no permissible open for inspections.
Regional Victoria will see its second step begin on September 13 allowing private inspections to resume. But onsite auctions with attendance limits won’t be allowed until the third step.
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<h2>Breakdown of roadmap for metropolitan Melbourne</h2>
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<div class="block-content">
<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">First Step from 11.59pm, 13 September 2020 in metro Melbourne</div>
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<ul>
<li>Curfew eased to 9pm to 5am</li>
<li>Exercise increased to two hours per day</li>
<li>Single "social bubbles"</li>
<li>Public outdoor gatherings of two people or a household for up to two hours</li>
<li>Playgrounds reopen</li>
</ul>
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<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">Second Step from 28 September 2020 subject to public health advice and if average daily cases are 30-50 in metro Melbourne over previous 14 days.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Public gatherings increase to up to five people from two households</li>
<li>Schools: staged return for Prep to Year 2, VCE/VCAL and specialist schools in Term 4</li>
<li>Childcare reopens</li>
<li>More workplaces open</li>
<li>Outdoor pools reopen, personal training for up to two people per trainer</li>
<li>Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 5 people plus 1 faith leader</li>
</ul>
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<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">Third Step from 26 October 2020 subject to public health advice and if daily average is less than five new cases (state-wide) and less than five cases from unknown sources over the previous 14 days (state-wide total).</div>
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<ul>
<li>Curfew dropped</li>
<li>Leave home – no restrictions on reasons or distance travelled</li>
<li>Public gatherings increased to 10 people outdoors</li>
<li>Visitors at home – up to five visitors from another nominated household</li>
<li>Schools – potential staged return for Year 3 to 10 based on epidemiology</li>
<li>Retail and hairdressing reopen</li>
<li>Hospitality - predominantly outdoor seated service, group limit of 10 and density limits</li>
<li>Sport – staged return of outdoor non-contact sport for adults. Outdoor under 18 years contact and non-contact sport resumes</li>
</ul>
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<div class="block-content">
<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">Last Step from 23 November 2020 subject to public health advice and if no new cases for previous 14 days</div>
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<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">
<ul>
<li>Public gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors</li>
<li>Visitors at home – up to 20 visitors at a time</li>
<li>Retail - all open</li>
<li>Hospitality – indoor group limit of 20 people for seated service, cap of 50 patrons</li>
<li>Real estate – open with safety measures</li>
<li>Sport – open subject to safety measures, contact sport resumes for all ages</li>
<li>Weddings, funerals – maximum of 50 people</li>
<li>Religion – public worship resumes subject to density quotas</li>
</ul>
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</div>
<div class="block-content">
<div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa">COVID Normal – starts when no new cases occur for 28 days plus no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories.</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne real estate will fully open with COVID-19 safety measures from November 23

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The outlook for the property market is expected to be quieter this Spring compared to previous seasons, but buyers are still there, according to home loan lender, ME.
I shared my spring property predictions:
The property market notoriously blooms in spring with a flurry of listings and buyers preparing to pounce.
But this season will be different: the property market will quieter due to the impact of COVID-19, particularly in Melbourne.
Despite some more listings this Spring and record low interest rates, economic concerns will dampen demand.
Plenty of challenges remain including high levels of unemployment, job insecurity and lower immigration, impacting people’s willingness to transact in property.
Many Australians are also on home loan repayment pauses. The gradual end of this type of support will be a critical juncture for the property market going forward.
Demand: first home buyers pounce, dreams of a sea or tree change to become reality
In terms of demand, buyer activity is expected to be overall lower than previous spring buying seasons, but buyers are still there and have a strong appetite for potentially bargain buys.
ME has seen an influx of first home buyers and expects this to continue. Potential for price falls, reduced investor activity together with historically low interest rates and government support are propelling first home buyers into action.
COVID-19 has also led to a re-assessment of life priorities. New remote and flexible working arrangements have made buying in regional areas a more feasible and affordable lifestyle option, and as such we may start seeing more buyers making their move this Spring.
According to ME’s latest Quarterly Property Sentiment Report, 45% of respondents said they were more likely to consider buying in a regional area, to save money and improve their lifestyle − rising to 60% of first home buyers.
Supply: A rush of fresh real estate listings on the horizon
The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns has caused a short supply of stock. However, this Spring we may see an increase in listings come onto the market. I don’t foresee new stock overwhelming current demand, but certainly anyone listing will be met with a high degree of inquiry.
More competitive home loans
Competition in the home loan market will continue to benefit consumers looking for a good deal. Many lenders including ME have sharpened both <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/news/perfectly-simple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">variable</a> and <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/news/customers-want-low-fixed-rates-for-shorter-periods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">fixed home rates</a> to attract and retain customers.
Andrew Bartolo is the ME General Manager of Home Loans
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Spring selling season will be dampened under COVID-19: ME's Andrew Bartolo

