<p>Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.</p>

<p>The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.</p>

<p>The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.</p>

<p>Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.</p>

<p>“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.<br />
<br />
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”</p>

<p>He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.</p>

<p>Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.</p>

<p>The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;</p>

<p>New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.</p>

<p>"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;</p>

<p>NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;</p>


Joel Robinson

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

<p>Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.</p>

<p>For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.</p>

<p>Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.</p>

<p>Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.</p>

<p>For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.</p>

<p>That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.</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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.</p>

<p>The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.</p>

<p>For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.</p>

<p>As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.</p>

<p>It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.</p>


Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

<p>While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.</p>

<p>Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.</p>

<p>SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.</p>

<p>"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]</p>

<p>Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.</p>

<p>Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.</p>

<p>Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.</p>

<p>The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]</p>

<p>Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.</p>

<p>"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.</p>

<p>"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."</p>

<p>Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]</p>

<p>The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.</p>

<p>Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.</p>

<p>"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]</p>

<p>The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.</p>

<p>Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.</p>

<p>The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]</p>


ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

<p>The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.</p>

<p>The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.</p>

<p>At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.</p>

<p>Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.</p>

<p>"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."</p>

<p>"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" /></p>

<p>DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.</p>

<p>"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."</p>

<p>"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."</p>

<p>The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.</p>

<p>The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.</p>

<p>Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.</p>


Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

<p>Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.</p>

<p>The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.</p>

<p>The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.</p>

<p>Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.</p>

<p>Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.</p>

<p>The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.</p>

<p><img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" /></p>

<p>Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.</p>

<p>"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."</p>

<p>"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."</p>

<p>The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.</p>

<p><img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" /></p>

<p>DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.</p>

<p>Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.</p>

<p>"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."</p>

<p>The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.</p>

<p>If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.</p>

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

<p><strong>Project:</strong> Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment</p>

<p><strong>Address:</strong> 494-516 Military Road, Mosman</p>

<p><strong>Developer:</strong> Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors</p>

<p><strong>Architect:</strong> DKO Architecture</p>

<p><strong>Lead Architect:</strong> Matthew Ritchard</p>

<p><strong>Value:</strong> $230 million</p>

<p><strong>Residences:</strong> 100 apartments</p>

<p><strong>Key features:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Ground-floor retail</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Rooftop wellness precinct</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Gym and sauna</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Landscaped communal gardens</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Multi-use recreation court</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Retained mature blue gum tree</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Connecting with Country design process</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments</p>
	</li>
</ul>


Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

First look: Abadeen plans 100 apartments on former Honeysuckle Garden site in Mosman

Capital Cities

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<div>EXPERT OBSERVATION</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Housing is Australia’s single largest asset class, worth more than four times the value of Australian-listed stocks.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In New Zealand, investment in houses represented around one third of all investor activity in a 12-month period.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Today’s choices in investment opportunity have reduced as investors are faced with low interest rates, inflation rates, taxes and a stock market that is out of an individual’s control.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Real estate is more than an asset class; it is a long-term asset wealth growth vehicle too. Real estate protects investment against inflation through the economic cycles and offers growth in response to increasing demand for property.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Investment concentrations tend to be highest within the capital cities, and we are all very aware of Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland and the machinations in those markets.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Take Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland out of the picture and look at investment potential in other major cities, mining regions, coastal markets and other markets associated with tourism and lifestyle factors.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="color: #262626;">Queensland’s improving economy, housing affordability, a rise in interstate migration and increased optimism in the market are all driving the value of the state’s residential real estate sector, for example.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: #262626;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="color: #262626;">Coastal and inland regions of all Australian states have the potential for rental return and capital gain. Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Wagga Wagga, Dandenong and Mount Gambier are fair examples here.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: #262626;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;">In New Zealand, the average national property price climbed 65 to 70 per cent over a decade, putting in a better performance than the share market.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #262626;">Almost half the value of New Zealand homes is inside Auckland city but as that </span>market takes a breather, look to the opportunities to in regional New Zealand: in Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Invercargill and others.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="color: black;">A massive opportunity to buy may exist in every Australian state and New Zealand region so don’t allow two or three markets to taint the scene.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;">Even within a single city, there’ll be better investment opportunities than others.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;"> Look at the $5 million-plus market, which appears very strong in Sydney, a good example of a truly international city with a limit to its land availability.</span></div>
<div><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div>Every area that booms has to have a breather, and there will be opportunities to get back into that market.</div>
<div>
<br><em>MICHAEL DAVOREN is the Managing Director of RE/MAX Australia &amp; New Zealand</em>
</div>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Where there are markets there are opportunities: Michael Davoren

