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

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

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

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

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

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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

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

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

Data

<html><body>
The Top Sellers’ Markets from realestate.com.au has seen Parkside, South Australia take out top billing.
<a href="/news">Parkside</a> also received the top honour in August 2013, while it came in second in May this year.
However, New South Wales was also highly represented on the total list, with two Victorian suburbs scraping a mention, and another South Australian area in third place.
The data compares the number of people looking per listing, to come up with the top sellers’ markets.
The August 2014 top 10 list:
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Parkside</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cherrybrook</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Norwood</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Winston Hills</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">East Melbourne</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Engadine</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">South Penrith</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Bella Vista</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Drummoyne</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Surrey Hills</a>, VIC</li>
</ol>
May 2014 (previous quarter) saw the following take out the top spots:
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Albert Park</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Parkside</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Freshwater</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Belair</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Blackburn North</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kirrawee</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cherrybrook</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Norwood</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Balgowlah</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Holland Park</a>, QLD</li>
</ol>
August 2013 (one year prior)
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Parkside</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Freshwater</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Belair</a>, SA 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Newmarket</a>, QLD 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Surrey Hills</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ashwood</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Blackburn South</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Fitzroy North</a>, VIC 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Stanmore</a>, NSW 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Fullarton</a>, SA</li>
</ol>
Comparing the quarters, South Australia have moved up as Victoria has fallen a little out of favour. Queensland has completely dropped off the top 10.
Parkside has been in the top spot for six times over the past 10 quarters, while South Australia’s Malvern has also been first in two consecutive quarters.
General manager of sales and operations at realestate.com.au Arthur Charlaftis said increased buyer interest is the metric behind the result.
“Top Sellers’ Markets data is derived from the supply and demand in each suburb and ranks the suburbs based on the ratio of buyer demand. A suburb that features in this list suggests that it could be a good time for property owners in these areas to consider selling as there are a high number of buyers searching for property in that area,” said Charlaftis.
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

South Australia’s Parkside takes out top spot, but who else made the cut? Top 10 sellers’ markets

<html><body>
Melburnians are twice as likely as the rest of the country to have a holiday home, the latest data from Roy Morgan Research shows.
It found 1 in 20 Melbourne residents (5.0%) have a holiday home.
The rest of Australia the overall holiday home-ownership rate is just 1 in 40. 
Some 2.8% of people in Sydney or Brisbane have a holiday home, ahead of 2.7% in Adelaide and 2.4% in Perth.
Only around 1 in 50 non-capital city residents have a holiday home.
Nationally around 560,000 Australians report having a holiday home.
Angela Smith, group account director consumer products, Roy Morgan Research, says aside from Melbourne, residents of Canberra and Hobart are also more likely than average to have a holiday home.
% of Australians with a Holiday Home by Mainland State Capital City
<img src="https://www.roymorgan.com/~/media/Files/Morgan%20Poll/2014/October/5847%20Custom.png" alt="" width="700" height="456">
 
 
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source, July 2013–June 2014, sample = 16,809 Australians 14+
 
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Melburnians love their holiday homes