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Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall have today called for the removal of restrictions on agricultural workers crossing the NSW/Victoria border.
The call comes ahead of a meeting of National Cabinet on Friday, where an Agricultural Workers Code will be presented and considered. 
Mr Barilaro said agriculture was an essential industry and that it was imperative restrictions were lifted to ensure farmers had an adequate workforce for the fast-approaching harvest. 
“The situation is now at the 11th hour for many producers across the State. We cannot stand by and watch farmers, crops and businesses face ruin due to the border closure with Victoria,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Agriculture is an essential industry. Our farmers feed and clothe the nation and we must do everything to ensure they can continue to operate as smoothly as possible."
Mr Marshall said he would be taking forward a proposal to a meeting of Agriculture Ministers tomorrow,  which would see sensible safety requirements imposed in exchange for the removal of all other restrictions on the movement of agricultural workers across all borders.
“Our farmers are suffering because the current cumbersome permit system restricts the free movement of agricultural workers across the NSW/Victoria border, beyond 100 kilometres,” Mr Marshall said. 
“As part of that proposal, new requirements would be introduced to ensure the safety of primary producers and rural communities, including having a mandatory COVID Safe Plan in place, the use of PPE by workers as well as robust records keeping to allow contact tracing.
“Our farmers have had a gutful of these senseless border restrictions and so have I.”
The Minister for Agriculture is proposing an Agricultural Workers Code that would allow for the free movement of agriculture so long as COVID-19 safe strategies are in place including individual record keeping, COVID-safe plans, the use of PPE and regular voluntary testing.
 
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Ministerial call for the removal of restrictions on agricultural workers crossing the NSW/Victoria border

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The Australian property market has managed to hold its value, according to PRD Real Estate’s recent market research report.
Despite the ill-effects of the COVID-19 shutdown, PRD reveals on average, median house prices grew in capital city, metropolitan and regional markets in the 12 months to the first half of 2020.
Capital city markets grew by 1.0 per cent on average, led by Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart. Regional markets performed best; up by 3.4 per cent.
PRD Real Estate Chief Economist, Diaswati Mardiasmo believes the market has shown great resilience.
“Whilst COVID-19 hit us swiftly this year and threw Australian economy and property markets into turmoil, things settled down within the property market quicker than initially thought”, she commented.
Australia has created a market balance thanks to the unprecedented release of multiple fiscal and monetary policy assistance, the report reveals.
Consumer confidence has returned to pre-COVID-19 levels with confidence up by
23.9 per cent in June 2020 after a plummet in April.
“Uncertainty about the health situation and the future strength of the economy is making many households and businesses cautious. However, despite the curveballs the property market has been remarkably resilient, and demand has been stronger than many people anticipated”, Dr Mardiasmo said.
Notably, new home sales increased by 77.6 per cent at the end of this financial year, from a record low result in May.
The HomeBuilder scheme is balancing the downturn in residential construction due to COVID-19 with upgraders accounting for 42 per cent of loans in June.
“The key going forward will be increasing levels of employment, public and private investment and consumer confidence based on the ongoing impact of COVID-19.” Dr Mardiasmo said.
“There is no doubt we are seeing signs of gradual improvement”.
 
