Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Joel Robinson

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

GRAYA greenlit for riverfront St Lucia apartment development, Silk

Investment

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The Cromwell Property Group today reported half-year (HY18) statutory profits, before the write down of intangibles, of $155.5 million up 1.5% on the prior comparable period (HY17 $153.2 million).
Net Tangible Assets (NTA) was up, gearing was down, and its Weighted Average Lease Expiry (WALE) has been extended with leasing activity described as being strong.
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In December 2017, Cromwell completed the $170 million strategic placement to SingHaiyi Group Ltd and Haiyi Holdings Pte. Ltd.
 A $30 million securities purchase plan, which gave retail securityholders the opportunity to acquire securities on similar terms closed earlier this month, oversubscribed at $35 million. 
“Our ability to grow our funds management business is directly linked to our ability to connect capital to opportunity. We now have many more established capital sources, a blue-chip roster of private equity and capital partners in Europe, and significantly more depth and relationships in Asia," said Cromwell CEO Paul Weightman.
Having increased short term gearing, Cromwell was now operating with gearing towards the lower end of our target range, he said.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/28/CMW%203.jpg" alt="">
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Total assets under management (AUM) increased by 11%, or $1.1 billion, to a total of $11.2 billion in the six months to 31 December 2017.
Cromwell’s business segments reported the following earnings: 
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>
Property Investment segment earnings were $58.2 million, a 6.9% decrease on the prior comparable period, mainly due to asset sales and the vacancy at Tuggeranong Office Park; 
</li>
<li>
Asset services earnings increased on the back of higher project management fees; 
</li>
<li>
Retail Funds Management earnings were $2.1 million, down $3.9 million from the prior corresponding period which saw $4.1 million in fees from the Cromwell Riverpark Trust extension; and 
</li>
<li>Wholesale Funds Management earnings increased 14% on the back of the successful listing of CEREIT</li>
<li>A total of 11 property assets were externally revalued at 31 December 2017, representing approximately 48% of the property portfolio by value. Valuations for investment properties increased by $32.8 million during the half-year net of property improvements, leasing incentives and lease costs.</li>
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The weighted average capitalisation rate (WACR) was 6.34% across the portfolio, compared to 6.56% as at 30 June 2017. 
Tenant quality remains strong with Government and Government related entities contributing nearly two fifths (39.6%) and the top 5 tenants three fifths (59.7%) of gross income. 
The portfolio weighted average lease expiry (WALE) is 7.2 years. 
“The WALE has increased from 6.35 years in HY17, in part due to the commencement of the new lease with DSS at Soward Way,” said Mr Weightman. 
“The headline vacancy rate of 12.1% reflects the move by DSS out of their old building. Portfolio vacancy excluding the active assets is 2.6%,” he added. 
Cromwell’s lease expiry profile is favourable with less than 20% of leases expiring in the next three years. A third of these expiries are in the Sydney office market which is showing increased demand and rental growth over that period.” 
“There are only three expiries which represent more than 1% of income in this period,” said Mr Weightman. 
“Two of these are in assets which we are proposing to redevelop and reposition and we are in active negotiations with the tenant in the third asset,” he concluded. 
Cromwell had strong leasing activity in the half, executing 67 transactions on over 43,300 sqm of space. 58 of these were new leases on over 15,600 sqm of space including: 
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Northpoint had 25 new leases signed in the retail precinct and seven office leases; 
</li>
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Bechtel signed a new lease at HQ North in Brisbane for 1,300 sqm; 
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<li>
Nine leases were signed over spaces in which speculative fit-outs were underwritten at 200 Mary street. Pro-forma occupancy is now 85%; and 
</li>
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Leases of 3,900 sqm have been signed at 207 Kent Street. The most recent transactions have achieved rentals over $1,000 per sqm gross.
There were nine renewals for 27,700 sqm with nearly 90% of this being in two deals:
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<li>Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA Complex) for five years over 18,500 sqm; and </li>
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<li>Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) at 19 National Circuit, ACT have signed a Heads of Agreement for 12 years over 5,600 sqm</li>
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Shareholders were told Cromwell continues to recycle capital from assets that have reached the end of their optimal investment term.
Health &amp; Forestry House, twin interconnected towers in Brisbane, were sold for $69 million in the half.
Post balance date Huntingfield Avenue, TAS was sold for $4.5 million completing in January 2018 and Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove is currently under contract.
“Northpoint will reach practical completion on 19 March on budget and time,” said Mr. Weightman. 
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“25 new retail leases have been signed and fit-outs have commenced in most tenancies. Woolworths have finished stocking shelves, the rooftop bar provider has submitted a DA and the Vibe Hotel, a 4.5 Star, 187 room hotel with conference facilities and swimming pool is due to open after Easter.” 
“Having completed the development of the podium and new hotel, we will now turn our attention to leasing opportunities in the commercial office tower, where significant interest is being shown in areas with speculative fit-outs in the 100 to 500 sqm range,” he added. 
Construction of the new property at Soward Way, ACT was completed in September, creating a new fully leased commercial office building at Tuggeranong Office Park. 
The total cost of construction was $170 million, funded from cash reserves and a $159.5 million loan facility. The building is now valued at $260 million, leased for 15 years to the Commonwealth of Australia and will add to income growth in the core portfolio in FY19. 
“I mentioned previously that the old buildings at Tuggeranong Office Park, ACT are now vacant following DSS’ move to their new premises,” said Mr. Weightman.
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“We have been progressing plans to transform the old buildings into between 330 to 350 retirement or assisted living units plus communal areas.” 
“Careful analysis has been conducted into the supply and demand of retirement and independent living units in the Tuggeranong area.” 
“We know there is a marked undersupply, with strong demand and minimal competition in the local market.” 
“The ACT government has also earmarked Tuggeranong as one of their three aged care hot spots,” he confirmed.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Cromwell Group post half yearly profits of over $155 million

