<p>Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.</p>

<p>The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.</p>

<p>The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.</p>

<p>The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.</p>

<p><img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" /></p>

<p>The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;</p>

<p>PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.</p>

<p>The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.</p>

<p>Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.</p>

<p>"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.</p>

<p>Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.</p>

<p>A major focus of the design has been the public domain.</p>

<p>The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.</p>

<p>The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.</p>

<p data-end="239" data-start="66">Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.</p>

<p data-end="442" data-start="241">Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.</p>

<p data-end="661" data-start="444">Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.</p>

<p data-end="909" data-start="663">Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a></em></p>

<p data-end="1339" data-start="1019">Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.</p>

<p data-end="1339" data-start="1019">[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]</p>

<p data-end="1398" data-start="1341">It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.</p>

<p data-end="1805" data-start="1400">Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.</p>

<p data-end="1805" data-start="1400">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]</p>

<p data-end="1991" data-start="1807">The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.</p>

<p data-end="2303" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1993">Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a></em></p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a></em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

<p data-end="492" data-start="327">Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.</p>

<p data-end="843" data-start="497">At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.</p>

<p data-end="1109" data-start="848">The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.</p>

<p data-end="1109" data-start="848">[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]</p>

<p>Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.</p>

<p>The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.</p>

<p>"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]</p>

<p>The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.</p>

<p>The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]</p>

<p>Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.</p>

<p>Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]</p>

<p>The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.</p>

<p>The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.</p>

<p>The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.</p>

<p>"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.</p>

<p>"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."</p>

<p>Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]</p>


Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

<p>Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.</p>

<p>Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.</p>

<p>Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.</p>

<p>Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.</p>

<p>Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.</p>

<p>For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.</p>

<p>Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.</p>

<p>Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.</p>

<p>The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.</p>

<p>That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.</p>

<p>Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.</p>

<p>It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.</p>

<p>For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.</p>

<p>Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.</p>


Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

<p data-end="471" data-start="164">Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.</p>

<p data-end="777" data-start="473">The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.</p>

<p data-end="976" data-start="779">Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.</p>

<p data-end="1119" data-start="978"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.</p>

<p data-end="1399" data-start="1121">"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="1399" data-start="1121">"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."</p>

<p data-end="1605" data-start="1401">The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.</p>

<p data-end="1852" data-start="1607">The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.</p>

<p data-end="1852" data-start="1607"><img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" /></p>

<p data-end="2031" data-start="1854">Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.</p>

<p data-end="2299" data-start="2033">"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="2588" data-start="2301">Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.</p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991">Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.</p>

<p data-end="593" data-start="417">Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.</p>

<p data-end="789" data-start="598">New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.</p>

<p data-end="1053" data-start="794">IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.</p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991"><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a></em></p>

<p data-end="4143" data-start="3991"><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a></em></p>


First look: Inca eyes Mona Vale with State Significant DA for Dawn apartments

<p>Seasoned Victorian apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a> has logged more than $400 million in sales in its luxury apartment project Palmera Residences at Northcliffe on the Gold Coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Central Equity Director Karl Kutner said the sales result reflected a combination of location, product quality and delivery certainty with the project already under construction by building powerhouse Multiplex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Surpassing $400 million in sales since launch is a significant milestone and an outstanding endorsement of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera Residences</a>,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We believe one of the key reasons for this strong result is the confidence purchasers have in knowing the project is under construction with Multiplex. Buyers are increasingly looking for certainty. They want to know that the project they commit to today will be delivered by an experienced team with a proven track record."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365782]</p>

<p>Kutner said it was clear there was still high demand for luxury projects that offered certainty of delivery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We are in a market where many residential developments have faced delays due to rising construction costs, labour shortages and financing challenges,” said Kutner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But having construction underway has provided our buyers with resounding confidence backed by more than 40 years of development delivery by Central Equity combined with construction by one of Australia's most respected construction companies."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365785]</p>

<p>Central Equity is one of Australia's most experienced privately-owned property developers. Over more than four decades, the company has delivered in excess of 85 residential developments including 10,000 apartments and many thousands of stand alone homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Located on Garfield Terrace at Northcliffe, between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Palmera Residences occupies one of the Gold Coast's most sought after beachside locations. The development has been designed to appeal to owner occupiers seeking premium residences that combine generous living spaces and resort style amenities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palmera Residences will feature an exceptional collection of resort style amenities, including two swimming pools: a generously sized family pool with safe shallow zones for relaxed recreation, and a 20 metre lap pool positioned to maximise all day sunlight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to wellness and recreational facilities including a magnesium pool, sauna, yoga studio, expansive fitted gymnasium, resident lounge, outdoor BBQ’s&nbsp;and indoor and outdoor dining areas, together with a dedicated concierge and luxurious hotel inspired entrance foyer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365767]</p>

<p>A unique feature at Palmera Residences has been designed to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle which includes both indoor and outdoor gymnasium facilities, together with thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor dining and entertaining areas. A corner café has also been incorporated to provide residents with a destination for their everyday needs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kutner said buyer demand had been broad based with purchasers attracted from interstate as well as throughout South East Queensland.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're seeing strong interest from owner occupiers, lifestyle buyers and people relocating to the Gold Coast. Many purchasers have been searching for a premium beachside residence where quality, design and delivery are equally important."&nbsp;</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]</p>

<p>Kutner said the sales milestone was an important achievement, but the focus remained firmly on delivering an exceptional development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"While reaching $400 million in sales is an important milestone, our priority remains delivering a project that exceeds purchaser expectations,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Palmera Residences has been designed to become one of the Gold Coast's landmark residential addresses, and we look forward to welcoming our purchasers to their new homes."&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are a limited number of residences remaining in selected configurations with pricing from $2,950,000 to $8,950,000. Palmera Residences is also crowned by expansive penthouses with wrap around views.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]</p>