<html><body>
<p class="post-title entry-title">EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<div>Property transaction volumes have been crippled in recent months.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But one key dynamic has not changed.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The capital cities continue to create hundreds of thousands of the most favourable employment opportunities...and there still ain't any more well-located land.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Capital city vacant land prices increased by a massive 16 per cent to a record high of $336,124 over the year to June 2018, as supply fails dismally to keep pace with demand. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>This was much faster than the 5 per cent increase for regional lot values. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney may still have the highest land price at $477,250 at the end of the June quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>But Melbourne recorded faster growth, with the median land price per square metre exploding another 27 per cent higher higher over FY2018. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney's median vacant land price per square metre is now $1,100, ahead of Melbourne at $885.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Price pressures are still strong in the residential land market, according to HIA.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>They found that the price and number of vacant residential lots sold increased across the state capital cities in the June 2018 quarter.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The weighted median residential lot price for Australia's state capitals increased by 3.8% to $336,125 in the June 2018 quarter to be 15.5% higher over the year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Melbourne saw the strongest price surge with vacant residential land in Melbourne jumping 26.5% over the year to the June 2018 quarter.</div>
<p class="post-body entry-content">Tim Lawless CoreLogic' Research Director agreed with this sentiment stating upwards pressure on capital city land values will continue. </p>
<div>He found construction costs are also rising faster than inflation.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And accordingly, the future price of new detached housing will be "inevitably higher" according to CoreLogic analysis.</div>
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pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

Capital city land price boom continues: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>The latest CoreLogic home value index results show the slowdown in the national market has become more broadly based with the majority of capital city regions recording a fall in dwelling values. </p>
<p>Over the three months to August 2018, combined capital city dwelling values fell by -1.2%. Throughout the individual capital cities, falls were recorded over the three months in: Sydney (-1.2%), Melbourne (-2.0%), Perth (-1.9%) and Darwin (-0.7%) while values increased in Brisbane (0.1%), Adelaide (0.5%), Hobart (0.1%) and Canberra (0.4%).</p>
<p>When digging a little deeper into the data and analysing value changes across the sub-regions (based on SA4 regions) of the capital cities, it is clear that values are drifting lower across most areas. Of the 46 capital city sub-regions (note that Hobart, Darwin and Canberra are each comprised of a single SA4 region) only 13 have recorded an increase in values over the period with all others recording a fall.</p>
<p>Looking at the data, five SA4 regions of Brisbane and three SA4 regions of Adelaide recorded value increases over the quarter. Even though values are falling across the Sydney metro area, North Sydney and Hornsby and City and Inner South have recorded moderate value increases over the quarter. Not one region of Melbourne has recorded an increase in values over the past three months.</p>
<p>Of the 33 SA4 regions in which values fell over the past three months, Melbourne-Inner East (-3.7%), Mandurah (-3.3%) and Blacktown (-3.0%) recorded the largest falls at a rate of 1.0%/month or more. <br> <br>Over the three month period, dwelling values in Melbourne fell by -2.0% and the North West region of the city recorded the most moderate value fall of -1.0%.  Similarly in Perth, values were 1.9% lower over the quarter and the South West region recorded the most moderate quarterly fall, down -1.1%.</p>
<p>Click <a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-09/20180904_change_in_values_three_months_to_aug18.jpeg" target="_blank">here</a> to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-09/20180904_change_in_values_three_months_to_aug18.jpeg" alt="CoreLogic_Change in values three months to Aug18" width="1134" height="2288"></p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is the head of research at CoreLogic</em></p>
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ckusher-ujnxiKuFQs

