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


Joel Robinson

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

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


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

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


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

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


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

<p>Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.</p>

<p>John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.</p>

<p>The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.</p>

<p>In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.</p>

<p><img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.</p>

<p>DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.</p>

<p>“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.</p>

<p>The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.</p>

<p>“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.</p>

<p>At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.</p>

<p>The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.</p>


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

Melbourne

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<p>A total of 313,700 sqm of Premium and A-Grade projects in the past six months has given Melbourne’s CBD a new milestone of the largest CBD office market in Australia, according to JLL Research.</p>
<p>In Q2 2020, JLL Research found that the Melbourne CBD’s total office stock was 4,953,033 sqm. Now, with the practical completions of three new major developments this month, the Melbourne CBD reaches a new stock total of 5,107,840 sqm. Sydney’s total office stock for Q2 2020 was 5,024,240 sqm.</p>
<p><em>The three office completions crowning Melbourne as the largest office CBD in Australia include the following developments:</em></p>
<p>1. Cbus Property and Keppel REIT’s Victoria Police Centre at 311 Spencer Street, including 65,000 sqm of office space.</p>
<p>2. The Lendlease Two Melbourne Quarter at 697 Collins Street, including 46,350 sqm of office space.</p>
<p>3. Dexus 80 Collins Street, including 42,960 sqm of office space.</p>
<p>JLL’s Managing Director (Victoria) - Craig Shute said, “The completion of these three projects marks a real inflection point in the dynamics of Australian CBD’s.'</p>
<p>Melbourne is now the largest Australian city in terms of commercial office space and this status is unlikely to change. This rapid rise is testament to Melbourne’s balanced economic drivers and will result in an increase of national and global investment capital seeking a foothold or looking to expand their portfolios in the city."</p>
<p>"We are confident Melbourne will rebound relatively strongly as we recover from the current COVID-19 restrictions and re-open for business,” He added.</p>
<p>Other projects completed in the Melbourne CBD earlier this year include Mirvac and Suntec REIT’s Olderfleet building at 477 Collins Street (56,584 sqm), Charter Hall’s Wesley Place at 130 Lonsdale Street (55,000 sqm) and Cbus Property and ISPT’s Collins Arch at 447 Collins Street (47,517sqm).</p>
<p>Whilst a large amount of supply is being delivered to the market, there is very little vacancy, with 94% of the 313,700 sqm office stock being delivered in 2020 already pre-committed, according to JLL Research.</p>
<p>JLL’s Senior Research Director (Victoria) - Annabel McFarlane said, “JLL has been tracking office stock in Melbourne’s CBD office market since 1970, when the size of the market was just 1.45 million sqm."</p>
<p>"The most significant contribution to this growth has been Docklands as a new CBD precinct, delivering just over 1 million sqm of new, high quality office stock and pushing Melbourne to now Australia’s largest CBD office market, just larger than Sydney’s CBD office market,” she said.</p>
<p>Ms McFarlane continued, “Significant momentum and strong demand throughout the last 20 years has supported office market development. Melbourne’s CBD office market has accounted for 40% of all CBD net absorption (1.7 million sqm) in the six CBD markets we track. This compares to Sydney (739,900 sqm), Canberra (647,600 sqm), Brisbane (542,850 sqm), Perth (293,700 sqm) and Adelaide (291,300 sqm).”</p>
<p>Melbourne and Sydney’s CBD office markets are comparable in size to several major international CBD office markets including Madrid which stands at 6.5 million sqm, Barcelona at 4.9 million sqm and Berlin at 4.5 million sqm.</p>
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Melbourne takes crown as the largest CBD office market in Australia: JLL