<html><body>
There are now 191 suburbs across New South Wales with a median house price of $1,000,000 or more.
Here's the list of suburbs, and their respective median prices (from RP Data), so you can see whether your suburb slipped onto the list.
ABBOTSFORD
$1,290,000
ALEXANDRIA
$1,007,000
ALLAMBIE HEIGHTS
$1,050,000
ANNANDALE
$1,152,000
ARTARMON
$1,562,000
ASHBURY
$1,008,000
AVALON
$1,231,000
BALGOWLAH
$1,377,000
BALGOWLAH HEIGHTS
$1,815,000
BALMAIN
$1,337,000
BALMAIN EAST
$2,075,000
BAR BEACH
$1,231,000
BAYVIEW
$1,240,000
BEACON HILL
$1,011,000
BEECROFT
$1,242,000
BELLA VISTA
$1,150,000
BELLEVUE HILL
$3,395,000
BELROSE
$1,060,000
BILGOLA
$1,075,000
BIRCHGROVE
$1,700,000
BLAKEHURST
$1,155,000
BONDI
$1,713,000
BONDI BEACH
$1,950,000
BONDI JUNCTION
$1,369,000
BOX HILL
$1,975,000
BREAKFAST POINT
$1,550,000
BRIGHTON-LE-SAND
$1,053,000
BRINGELLY
$1,050,000
BRONTE
$2,263,000
BURRANEER
$1,525,000
BURWOOD
$1,380,000
BURWOOD HEIGHTS
$1,106,000
See over page for suburbs beginning with C and D.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
CABARITA
$1,685,000
CAMMERAY
$1,500,000
CANADA BAY
$1,220,000
CARINGBAH SOUTH
$1,088,000
CARSS PARK
$1,240,000
CASTLECRAG
$1,730,000
CHATSWOOD
$1,550,000
CHATSWOOD WEST
$1,266,000
CHELTENHAM
$1,331,000
CHIFLEY
$1,110,000
CHISWICK
$1,680,000
CHURCH POINT
$1,345,000
CLONTARF
$2,250,000
CLOVELLY
$2,000,000
COLLAROY
$1,470,000
COLLAROY PLATEAU
$1,195,000
CONCORD
$1,300,000
CONCORD WEST
$1,230,000
CONNELLS POINT
$1,095,000
COOGEE
$1,725,000
CREMORNE
$1,550,000
CRONULLA
$1,245,000
CROWS NEST
$1,175,000
CROYDON
$1,208,000
CURL CURL
$1,710,000
DARLING POINT
$5,775,000
DARLINGHURST
$1,230,000
DAVIDSON
$1,089,000
DENISTONE
$1,100,000
DENISTONE WEST
$1,055,000
DOLANS BAY
$1,250,000
DOUBLE BAY
$2,500,000
DOVER HEIGHTS
$2,625,000
DRUMMOYNE
$1,339,000
DULWICH HILL
$1,028,000
Turn over page for suburbs beginning with E, F and G.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
EAST KILLARA
$1,740,000
EAST LINDFIELD
$1,738,000
EAST RYDE
$1,110,000
EASTGARDENS
$1,140,000
EASTLAKES
$1,075,000
EASTWOOD
$1,280,000
EDGECLIFF
$1,583,000
ELANORA HEIGHTS
$1,052,000
EPPING
$1,220,000
FAIRLIGHT
$1,320,000
FIVE DOCK
$1,067,000
FOREST LODGE
$1,128,000
FORESTVILLE
$1,060,000
FRENCHS FOREST
$1,020,000
FRESHWATER
$1,450,000
GLADESVILLE
$1,315,000
GLEBE
$1,135,000
GLENHAVEN
$1,023,000
GORDON
$1,575,000
GREENWICH
$1,800,000
Turn over page for suburbs beginning with H to L.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
HABERFIELD
$1,488,000
HOMEBUSH
$1,070,000
HUNTERS HILL
$1,800,000
HURLSTONE PARK
$1,005,000
HURSTVILLE
$1,100,000
HURSTVILLE GROVE
$1,055,000
KANGAROO POINT
$2,455,000
KENSINGTON
$1,700,000
KENTHURST
$1,333,000
KILLARA
$1,851,000
KILLARNEY HEIGHTS
$1,245,000
KINGSFORD
$1,360,000
KIRRIBILLI
$2,100,000
KOGARAH BAY
$1,213,000
KURRABA POINT
$3,113,000
KYEEMAGH
$1,045,000
LANE COVE
$1,323,000
LANE COVE NORTH
$1,250,000
LANE COVE WEST
$1,420,000
LEWISHAM
$1,023,000
LILLI PILLI SHIRE
$1,388,000
LILYFIELD
$1,131,000
LINDFIELD
$1,725,000
LITTLE BAY
$1,200,000
LONGUEVILLE
$2,638,000
Turn over page for suburbs beginning with M to O.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
MALABAR
$1,335,000
MANLY
$1,908,000
MANLY VALE
$1,115,000
MAROUBRA
$1,348,000
MCMAHONS POINT
$1,733,000
MELROSE PARK
$1,078,000
MIDDLE COVE
$1,200,000
MONA VALE
$1,160,000
MORTLAKE
$1,117,000
MOSMAN
$2,400,000
NAREMBURN
$1,400,000
NARRABEEN
$1,298,000
NEUTRAL BAY
$1,400,000
NEWPORT
$1,132,000
NORTH BALGOWLAH
$1,390,000
NORTH BONDI
$1,850,000
NORTH CURL CURL
$1,505,000
NORTH EPPING
$1,159,000
NORTH MANLY
$1,220,000
NORTH RYDE
$1,000,000
NORTH SYDNEY
$1,530,000
NORTH TURRAMURRA
$1,100,000
NORTH WAHROONGA
$1,200,000
NORTH WILLOUGHBY
$1,628,000
NORTHBRIDGE
$2,185,000
NORTHWOOD
$2,720,000
OATLEY
$1,050,000
Turn over page for suburbs beginning with P to S.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
PADDINGTON
$1,580,000
PAGEWOOD
$1,231,000
PALM BEACH
$2,518,000
PETERSHAM
$1,000,000
PORT HACKING
$1,450,000
PUTNEY
$1,320,000
PYMBLE
$1,580,000
PYRMONT
$1,180,000
QUEENS PARK
$1,790,000
RANDWICK
$1,590,000
REDFERN
$1,020,000
RHODES
$1,155,000
RIVERVIEW
$1,649,000
RODD POINT
$1,563,000
ROSE BAY
$2,152,000
ROSEVILLE CHASE
$1,723,000
ROZELLE
$1,090,000
RUSSELL LEA
$1,320,000
RYDE
$1,047,000
SANDRINGHAM
$1,411,000
SEAFORTH
$1,525,000
SOUTH COOGEE
$1,700,000
SOUTH TURRAMURRA
$1,033,000
ST IVES
$1,256,000
ST IVES CHASE
$1,261,000
STANMORE
$1,160,000
STRATHFIELD
$1,667,000
SUMMER HILL
$1,072,000
SURRY HILLS
$1,300,000
SYLVANIA WATERS
$1,200,000
Turn over page for suburbs beginning with T to Z.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
TAMARAMA
$2,300,000
TAPEN POINT
$1,180,000
TENNYSON POINT
$2,128,000
TERREY HILLS
$1,011,000
ULTIMO
$1,250,000
VAUCLUSE
$3,380,000
WAHROONGA
$1,200,000
WAITARA
$1,143,000
WAREEMBA
$1,081,000
WARRIEWOOD
$1,005,000
WATSONS BAY
$2,083,000
WAVERLEY
$1,629,000
WAVERTON
$1,562,000
WEST PENNANT HILLS
$1,070,000
WEST PYMBLE
$1,100,000
WILLOUGHBY
$1,425,000
WILLOUGHBY EAST
$1,730,000
WOLLSTONECRAFT
$1,256,000
WOOLLAHRA
$1,955,000
WOOLLOOMOOLOO
$1,040,000
YOWIE BAY
$1,955,000
ZETLAND
$1,095,000
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Did your suburb make the New South Wales $1 million plus list?

jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Information overload: Your guide to defeating data paralysis

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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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Home loan 'new construction' strength may point to future price drops

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Housing finance data for February 2014 was released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The data showed that over the month there were 52,460 owner occupier housing finance commitments.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3092" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Chart-1.jpg" alt="Chart 1" width="500" height="179">
The number of owner occupier housing finance commitments was at its highest level since October 2009 over the month.  Owner occupier housing finance commitments increased by 2.3% over the month and 13.8% year-on-year.  Owner occupier housing finance commitments are split into refinance commitments and non-refinance commitments. 
Refinance commitments have increased by 6.0% over the month and 15.8% higher over the year.  Non-refinance commitments rose by 0.6% over the month and by 12.9% over the year.  Refinance commitments are currently at their highest level since April 2008.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3093" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Chart-2.jpg" alt="Chart 2" width="500" height="183">
Looking at the value of housing finance commitments, owner occupier non-refinance commitments are up 0.3% over the month, owner occupier refinance commitments are 6.0% higher and refinance commitments are 4.4% higher. 
On a year on year basis, owner occupier non-refinance commitments have increased by 17.5%, owner occupier refinance commitments are 27.9% higher and investment finance commitments are 32.3% higher.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3094" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Chart-3.jpg" alt="Chart 3" width="500" height="183">
As a proportion of all housing finance commitments over the month, owner occupier non-refinance commitments accounted for 43.4% of lending, investment commitments accounted for 38.8% of lending and owner occupier refinance commitments accounted for 17.8%. 
As the chart shows, the proportion of lending to investors is high on an historical basis and remains at their highest levels since late 2003.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3095" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Chart-4.jpg" alt="Chart 4" width="500" height="185">
As a proportion of all lending to owner occupiers, first home buyers continue to show a relatively small level of market participation.  In February 2014, first home buyers accounted for 12.5% of all lending to owner occupiers.  The 12.5% was down from 13.2% in January 2014 and also down from 14.4% at the same time in 2013. 
Although the proportion of lending to first home buyers is lower, the number of first home buyer loans was 0.6% higher over the month but -1.5% lower year-on-year.
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3096" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Chart-5.jpg" alt="Chart 5" width="500" height="219">
The RP Data Mortgage Index (RMI) shows a strong correlation with the ABS owner occupier housing finance commitments data. 
The benefit of the RMI is that it is a more timely indicator of finance commitments produced each week. 
At the end of March 2014 the index had recorded a further increase in activity indicating that the housing finance data results for March 2014 (when released in a month’s time) are likely to show a further rise in owner occupier housing finance commitments.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Housing finance data for February 2014