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Despite the ups and downs in the value of bitcoin, Australia’s top experts and economists don’t think the cryptocurrency is a “foolish” investment, according to finder.com.au.
Results from the December <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/bank-interest-rates" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a> <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/rba-cash-rate" target="_blank">RBA Survey</a>, the largest of its kind in Australia, show all 33 respondents are forecasting a cash rate hold this Christmas.
There is widespread agreement among the panel (87%) that when the cash rate next moves, it will be in a positive direction.
However, opinions are divided about when the next move will happen, with a significant number of respondents predicting a long wait until the rate is adjusted.
Graham Cooke, insights manager at <a href="https://www.finder.com.au" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>, says it’s probable there won’t be movement until the latter half of 2018.
“Even if it does nudge next year, it’s likely to be in the third or fourth quarter,” he says.
One third of the panellists aren’t expecting any cash rate movement until 2019.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Royal Commission into the banking industry may shake things up in Australia. Nerida Conisbee from REA group believes consumer confidence is the cornerstone of a well-run economy.
“It’s too early to tell what the impact of the Royal Commission will be. For Australians who feel the banks have at times been operating illegally or unethically, the Royal Commission will hopefully provide better ways for them to resolve their grievances,” she says.
Mr Cooke warns Australians not to get caught up in the Royal Commission.
"Nobody knows what the next year will have in store, and what skeletons the banks may have in their closets. However, the fact that the banks have asked for this inquiry may indicate a belief that their closets are fairly empty. Only time will tell," he says.
Meanwhile, with the value of bitcoin soaring to over US$10,000 this year and then falling sharply last week, experts weighed in on cryptocurrency as an investment.
 Most respondents (11, 79%) don’t consider bitcoin a “foolish” investment.  <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/press-release-nov-2017-blockchain-is-the-real-power-behind-bitcoin-say-experts" target="_blank">L</a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/press-release-nov-2017-blockchain-is-the-real-power-behind-bitcoin-say-experts" target="_blank">ast month’s finder.com.au </a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/press-release-nov-2017-blockchain-is-the-real-power-behind-bitcoin-say-experts">RBA</a><a href="https://www.finder.com.au/press-release-nov-2017-blockchain-is-the-real-power-behind-bitcoin-say-experts" target="_blank"> survey</a> showed the real impact from the bitcoin revolution could be the blockchain system behind it. "The blockchain essentially works as an unhackable record of transactions and interactions. It therefore has a wide range of applications outside of bitcoin. "Blockchains are being developed today to keep track of property ownership records and to allow expatriates and immigrants to send funds home to their families faster and cheaper than ever before – this could have far wider implications than the cryptocurrency itself," Mr Cooke says. Here’s what our experts had to say: Jordan Eliseo, ABC Bullion (Hold): "The RBA will be happy to sit tight as we approach Christmas, and monitor incoming data. With housing starting to roll over, retailers facing a tough holiday period,  and a stubbornly high Australian dollar, we remain confident that the next move will be a cut, but this will take time to play out. " Shane Oliver, AMP (Hold): "Strong business conditions, strong employment and the RBA's own expectations for stronger growth point to an eventual rate hike but low inflation, record low wages growth, the slowing housing cycle, uncertainty around consumer spending and the still too high $A argue for flat or even lower rates. So the outcome is likely to be on hold for the 16th month in a row." Alison Booth, ANU (Hold): "The fundamentals don't justify any change for the moment." John Hewson, ANU (Hold): "Insufficient data." Darryl Gobbett, Baillieu Holst Ltd (Hold): "RBA comments suggest even more uncertainty about the inflation forecasts, when falling wages growth will stabilise and the very high and rising levels of household debt, which might justify ending the very low  cash rate, but this being offset by the concerns at what a rise may do to the $A and household consumption. So hold off." Paul Dales, Capital Economics (Hold): "The RBA doesn't want to cut interest rates for fear of inducing households to take on more debt, but equally economic growth and inflation aren't strong enough to prompt it to raise interest rates." Saul Eslake, Corinna Economic Advisors (Hold): "RBA has again made it clear it has no appetite for cutting rates further, but nor will it start raising them until there is a more solid basis than presently exists for confidence that inflation will return to within the target band, that economic growth will return to trend, and that spare capacity in the labour market is being steadily absorbed." Scott Morgan, Greater Bank (Hold): "Data does not support a move at this stage." Mark Brimble, Griffith University (Hold): "While the economy could do with support and the lead into the holiday season could be a great time to generate consumer confidence, the RBA is likely to not move due to ongoing concerns in housing and credit markets." Shane Garrett, Housing Industry Association (Hold): "Australia needs interest rates to stay low at the moment. General inflationary pressures are well under control - but several components of demand are below par and need a supportive interest rate backdrop." Paul Bloxham, HSBC (Hold): "Inflation remains below target, but growth is lifting." Alex Joiner, IFM Investors (Hold): "No economic justification for a rate rise. As house price growth decelerates pressure on the RBA to raise rates dissipates. Its outlook for inflation does not warrant any move or indeed even any more of a hawkish stance." Robert Montgomery, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (Hold): "There has been little change in economic indicators, so the cash rate will continue to remain on hold." Michael Witts, ING (Hold): "The economy continues to perform in line with the RBA's expectations, so there is no need for RBA action at this time." Leanne Pilkington, Laing+Simmons (Hold): “The OECD has recently signalled that the winds of change in the Australian economy may be preparing to blow, and that a rate rise may come sooner than previously thought. Even so, this would be 12 months away. In our view, with the heat gone from the housing market, and with wages, unemployment and inflation steady, there’s no impetus for the RBA to tinker with interest rates in the near term." Nicholas Gruen, Lateral Economics (Hold): "They've signalled they will." Mathew Tiller, LJ Hooker (Hold): "The soft outlook for GDP, inflation, and wages growth, combined with the moderation in property price growth, should keep the cash rate on hold over the short term." Stephen Koukoulas, Market Economics (Hold): "The RBA continues to ignore the signals that point to the need for an interest rate cut - low wages growth and inflation, weak consumer spending and moderate growth." Michael Yardney, Metropole (Hold): "The official RBA interest rate is likely to remain at 1.5% throughout 2018.  Australia's economy is still operating below its potential with economic growth not strong enough to justify an interest rate increase.   The positive signs of jobs creation, falling unemployment and rises in full-time employment are being offset by slow wages growth, sluggish retail sales and a benign inflationary environment.  Fortunately, the RBA will be pleased our property markets are cooling and will not feel the need to use rising rates to slow the market." Mark Crosby, Monash University (Hold): "The RBA has signalled no increases in rates for the foreseeable future. Whether or not this is wise doesn't matter, the RBA will sit on their hands for the next 6 months at least." Jessica Darnbrough, Mortgage Choice (Hold): "Anaemic inflation, combined with a drop in consumer sentiment, and non-existent property price growth over the last month, will encourage the Reserve Bank to leave the cash rate on hold once again." Alan Oster, Nab (Hold): "Still watching wages and house prices." Jonathan Chancellor, Property Observer (Hold): "The bank doesn't move unless it has to, and there's no reason now to." Matthew Peter, QIC (Hold): "The economy still contains sufficient slack to keep underlying inflation at low levels. The RBA will need to keep rates on hold well into 2018 to support our export and import competing sectors, which are currently the drivers of growth." Noel Whittaker, QUT (Hold): "House prices flattening - wages growth slow - why raise?" Nerida Conisbee, REA Group (Hold): "Economy is still too weak to increase and I would say the RBA is waiting to see what the data says early next year. " Christine Williams, Smarter Property Investing (Hold): "Overall the economy has not changed in the last month  Retail is still quite slow leading up to the festive seasons spending." Janu Chan, St. George Bank (Hold): "Low inflation and ongoing spare capacity will keep the rba from raising rates despite a more upbeat outlook for business investment and the labour market." Brian Parker, Sunsuper (Hold): "The data flow over the last month won't have significantly changed their view on the outlook for inflation or growth." Clement Tisdell, UQ-School of Economics (Hold): "No reasons to expect a change." Nicki Hutley, Urbis (Hold): "Modest demand and inflation outcomes present no risk or need to raise rates." Tim Nelson (Hold): "Inflation and wage growth remain low. Both are expected to increase only gradually over time. Further progress is expected on reducing spare capacity in the economy and current rate settings appear consistent with sustainable growth and achieving the medium-term inflation target." Other participants: Bill Evans, Westpac (Hold).
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Bitcoin is no foolish investment, say 80% of Australian experts