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
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<div>There was a resurgence in homebuyer finance in June, but not in Victoria, where finance commitments dropped sharply. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unfortunately for Melbourne, this trend will only continue through July and August...and into September.</div>
<div> </div>
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<div>First homebuyer commitments zipped higher, but there was another sharp 9 per cent drop in Victoria, following on from a similar decline in the month of May.</div>
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<div>Overall, stripping out refinancing housing finance jumped +6.2 per cent, despite Victoria's woes. </div>
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<div>The average mortgage size has been a bit all over the place of late, possibly due to there being more first homebuyers in the market. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>AFG's quarterly numbers showed a record high mortgage size in Q2, albeit only just.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Basically flat would be another way to describe the figures (and the same for the ABS data).  </div>
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<div>There was enormous strength in the average mortgage size in New South Wales, which hit a record high, but not so in Victoria. </div>
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<div>Overall, a decent rebound ex-Melbourne.</div>
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<div>Note that this bounce was also before the HomeBuilder boom kicks in.</div>
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<div>New South Wales will also see a surge in activity up to $1 million resulting from the stamp duty discounts announced on July 27. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Victoria recorded some 725 cases of COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, ensuring that the Stage 4 lockdown will almost certainly run for weeks to come. </div>
</div>
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<p><strong>PETE WARGENT</strong><em><strong> </strong>is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers and a best-selling author and blogger </em></p>
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Homebuyers returning, but not in Victoria: Pete Wargent

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Further property price falls ahead: Shane Oliver

<html><body><p><span><span>Melbourne homeowners may need to wait at least two years before the property market shows signs of growth according to Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site. <br><br>In this month’s <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/rba-cash-rate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">Finder RBA Cash Rate Survey™</a>, all experts surveyed expect a cash rate hold in August (40/40), with the consensus being that no further cuts will be implemented this year. However, more than two-thirds (26, 72%) of experts forecast an increase in 2021 or 2022.<br><br>Of those who weighed in on property, the majority are pessimistic about Melbourne prices increasing before April 2021 (75%, 18/24), while one-third (29%, 7/24) expect the market to stagnate until 2022 or beyond.</span></span><br><br><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/cc5e9bce699fa1d71a67cf499/images/04359ef0-2dec-4061-afa3-b17165532308.png" data-imagetype="External"><br><br><span><span>The outlook is slightly rosier for the Sydney housing market, with 38% of experts (9/24) predicting that house prices will recover before April 2021. <br><br>Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder, said that the unpredictability of COVID-19 has sent ripples of unease through the market.<br><br>“Both Melbourne and Sydney experienced double-digit growth throughout most of 2019. But widespread unemployment, travel bans and a second virus wave has caused a surge in property vacancies throughout both capitals."<br><br>“Melbourne’s median house price fell by 3.5% to $881,369 between March and June 2020, and Sydney wasn’t far behind with a 2% drop during this period."<br><br>“As Sydney teeters on the edge of a second major outbreak, prospects may be equally grim for homeowners here when it comes to the housing market recovery period,” Cooke said. <br><br>A surprisingly high percentage of experts and economists (42%, 11) also believe that now is a good time for homeowners to put their property on the market. <br><br>Only a quarter of experts (26%, 7) said homeowners should wait for 2 years before selling their property.<br><br>Cooke said, “It is clear that there is widespread uncertainty in the market as to what prices will be in the near future."<br><br>“With investors fleeing the market, banks are fighting tooth and nail for owner-occupier customers. It’s the ultimate borrower’s market. If your home loan has a 3 in front of it, you’re paying too much in 2020,” he said. </span></span></p></body></html>

Melbourne property recovery will be delayed to 2021/2022: Finder.com.au

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<p>Teska Carson has sold an office/warehouse in Richmond for $3.4 million to a local owner-occupier after taking nearly 230 enquiries and 12 offers for the newly renovated industrial property.</p>
<p>Located at 426 Burnley Street - about ten minutes from the centre of Melbourne - the property comprises a single level, 595 sqm, solid brick building.</p>
<p>It had a clear span warehouse, a two-level office, and basement storage, on a 555 sqm site with 12 metres street frontage.   </p>
<p>Agent George Takis said the quality building was located in one of Melbourne’s most popular city fringe markets with strong growth prospects and the additional attraction of the potential for redevelopment.</p>
<p>"More than 200 enquiries, 12 offers and $6126 a square metre, is an absolutely extraordinary result in any market, but particularly in these most uncertain times. </p>
<p>The property was sold with vacant possession.</p>
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12 offers for $3.4 million Richmond warehouse