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The Australian property market sees gradual improvement: PRD 

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk placed tighter restrictions on auction gatherings in Gold Coast homes from 8am, on Saturday, 29 August. 
“Coming into effect from 8:00am Saturday, we are going to extend those limits of people inside your homes to 10 people, and those gatherings outside to 10,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I think everyone would agree, we acted very swiftly when it came to those earlier cases with the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre and we know people travel a lot from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, and it makes sense to extend that.”
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) issued guidelines:
“Owners, tenants and agents must continue to take reasonable steps to encourage visitors to any premises to practise physical distancing and hygiene practices as required and that open home inspections, rental inspections and auctions be limited as required by the new directive.
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Gold Coast gets tightened auction restrictions amid COVID-19 concerns

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A key takeaway from CoreLogic data amid the pandemic, is that transaction activity slows significantly in response to COVID-19 restrictions. The resulting loss of employment, lower consumer sentiment and border closures have had a much larger impact on the number of properties marketed and sold, than property prices themselves.  This was seen from the Stage 2 restrictions implemented from the 25th of March. New listings fell 50.3% from mid-March to early May. This exacerbated the seasonal dip in for sale listings throughout March and April. 
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/rolling_28_day_count_of_new_for_sale_listings_national_aug2020.jpg" width="1028" height="539">
However, as Melbourne reached the halfway mark of its Stage 4 restrictions in late August, national listings activity has completely diverged from the usual listings patterns in the lead up to spring.  In the 4 years prior to the pandemic, the number of new properties listed for sale nationally has, on average, increased 6.3% between late July and late August. This year however, the equivalent period has seen a 9.6% decline in new listings nationally.   Unsurprisingly, this can be attributed to a sharp fall in new listings across Melbourne. The decline in new listings across Melbourne’s property market was 54.9% in the month to August 23rd, accounting for over 100% of the national decline.  Conversely, most other capital cities saw an increase in new listings, as greater levels of consumer confidence, and lower levels of COVID-19 cases, saw vendors ramping up for the spring selling season. Across Sydney however, new listings had also started to slip marginally. The severe drop-off in listings is validated by a fall in the number of comparative market analysis reports generated across CoreLogic platforms by real estate agents in Victoria. The average number of reports generated per week in Victoria fell 24.6% from July over the month of August to date. 
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/rolling_28_day_count_of_new_for_sale_listings_melbourne.jpg" width="1034" height="526"><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/monthly_change_in_new_listings_count_to_23rd_august_2020.jpg" width="611" height="289">
<h4>Why do transactions slow in times of strict social distancing</h4>
The reasons for slowed transaction activity during COVID restrictions are two-fold. The first is the physical limitation of buying and selling property under social distancing rules. Property sales may be less scalable as fewer people can physically inspect, show and value property.   The second is the economic uncertainty generated by stage 4 lockdowns. As consumption falls and unemployment spikes, vendors feel less confident selling their property and getting their desired price. This is further supported by the close movement exhibited between sales volumes and the consumer sentiment index. Significant falls in monthly sales volumes have closely aligned with this indicator. 
<img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/consumer_sentiment_v_national_volume_of_dwelling_sales.jpg" width="817" height="385">
The drop in sales volumes in times of high economic uncertainty, such as around the GFC and the national Stage 2 restrictions in March and April, indicates sellers and buyers are less likely to participate in property transactions during negative economic shocks or periods of heightened uncertainty.  Additionally, a vital part of the tight lid on new listings has been mortgage repayment deferral offerings from banks. This has meant that people who cannot currently service their mortgage do not have to list as a distressed or motivated seller. This dynamic may change in the lead up to March, when banks may need to end repayment deferrals.  Property owners who have deferred their mortgages, but are not in a position to reinstate their repayments by the end of March, may decide to offload their property in the lead up to this expiry date. It’s reasonable to expect mortgage arrears will increase from currently low levels, which could gradually see a larger number of distressed listings come on the market.
The intention to sell and buy property is evidently linked to consumer confidence, which in turn has been influenced by case numbers of COVID-19, and the stringency of government response in impacting economic activity.  The initial restrictions through March and April saw a sharp drop in listings nationally, but these recovered quickly. A similar pattern was seen in sales volumes. The low cost of debt and strong recovery in consumer confidence created pent-up demand for property as Australia got ahead of the virus curve. This was perhaps one of the few ‘V-shaped’ recoveries observed amid the pandemic.  However, once restrictions are repealed in Melbourne this time around, the recovery in transaction activity is likely to be weaker.  That is because employment is taking another hit, consumer sentiment is dampened by the reality of a second outbreak of the virus, and a reduction in fiscal support is only a month away. Ultimately, the second round of restrictions across Victoria is likely to create a weaker ‘spring selling season’ than in previous years. 
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Spring real estate listings off to slow start: Core Logic's Eliza Owen 