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Can anyone explain the absence of rental growth in our major markets?
Are we not suffering from a housing shortage crisis, with an accumulated undersupply of hundreds of thousands of dwellings?
Can the economists who speak constantly of this dwelling shortage explain how three of our eight capital cities recorded declines in house rentals in the March quarter, while four others recorded no growth?
Can the Housing Industry Association, the great champion of the shortage theory, explain why four of the capital cities recorded marked declines in apartment rentals, while two others recorded no change?
Do the laws of supply and demand no longer apply to residential property, such that Perth, Canberra and Hobart now have house rentals lower than a year ago (6% lower, in the case of the national capital), Sydney and Darwin have recorded zero growth, and only one city has recorded annual growth of more than 3%.
<blockquote>
The only capital city experiencing a boom worthy of the name is Sydney – which was overdue after a decade of under-performance.
</blockquote>
Out of eight capital city house markets and eight apartment markets, there is only one instance of solid annual growth in median asking rents – a 7% rise in Darwin’s apartment market.
Otherwise, according to the March Quarter Rental Report from Australian Property Monitors, it’s a story of stagnation or decline in residential rents in the capital cities.
This result, which is similar to the outcomes with rental reports from previous quarters stretching back to 2012, runs counter to the notion of shortages.
It’s also inconsistent with the idea of a national property boom, with markets rising as “a blistering pace”, as the ABC’s News 24 morning program misinformed us recently.
And speaking of research evidence that makes nonsense of claims about market performance, I continue to disbelieve the notion of a booming Melbourne market and I note similar sentiments expressed by SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher this week.
Christopher’s research on the number of residential properties listed for sale in each of the capital cities shows there are exceptionally high levels of supply available in Melbourne.
Melbourne currently has about 44,500 residential properties listed for sale. To put that into perspective, Sydney has only 24,200 properties listed.
This can be explained, partly at least, by the extraordinarily high levels of inner city apartments being marketed.
Christopher writes, “There are no new trends that have come out of the data this month - other than we note that Melbourne still has an elevated amount of listings in the market and so this has made us sceptical of recently-reported large increases in dwelling prices for that city.
“There is also further evidence that Melbourne vendors overall have struggled to lift their asking prices.”
Notions that the Melbourne market is rising strongly have been created by rubbery figures from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and the rude haste with which RP Data spits out statistics under the “publish and be damned” principle.
In my view, the only capital city experiencing a boom worthy of the name is Sydney – which was overdue after a decade of under-performance.
You can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. 
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terryryder-YECXbqmri2

If the market's so hot then where's the rental growth?

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Across Australia, it's not a secret that rent has generally been ticking upwards - much to the dismay of renters - with revealingly stronger growth in some areas than others.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics details show that Western Australia is the state that has grown more than any other, with a 77% uptick from 2006 to 2011. In 2006, it was recorded at $170 per week, however in 2011 it was noted as $300.
Speaking of growth in the statistics, the ABS director of rural and regional statistics, Lisa Conolly, said that while Western Australia overall grew the most, the area with the biggest uptick was in Queensland.
This was a terrifying headline figure of 570% growth over the period in Weipa, in Queensland's far north, and the picture overall looks fairly drab on the surface for renters.
<blockquote>
Rental costs increased from $191 in 2006 to $285 in 2011 - an increase of 49%. Mortgage repayments have increased 39% during this time.
</blockquote>
"Rental costs have also increased by twice as much as wages with the median weekly household income increasing from $1,027 in 2006 to $1,234 in 2011, up 20%," she explained.
However, Conolly said that it wasn't quite the unexpected drastic growth, for Weipa at least, that the figure suggests.
"Local government areas in Western Australia recorded some of the biggest growth in median rent payments in Australia, with eight out of the 10 fastest growing regions located in Western Australia. However, Weipa, in far north Queensland, came in at the top, reflecting a change from employer owned housing to private rental arrangements," recorded Conolly.
Despite this, in what will come as a surprise to almost no one, it remains local government areas (LGA) in Sydney that record the highest rent. And, as can be attested by the overwhelming 'red' on all of the zoomed in capital cities, it's costly to rent in Australia's capitals.
 