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<p align="center">Melbourne tyre retailer and wholesaler, Superior Tyres, will open its doors in Sunshine West after securing on an industrial facility. </p>
<p>The 7,036sqm property at 531 Somerville Road features a building area of 4,071sqm, incorporating a mix of office, warehouse and large showroom/retail areas.</p>
<p>The property, formerly occupied by Tradelink, features three container height roller doors, a large concrete hardstand and ample car parking.  </p>
<p>CBRE negotiated the lease.</p>
<p>Superior Tyres will lease the property for six years at a rate of $330,000 per GST (plus GST and outgoings).  </p>
<p>Mr Murphy commented Superior was looking to relocate from Kensington/</p>
<p>"Superior Tyres identified this property as a perfect fit for the long-term future of its family business. It offered an ideal blend of retail, office and warehouse.  </p>
<p>The onset of COVID-19 caused some delays in finalising the transaction but both landlord and tenant were understanding and committed to a mutually-beneficial deal.”  </p>
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Superior spot in Sunshine West for tyre specialist 

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<p>Melbourne's housing affordability and liveability improves on slightly in the 1st half of 2020 compared to the 2nd half of 2019, reveals PRD's <em>Affordable and Liveable Property Guide Melbourne 1st Half 2020</em>. </p>
<p>Housing affordability in VIC declined in the 12 months to Q1 2020, with the proportion of income to meet home loan repayments increasing by 8.4 per cent. On the other hand, the level of first home buyer loan activity increased by 24.4 per cent in the same period. A substantial increase in demand is potentially due to government first home buyer incentives.</p>
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<p><span>Affordable and liveable house suburbs (those with a maximum property sale price of the VIC average home loan plus a 90 per cent premium), as per the </span><span>2nd Half 2019</span><span>μ </span><span>report, exist. Example suburbs include Preston, Greensborough, Greenvale, Oak Park, and Forest Hill. In the 1st half of 2020, 103 suburbs fell within this price range, a slight improvement compared to the 100 suburbs previously found in the </span><span>2nd Half 2019 </span><span>report. Further, these suburbs still meet the set liveability criteria.</span></p>
<p>The most affordable and liveable house suburbs include: </p>
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<td> </td>
<td>Approx. radius from the Melbourne CBD</td>
<td>Median House Price</td>
<td>1 Bed Median Price </td>
<td>2 Bed Median Price </td>
<td>3+ Bed Median Price </td>
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<td>Greensborough</td>
<td>20km</td>
<td>$803,000</td>
<td>$602,625</td>
<td>$760,000</td>
<td>$876,250</td>
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<td>Altona</td>
<td>19.5km</td>
<td>$885,000</td>
<td>$763,250</td>
<td>$842,500</td>
<td>$1,030,000</td>
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<td>Oakleigh South</td>
<td>7.7km</td>
<td>$923,000</td>
<td>$880,000</td>
<td>$890,500</td>
<td>$1,028,000</td>
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<p>Affordable and liveable unit suburbs include: </p>
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<td>Approx. radius from the Melbourne CBD</td>
<td>Median House Price</td>
<td>1 Bed Median Price </td>
<td>2 Bed Median Price </td>
<td>3+ Bed Median Price </td>
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<td>Kingsville</td>
<td>9.3km</td>
<td>$447,000</td>
<td>$285,000</td>
<td>$415,000</td>
<td>$747,500</td>
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<td>Moonee Ponds</td>
<td>7km</td>
<td>$470,000</td>
<td>$400,000</td>
<td>$524,000</td>
<td>$761,000</td>
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<td>Brunswick East</td>
<td>6km</td>
<td>$525,000</td>
<td>$386,000</td>
<td>$560,000</td>
<td>$821,500</td>
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<p>From 2018 to 2019/20 the number of houses sold in Melbourne Metro increased by 19.1 per cent. However, during this time frame median house prices declined by -11.1 per cent to $1,091,000. Similarly, demand for units increased by 12.9 per cent and median unit price softened by -1.8 per cent to $600,000. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/6/26/10_Housing.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:</p>
<p><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/2020/6/26/10_Housing.jpg" alt="" width="524" height="287"></p>
<p>Melbourne Metro sales and median price growth. Source: PRD. </p>
<p>Over Q1 2020, the Melbourne Metro rental market recorded a median rental price of $410 per week for houses and $460 per week for units, representing quarterly median price growth of 2.5 per cent for houses and 4.5 per cent for units.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2020/6/26/10_Rental.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: </p>
<p><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/2020/6/26/10_Rental.jpg" alt="" width="479" height="315"></p>
<p>Melbourne rental market analysis. Source: PRD. </p>
<p>There is still a healthy demand for properties in Melbourne Metro, while affordability has increased. This puts Melbourne Metro in a unique position, as first home buyers can benefit from lower prices yet sellers can be confident of market demand. Melbourne Metro is a city conducive for investment as vacancy rates were recorded at a healthy 2.8 per cent in April 2020, indicative of rental properties being occupied relatively quickly. </p>
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<p><span>The percentage premium needed to be added to the VIC average home loan in this report is 79 per cent, lower than the 90 per cent added in </span><span>2nd Half 2019</span><span> </span><span>report. Further, it is lower than the 111 per cent premium that is needed to reach the Melbourne Metro median house price, whilst still being able to satisfy all other methodology criteria set. A similar pattern can be seen in the unit market, which suggests that the cost of liveability has declined in Melbourne Metro. Now is an ideal opportunity for those looking to enter the market.</span></p>
<p><span>The top three lowest priced suburbs in Melbourne are Dallas whose 2019/20 median price is $455,000, Meadow Heights ($480,000) and Albanvale ($514,500). Dallas has a project development value of $3 million and 2019/20 median rent of $350 with a 3.3 per cent rental yield. Meadow Heights has a project development value of $3.2 million and median rent of $370 with a rental yield of 4.2 per cent, while Albanvale has the lowest project development value of $1.8 million, and a median rent of $350 with a 3.1 per cent rental yield. </span></p>
<p><span>In contrast, the top three highest priced suburbs are Toorak (whose median price is $3,912,500), East Melbourne ($3,513,500) and Canterbury ($2.8 million). Toorak has the highest project development value of $35.2 million while East Melbourne has the highest median rent and rental yield of $910 and 4.1 per cent. </span></p>
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<p><span>In the 1st half of 2020 a well-diversified project development expenditure worth approximately $17.8 billion in Greater Melbourne is set to commence, which will have a positive snowball effect on local economies and the real estate market in Melbourne Metro. </span></p>
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<p><span>A key mixed use project is the Fisherman's Bend Urban Renewal Project ($1.0B). This project will construct residential, commercial and retail precincts. The area is to be transformed into 4 new CBD style mini-suburbs and an employment precinct, with housing for up to 80,000 people. A key commercial project is University of Melbourne Student Precinct ($229.0M), and a key infrastructure project is Sunbury to Cranbourne Pakenham Corridor Rail Project ($571.5M).</span></p>
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Melbourne shows minor improvement in housing affordability: PRD