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The month of October often creates apprehension amongst investors given its historic track record with the 1929 and 1987 share market crashes. And it was in October 2007 that US shares peaked ahead of 50% plus falls (in most share markets) through the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). 
From the post-GFC share market lows in March 2009, US shares are up 278% and global shares are up 196% to new record highs and Australian shares are up 92%. After such strong gains it’s natural to wonder whether another major bear market is imminent. 
Aside from left field events triggering a crash, the key question remains where are we in the investment cycle? 
This note updates our analysis on this front from earlier this year and also provides a comparison to 1987. 
Second-longest US cyclical bull market since WW2
The cyclical bull market in US shares is eight and a half years old. It’s the second longest since World War Two and the second strongest in terms of gain. See the next table. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/19/Shane1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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At the same time, according to the US National Bureau of Economic Research the current US economic expansion is now 100 months old and compares to an average expansion of 70 months.
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The concern is that with the US bull market and economic expansion both old, US shares are vulnerable to another bear market and, by implication, global and Australian shares are, too. 
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Still in the sweet spot in the investment cycle 
First some context. The next chart is a stylised version of the investment cycle – the thick grey line is the economic cycle.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/19/Shane2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>  
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A typical cyclical bull market in shares has three phases: scepticism – when economic conditions are weak and confidence is poor, but smart investors see value in shares helped by ultra easy monetary conditions; optimism or the “sweet spot” – when profits and growth strengthen and investor scepticism gives way to optimism while monetary policy is still easy; euphoria – when investors become euphoric on strong economic and profit conditions, which pushes shares into clear overvalued territory and excesses appear forcing central banks to become tight, which combines with overvaluation and investors being fully invested to drive a new bear market. 
Typically, the bull phase lasts five years. However, “bull markets do not die of old age but of exhaustion” – their length depends on how quickly recovery precedes, excess builds up, inflation rises and extremes of overvaluation and investor euphoria appear. 
Our assessment is that we are still in the “sweet spot” phase, albeit more advanced now. Global economic indicators are strong, growth forecasts are being revised up as highlighted by the IMF and this is driving stronger profits. But thanks partly to the slow post GFC recovery, there are still few signs of the sort of excesses that characterise the “euphoria” phase that ultimately leads to the “exhaustion” of the cyclical bull market and the next bear market. 
- There is no overinvestment globally. While the US recovery is further advanced than most, even here business investment and housing investment (excesses in which preceded the tech wreck and GFC, respectively) are around or below long-term averages relative to GDP. 
- Overall private sector debt growth is modest in most countries.
- After years of below trend growth globally, spare capacity still remains &amp; this (along with technological innovation) has been constraining inflation. Wages growth remains weak and has only just started picking up in the US. Core inflation in major countries ranges between 0.2% in Japan to 1.3% in the US. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/19/Shane3.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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- As a result, global monetary conditions remain easy and without a surge in inflation look likely to remain so. The Fed is continuing to tighten but it’s “gradual” and from a very easy base and other central banks (including the RBA) are on hold. A shift to tight money that brings about a global economic downturn looks a fair way off. 
- Share market valuations are mostly okay. Measured against their own history, shares are no longer cheap. This is particularly so for US shares. But once allowance is made for low inflation and still-low bond yields, shares are fair value to cheap depending on the market (next chart). 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/19/Shane4.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Finally, while short term investor sentiment bullish, long- term measures of positioning are not. In the US, the huge investor flows into bond funds over the last few years have yet to reverse in favour of shares. In Australia, sentiment towards shares remains low. Still no euphoria here. 
It may also be argued that major non-US share markets and Australian shares did have a bear market in both 2011 and 2015-16 so their cyclical bull markets are not old at all. 
Overall, we are still not seeing the signs of excess, euphoria and exhaustion that typically come at cyclical economic and share market peaks ahead of recessions and deep bear markets. So barring some sort of external shock, the cyclical bull market in shares looks like it still has further to go. 
What to watch? 
The key to watch for the next big bear market is for signs of excess – eg, overinvestment in key areas, rapidly-rising inflation, aggressive tightening in monetary policy, clear overvaluation and investor euphoria. This would then set the scene for the next economic downswing and hence a more severe bear market (as opposed to a correction or short-term bear market like we saw in 2015-16). At the moment, it’s hard to see much excess but we do expect US inflation to start rising from here.
One risk is that the longer things remain benign, the more investors will expect them to remain benign and this will result in excessive risk taking setting up the scene for a sharp fall in markets. But it’s only lately investors have started to get comfortable. So this may have further to go.
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What about comparisons to 1987? 
October 19 marks the 30th anniversary of the 1987 share market crash and as always comparisons are being wheeled out. While the bulk of the crash was concentrated in October 1987 (US shares fell 20% on October 19 and Australian shares fell 25% on October 20), US shares fell 34% over three months and Australian shares lost 50% over two months. The causes remain subject to debate – but the key appears to have been a 3% rise in US inflation, a 2% rise in US bond yields and Fed tightening hitting markets after a period of very strong gains. The following tables provide a brief comparison to today. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/19/Shane5.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge </a>
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Compared to 1987, the gains over the past 12 months have been more modest and while forward price to earnings ratios are higher (in the US) or the same, this should be the case given far lower inflation and bond yields and real dividend yields are far more attractive.
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It’s also noteworthy that share markets had already started to break down before the October 19 1987 crash whereas that has not happened now. As an aside, it’s worth noting that despite the 1987 crash, economic growth was barely impacted and so shares moved higher in 1988 and 1989. 
Investment implications 
First, corrections should be anticipated – with Trump, North Korea and the Fed being potential triggers – and the fickleness of investor confidence means we can’t rule out another crash like in 1987. But despite this we still appear to be a long way from the peak in the investment cycle. 
Second, non-US share markets and economies are less advanced in their cycles and provide opportunities for investors. 
Finally, it’s worth noting that several bad years (1987 and 1929) have given Octobers a bad wrap globally. While historically they have been a soft month in Australia (with shares down an average 0.3% since 1985 in October), they have actually been positive in the US (up 1% on average). 
Dr Shane Oliver Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist AMP Capital 
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soliver-smf6LQXgW9