How have dwelling values shifted around the capital cities? Cameron Kusher

<html><body>
<p>EXPERT OBSERVER</p>
<p>In previous instances when value growth has slowed or started to fall in Sydney and Melbourne the experience has often been that value growth has ramped-up in other capital cities. This makes sense given that as affordability deteriorates in certain areas of the country people start to turn their attention elsewhere.  </p>
<p>This week’s blog takes a look at the comparative value of housing in other capital cities and nearby markets relative to in Sydney and Melbourne.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/2018-07-23-blogimg1.png" alt="Dwelling value premium in Sydney relative to other capital cities" width="584" height="191"></p>
<p> <br>Sydney is the nation’s most expensive capital city housing market currently with the median dwelling value in June 2018 recorded at $870,554. The premium for the median dwelling value in Sydney relative to the other national capital cities is: 21% for Melbourne, 76% for Brisbane, 98% for Adelaide, 89% for Perth, 99% for Hobart, 101% for Darwin and 48% for Canberra. With dwelling values in Sydney now falling, the premium is reducing however, the cost of housing in Sydney relative to other capital cities is generally significantly higher than the long-term averages. In fact only Melbourne (42%) and Hobart (103%) have a current differential which is lower than the long-term average.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/2018-07-23-blogimg2.png" alt="Dwelling value premium in Sydney relatice to Regional NSW areas" width="592" height="194"></p>
<p> <br>Of course, people that potentially migrate out of Sydney don’t necessarily only choose to go interstate, they may also migrate intrastate. The above chart highlights the value differential over time between Sydney and those regions adjoining the city as well as the Capital Region (adjoining Canberra) and Richmond-Tweed (adjoining South-East Queensland). The premium for Sydney dwellings compared to those in the other regions highlighted is currently: 105% for Capital Region, 176% for Central West, 113% for Hunter Valley exc Newcastle, 29% for Illawarra, 52% for Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, 64% for Richmond-Tweed and 47% for Shoalhaven. Although values have increased in regional NSW over the past year, the rate of growth has slowed substantially, particularly within Illawarra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven. These three regions have been seeing strong value growth over the past five years and they are also the only three regions in which the value differential is lower (substantially so) than the long-term average.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/2018-07-23-blogimg3.png" target="_blank">Click</a> to enlarge</p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/2018-07-23-blogimg3.png" alt="Dwelling value premium in Melbourne relative to other capital cities" width="590" height="193"></p>
<p> <br>Looking at the value differential between Melbourne and other capital cities, except Sydney, Melbourne’s median dwelling value of $716,774 is higher than all other capital cities. The premium for Melbourne is currently recorded at: 45% for Brisbane, 63% for Adelaide, 55% for Perth, 64% for Hobart, 65% for Darwin and 22% for Canberra. The value differential for Melbourne to all these capital cities is greater than the long-term average. In fact, notwithstanding the recent slight reductions due to Melbourne value falls, the value gap between Melbourne and Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide and Melbourne and Darwin is the largest it has ever been.  </p>
<p><img src="https://www.corelogic.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-07/2018-07-23-blogimg4.png" alt="Dwelling value premium in Melbourne relative to Regional Vic areas" width="590" height="193"></p>
<p> <br>The above chart looks at the dwelling value premium for Melbourne relative to the major regional areas adjoining the capital city. Melbourne retains a significant premium in terms of housing costs relative to these areas. What is very different to what was shown in the chart for Sydney and Regional NSW areas is that outside of Geelong, the housing cost premium in Melbourne remains well above the long-term average. This suggests that while value growth has been rippling out of Melbourne to Geelong for some time, it has only just started to spill-out into the other three regions recently.  The current premium for Melbourne dwellings relative to the other regions is: 99% for Ballarat (80% long-term average), 100% for Bendigo (74% long-term average), 29% for Geelong (40% long-term average), 123% for Latrobe-Gippsland (89% long-term average). </p>
<p>There are some explainable reasons why dwelling values in Sydney and Melbourne have risen so substantially over recent years. These include but are not limited to: strong rates of migration to the cities, dramatically increased foreign investors, low mortgage rates, increased demand from investors and much stronger economic conditions than elsewhere in the country. The latest data shows a pull-back in net overseas migration, slowing interstate migration to NSW and Vic, foreign investment has reduced, fewer local investors and reduced availability of credit for housing despite still low mortgage rates. Sydney and Melbourne still have comparatively strong economies but we have started to see the economic performance elsewhere improve. Sydney and Melbourne have also seen a dramatic reduction in housing affordability over recent years as dwelling values have increased much faster than household incomes. The value gap between Sydney and Melbourne and other regions doesn’t necessarily mean that value growth will pick-up elsewhere where dwelling values are much lower. However, if other areas of the country can improve their economic performance, the lure of much more affordable housing may be enough of a lure to see an increasing number of Sydneysiders and Melbournians to migrate away from these two cities to other areas of the country.</p>
<p><em>Cameron Kusher is a property research analyst for CoreLogic</em></p>
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Value differential of different capital cities in Australia over the years: Cameron Kusher