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<p>Melbourne’s house and unit prices declined over the June quarter, the market’s first fall since early 2019 and the deepest quarterly fall of all the major capital cities.</p>
<p>With Inner Melbourne, the inner east and inner south seeing price declines, opportunities are growing for prospective buyers to enter the market</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/54036863-9430-4062-a6a1-a416e52344a5.png" data-imagetype="External"><br><em>June 2020 QoQ change for Melbourne house and unit prices</em></p>
<p>“Melbourne’s record high house price achieved last quarter was short-lived: prices tumbled 3.5 per cent over the June quarter. House values have fallen $32,000 and units $9,000 over the first quarter to show the impact of COVID-19. Prior to this, Melbourne house prices had made a full recovery from the 2017-19 slump. This quarter marks the first fall since early 2019 and is the deepest quarterly fall of all the major capital cities. Affordability appears to be front of mind for buyers, with more substantial falls in the city, the inner east and inner south, while the outer areas remain stable or have risen. Units have held up better than houses, falling a more moderate 1.7 per cent over the June quarter. It is the opposite trend for Melbourne units, with the price slump concentrated in the affordable areas of the south east and west.”</p>
<p>“Home owners have been provided with a lifeline during this economically challenging time through the intervention of the banks and government: the JobKeeper subsidy as well as a more generous JobSeeker payment which have both been extended, along with the banks offer to pause mortgages. These will minimise the number of urgent or distressed sales, which will in turn support prices. The risks become far greater once these initiatives cease. That said, evidence suggests further price weakness - in June 13.4 per cent of sellers reduced their asking price, five times higher than the same time last year.”</p>
<p>“Melbourne’s property market outlook has adjusted in recent weeks as the city enters its second lockdown. The full impact of the first economic shutdown was clearly evident in the June quarter. Sales activity, listings and clearance rates fell in April. However the rebound was swift as restrictions eased, confidence lifted from the April lows, vendors returned, and more buyers decided it was a good time to purchase - nationally rising to a six-month high. The second lockdown will stall this momentum temporarily,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.</p>
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Melbourne property prices hit hardest in June quarter: Domain