Where are we in the global investment cycle and what's the risk of a 1987 style crash? Shane Oliver

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It is the age-old query of anyone with capacity to invest. Which is the better investment - shares or property?
After allowing for costs, residential property has often provided a higher return than shares according to many studies. Both tend to be far superior to cash and bonds.
But the answer invariably depends on the selected timeline involved.
Property wins in the decade or two decades to December 2015, outperforming Australian shares for the lowest and highest marginal tax rates after gearing, but shares win in the 13 year period to December 2016. That's for an average Australia-wide property investment scenario, with Sydney property investors enjoying far greater success than say regional NSW investors.
Hence the determination really is best answered by your individual capacity, stage of life circumstances, the desired diversity and your outlook.
Much comes down to your risk tolerance, so for some bank deposits rank as the wisest place for savings. 
The recent spending spree by investors on Sydney property was hardly short-term speculation- rather actually driven by the flight to longterm surety with investors seeking a mix of yield and capital gain along the way to hopefully funding their looming retirement years.
Its exuberance almost ended up pushing too far, but it appears the regulatory cooling measures has nipped the Sydney boom back from the edge, before it gave way to a hurtful price reversal.
Housing investment is less volatile than the wild ride of the sharemarket.
And for many investors the actual bricks and mortar seem safer than the stockmarket and its share scrip.
You can always drive past your investment property and see it.
But those share certificates in the bottom draw of the desk in the home office can become totally worthless. These shares can also suffer at the hands of a market of short sellers, speculators who don't want shares to necessarily go up in price.
But property does also offer a much lower level of liquidity and diversification. Investing in the stock market comes with virtually no transaction costs apart from capital gains tax when you exit your investment. Shares potentially offer income and low costs as you don’t directly pay pesky maintenance costs, council rates and land tax bills. 
Your labour of love as an investor can see worrying times when the property is vacant.
A recent analysis from a cashed-up sharemarket investment company rightly warned the very long-term investment chart showed several occasions of property prices going down by significant amounts.
However the example it highlighted was the crash in 1896 when it took six decades before property prices recovered to their previous levels in real terms.
As we all know, past returns are not a good guide to future returns.
And the world is vastly different for the current generation of investors than pre-Federation 1896.
Investors do need to envisage worse case scenarios in our modern times, because yes price growth isn't guaranteed, and indeed prices can go backwards.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Which is better: Shares Vs Property