Construction certainty and strong buyer demand drive major sales result for luxury Gold Coast development

Palmera Residences fly out the door as sales pass $400 million

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<p>Australia's unemployment rate has risen from 5.8 percent to 6 percent according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.</p>
<p>The report this morning highlighted the trend employment having continued strong growth and an increase of 302,000 people in jobs since this time last year. </p>
<p>The chart below shows the movement of the Australian unemployment figures.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/ABS%20Chart.png" target="_blank"><span>Click here to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/ABS%20Chart.png" target="_blank"><span><img src="/images/2016/02/18/ABS%20Chart.png" alt="" width="402" height="303"></span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Channel Nine finance editor Ross Greenwood summed up the figures through his twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Ross_Greenwood" target="_blank">@Ross_Greenwood</a>.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.48.47%20am.png">Click here to enlarge</a></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.48.47%20am.png"><img src="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.48.47%20am.png" alt="" width="512" height="85"></a></p>
<p>South Australia were the biggest winners, seeing their unemployment rate drop from 7.1 percent to 6.8 percent. </p>
<p>The move was of much pleasure to Labor Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis who took to his twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/TKoutsantonisMP" target="_blank">@TKoustantonisMP</a> after the announcement. </p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.43.06%20am.png">Click here to enlarge</a></p>
<p><a href="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.43.06%20am.png"><img src="/images/2016/02/18/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%2011.43.06%20am.png" alt="" width="508" height="89"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To access the full report <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/latestProducts/6202.0Media%20Release1Jan%202016" target="_blank">click here</a> or you can read our run down of the publication.</p>
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Tweet of the day: Graph showing Australia's unemployment rate over five years

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<p><span>GUEST OBSERVER</span></p>
<p><span>Despite reaching new record levels for the year, building approvals are showing the first signs of having peaked according to the latest ABS data for June released today. </span></p>
<p><span>The run of record approvals over the last financial year has created a pipeline of new housing construction activity at levels to finally </span><span>meet Australia’s needs after years of underbuilding. </span></p>
<p><span>Nationally the latest ABS Building Approvals were down 8.2% in June 2015 in </span><span>comparison to the previous month’s figure. </span><span>For the 12 months to June 2015 however the record-breaking run continued with 220,423 new dwellings approved in seasonally adjusted terms. This was up from 195,302 approvals for the same 12 month period to June 2014. </span></p>
<p><span>The figures point to the market operating as it should and responding to new macroprudential settings with the reduction in approvals likely pegged to investor based activity. </span></p>
<p><span>The good news here is that w</span><span>hen we compare building approvals figures with household formation rates the two are lining up</span><span>. </span></p>
<p><span>The bad news is the signs are suggesting this may have peaked. On average 154,000 new homes are built per year, but this has been falling short by between 2,000 and 14,000 homes of what is required each year over the past 10 years, creating a housing shortfall. However the approvals we have seen over the last twelve months will start to make a dent in the housing deficit, especially in Sydney. </span></p>
<p><span>With investment loans likely to be lower</span><span>, the critical issue is to ensure as many approvals are converted to actual builds as possible to boost supply, especially in Sydney where pricing pressures have been predominantly due to undersupply. </span></p>
<p><span>The danger is that measures to contain house price growth in Sydney and Melbourne mean new housing drops away in other states. These states have only just come back to moderate, long-term five-yearly average house price growth off the back of recent strong building activity. </span></p>
<p><span>Declining investor numbers and new taxes on foreign investment will impact on the number of approvals that progress to construction. It is vital that strong supply is maintained to moderate housing prices particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. </span></p>
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<p><span>Governments need to continue to focus on supply side efficiencies in land release, improvements to development assessment and reform of inefficient taxes such as stamp duty to support continued supply</span><span>. </span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/07/30/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-30%20at%201.44.43%20PM.png" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/07/30/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-30%20at%201.44.43%20PM.png" alt=""></span></p>
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<p><em>Nick Proud is executive director of residential for The Property Council of Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://www.propertyoz.com.au/Profiles/ProfileDetail.aspx?pid=75" target="_blank">here</a>.</em></p>
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Record building approvals but figures moderating: Nick Proud