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<p><span>The median house price across Australian capital cities has declined in the first quarter of 2018, according to the latest research from the Real Estate Institute of Australia.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>The REIA Real Estate Market Facts for the March quarter 2018 saw the weighted average median prices fall by 0.1 per cent at $770,086 for houses and 0.2 per cent at $593,183.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>REIA President Malcolm Gunning said the median house price increased in Hobart, Melbourne and Adelaide but decreased in Darwin, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.<br><br>“Canberra had the largest fall in house prices and Darwin had the largest decrease in other dwellings,” Mr Gunning said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <br><br>“This is the first time since September 2006 that Hobart hasn’t had the lowest house median price for all capital cities on the back of an increase of 7.2 per cent over the quarter and 20.0 per cent over the previous year.</span></p>
<p><span>“Adelaide now has the lowest median house price at $470,000 some 39 per cent lower than the national average,” Mr Gunning said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>Mr Gunning said despite the falls over the quarter, over the 12 months, the weighted average capital city median house price has increased by 2.2 per cent, on the back of rises in all capital cities except Perth and Darwin.<br><br>“Over the quarter, median rents for three-bedroom houses increased in all capital cities except Darwin. Median rents for two-bedroom other dwellings performed better with all cities increasing their medians,” he said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>Mr Gunning said the weighted average vacancy rate for the eight capital cities decreased to 2.6 per cent during the March quarter indicating a tighter rental market.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>“Canberra has the tightest market with a vacancy rate of 0.5 per cent which is the lowest rate for a capital city since March 2008 and for Canberra since the early 1980s,” Mr Gunning said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span><br></span><strong><span><br>Australian Capital Territory<br><br></span></strong><span>Over the March quarter, the median house price for Canberra decreased to $641,000, a decrease of 3.6 per cent over the quarter but an increase of 1.7 per cent over the previous year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Canberra increased to $495 per week, an increase of 2.1 per cent over the quarter and 5.9 per cent over the previous year. During the March quarter, the vacancy rate in Canberra decreased to 0.5 per cent, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points over the quarter, and the lowest vacancy rate for the country.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>New South Wales<br><br></span></strong><span>Over March quarter, the median house price in Sydney decreased to $1,150,357, a decrease of 2.6 per cent over the quarter and a decrease of 1.4 per cent over the previous year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span><br></span><strong><span><br></span></strong><span>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Sydney increased to $520 per week, an increase of 2.0 per cent over the quarter and an increase of 4.0 per cent over the past year. The vacancy rate in Sydney increased to 2.3 per cent an increase of 0.2 percentage points over the quarter.</span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>Northern Territory</strong></span><span><br><br></span><span>Over the March quarter, the median house price in Darwin increased to $505,000, a decrease of 1.6 per cent over the quarter and a decrease of 4.7 per cent since the previous year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span> </p>
<p><span>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Darwin decreased to $477 per week, a decrease of 2.2 per cent over the quarter and a decrease of 3.4 per cent over the previous year. The vacancy rate in Darwin increased to 6.5 per cent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points over the March quarter 2018.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br><strong>Queensland</strong></span></p>
<p><span>Over the March quarter, the median house price for Brisbane decreased to $515,000, a decrease of 2.8 per cent but an increase of 2.0 per cent over the previous year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Brisbane increased to $390 per week, an increase of 2.6 per cent over the March quarter but stable over the past year. The vacancy rate in Brisbane increased to 2.7 per cent, an increase of 0.1 percentage points during the March quarter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br><br></span><strong><span lang="EN-GB">South Australia<br><br></span></strong><span>Over the March quarter, Adelaide’s median house price increased to $470,000, an increase of 1.1 per cent over the quarter and 2.2 per cent over the previous year.</span></p>
<p><span>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Adelaide increased to $355 per week, an increase of 2.9 per cent over the previous quarter and 1.4 per cent over the previous year.</span><span><br></span><span lang="EN-GB"><br><strong>Tasmania<br><br></strong></span><span>Over the March quarter, the median house price in Hobart increased to $492,000, an increase of 7.2 per cent over the quarter and an increase of 20.0 per cent over the previous year.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span><br><br></span><span>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Hobart increased to $400 per week, an increase of 5.3 per cent over the quarter and 8.1 per cent over the previous year. The vacancy rate in Hobart remained stable at 1.4 per cent during the March quarter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span><br><br></span><strong><span lang="EN-GB">Victoria<br></span></strong><span lang="EN-GB"><br></span><span>Over the March quarter, the median house price in Melbourne increased to $855,000, an increase of 4.4 per cent over the quarter and 7.4 per cent over the previous year.</span><span><br><br></span><span><span>The median rent for three-bedroom houses in Melbourne increased to $400 per week, an increase of 1.3 per cent over the quarter and 2.6 per cent over the previous year. The rental vacancy rate in Melbourne decreased to 2.1 per cent over the March quarter, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></p>
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Median house price drops across five capitals in first quarter: REIA