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GUEST OBSERVER
Introduction
The issue of rising inequality has seen increasing interest over the last year or so, particularly following the Brexit and Trump votes for which rising inequality was seen as a key driver.
This is an issue we have looked at before in terms of driving a swing to the left amongst median voters in Anglo countries and contributing to a backlash against economic rationalist policies but this note takes a more detailed look at the economic and investment implications.
Is inequality rising?
Because inequality is a politically-charged issue, all sorts of numbers are thrown around with a favourite seeming to be the share of gross income going to a particular income group, say the top 1% or 10%. But this may not be the best guide because of the impact of progressive income taxes and welfare transfers.
In fact, the best measure of income inequality is the Gini coefficient calculated on incomes after taxes and transfers. Basically it shows the variation between the actual distribution of income in a country and what would apply if it’s distributed perfectly equally. As such, it ranges from zero indicating perfect equality to one indicating perfect inequality with one household, or individual, receiving all income. Naturally, there is much debate about the data but the best available for global comparisons appears to be from the OECD and the Standardised World Income Inequality Database.
The Gini coefficient from these sources is shown for various countries and for developed and emerging country averages in the next chart.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.24.59%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.24.59%20AM.png" alt="">
As might be expected, emerging countries are less equal than advanced countries but the key point is that there has been a general trend higher in inequality during the last 30 years. This is particularly evident in the emerging world and the US, but less so in the Eurozone where it’s actually been stable since the mid-1990s.
There has also been a rising trend in Australia, although its stabilised since 2008 (and the data pre 1994 is less reliable). In terms of advanced countries, the US and UK are the least equal, and Eurozone and Scandinavian countries tend to be more equal. Inequality in Australia is above the OECD average but below that in the US and UK – see the next chart. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.26.07%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.26.07%20AM.png" alt="">
With rising levels of income inequality also appears to have come an increase in wealth inequality. After falling into the 1970s, the share of wealth in the US held by the top 0.1% has increased from around 7% to over 20%. To some degree, 
rising wealth inequality is not that surprising as higher income earners save a higher proportion of their income and allocate a higher proportion of their savings to growth assets (like shares and property) that have higher long-term returns than bank deposits provide. So naturally their wealth will grow faster than that of lower income earners.
Easy money from central banks post the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) may have contributed to this but returns from growth assets haven’t been in excess of pre-GFC norms, and the higher unemployment that would have followed if central banks had not run easy money would have arguably resulted in a far more significant increase in inequality.
What has driven the increase in income inequality?
The rise in the level of inequality likely reflects a range of drivers:
The rise in the profit share of GDP from its lows around the early 1980s in developed countries (which it should be recalled was depressing economic growth at the time) likely benefitted higher income earners who derive a greater share of income from profits (via higher levels of company ownership either directly or via shares).
Technological innovation has likely boosted inequality as it: boosted demand for skilled workers at the expense of unskilled workers; supplanted middle income jobs in more recent years; and has contributed to a “superstar economy” in which a few “winner-take-all” firms (and their owners) and app designers can earn super normal returns (and hence income) globally without generating the jobs and incomes that the technologies of the past might have (think Google or Facebook versus Ford or GM in their heyday).
Globalisation, by supplanting low income jobs in advanced countries, may have contributed to increased inequality.
Rapid economic development in emerging countries at a time when their progressive taxation systems are not fully developed likely benefitted higher income earners more than lower income earners in these countries, even though living standards rose across the board.  But why is it only causing angst now?  
As the first chart shows, inequality has been trending up globally for many years so why has it become more of an issue lately? Prior to the GFC, rising levels of inequality were likely masked as either wages were rising solidly and/or people were able and willing to take on more debt. When your own income or at least your living standard is on the rise, you are less likely to take note of those better off than you are. But when your income growth slows and you are less able to take on more debt to make up for it, how the "better off" Jones’s are doing becomes a bigger issue.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.27.34%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/08/14/Screen%20Shot%202017-08-14%20at%208.27.34%20AM.png" alt="">
This has been an issue for much longer in the US (with median real incomes reportedly stagnating since the early 1980s) but may be becoming an issue in Australia, too. The recent HILDA (or Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia report), which tracks roughly 7000 Australian households since early last decade, shows a flat Gini coefficient for its sample of households since 2001 (in contrast to the much broader measure shown in the first chart) but stagnant real median incomes since 2009 (see the next chart), suggesting it’s the weakness in incomes (made worse by record low wages growth) that’s the real issue.  
Worker insecurity post the GFC, with higher levels of underemployment and rapid workplace change partly as a result of technological disruption, is likely adding to anxiety and tension around the issue of rising inequality.  Angst around the issue may also be accentuated in Australia by the issue of poor housing affordability, with many millennials feeling that they are locked out of home ownership although this is perhaps more an intergenerational issue.  Why is rising inequality an issue economically and for investors?
 A degree of inequality is essential in a free market economy to ensure there are incentives to be productive, invest and innovate.
For example, it makes sense that wages and incomes grow faster in some usually higher skilled areas than others to encourage people to train and work in areas where there is stronger demand. However, (putting aside the debate about “fairness”) inequality that rises too high can reduce economic growth. It can do this because households with high disposable incomes save more and spend less than low income households who survive from pay day to pay day, and this will result in slower short-term economic growth.
High levels of inequality can also create social tensions, which can disrupt production and investment and hence economic growth.  Inequality may become an even bigger issue going forward as technological innovation risks concentrating income and wealth in the hands of a few global winners, which could further drive up inequality over time.
So for all these reasons, inequality is an issue that governments should be interested in.  The danger is that such a focus may lead to a return to economic policies, such as ever-higher top marginal tax rates, that discourage work effort, lead to a smaller national cake than would otherwise be the case, and a return to the worker versus boss confrontational environment that resulted in lower growth in productivity and living standards in the 1970s.
This is particularly a risk in Australia where the tax system is already very progressive (with the top 10% of income earners contributing around 45% of total income tax revenue raised) and the top marginal tax rate is high by global standards.  The risk is that rising inequality and a populist response to it help drive a shift away from rational economic policies, which ultimately leads to slower productivity growth and eventually rising inflation as the supply side of economies is damaged.
Which, in turn, will contribute to constrained medium-term investment returns. So the key for governments and policy makers in seeking to address the issue of rising inequality is to get the balance right between achieving an outcome which is fair and contributes to balanced sustainable growth but not going so far as to depress incentive and productivity. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://plus.google.com/110172465327488162875?rel=author">SHANE OLIVER</a> is head of investment strategy and economics and chief economist at <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/home">AMP Capital</a> and is responsible for AMP Capital's diversified investment funds.
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Inequality and what it means for economic growth and investors