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<p><span>The ABS released its consolidated <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/8782.0.65.001Main+Features1Mar%202015?OpenDocument" target="_blank"><span>Construction Activity</span></a> data for the March 2015 quarter this week. </span></p>
<div id="post-body-7503557364222292087" class="post-body entry-content">
<div>No real surprises to be found here, based upon what we have already seen.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Resources construction continues to decline apace, with engineering construction in chain volume measures terms declining by a further 7.0% in the first quarter of the calendar year, to be down by more than 20% year-on-year.<br><br>Recent commodity price action suggests that the pace of the decline may even accelerate from here. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the positive side of the ledger, as implied by record high building approvals, residential construction has begun to respond to low interest rates, increasing very strongly by more than 5% in Q1 to be up by 11.9% over the past 12 months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Non-residential building was up by 1.3% in the March quarter, but has increased only by a paltry 0.7% over the past year.<br><br>Here's the chart: </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDxrvVs-G9A/VamSG2DNnHI/AAAAAAAAW_w/9aD2jXo9y1s/s1600/Construction1.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDxrvVs-G9A/VamSG2DNnHI/AAAAAAAAW_w/9aD2jXo9y1s/s1600/Construction1.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDxrvVs-G9A/VamSG2DNnHI/AAAAAAAAW_w/9aD2jXo9y1s/s640/Construction1.jpg" width="640" height="280"></a></div>
<br><div>Piecing these figures together it's clear that residential construction alone will not fully compensate for the decline in mining capital expenditure, with total construction activity of $48.3 billion now declining back to the levels seen in Q4 2011.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, $48.3 billion is still an elevated level of activity in historical terms...for now at least.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDgBofnRhbY/VamSGwEWp2I/AAAAAAAAW_s/O5apxmfsbgQ/s1600/construction2.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></div>
<br><div class="separator"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDgBofnRhbY/VamSGwEWp2I/AAAAAAAAW_s/O5apxmfsbgQ/s1600/construction2.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDgBofnRhbY/VamSGwEWp2I/AAAAAAAAW_s/O5apxmfsbgQ/s640/construction2.jpg" width="640" height="288"></a></div>
<br><div>The full force of the challenge will come when the last of the mega projects finally reaches completion, with a number of massive projects still in the construction phase such as the $34 billion Ichthys LNG project in the Northern Territory.<br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Regional centres</span></strong><br><br>The big picture is that as part of this rebalancing of the economy construction activity - and therefore employment - is shifting back away from the regions and towards the largest capital cities.<br><br>The latest unemployment rate figures for Sydney (4.7%), Brisbane (5.2%) and Melbourne (5.8%) may prove to be seasonally low, but the smoothed rolling 12 monthly data does suggest that unemployment rates in all three of the most populous cities may just be trending steadily down.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ysRISR7K_4/Varagu2GulI/AAAAAAAAXAw/Qkiq-q3Y2zc/s1600/CAPCITY.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ysRISR7K_4/Varagu2GulI/AAAAAAAAXAw/Qkiq-q3Y2zc/s1600/CAPCITY.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ysRISR7K_4/Varagu2GulI/AAAAAAAAXAw/Qkiq-q3Y2zc/s640/CAPCITY.jpg" width="640" height="290"></a></div>
<br>The economy is Sydney in particular is thriving. Indeed, with employment, retail trade and house prices all booming, monetary policy settings are all too easy for the harbour city.<br><br>Unemployment rates in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie seem to have steadied of late, but the trend in the Hunter is still upwards for now.<br><br>It's likely to be a tough period of adjustment for towns in the Upper Hunter such as Muswellbrook and Singleton, with further job cuts at BHP Billiton's Mr. Arthur reported to be "imminent".<br><br>It is worth noting that directly the mining industry is only a relatively small employer, but the reversal of the mining capital expenditure boom does have significant flow-on effects to other ancillary industries.<br><br>Labour market conditions had seemed to be picking up in the Illawarra, but it is nevertheless the case that the outlook for domestic steelmaking remains potentially bleak.<br><br><em>The Australian</em> put it fairly bluntly, stating that the closure of BlueScope's Port Kembla steelworks is "a matter of when, not if".<br><br>A recent poll in the Illawarra Mercury showed that more than 70% of respondents believe that the closure of the plant would cripple the Illawarra economy.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QB4q-M4068/Vardl9i8mhI/AAAAAAAAXBE/4CU4N8kIH2Q/s1600/NSW.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QB4q-M4068/Vardl9i8mhI/AAAAAAAAXBE/4CU4N8kIH2Q/s1600/NSW.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QB4q-M4068/Vardl9i8mhI/AAAAAAAAXBE/4CU4N8kIH2Q/s640/NSW.jpg" width="640" height="278"></a></div>
<br>Parts of regional Queensland have similar tales to tell.<br><br>Again, unemployment rates from month to month don't tell us a great deal, and things seem to have stabilised in some regions, but the general trend has been towards unemployment rates reverting higher as the resources investment boom phase falls away.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQD7HHdogLk/VaragsgYkoI/AAAAAAAAXAo/odZ9tSHh_O0/s1600/QLD.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQD7HHdogLk/VaragsgYkoI/AAAAAAAAXAo/odZ9tSHh_O0/s1600/QLD.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gQD7HHdogLk/VaragsgYkoI/AAAAAAAAXAo/odZ9tSHh_O0/s640/QLD.jpg" width="640" height="286"></a></div>
</div>
<br><div>Towns facing something of an uphill struggle include Dalby, Chinchilla, Roma, Moranbah, Emerald., Dysart, Bowen and others.<br><br>Gladstone has also been going through its own transition phase over the past year or two.<br><br>Tourism regions on the other hand should benefit from the ongoing depreciation of the Aussie dollar.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeRSdxu4_5w/VatfKwQNUBI/AAAAAAAAXCQ/AgVE3IgBslA/s1600/tourism.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a><br><br><div class="separator"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeRSdxu4_5w/VatfKwQNUBI/AAAAAAAAXCQ/AgVE3IgBslA/s1600/tourism.jpg"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yeRSdxu4_5w/VatfKwQNUBI/AAAAAAAAXCQ/AgVE3IgBslA/s640/tourism.jpg" width="640" height="278"></a></div>
</div>
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong><br><br><div>There is not a lot new here, of course, and the rapid decline of engineering construction has evidently been in the post for some time now. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Although it is generally reported that a decline in construction is a "bad thing", it is also clear that Australia couldn't go on building mines for ever - at some stage they need to produce exports. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em>Reductio ad absurdum</em>, if any decline in construction activity is bad, then Australia would've been better off not having a mining boom in the first place.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That said, the rising<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/city-versus-regional-jobs-divide-widens" target="_blank"> </a>levels of regional unemployment reported over the past week represent compelling evidence that many resources-influenced regions are set to be hit hard by declining demand in the years ahead.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the other hand the largest capital cities are benefiting from a boom in residential construction in particular together with the associated multiplier effect.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>One consequence of this is that certain inner city areas will evidently end up with an oversupply of apartments, particularly of high rise stock. Unit developments marketed overwhelmingly to investors may include those to avoid.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<p><span><em>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br></span></p>
<p><em>His latest book is <a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Construction activity declines in the regions: Pete Wargent