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<p>EXPERT OBSERVATION</p>
<p>Finding a house close to the city centre for under $500,000 is becoming increasingly difficult.</p>
<p>We look at the five suburbs in each capital city that are closest to the city centre and have a median house value under $500,000.  </p>
<p>Obviously the options and distance from the city centre vary greatly across each of the individual capital cities.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>Suburbs closest to a capital city GPO with a median house value of less than $500,000</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/5/22/2018-05-21-pulseimg1.jpg" alt=""></strong></p>
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<li><strong style="font-size: 12.16px;">Sydney </strong></li>
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<p>Bar Point is the suburb closest to the CBD with a median house value below $500,000. Sitting on the Central Coast as the crow flies it is 39.5 kilometres away from the CBD. There are only two suburbs within 50 kilometres of the CBD with a median house value below $500,000.</p>
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<li><strong>Melbourne</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Dallas is the suburb closest to the Melbourne CBD with a median house value of less than $500,000. Located 16.1 kilometres from the CBD, the typical house costs less than $450,000.  There are only two suburbs within 20 kilometres of the CBD with a median house values of less than $500,000.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Brisbane </strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Rocklea is the closest suburb to the city with a median house value below $500,000 and it is the only suburb below that price point within 10 kilometres of the CBD.  Once you move more than 10 kilometres from the CBD there are many options under $500,000.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Adelaide</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Hindmarsh is just 3.5 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD and has a median house value well below $500,000. The five suburbs listed are all less than 5 kilometres from the city centre which highlights the affordability of well-located housing in Adelaide relative to other capital cities.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Perth</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Glendalough which is just over 5 kilometres from the Perth CBD is the closest suburb to the city centre with a median house value below $500,000.  Relative to other cities there are quite a number of suburbs relatively close to the city centre with a median house value below $500,000.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Hobart </strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Montagu Bay which is 3 kilometres from Hobart’s city centre is the closest suburb with a median house value of less than $500,000. Hobart remains the nation’s most affordable capital city housing market and, despite strong value growth recently, still has many suburbs with a median below $500,000 quite close to the city centre.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Darwin</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>Millner (8.1 kilometres from the CBD) is the suburb of Darwin closest to the city centre with a median house value under $500,000. Millner is also the only suburb with a median house value within 10 kilometres of the city centre.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Canberra</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>There is only one suburb in Canberra (Charnwood) that has a current median house value below $500,000.  This highlights the lack of affordable options in Canberra despite the fact that it is one of the smallest capital cities.</p>
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The sub-$500,000 capital city house options: Cameron Kusher