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The Boating Industry Association has thrown its support behind the proposed Eden Marina development on the NSW South Coast, stating that its economic value is “greater than other investments in the region”.
The developers of the Eden Marina project at Cattle Bay recently released a report by consultants GHD which calculated the $130 million development would deliver 150 direct and indirect jobs per year in the first four years of the project.
A key part of the project is the construction of a wave attenuator to protect the marina from Eden's notorious storms.
So far, the NSW State government has agreed to the construction of an attenuator to protect the neighbouring bay, Snug Cove, where there are plans to extend the wharf to accommodate cruise ships as well as proposals for a separate marina development.
However the local Bega MP and NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance, recently ruled out any additional funding for an attenuator to protect the Cattle Bay development.
In response, Howard Glenn, BIA national CEO, has called on the state government to work with the industry in order to facilitate investment in new boating infrastructure.
“The GHD report clearly shows the case for investment [at Cattle Bay].
“I briefed Andrew Constance on the report at a very positive meeting last February in Bega.
“I went down to Eden again myself to see the sites and get clear in my head how different they are.
“I’m not acting on behalf of the developers, and didn’t speak for them with Andrew Constance, but on behalf of industry as a whole, which is keen to see boating infrastructure improved.
“The economic value of the Cattle Bay project is greater than other investments in the region, but depends on protection from a wave attenuator that has to be built in the water owned by Crown Land.
“Money collected by Government from boaters’ licence and registration fees is available to fund the construction of this wave attenuator.
“Unfortunately, the Cattle Bay project and the Snug Cove project are seen as in competition.
“If there were to be only one wave attenuator built, then Cattle Bay represents much greater value for money.
“This could be demonstrated easily by running the same numbers for benefit/cost ratios on each project.
“But both projects have merit, and will provide different services to boaters, at different price points.”
In a letter to the local newspaper, spokesperson for the Eden Marina at Cattle Bay, Bob Carter, said:
“The business case for the wave attenuator at Cattle Bay, to be funded by the NSW Government on Crown Land, is extremely robust.
“A relatively small investment by government will release a $130m international hotel and marina project at Cattle Bay which will bring sustained employment and change the face of Eden for the better.
“Governments of all persuasions throughout Australia build breakwaters and wave attenuators on Crown Land for the benefit of the related assets which can then be developed.
“The NSW Government is building a wave attenuator at Snug Cove because there is a good case for it.
“It is extending the wharf with public funds because there is a viable economic benefit for bringing cruise ships to Eden.
“Those who benefit from these two NSW Government infrastructure projects are not asked to fund this good work.
“The Eden Marina at Cattle Bay is asking to be treated no differently.
“There is an approved marina at Cattle Bay, ready to go.
“In this respect the Eden Marina at Cattle Bay project is many, many years ahead of the proposed marina at Snug Cove.”
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Boating Industry Association backs Cattle Bay marina project in Eden

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Fractional property investing platform BrickX has added a terrace home in Melbourne’s Brunswick West to its portfolio for investors to buy ‘bricks’.
Pre-orders start June 23 at $99 a ‘brick’ for the property at <a href="https://www.brickx.com/properties/BRW01/summary" target="_blank">10 Shamrock Street</a>.
BrickX, which puts properties into an individual trust and split each one into 10,000 units or ‘Bricks’ which investors can then buy, recently launched several properties in Sydney. 
Its previous buy was in Manly. The <a href="https://www.brickx.com/properties/MAN01/summary?utm_source=mailchimp&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=manly&amp;utm_content=warmup&amp;utm_term=button" target="_blank">4/8 James Street</a> property is a two-bedroom apartment and was offered at an initial 'brick' price of $87.
The company says they were snapped up the same day by investors.
CEO Anthony Millet expects the offering in Melbourne to be popular with investors further, adding to the current Melbourne portfolio of Prahran and Port Melbourne. “We’re thrilled to provide access to such a stunningly transformed terrace at an affordable entry price of just under $100,” Millet said. 
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom terrace with an undercover carport on Shamrock Street boasts a courtyard along with a private rooftop garden off the master bedroom.
The 169 sqm property's selling price was $1,190,000, according to CoreLogic. It was sold through Nelson Alexander Real Estate Brunswick.
It last traded for $371,750 in 2003.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/06/21/BrickX.png" alt="">
“With the initial Brick price being $99, BrickX continues to strive to make property investment affordable for all Australians,” said Millet.
Investors earn capital returns and monthly net rental income in proportion to the number of ‘bricks’ they own. Members can choose when to invest and when to exit by offering their ‘bricks’ for sale on its platform. 
CoreLogic head of Research Tim Lawless, who is also an adviser at BrickX, said there is strong demand for property close to the city, university and social precincts. 
Data from the property analytics firm show house prices in Brunswick West have increased by almost 6.6 per cent per year over the past five years.
“Brunswick West has a strong rental market which has contributed to ongoing low vacancy rates and high demand. With convenient tram and train access to the CBD, the area is particularly popular with university students and young families,” he said.
BrickX added three Sydney properties in the last two months — Potts Point, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst. 
This is in addition to properties in Prahran and Port Melbourne in Melbourne and Manly, Bondi Beach, Enmore, Mosman, Annandale and Double Bay in Sydney.
For more details on how to invest, <a href="https://www.brickx.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
<a href="https://www.brickx.com/"> </a>
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BrickX launches terrace home in Melbourne’s Brunswick West at $99 per brick 