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<p><span>The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released demographic data for the December 2014 quarter yesterday. The data highlighted a continuing slowdown in the rate of national population growth, with the quarterly increase now lower than slump in population growth recorded during the GFC. In particular the mining states and territories are recording the biggest slowdown in population growth fueled by a slowdown in both interstate and overseas migration.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-13.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-13.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>The data showed that throughout 2014 Australia added another 330,202 persons.  Although this is still a relatively high rate of population growth, it is the lowest annual increase in population since the population increased by 327,637 persons over the 12 months to September 2011.  Over the final quarter of the year the national population increased by 64,010 persons which was its lowest quarterly increase since June 2006 (52,834).</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-23.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-23.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>At a national level population growth is comprised of overseas migration (arrivals minus departures) and natural increase (births minus deaths), any interstate migration is neutral at a national level.  Over the past year, the country experienced a natural increase of 146,067 persons and net overseas migration of 184,135 persons.  The rate of annual natural increase is at its lowest level since December 2006 (139,793) and annual net overseas migration is at its lowest level since June 2011 (180,372).  On a quarterly basis, natural increase was recorded at 36,517 persons (its lowest level since December 2006) and net overseas migration was recorded at 46,034 persons (its lowest level since June 2011).</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-33.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-33.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p>With the national population increasing by 330,202 persons over the past year, the majority of population growth has taken place in the largest states.  NSW (31.2%) and Vic (30.7%) accounted for a combined 61.9% of national population growth.  If you add Qld (19.4%) and WA (12.1%) the four largest states accounted for 93.5% of national population growth over the year.</p>
<p>As far as the rate of population growth goes, for the first time since September 2006 WA is no longer the state with the most rapid rate of population growth with Vic taking over the mantle. Vic’s population increased by 1.8% over the year followed by: WA (1.6%), NSW and Qld (both 1.4%), ACT (1.1%), SA (0.9%), NT (0.4%) and Tas (0.3%).  Qld, WA and NT in particular are seeing the impact of the mining downturn with fewer workers required in these states as the pipeline of major infrastructure projects winds down translating into slower population growth. Two years ago these states were recording annual population growth of 2.0% in Qld, 3.7% in WA and 2.8% in NT.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-42.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a></p>
<p><img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-42.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Net overseas migration has been slowing at a national level and as the above chart shows, all states are experiencing a fall in net overseas migration.  The full brunt of the slowdown in net overseas migration is once again being felt by the resource states.  Annual net overseas migration is -30.9% lower in Qld, -47.6% lower in WA and -56.0% lower in NT.  All other states except for NSW (+1.9%) and ACT (+4.1%) have recorded a fall in net overseas migration over the year, but nowhere near the extent of the mining states and territories.  The declines in these states were recorded at -4.2% in Vic, -9.0% in SA and -2.9% in Tas.  The data also highlights that overseas migrants have a clear preference to settle in the larger states.  Over the past year, 37.9% of net migration occurred in NSW with a further 30.4% in Vic, 13.2% in Qld and 10.3% in WA.</span></p>
<p><a href="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-53.jpg" target="_blank"><span>Click to enlarge</span></a></p>
<p><span><img src="/images/2015/06/26/Chart-53.jpg" alt=""></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>At a national level net interstate migration has no impact however, it does have a significant impact across individual states.  Over the 12 months to December 2014, there were 335,256 interstate movements across the Australian states.  Historically Qld has attracted as high number of interstate migrants however; net interstate migration to the state has slowed sharply over recent years.  Across the states, Vic now attracts the most net interstate migrants (9,336) followed by Qld (5,598) and these are the only two states that have recorded a net gain in interstate migration over the year.  Vic’s net gain from interstate migration is a record high while migration to Qld is at its lowest level on record.  The net outflow of residents from the remaining states was recorded at: -5,572 persons in NSW, -2,744 in SA, -400 in WA, -1,278 in Tas, -3,392 in NT and -1,548 in ACT.  Despite the net outflow, the net number of residents leaving NSW is at a record low.  On the other hand the loss of residents from WA is the largest since September 2003 and the outflow from NT is the largest on record.</p>
<p>In terms of natural increase the states with the largest overall populations also have the greatest natural increase.  There has been a sharp decline in natural increase in NSW over the past few years while natural increase is trending higher in WA.  The state-by-state shares of natural increase are: 26.5% in NSW, 24.8% in Vic, 23.5% in Qld, 4.9% in SA, 14.8% in WA, 1.0% in Tas, 2.0% in NT and 2.6% in ACT.</p>
<p>The demographic data highlights challenges for the Australian economy and individual states. Gross domestic product has been slowing and is much lower on a per capita basis. With population growth slowing and set to slow further in coming quarters (as foreshadowed in the monthly overseas arrivals and departures data) this poses a challenge for the national economy.  The resource states in particular are being impacted as they are attracting fewer migrants from both interstate and overseas. Conversely, NSW and Vic (which are a proxy for Sydney and Melbourne) are the places that both domestic and international migrants want to head to. </p>
<p>This in turn fuels demand for housing, creates the need for more jobs and requires more spending on infrastructure. To-date it doesn’t look as if the sharp rises in home values in Sydney and to a lesser degree Melbourne over recent years is stopping migrants heading to these areas. You would have to think that at some point this will change but no one has a crystal ball to know exactly when that inflection point will occur. Particularly given how low the cost of debt currently is with interest rates so low, furthermore rental pressures are easing given already high new housing construction and a record high pipeline of approvals to potentially follow.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is RP Data’s senior research analyst. Follow Cameron on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/cmkusher" target="_blank">here</a>. </em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