LGAs with the highest rent: (Note: the suburb linked to each LGA is that closest to the relevant council chambers. For more specific suburb data, you can use our free data tool here) 
New South Wales and ACT
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/nsw.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ku-ring-gai</a> - $575 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Woollahra </a>- $550 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA in New South Wales with the fastest growth over the period was <a href="/news">Gwydir</a>, and it was noted that while areas outside of the capital city had lower overall rental payments, they showed the most significant growth over time.
The ACT was noted as having the highest median rent overall across Australia - recorded at $380 per week. The<a href="/news"> Queanbeyan</a> area grew from $185 per week in 2006 to $289 per week in 2011, a 56.2% increase.
Western Australia
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/wa.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cottesloe</a> - $450 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Perth</a> - $440 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growth costs in Greater Perth occurred in <a href="/news">Serpentine-Jarrahdale</a>, which doubled from $155 per week to $306 per week, or a 99.4% rise, however it is noted that the LGA has one of the highest proportion of home ownership (with a mortgage) areas across the country, with just 14.7% rentals.
Victoria
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/vic.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Melbourne</a> - $400 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Bayside</a> - $390 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA across the state with the fastest growth was <a href="/news">West Wimmera</a>, despite maintaining a lower rent than other LGAs. In Greater Melbourne, <a href="/news">Maribyrnong</a> saw the fastest recorded growth with a 64.7% increase to $280 per week from $170 per week.
Queensland
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/qld.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brisbane</a> - $350 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Gold Coast</a> - $350 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Redland</a> - $350 per week</li>
</ul>
In Greater Brisbane, <a href="/news">Somerset</a> was one of the fastest growing, rising 60% to $240 per week, from $150 per week.
Northern Territory
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/nt.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Darwin</a> - $360 per week 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Palmerston</a> - $360 per week</li>
</ul>
The LGA with the fastest growth across the territory was <a href="/news">Palmerston</a>, which grew 89.5% over the recorded period.
South Australia
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/s.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Adelaide</a> - $320 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growing LGAs across South Australia included <a href="/news">Peterborough</a>, and <a href="/news">Southern Mallee</a>, which both saw a 66.7% uptick, while in Greater Adelaide it was <a href="/news">West Torrens</a>, 54.4% growth to $247, from $160 per week, that took out the growth record.
Tasmania
<img src="/images/2014/04/09/tas.jpg" alt="">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kingborough</a> - $275 per week</li>
</ul>
The fastest growing LGA in Tasmania was in the <a href="/news">Central Highlands</a> and the <a href="/news">Tasman</a>, with a 60% uptick. In Greater Hobart, <a href="/news">Brighton</a> rose 58.1% to $185, from $117 per week.
 
Conolly reminded viewers of the statistics that the cost of renting in a region can change due to a number of factors.
These may include:
<ol>
<li>Workforce demand</li>
<li>Population growth or decline</li>
<li>Changing tenure arrangements</li>
</ol>
"Nationally, rental costs increased by more than mortgage repayments with the median weekly household rent rising from $191 in 2006 to $285 in 2011 - an increase of 49%. Whereas mortgage repayments have increased 39% during this time," she said.
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Revealed: The areas with the highest rent across the country