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Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) has urged the government to take a sensible approach to housing affordability policy, following its discussions with government representatives in April and ahead of the 2017 Federal Budget.
As the peak body for the property investment industry, PIPA has emphasised that regulation and education remained key.
PIPA chair Ben Kingsley welcomed the federal government’s decision to rule out changes to negative gearing and hoped this was reflective of a well-considered approach to addressing affordability issues both on the buying and renting sides.
“Housing affordability is challenging, but there’s no easy fix. We welcome the government’s focus on this issue but urge them to adopt sensible measures that reflect the national market needs, rather than any of the radical changes that have been floated by some corners of the market such as axing negative gearing and SMSF property investment,” Kingsley said.
“PIPA supports thoughtful and varied solutions that promote supply and cool demand and consider the long-term viability of the market and broader economy.”
Kingsley said that while no policy would ever reduce the price of quality property in the inner suburbs of major capital cities due to continued strong demand versus limited and geographically-constrained supply, strategic policies could work to encourage more supply in urban locations.
“Potential policies that could stimulate supply include measures that encourage developers to build more family-friendly accommodation, such as three or four bedroom units. Incentives to encourage the release of bulk land lots in new greenfield areas could also boost supply,” he said.  
According to data from CoreLogic, residential housing stock alone is estimated to be worth $6.9 trillion, which is more than three times Australia’s total share market capitalization of $1.7 trillion and our total superannuation pool of $2.2 trillion.
“Any policy changes that could impact the value of this asset class, need to be thoroughly considered,” he added.
“The residential property cycle plays a significant role in the country’s overall economic performance, as we’ve seen by the recent strong stamp duty receipts in New South Wales which have helped to fund the state’s robust infrastructure program.”
Kingsley also reinforced the role property played in building everyday Australians’ wealth.
“While high property prices can be incredibly frustrating for those trying to enter the market, we need to remember that property is a key feature of many everyday Australians’ wealth creation strategies," he said.
“Property is an accessible, trusted source of wealth that can help just about anyone build a better future. We need to be very careful when it comes to playing around with measures that could hurt the value of these assets.”
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PIPA urges sensible approach to housing affordability 