Australia’s rate of population growth continues to slow: Cameron Kusher

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<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">House prices rise a bit in Q1</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Another day, another media article predicting a property bloodbath (again), with some 'proper weird' quoted figures on an apparent housing oversupply in New South Wales (?) and undersupply in Western Australia (?!).<br><br>Ho hum.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile back in the real world the ABS released its Residential Property Price Indexes for the 2015 quarter.<br><br>Let's take a quick look via six quick-fire graphics plundered from my chart packs.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">1 - Quarterly and annual price gains</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Firstly, and most notably, it is clear that if we exclude Sydney, there was not really much of a property boom happening in Australia in the first quarter of the year, and indeed there hasn't really been for quite a number of years.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We might add the possible exception of Melbourne which has defied gravity for a fairly long time now, surprising quite a few commentators...including me, to be fair.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the first quarter of the calendar year Melbourne (+0.6 per cent), Adelaide (+0.7 per cent), Brisbane (+0.5 per cent) and Hobart (+0.4 per cent) each recorded moderate price growth, while prices jumped a little in Canberra (+1.0 per cent).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the past year Melbourne (+4.7 per cent), Brisbane (+3.9 per cent) and Canberra (+3.0 per cent) have each recorded decent if unspectacular price growth according to the ABS indices.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Elsewhere, dwelling prices have been tracking at relatively flat or moderately declining levels in real terms.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>As expected, only Sydney has shown genuinely strong price growth over the past year with prices once again surging 13.1 per cent higher.</div>
<p><br><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYY-jCPozII/VYjPW4s2MyI/AAAAAAAAWVo/TzoPE5u53aY/s640/b3.jpg" width="640" height="282"><br><br></p>
<div>Generally speaking house prices (+1.7 per cent) performed better than attached dwellings (+0.8 per cent) in the first quarter of the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In fact, although unit and townhouse prices surged again in Sydney (+2.2 per cent) and rose a little in Brisbane (+0.7 per cent), they declined in Melbourne (-0.8 per cent) and were down in no fewer than four of the other capital cities.</div>
<p><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2 - Long run indices</span></strong><br><br></p>
<div>Since 2008 when a number of media pundits began calling for - nay, guaranteeing - outlandishly dire outcomes for Australia's housing markets, as predicted on this blog Sydney, being the most undersupplied major city market, has actually seen its dwelling prices increase.<br><br>In fact, Sydney prices are now up by an incredibly strong 63 per cent since Q4 2008, a farcical margin of error for those who were forecasting a crash.</div>
<div>
<br>Awkwardly, even Melbourne's prices have shot up by 41 per cent over the past six-and-a-bit years, although price growth does seem to have moderated somewhat of late, on these indices at least.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The softest performing capital cities since 2008 have been those located in the southern states, being Adelaide (+15 per cent) and Hobart (+13 per cent), with Perth (+23 per cent) and Brisbane (+18 per cent) sitting somewhere in the pack.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0Z8-a_DBTE/VYjPWQdA1rI/AAAAAAAAWVM/rQ9MKE0sr_s/s640/b1.jpg" width="640" height="276"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>The ABS series only runs back to September 2003 and thus omits to record Sydney's preceding boom, thereby showing the harbour city as the worst performing capital over the past dozen years.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8uyH_3_B9Y/VYjPWiHD11I/AAAAAAAAWVQ/WnHe_PsMFAI/s640/b2.jpg" width="640" height="274"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>I'm not really old enough to recall what happened to Aussie house prices in the 1980s.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Fortunately for anyone who was wondering, Dr. Chris Caton, - Chief Economist of BT Financial - reliably informs me that since 1987 the strongest performing capital city markets have been Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne, in that order.<br><br>And believe me Dr. Chris definitely <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span> </strong>old enough to remember the 1980s.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfZ0lf5suEA/VYjm9mkq4jI/AAAAAAAAWWU/u_ZJfql7dTM/s640/chris.jpg" width="640" height="118"></div>
<div>
<br>Thank you kindly, Dr. Chris.<br><br>
</div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 - Total value of dwelling stock</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Since September 2011 the total value of New South Wales dwelling stock has powered 37 per cent higher to $2.1 trillion.<br><br>This in turn has helped to drive the total value of Australia's dwelling stock up to $5.5 trillion as at March 2015, a figure which for some reason people like to compare to Australia's Gross Domestic Product (it's 3x), though I haven't yet been able to fathom the relevance of the comparison - except to note that a material correction could of course have a notable impact on the wider economy.</div>
<div>
<br>Perhaps surprisingly, Western Australia is next in line with the value of dwelling stock growing by 21 per cent to $600 billion over the same time period, in part driven by exceptionally strong population growth in the state.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Victoria (+19 per cent to $1.4 trillion) and Queensland (+14 per cent to $0.9 trillion) have also seen the total value of their respective dwelling stocks increasing in recent years</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The four most populous states have thus accounted for the overwhelming bulk of dwelling value growth in dollar terms over that time since Q3 2011, at a thumping 94.3 per cent of the total.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0P8iH1CscVw/VYjPVX4dK7I/AAAAAAAAWU8/9PJjY7xvgNM/s640/B4.jpg" width="640" height="280"></div>
<p><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 -Mean dwelling prices</span></strong><br><br></p>
<div>Penultimately for today, the mean dwelling price has bolted 13 per cent higher over the past in New South Wales to $712,000.<br><br>Victoria (+4 per cent to $569,100), Queensland (+3 per cent to $462,300) and South Australia (+3 per cent to $416,700) each recorded moderate growth in mean prices.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqardcBZZuE/VYjPXM6ZwyI/AAAAAAAAWVk/8zLPDLU91Ak/s640/b5.jpg" width="640" height="284"></div>
<p> </p>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 - Number of dwellings</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Finally, one of the most perplexing pieces of "analysis" to emerge this week concerned an apparent oversupply of dwellings in New South Wales.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Goodness knows where those figures were plucked from, not that state level figures tell us anything much useful in any case.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>For the record, New South Wales added a grand total of 7,400 dwellings on a net basis in the March quarter (woo!), while the latest population growth statistics show that the state's population growth is bursting at the seams at around 106,400 additional heads per annum (around 85,000 of those in Greater Sydney).</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over the three years to March 2015 the total number of dwellings in the state of New South Wales has increased by only a net 95,800 to a total of 2,946,100.<br><br>The exact population growth figures for the same period are not yet known, but the figure is likely to end up punching at well over 300,000, with the latest state total population figures implying that the total is now somewhere north of 7.5 million.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDkH9_dWO2w/VYjPVhkEEaI/AAAAAAAAWVA/312OULIvLhA/s640/B7.jpg" width="640" height="260"></div>
<p> </p>
<div>I'm not sure how one concocts an "oversupply" out of those numbers, particularly given that we were already coming off the back of half a decade of under-building in Sydney.<br><br>Rents have continued to rise in Sydney over the years too, which itself is telling.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall the total number of dwellings increased by 38,200 in Australia in the first quarter to a grand total of 9,491,700.<br><br>This surprisingly implies a slight slowdown in completions in the first quarter given that the net year-on-year increase in dwellings was 162,600.</div>
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Housing bloodbath predictions in oversupply: Pete Wargent