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“Vacancy” is not a good word for any investor looking to keep a stable cash flow and a decent tenant, and yet it seems many areas are facing rents decreasing in the capital cities, according to SQM Research, with Canberra and Perth suffering the most.
Similarly, Perth has recently had a tough run with tenants breaking leases and vacancy rates increasing - late last year, in fact, Property Observer reported that <a href="/news/perth-landlords-lower-rents-to-dissuade-potential-buyers">Perth landlords were lowering rents to dissuade tenants from leaving</a>.
<blockquote>
52% of Gen Y said they’d like to live in the inner suburbs.
</blockquote>
Realestate.com.au have released the top 10 suburbs searched online for apartment rentals over the past six months (September 2013 to February 2014) based on their internal statistics.
The top 10 list:
<ol>
<li>Brisbane (QLD) 4.7% vacancy rate (SQM Research) Daniel Argent from Urban Property in Brisbane says that the rental demand for inner Brisbane apartments is increasing.“There is definitely a high level of rental demand for inner city apartments. There are a lot of people looking for two-bedroom apartments that are close to shopping and transport. With such high demand we find that most of the properties are tenanted within two weeks of listing,” said Argent. </li>
<li>Canberra (ACT) 2.5% vacancy rate (SQM Research) </li>
<li>Perth (WA) 5.7% vacancy rate (SQM Research) <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-wa-perth-412854299" target="_blank">This two bedroom, two bathroom apartment</a> is currently available to rent in Perth. Sitting on the border of East Perth and Perth, it’s available at $750 a week. </li>
<li>Melbourne (VIC) 6.2% vacancy rate (SQM Research) </li>
<li>Docklands (VIC) 5.8% vacancy rate (SQM Research) A renter could lease an apartment in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-docklands-412777379" target="_blank">this Docklands complex at $400 a week</a>. Unfurnished studio apartments at Victoria Point are leasing from $315 per week. Docklands' difficult conception and towering cranes previously saw Property Observer take a deeper look at the area, expected to have attracted $17.5 billion by 2025 in private sector investment, in this <a href="/news/vic/docklands-finding-its-feet-after-a-difficult-conception">suburb spotlight</a>. </li>
<li>Southbank (VIC) 2.3% vacancy rate (SQM Research) An unfurnished <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-southbank-412778263" target="_blank">one bedroom apartment in the Victoria Tower</a> will set a renter back at least $405 per week. Shared facilities include a gym, tennis court, spa, sauna and pool. </li>
<li>Braddon (ACT) 1.5% vacancy rate (SQM Research) This <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-act-braddon-412841911" target="_blank">three bedroom, two bathroom townhouse in Braddon</a> is significantly more affordable, at $670 per week. </li>
<li>Nathan (QLD) 3.3% vacancy rate (SQM Research) </li>
<li>Parramatta (NSW) 2% vacancy rate (SQM Research) The booming Sydney "second CBD" suburb of Parramatta is currently seeing <a href="/expert-insights/buying/slab-to-be-set-on-highest-residential-tower-in-parramatta-v-by-crown-today">the tallest residential tower in the area, V by Crown</a>, under construction. The impressive development may just underpin the longevity of the area. </li>
<li>Chatswood (NSW) 2.8% vacancy rate (SQM Research) <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-chatswood-412715351" target="_blank">T</a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-chatswood-412715351" target="_blank">his freshly painted and two bedder</a> in Sydney’s Chatswood is available for $525 per week. </li>
</ol>
For more data, including median prices and rents on each of these areas, you can use our free suburb data pages. 
 
Interestingly, as noted above, the vacancy rates are still high on a number of these areas - and SQM Research's Louis Christopher has since tweeted Property Observer that he has put out warnings to investors on a number of these suburbs. Docklands and Southbank, in particular, have long had a <a href="/expert-insights/buying/melbourne-residential-unit-market-oversupplied-and-its-going-to-get-worse-terry-ryder">reputation of an apartment market oversupply</a>.
The number of tenants and sharers seeking apartments rather than other types of property, both established and new, is up to 39% of the market – an increase of 7% since 2012, according to the realestate.com.au figures.
<blockquote>
The number of tenants and sharers seeking apartments is now at 39% of the market.
</blockquote>
Tenants under the age of 35, earning between $50,000 and $99,000 are those driving this trend. Within this, 52% of Gen Y said they’d like to live in the inner suburbs.
While only 6% of Gen Y tenants nominated regional suburbs as their ideal location, 15% of baby boomers preferred regional suburbs, in their 2014 Consumer Insights Report on Tenants and Sharers.
Of all tenants, 72% of Gen Y said they’d take care of the property like it was their own, with 84% of Baby Boomers citing the same. Six in 10 tenants have said they spent money to make improvements to a rental property.
The general manager of sales and operations at realestate.com.au, Arthur Charlaftis, said that the key for tenants is research and knowing the key statistics about the area, as well as the amenities and lifestyle available.
<a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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