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The Australian Tax Office (ATO) released their taxation statistics for the 2014-15 financial year last week, and from a housing market perspective it provides some really valuable data on property investor behaviour.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/20/rsz_the_number_of_individuals_claiming_a_net_rental_loss_has_flat_lined_over_recent_years__.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/20/rsz_the_number_of_individuals_claiming_a_net_rental_loss_has_flat_lined_over_recent_years__.png" width="700" height="425">
Over the 2014-15 financial year, property investors claimed $11.120 billion in net rental losses compared to $7.491 billion in net rental profit.  The value of net rental profit rose by 0.3% over the year while the value of net rental losses was -2.3% lower resulting in an overall position of $3.628 billion in net rental losses claimed over the year. The $3.628 billion in rental losses over the year was the lowest value of overall losses since 2003-04.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_pct_of_individuals.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_pct_of_individuals.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_pct_of_individuals.png" width="700" height="425"></a>
Over the 2014-15 financial year, 15.7% of individuals claimed net rent. Overall, 6.0% of individuals claimed a net rent profit, and 9.7% of individuals claimed a loss.
The data also highlights that a relatively small proportion of individuals actually own an investment property, but the portion is growing. In the 2004-05 financial year, 13.6% of individuals claimed net rent. In 1994-95, the figure was 11.3%.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_net_rental_profit.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_net_rental_profit.png" width="700" height="425">
The above table breaks down the proportion of total individuals that are claiming a net rental profit or loss by their age.  Individuals aged 70 to 74 years of age are the most likely to be claiming a net rental profit while individuals aged between 50 and 54 years of age are the most likely to be claiming a net rental loss.
If we look at the proportion of total net rental loss/profit claimants by age group, the trends are quite interesting.  Less than a quarter (24.4%) of those individuals claiming a net rental profit are less than 45 years of age.  Conversely, almost half of those individuals claiming a net rental loss over the year were under 45.   The table shows that as an individual ages, they are increasingly less likely to be claiming a net rental loss.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_average_net_rental.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_average_net_rental.png" width="700" height="425">
Looking at the average net rental profit/loss by age group shows that older individuals are likely to claim greater net rental profits.  At the same time, individuals aged between 50 to 54 years of age are likely to be claiming the greatest losses.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_loss_by_income.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_loss_by_income.png" width="700" height="425">
Individuals with a taxable income of between $500,001 and $1 million are most likely to be claiming a net rental profit while individuals earning between $40,000 and $50,000 are the least likely to claim net rental profits.  In terms of net rental losses, 23.8% of all individuals with taxable incomes between $250,001 and $500,000, as well as $500,001 and $1 million, are claiming net rental losses.  As taxable incomes increase, the data shows that these individuals are overall more likely to own rental properties and therefore claim either a net rental profit or loss.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_claimants_of_net_rental.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO ENLARGE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_claimants_of_net_rental.png" width="700" height="425">
Looking only at those individuals claiming a net rental profit or loss, the most likely to be claiming either have a taxable income of $100,001 to $150,000.  The least likely income range to be claiming a net rental loss or profit are those with a taxable income of more than $1 million.The above table shows the average net rental profit or loss claimed by taxable income ranges. People with a higher taxable income generally receive both the greatest average net rental profits and net rental losses.  
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_the_number_of_individuals_claiming_a_net_rental_loss_has_flat_lined_over_recent_years___1.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO RESIZE</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_the_number_of_individuals_claiming_a_net_rental_loss_has_flat_lined_over_recent_years___1.png" width="700" height="425">
Previous data has shown that relatively few people sit in the higher taxable income brackets however, those that do and own an investment property enjoy substantially greater average profit or loss from those rental properties.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_2012-2013.png" target="_blank">CLICK TO EXPAND</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/04/21/rsz_2012-2013.png" width="700" height="425">
The final table highlights the number of individuals with interests in rental properties over the three most recent years along with how many properties they have an interest in. Overwhelmingly most people that have an interest in a rental property have an interest in only one with 90.3% of individuals having an interest in two or fewer rental properties.  
Over the most recent year, the number of individuals with an interest in five properties has recorded the greatest growth (7.4%) followed by: six or more properties (5.3%), four properties (4.5%), three properties (4.0%), two properties (3.4 properties) and one property (1.7%).
The data provides great insight into the characteristics of property investors.  The data shows that just under 16% of individuals are property investors and, over recent years, the number claiming a net rental loss has been relatively unchanged.  
Furthermore, as interest rates have fallen, relatively fewer individuals are claiming a net rental loss.  As you would expect, people in the middle of their working life are most likely to be claiming net rental losses and older individuals are most likely to be earning a profit from their rental property.  Those on higher incomes tend to claim higher average net rental profits and losses.  
Finally, for most Australians that own a rental property, they only own one. However, individuals with a greater number of investment properties have been experiencing faster growth than those with relatively few properties over recent years. With interest rates having fallen even further since June 2015 we would anticipate that the total value of net rental losses has also reduced.  At the same time we have seen investment lending become more active since mid-2015. 
It will be interesting to see if that reflects a greater number of individuals owning investment properties, or those that already own investment properties buying more.  We will have to wait until next year’s data to see how this plays out.
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

The number of individuals claiming a net rental loss has flat-lined over recent years: Cameron Kusher

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Australian commercial property is seen as highly attractive by global investors with a total of $18.2 billion targeting Australia, owing to their high yields, stable economic outlook and open and transparent market, according to recent research. 
Australia is the world’s sixth most popular destination for investment capital in 2017, behind the US, China, UK, Japan and Germany, according to the latest Great Wall of Money Report by real estate firm Cushman &amp; Wakefield.
The report tracks the amount of newly raised capital, including debt and equity, targeting real estate at a global level. The total global wall of money has fallen by 2 percent compared with 2016, the first drop since 2011 but current levels are still the second highest on record, it says. 
Adjusted for investable market size, Australia is number second behind Sweden, said James Quigley, head of Capital Markets, Australia and New Zealand.
“Our comparatively high yields, stable economic outlook and open and transparent market help to ensure our commercial property is highly attractive to global investors,” he said.
While the total amount of available capital fell slightly, the amount of new equity raised increased by 5 percent over the past year. The overall decline is a function of reduced debt availability as a result of regulatory changes, lower gearing and currency movements.
For APAC, available equity increased by 1 percent since 2016, whereas in Australia this rose by 8 percent, up from $16.8 billion in the last year highlighting the relative attraction of the country as an investment destination. This builds on a substantial increase in the prior year, with capital targeting Australia up 20 percent from $15.1 billion since 2015.
“The data highlights the relatively advanced state of the global CRE cycle and the difficulty of finding assets that meet return criteria. While available capital remains high, fund raising activities have slowed as investors focus on deploying existing capital,” said Dominic Brown, head of Research, Australian &amp; New Zealand.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/03/15/CushmanCRE.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/03/15/CushmanCRE.png" alt="">
In Australia, Q1 investment volume (as at March 9) is already nearly $5 billion, and remains on track to deliver the highest first quarter total since the $5.2 billion recorded in Q1 2011. 
This follows from a strong volume recorded in Q4 2016 of $9.7 billion. Of the total investment to date in the March quarter, foreign investment remained robust representing 52 percent of the overall transaction volume.
While New South Wales was the top destination for investment during 2016 of all states and territories with 37 percent of overall volume, Victoria and Queensland stand as the most traded destinations so far during the current quarter. During Q1 the most active purchasers have been unlisted funds, with unlisted funds and REITs the largest sellers.
“Demand for Australian CRE remains strong, though limited stock availability in 2016 caused Australian office and retail property transaction volumes to fall.” However, transaction volumes are expected to increase in 2017,” Dominic Brown said.
James Quigley added that “more stock is likely to come market as institutional owners look to dispose of non-core assets and more active traders offer repositioned assets for sale as they seek new opportunities”.
Turnover is also expected to increase in the Sydney CBD where Quigley estimates over $2 billion in stock is likely to come to market.
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