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<div>Population growth in Australia has slowed from its recent peak of a shade above 405,000 per annum in September 2013 back to around 354,600 per annum on the latest figures.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This headline number will have some way to fall yet, with the December 2014 figures yet to be reported.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, a rebound is in the post in time.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In the summer month of January 2015, traditionally a strong month for long term arrivals, the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3401.0/" target="_blank"><em>Australian Bureau of Statistics</em> figures</a> recorded a bounce from 52,160 to 76,310, although the January result is still 9 per cent lower than one year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/06/09/wargent1.jpg" alt="" width="751" height="366"></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>On the departures side, however, long term and permanent departures also declined in January from 46,740 to 42,100, which notably is a below<strong> </strong>figure than the prior year comparative.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On a rolling annual basis net long term migration of 318,560 sits some 22 per cent below the most recent peak of January 2013.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/06/09/wargent2.jpg" alt="" width="673" height="324"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>When it comes to the long term and permanent departures data, stated intentions when ticking boxes on forms are one thing, but today's reality is quite another.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Boomerang departures are one of the reasons that our capital cities appear so crowded, despite the apparently slowing population growth data.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>On the one hand we now have record high short term arrivals at close to 7 million per annum.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And meanwhile most of those who claim to be migrating overseas permanently have "pulled a boomerang" within a year of leaving.</div>
<br><div>
<a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/3401.0Main%20Features2Jan%202015?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=3401.0&amp;issue=Jan%202015&amp;num=&amp;view=" target="_blank">Analysis</a> of prior years' data from the <em>Australian Bureau of Statistics</em> reveals that while ostensibly more than 380,000 Australians left the country on a long term or "permanent" basis over the past 12 months, more than 80 per cent of them are likely return home within just a year!</div>
<br><div><span><span><em>"Analysis shows that the majority of those with an intention of permanently departing, return to Australia within the following year. </em></span></span></div>
<div><span><span><em> </em></span></span></div>
<div><span><span><em>For example, in the calendar year 2011, out of the 84,240 Australian residents who stated they were departing permanently, only 15,890 spent 12 months or more overseas."</em></span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div>So much for the "long term-ness" of the long term departures, if you'll kindly pardon my dreadful English.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perhaps those pastures further afield aren't as greener-er as what people think they are, and that's why they done that.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>OK I'm getting rather grammatically bogged down here, so let's move on to look at...</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Record high visitors (the delayed Oprah effect)</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Shifting seamlessly along to short term arrivals we can see that visitors to Australia have sprinted to their highest level on record at more than 6.9 million.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/06/09/wargent3.jpg" alt="" width="829" height="390"></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>The idea that Kiwis are flocking home to rediscover the beauty of their homeland is an appealing narrative, but also one that has been overplayed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In fact, record numbers of New Zealanders arrived in Australia in the past year on a "short term" basis at close to 1.25 million.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There has also been a notable surge in the number of American visitors to Australia to a record 555,300 on a rolling annual basis.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Oprah Winfrey said it'd happen, and it seems she was right.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Although the detailed figures do show a spike relating to her December 2010 visit - from memory she brought along a few hundred whooping guests, and even greater numbers of security guards and filming crew - it is only in the past 12 months that American visitor numbers have really picked up strongly.<br><br>Naturally the decline of the Aussie dollar towards the mid 70 cent range against the greenback is a big driver here. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/06/09/wargent4.jpg" alt="" width="893" height="434"></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>And the below mega-trend, I've documented here often previously.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/06/09/Screen%20Shot%202015-06-09%20at%209.45.00%20AM.png" alt="" width="744" height="341"></span></div>
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<span>Expect more of the same based upon what I've seen around the traps in 2015.</span><br><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Asian settlers </span></strong><br><br><div>In terms of settlers in Australia the trend has clearly been away from Brits and Kiwis since the financial crisis and towards Chinese and Indians.<br><br>
</div>
<div>However, there was a reasonable rebound in the number of New Zealander settlers in January so this particular downtrend may have run its course for now, although Kiwi settler numbers are still clearly down by 10 per cent or so from a year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Poms clearly are evidently still opting to stay at home, though.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><img src="/images/2015/06/09/Screen%20Shot%202015-06-09%20at%209.46.16%20AM.png" alt="" width="817" height="411"></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span>The last 12 months has seen some 71,310 settlers from Asia, another mega-trend that shows no real sign of abating.</span></div>
<div><span> </span></div>
<div><span><img src="/images/2015/06/09/Screen%20Shot%202015-06-09%20at%209.47.21%20AM.png" alt="" width="828" height="418"></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div id="post-body-3022590133789834441" class="post-body entry-content">
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The rolling long term net migration figures imply that Australian population growth will sink back towards the low 300,000s range over the near term.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, a complex range of factors will combine to drive a rebound in due course. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Not least of these trends is that most who claim to be slinging their hooks for good don't even make it past year one before "pulling a boomerang".</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer">
<em><span>PETE WARGENT</span> is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br><p><em>His book '<a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>' is out now.</em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div> </div>
</body></html>