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The second wave of COVID-19 has prompted ANZ to forecast Melbourne faces a 15 per cent fall in home prices by next year.
It is the largest peak-to-trough decline ANZ predicted for an Australian capital.
ANZ Bank has maintained its forecast for national house prices to fall by 10 per cent from peak to trough but now expects smaller falls in Hobart, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.
While all those cities are set to fall between 6 and 9 per cent, the bank revised its forecast to a 15 per cent drop in Melbourne house prices, a dip greater than its previous prediction of a 13 per cent fall.
It still predicts a 13 per cent fall in Sydney, bottoming out in the second half of 2021. 
Darwin is expected by ANZ to stay in the doldrums, being down nine per cent.
The bank expects Hobart to fall by eight per cent) and Brisbane by six per cent.
The bank estimates Melbourne house and unit prices have already fallen by 2.2 per cent between March and July
It labelled the decrease “slightly more modest than we expected”, given government support payments like JobKeeper, superannuation withdrawals and deferred mortgage repayments helped the market/.
ANZ senior economist Cherelle Murphy said a dramatic decline in demand for housing had hurt both the sales and rental sectors.
“You’re going to have a greater unemployment problem in Melbourne simply because of the lockdown, (so) demand is going to be diminished,” she said.
With the Stage 4 lockdown in early August, Victoria’s economy is likely to have contracted further since.
In the three months to the end of June, the ANZ Stateometer showed Victoria’s economy deteriorated sharply, mainly due to weakness in the labour market and consumer sectors.
The ANZ believes Victoria's economy will contract 5 per cent or by more than $22 billion this year after a flat 2019-20. 
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Melbourne faces 15 percent price falls by 2021: ANZ

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BIS Oxford Economics executive chairman Robert Mellor thinks the golden years of property investing may be over.
"I don't think another investor-led housing boom is around the corner and a key reason is investors will be sitting on the sidelines for a while given falling rents and, for now, falling prices," he said.
"For someone who has watched the residential market for 40 years, you know that when building activity drops off, so too does GDP. The relationship is very strong," he told the Australian Financial Review.
He is forecasting a drop in migration of about 60,000 this financial year and another 150,000 next financial year.
With about 2.7 people per household, the forecast drop equates to about 80,000 fewer houses needing to be built.
"These people who are no longer coming impact on the rental market, so it will significantly reduce demand and that will lift vacancy rates and increase risks around residential property," Mr Mellor said.
Mellor says ongoing state border closures will put substantial pressure on apartment demand in the months ahead.
"All our numbers show the apartment sector is moving into significant oversupply because of lower net migration and rising number of people per household," Mr Mellor said.
"Even if migration level stays at around 100,000 over the next couple of years, this is still just half of the normal demand."
Inner-city apartments in particular are likely to be hit, as rentals continue to flood the market even as landlords struggle to find tenants.
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Golden years of property investing may be over: Robert Mellor