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<p><span>CoreLogic undertook analysis of the recent March 2018 quarter consumer price index (CPI) data which confirmed that in inflation adjusted terms, dwelling values are now lower in most capital cities.</span></p>
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<p><span>(Note: consumer price index (CPI), which measures inflation, increased by 0.4% over the March 2018 quarter to be 1.9% higher year-on-year. With the release of this data, it is also possible to look at inflation-adjusted or real changes in dwelling values across the capital cities. When looking at these figures, the inflation adjustment means that value growth is lower).</span></p>
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<p><span>The results showed that national dwelling values fell by -1.0% and </span>were -0.7% lower over the past 12 months, however, Hobart was the only capital city where real values increased over the quarter (+3.0%) with Sydney recording the largest quarterly fall (-2.2%).</p>
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<p><span>Over the past twelve months, only Melbourne (+3.4%), Hobart (+10.9%) and Canberra (+1.0%) have seen dwelling values outpace inflation. The largest decline over the year was recorded in Darwin (-9.3%) followed by Perth (-4.3%) and Sydney (-4.0%).</span></p>
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<p><span>Over the past decade, only Sydney (+43.3%) Melbourne (+38.7%) </span><span>and Hobart (+6.4%) have recorded ‘real’ growth in dwelling values.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/26/corelogic%20expert%20obs%201.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge</p>
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<p><span>These latest figures really highlight just how </span><span>narrow value growth has been in the national housing market over the past decade. It also highlights that low mortgage rates alone have not been the key driver of value growth - mortgage rates are </span>the same in Sydney as they are in Perth yet the former has recorded real growth of 43.3% while the latter has seen values fall by -25.0%.</p>
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<p><span>With dwelling values dropping over recent months, all capital cities, except Hobart, now have real values which sit below their previous peak. Nationally, values are -2.0% lower than their June 2017 peak and across the combined capital cities values are a slightly greater -</span><span>2.5% lower. Let’s take a look at how dwelling</span><span>values have tracked in inflation adjusted terms across each capital city.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/26/corelogic%20expert%20obs%202.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/2018/4/26/corelogic%20expert%20obs%202.jpg" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Sydney </span><span>– </span><span>values are 5.3% lower than their June 2017 peak.</span></p>
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<p><span>Melbourne </span><span>– </span><span>after peaking in December 2017, values are currently -0.9% lower.</span></p>
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<p><span>Brisbane </span><span>– </span><span>values peaked back in March 2008 and are currently - 12.5% lower.</span></p>
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<p><span>Adelaide </span><span>– </span><span>values currently sit -7.4% below their June 2010 peak.</span></p>
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<p><span>Perth </span><span>– </span><span>the city has seen values fall by -28.5% from their peak in December 2006. dwelling </span><span>values.”</span></p>
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<p><span>Hobart </span><span>– </span><span>with values increasing a further 10.9% over the past year, it is the only city where real dwelling values are currently at their peak.</span></p>
<p><span>Darwin </span><span>– </span><span>real dwelling values peaked in March 2013 and have since fallen by -28.2%.</span></p>
<p><span>Canberra </span><span>– </span><span>dwelling values are -6.8% lower than their June 2010 peak.</span></p>
<p><span>Although the rate of inflation is quite slow and remains below the Reserve </span><span>Bank’s </span><span>target range of 2% to 3% annually, value growth is now broadly slower and is expected to remain that way over the coming quarters.</span></p>
<p><span>As </span><span>a result, when looking at inflation-adjusted dwelling values the expectation is that they will continue to fall over the coming quarters which means that as the cost of other items increase and inflation rises, relatively speaking, the cost of housing will reduce. </span><span>We’ve </span><span>seen this result occurring in most capital cities for a number of years but is a relatively recent development in Sydney and Melbourne.</span><span>”</span></p>
<p><span>The </span><span>flow-on effect of value falls remains to be seen, however, it may result in less expenditure elsewhere across the economy, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne which have had strong retail demand over recent years due to the wealth-effect of increasing dwelling values.</span><span>”</span></p>
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<p><span><em><span>CAMERON KUSHER</span> is head of research for CoreLogic. You can contact him <a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/about/"><span class="s2">here</span></a>.</em></span></p>
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Hobart the only capital city where real dwelling values sit at their peak