Boomerang departures drive population growth rebound: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<div>The ABS released its <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8755.0" target="_blank">Construction Work Done</a> figures for Q1 2015 which saw total construction work done decline by 2.4% to $48.4 billion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>It's a bit of an awkward data release with a few moving parts, but let's see if I can simplify a few of the key messages here in three short parts.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 1 - Total construction slips</span></strong></div>
<div>
<br>As you can see from my chart below, private sector building work is responding rather nicely to low interest rates.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Unfortunately, on the other hand, spend in the public sector is contributing very little to the cause.<br><br>Quarterly public sector expenditure fell to below $2.2 billion, which is far below the more stimulatory levels seen through the financial crisis which peaked at more than $5 billion.<br><br>The economy could evidently use some infrastructure investment, though I'm not at all sure we'll get it.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Meanwhile engineering construction, largely comprised of resources capital expenditure, continues to capitulate, now more than 20% lower over the past year to $24.8 billion in Q1, from a peak of $33.2 billion in 2012.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p> </p>
<div>The net result is that total construction work done declined further in the first quarter by 2.4% to $48.4 billion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This is still a very high level of activity in historical terms, but now some 8.8% lower than one year ago.</div>
<div> </div>
<p><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent2.jpg" alt=""><br><br></p>
<div>The one shining light for construction - which you will have seen with your own eyes if you live in one of the major capital cities - is residential construction, which continues to pulse along.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>House building work done is picking up sharply, while the value of building work done relating to units and apartments (denoted by the red line below) continues to surge to new record highs through this cycle.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Higher density developments - which tend to be located in cities and come with associated expensive land remediation costs - are contributing a surprisingly high proportion of residential building work done in chain volume measures terms.</div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent3.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></div>
<div>Major renovations work, denoted by the green line, continues to flatline, and is basically on life support outside Sydney.</div>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 2 - State versus state building</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">The value of building work done is being driven by activity in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, in that order, which should continue to support construction employment in those cities, combined with the associated </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">multiplier</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> effect.</span></p>
<div>The building boom is largely bypassing the southern states, and this has been reflected in benign (Hobart) or negative (Adelaide) employment growth in the respective capitals of these states. </div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent4.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Looking at the major component parts, Melbourne continues to be the undisputed king of house building, while Queensland and Western Australia saw a decent lift in activity in the first quarter of this year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargeent5.jpg" alt=""></div>
<p><br><span>But the real fun and games are taking place in the apartment construction sector.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Sydney and Brisbane may be approaching full capacity in this industry, which a dearth of bricklayers and project managers on the eastern seaboard being reported by the Reserve Bank's liaison, despite the legions of construction workers becoming available for transfer as they are released from resources contracts (more on this below). </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span></p>
<div>Activity in New South Wales pulled back a little in Q1, but Melbourne apartment construction continues to rip to record high levels, with nearly $6.5 billion of work done over the past year in Victoria, and $1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2015 alone.<br><br>Heady times.</div>
<div> </div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent6.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div class="separator"> </div>
<div>Clearly this is the macro level data only, but the figures clearly imply a looming oversupply of units and apartments in some locations.<br><br>Prospective investors clearly need to understand the property markets at a suburb and micro level in this respect.<br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br></span></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Part 3 - The mining cliff</span></strong>
</div>
<div><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></strong></div>
<div>If you were hoping for good news for resources regions from this release, I'm afraid that there is none to report.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Engineering construction work done held up reasonably well in Victoria, but everywhere else of note saw sharp declines, and particularly so the main mining states.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The one exception in recent quarters had been the Northern Territory, with heavy spend related to the $34 billion Ichthys project pushing up engineering construction work done to record highs for the Top End over the preceding two quarters.</div>
<div>
<br>However, even the Northern Territory saw engineering construction work done decline from $2.1 billion to $1.7 billion in the first quarter, with some delays to the planned 2017 start-up date having been reported related to Inpex.</div>
<div class="separator"> <span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="separator"><img src="/images/2015/05/28/wargent7.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div> </div>
<div>The chart above tells its own story, and there is little else but woe ahead for a number of mining town economies. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The ongoing capitulation of house prices in the Pilbara and Moranbah have been well enough documented, but there are many more echo-corrections in the post across regions which have been propped up through the once-in-a-century mining construction boom. </div>
<div>
<br>My chart packs have shown here previously that the pipeline for mining capital expenditure is desperately weak, and there will be further data to report on expected capital expenditure declines later this morning.<br><br>Capex related to Ichthys still has a way to run, granted, while Adani is hoping to proceed with its $10 billion thermal coal project (despite the minor inconvenience issue that at today's prices the project can barely be viable).<br><br>But these monster projects aside, weakening commodity prices will ensure that mining investment is heading all the way back down where whence it came, which is why we call it a commodity <em>cycle</em>.</div>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The wrap</span></strong></p>
<div>This negative result will breathe very life into the GDP result for the first quarter, while a further decline in Australia's terms of trade will also act as a drag.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Economic growth may not be stone dead flat in Q1, but it seems unlikely to be a great deal better than that, which could drag the annual result down to well below 2% over the first half of this calendar year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>With inflation forecasts having been revised down and further macro-prudential tools now being deployed by lenders, futures markets see every chance that the next move in interest rates will be down again to below 2%.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Perhaps the twist in the tail here is that macro-prudential tools on lending to property investors mean lower interest rates for longer?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<em><span>PETE WARGENT</span> is the co-founder of <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AllenWargent</a> property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">blogger</a>.</em><br><p><em>His book '<a href="https://www.bigskypublishing.com.au/Books/General-Interest/Four-Green-Houses--and-a-Red-Hotel/1015/productview.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Four Green Houses and a Red Hotel</a>' is out now.</em></p>
</div>
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Major renovations work continues to flatline: Pete Wargent