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The supply of new capital city apartments is set to dry up over the next three years as completions plunge.
They are expected to plunge from their present levels in Sydney by 81 per cent and in Melbourne by 75 per cent.
New projects are tipped to be delayed or cancelled because of poor demand following the pandemic slowdown.
The forecasts were made in the <a href="https://charterkc.com.au/research/state-of-the-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">State of the Market for Residential Apartments report</a> by consultancy firm Charter Keck Cramer.
It also expects a sharp decline in the number of completed apartments in Brisbane, where supply is forecast to slump as much as 90 per cent by 2023.
Charter Keck Cramer director of residential research and strategy Angie Zigomanis said the expected drop in apartment completions could help stem the slide in apartment prices and rents.
"The apartment market could see a relief from lower supply and starts, which will place upward pressure on rents, yields and prices, and in turn should kick-start off-the-plan demand," Mr Zigomanis said.
"If a quick recovery in net overseas migration to pre-COVID levels occurs, the sharp reduction in new dwelling completions from FY2022 is likely to cause a significant dwelling deficiency to re-emerge.
<div id="endOfArticle" class="_3PsH9">
"However, if net overseas migration inflows and population growth continue to remain weak, then the Melbourne and Sydney apartment markets could be subdued for some time."
The report noted Victoria's recent share of the national total suggested that its net inflow of overseas migrants will fall dramatically from a peak of 91,000 in FY2017, to 11,000 in FY2021.
"On these numbers, the requirement for new dwellings in Melbourne is expected to more than halve from a peak of 57,500 new dwellings in FY2017 to an estimated 27,200 in FY2021."
The supply of new apartments has continued to flow this year through the pandemic, the report noted.
A total of 17,100 apartments were being completed in Melbourne – the third highest on record.
In Sydney, 22,500 apartments were being finished.
It is 5000 in Brisbane.
But the pipeline is diminishing quickly, with project launches and commencement falling sharply.
Only 5300 apartments started marketing in Sydney – an 84 per cent drop from the 2016 high and its lowest level since 2010.
The number of apartments starting construction has tumbled by more than half (57 per cent) to 9200 – the lowest commencements in nine years.
In Melbourne, 12,500 new apartments began construction – a slight increase from a year ago. Only 5600 apartments were being released for sale, which was the lowest number of launches recorded over the past decade.
The time it took to deliver new apartments from launch has blown out as slower sales volumes and more onerous requirements to secure finance has held up projects.
The lag in Sydney has pushed out to an average of 18 months compared to eight months in 2011 and 2016. In Melbourne, the delay widened to an average of 20 months from nine months in 2009.
Historically, larger projects take longer to proceed from launch to construction, however the time frame has converged, highlighting the difficulties in achieving pre-sales and obtaining finance across the board, Mr Zigomanis said.
The report noted the Sydney owner occupier market is holding up, supported by low interest rates, which have improved affordability for those with jobs.
"First home-buyer demand is being encouraged by stamp duty concessions.
"In turn, this is supporting demand for affordable apartments that are suitable for owner occupiers. Both upgraders and downsizes remain active where they are transacting within the same market."
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Price drop to be stemmed as apartment supply set to plunge given COVID-19 pause

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EXPERT OBSERVER
<div>WA resurgent</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Apartment construction slowed to the lowest level in half a decade in Q2 2020. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wP3hUYQF3EY/X0YcU3no3RI/AAAAAAAA30g/ytsTuEHVBakHQpCMl4Y5KEp4XqHm6IwQACNcBGAsYHQ/s1454/3%2B-%2BCopy.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wP3hUYQF3EY/X0YcU3no3RI/AAAAAAAA30g/ytsTuEHVBakHQpCMl4Y5KEp4XqHm6IwQACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/3%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="640" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="1454"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The slowdown was largely driven by Melbourne and its lockdown, while the other major states have seen things stabilise in this sector. </div>
 
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxLE6cVvp9c/X0YcU246TNI/AAAAAAAA30c/qOE9wmmN-pYr8zw9n-AtLfDNPenV9JfJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1406/Resi1%2B-%2BCopy.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxLE6cVvp9c/X0YcU246TNI/AAAAAAAA30c/qOE9wmmN-pYr8zw9n-AtLfDNPenV9JfJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Resi1%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="640" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1406"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Mining construction is now on the rise again in Western Australia, while major engineering projects in New South Wales also provided a timely boost.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yeVcbsaSbo/X0Ycbwkx8fI/AAAAAAAA30k/hhG2QqEZL1kqbpMXbx7iBWqjYBy8X7f4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1398/2.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_yeVcbsaSbo/X0Ycbwkx8fI/AAAAAAAA30k/hhG2QqEZL1kqbpMXbx7iBWqjYBy8X7f4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/2.jpg" width="640" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1398"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Thanks to engineering, the preliminary figures for construction hardly declined in Q2, down by just -0.7 per cent and holding up at more than $50 billion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The quarterly peak was $66 billion in 2017.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Brighter times ahead for Western Australia on the back of the strength in iron ore and gold. </div>
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers and a best-selling author and blogger 
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