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<div>Like many getting-a-bit-long-in-the-tooth Sydneysiders, I've increasingly been having recurring daydreams about selling a place at Bondi or in the inner west and trading it for a mansion at Maroochydore (or sometime it's a mooring at Mooloolaba). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Probably about once a fortnight I have these fantasises, on average, I reckon. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>And then reality bites.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I wake up and find that Infrastructure Australia (IA) has released another report, which always brings me back to earth and reminds me why I invested in inner-Sydney property in the first place. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>As ever, IA's Future Cities report presents a range of scenarios.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There's a decentralised scenario which incorporates acres of building and hundreds of thousands of new homes in the south-west.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And then there's a centralised scenario where everyone crams like crazy into zones close to the Central Business District (CBD), and to a lesser extent Parramatta.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>And then there's the medium-density scenario, which is a realistic mixture of the two, incorporating population growth across the city and on balance the most likely outcome. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>The scenarios have one thing in common: none of them envisages a Sydney in 2046 with a population of under 7.34 million. </div>
<p> </p>
<div><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdMnCv6NaPM/WpCTHx3DIuI/AAAAAAAAoic/PKX5PyrObPwoXRjOHlN760TUpD5B47wUwCLcBGAs/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="240" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1324"></div>
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<div>Although people are expected to live all over Sydney, the share of employment will remain heavily skewed to the CBD and city fringe, and to a secondary extent Parramatta. </div>
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<div>And there's a great deal of consideration of how people will get around with millions of extra people in essentially the same amount of space (as an investor, I've always gone for train links to the City or walking distance from the Sydney CBD). </div>
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<div>Nobody can predict the future, but one thing I will hang my hat on is a massive ongoing demand for rentals close to the middle of Sydney. </div>
<p>From the horse's mouth...</p>
<p>Between 2017 and 2046, Australia’s population is projected to increase by 11.8 million people. </p>
<div>That’s equivalent to adding a new city, roughly the size of Canberra, each year for the next 30 years. </div>
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<div>About 75% of this growth will occur in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.</div>
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<div>Population growth is a central driver of this change. </div>
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<div>In the next 30 years, Sydney’s population is projected to increase by 2.4 million people, growing to be a city of 7.4 million. </div>
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<div>Over the same period, Melbourne is projected to grow by 2.7 million people, to be a city of 7.3 million. </div>
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<div>Between now and 2046, Brisbane is projected to grow by 1.6 million people and Perth by 2.2 million people, delivering cities of just under 4 million and 4.3 million, respectively.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This means the Brisbane and Perth of tomorrow will become cities the size of Melbourne and Sydney today. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>While Melbourne and Sydney will become cities comparable to the current size of some of the world’s most significant urban economies, operating more like the Hong Kong, New York and London of today.'</div>
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<div>PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.</div>
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Brisbane and Perth of tomorrow will be cities the size of Melbourne and Sydney today: Pete Wargent