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<p><span>Over the March quarter, the portion of loss making resales across Melbourne was 6.8 per cent, according to CoreLogic's Pain and Gain March Quarter 2020 report. </span></p>
<p><span>This is up from 6.3 per cent in the December quarter, and down 20 basis points from 7.0 per cent in the March 2019 quarter. The portion of loss making sales among units was higher than houses, at 15.5 per cent. The portion of loss making sales in the house segment was just 2.7 per cent.</span></p>
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<p><span><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/2020/7/10/17_Melbourne%201.jpg" alt="" width="594" height="394"></span></p>
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<p>Source: CoreLogic Pain and Gain March Quarter 2020 report.</p>
<p><span>The highest incidence of loss making sales, as has been a </span>trend for the past few quarters, were concentrated across the Melbourne LGA region. 33.6 per cent of resales saw a loss, and the median value of losses in the region was approximately $44,500. There were approximately 120 loss making sales observed across the Melbourne council region. All of these were units, and 68.6 per cent of these were owned by investors.</p>
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<p><span>For Melbourne and parts of Victoria, the recent rise in coronavirus cases presents ongoing risk to housing market demand. Government lockdowns have been a key determinant of economic performance since the onset of the pandemic. With dwelling value declines already being led by the Melbourne market, which saw dwelling value declines of 2.3 per cent in the June quarter, it is highly likely that there will be an increase in the portion of loss making sales in the metropolitan area over the coming months.</span></p>
<p><span>But despite the increase in the </span><span>rate </span><span>of loss making resales in Melbourne, 716 loss making sales were observed over the March quarter, compared with 904 observations over the December quarter. This reinforces a sense of stability that has been maintained in the housing market at a high level, as a result of lower transaction activity. Maintaining this stability will be dependent on the banking sector and government to extend relief of mortgage repayments, and income support, until the virus curve is once again flattened across the state.</span></p>
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<p>Source: CoreLogic Pain and Gain March Quarter 2020 report.</p>
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6.8% of Melbourne resales made a loss: CoreLogic Pain & Gain

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<p>Melbourne house and unit rents fell over the June quarter, with unit rents recording the first annual fall in 15 years, according to the Domain Quarterly Report for June.</p>
<p>With Inner Melbourne seeing house rents drop by $40 and units by $35 a week over the June quarter, alongside a rapid increase in the number of properties for lease, tenants are in a strong position to negotiate prices as their options expand.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img src="https://mcusercontent.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/51b2c04a-57ee-441b-b0ab-6e0af9823a5a.png" width="1087" height="362" data-imagetype="External"><br><em>June 2020 QoQ change for Melbourne rental prices</em></p>
<p>“Melbourne’s rental prices fell over the June quarter for both houses and units. While house rents remained stable over the year, unit rents recorded the first annual fall in 15 years. The drop in unit rents have pushed gross rental yields to a near-record low.”</p>
<p>“Inner Melbourne felt the brunt of price declines over the June quarter, median house asking rents dropped a staggering $40 and units $35 a week. Vacancies have surged in inner Melbourne, with advertised rentals lifting 64 per cent from March to June. This has created a discounting war, forcing one-third of inner Melbourne landlords to slash asking rents in an attempt to secure a tenant.</p>
<p>“Many short-term leases have converted to long-term, increasing rental choice. With significant job losses and wage cuts, tenants may have relinquished higher-priced rentals in favour of affordability or to move in with family. Though international border closures have weakened demand, Melbourne is particularly exposed to a drop in overseas migration, student population and tourism, as a significant proportion of rental demand comes from overseas. This is particularly evident in the CBD, which also has a greater exposure to the industries most vulnerable to the job losses associated with the coronavirus pandemic and has a high proportion of households renting.”</p>
<p>“Vacancies are likely to remain high in the coming months across metropolitan and tourist areas, which could result in further rent reductions. Any potential renewed short-term demand from interstate travel has been curtailed as Melbourne enters a second lockdown,” said Domain Senior Research Analyst, Dr Nicola Powell.</p>
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