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<p>Last week, I noticed Craig James, chief economist of Commsec, pointing out to David "Kochie" Koch that although wages growing have been growing slower than prices, household incomes are actually growing at the fastest pace in two years, increasing by 4.7% in the last 12 months.</p>
<p>While wages growth has indeed slowed (<a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/wages-grow-at-26" target="_blank">as I analysed here,</a> among other places), apparently household disposable incomes have been rising more quickly. Interesting statistic I thought, so I asked "CJ" for the source.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SzKL4Y4BIU/VCF5vBSJ3TI/AAAAAAAAP70/Yhw_QqERMLs/s1600/HICJ.jpg"> </p>
<p>Straight from the National Accounts, advised CJ. So I thought I'd take a little look to confirm or deny.</p>
<p><strong>Household gross incomes rising</strong></p>
<p>First, I ran the seasonally adjusted household income data from the National Accounts.</p>
<p>As you can see from the green line circled below, after a rampant boom in employee compensation spurred on by Australia's mining boom, income growth from paid employment has slowed since December 2012.</p>
<p>Although the trend does remain up on a national basis, in real terms wages are at best flat and at worst declining moderately.</p>
<p>Of course there are many forms of income including dividends, rent, social assistance, other transfers, and more besides, and overall household incomes have increased at the significantly faster pace of 4.4% seasonally adjusted over the last year according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) - in essence, everything that is not wages has increased in real terms.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8H1Wz0wmWcQ/VCF5psR7OkI/AAAAAAAAP7Q/opfMA4K1EVA/s1600/HI1.jpg"></p>
<p>Still, even this income growth cannot fully account for a 4.7% rise in household disposable incomes.</p>
<p><strong>Payables down?</strong></p>
<p>The big mover in terms of payables in recent decades has of course been interest paid on dwellings, which skyrocketed until September 2008, then collapsed as interest rates were slashed and house prices eased. Then it repeated the trick once again from September 2011 as the latest easing cycle took hold.</p>
<p>With interest rates significantly closer to the zero bound than historically has been the case and household debt levels today much higher than they were before the deregulation of the banking system, relatively small adjustments to mortgage rates can result in wild swings in total interest payments on dwellings. And how!</p>
<p align="center"><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFfk72ZbyRo/VCF5p2fT1FI/AAAAAAAAP7U/ucfhOLYzSDo/s1600/HI2.jpg"> </p>
<p>With most mortgage debt being charged on variable rate products, this explains why Australia's housing market is so sensitive to shifts in interest rates, and why only a few rate hikes would quickly quell speculative sentiment and swiftly end the property price uptrend for this cycle.</p>
<p>Why? Because the people lumbered with the highest mortgage debt as a percentage of their household income are those at the margin i.e. those buying much of the property which transacts.</p>
<p>It is difficult to draw hard conclusions from macro level data, but the two charts above show that for existing homeowners on variable rate mortgages, disposable income has surely roared higher in the period since the dramatic peaks in interest repayment levels of September 2008 and September 2011 respectively.</p>
<p>Anyone with existing mortgage debt who has remained in employment will appreciate just how comparatively easy life is with a standard variable rate of 5.2% rather than the 9.6%, we saw as recently as July and August 2008.</p>
<p align="center"><img src="https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2013/images/sp-so-230413-graph11.gif"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><em>This article continues on the next page. Please click below to continue. </em></p>
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<p><strong>Household income accounts</strong></p>
<p>On a national basis total gross income dwarfs property payables largely because most Australians are not mortgaged to the eyeballs as is widely believed. </p>
<p>Depending on your state, between a quarter and a third of homes <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dynamics" target="_blank">are owned debt free</a> while mortgage holders over recent years have been moving well ahead on their repayments. </p>
<p>Meanwhile income taxes payable have moved higher in concert with rising taxable incomes. </p>
<p>The trend in gross disposable income is shown by the red line below.</p>
<p align="center"> <img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ew6soAsW11s/VCF5umNs6jI/AAAAAAAAP7w/d8MQCRJdCdQ/s1600/HI4.jpg"></p>
<p>So, in this sense, Commsec's observation is correct - gross disposable incomes are indeed 4.7% higher than a year ago.</p>
<p>However it is a fair bet that those who are not homeowners and are 100 percent reliant on a salary for their income do not feel much better off, if they even do at all.</p>
<p>Homeowners and in some instances those with diversified income streams are clearly benefiting very significantly from record low borrowing rates.</p>
<p>These things naturally tend to work in cycles, though - when interest rates were much higher and rising and dwelling prices easing, the boot was on the other foot entirely.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> <img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CV4uoAihbTI/VCF5tvRx9fI/AAAAAAAAP7k/dN77fz2dzgw/s1600/HI5.jpg"></p>
<p>Gross disposable income nationally has been launched massively higher by more than 80% in the past decade, unadjusted for population growth.</p>
<p>However, the trend disposable income growth per capita seems likely to slow, and if interest rates are hiked several times gross disposable income in aggregate could plateau unless wages growth rebounds.</p>
<p> <img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fXYwdyho_XE/VCF5vQP6fjI/AAAAAAAAP74/O2tfGis_r1o/s1600/HI6.jpg"></p>
<p> </p>
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Are household disposable incomes really increasing at 4.7%?

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

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Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Abs