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<p>Fresh summer stock is down in Sydney, but late 2017 left overs remain at an elevated level.</p>
<p>There are 17,000 plus houses and units for sale across Sydney, up 31 percent one the same time last January.</p>
<p>There is a 40 percent drop in the number of Hobart listings, in the nation's hottest property market.</p>
<p>The Sydney housing market deterioration now also shows up in the median number of days on market for houses and apartments.</p>
<p>It has risen to between 45 to 47 days, albeit at the slowest time of year.</p>
<p>At the same time last year, houses were taking 35 days to sell, while units sold in 41 days.</p>
<div class="related-quotes section">At the peak of the market in the recent five year boom, median days on market for houses was as low as 25 days in 2015 and 23 days for units in 2014.</div>
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Sydney fresh stock down, but up on this time last year: CoreLogic

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<div>All mainland capital city auction clearance rates have eased to below 70 percent under the weight of heightened spring listings coinciding with banking lending hesitancy.</div>
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<div>Melbourne still ranks as the strongest market, but at a 69.6 percent weekend success rate. The same time last year Melbourne's vendors were securing a 79 percent success rate under the hammer.</div>
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<div>A Toorak home was among the many passed in offerings around the country when bidding stopped at $12.2 million. They had wanted $14.5 million plus for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-126766574" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the 1930s bungalow on its 1700 sqm Russell Street parcel</a> which sold at $9.28 million in 2015.</div>
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<div>Another Toorak house was passed in on a $6.5 million vendor bid.</div>
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<div>Melbourne's top result was a $4.125 million sale in Canterbury, a Stonehaven designed and built split-level contemporary residence.</div>
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<div>The price guidance on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-canterbury-126754338" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">23 Maling Road</a> (picture above) had been $3.9 million to $4.29 million.</div>
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<div>Tasmania was the surprise performer.</div>
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<div>Tasmania's busy weekend saw seven auction results reported, returning a preliminary clearance rate of 85.7 per cent.</div>
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<div>A ground floor executive apartment at George Town in regional Tasmania fetched $3.125 million. It was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-tas-george+town-126586574" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a three bedroom 175 sqm apartment</a> on the Tamar on the north coast of Tasmania.</div>
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<div>The results also included a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-tas-west+moonah-126730774" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">three bedroom 1959 weatherboard house at West Moonah</a> which sold pre-auction at $261,000. It had last sold in 2000 at $67,500. </div>
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<div>CoreLogic advised it was the third busiest weekend for auctions so far this year returning a national preliminary clearance rate of 65.4 per cent across 3,335 auctions.</div>
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<div>There was a 62.8 per cent success rate across 2,907 auctions last week.</div>
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<div>"This time last year, 2,987 homes were taken to auction and a clearance rate of 74.4 per cent was recorded," CoreLogic auction analysts Kevin Brogan noted.</div>
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<div>The final clearance rate has remained below 65 per cent for the last four weeks.</div>
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<div>He noted one of the biggest contributors to the softer auction market conditions is Sydney, where the final clearance rate has remained below 60 per cent since the last week of October, while Melbourne has slipped below 70 per cent for the second week in a row.</div>
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<div>Melbourne was host to 1,717 auctions this week and a preliminary clearance rate of 69.6 per cent was recorded, making it the second busiest week for auctions in Melbourne this year.</div>
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<div>Last week saw the final clearance rate drop to 69.2 per cent across 1,296 auctions, the lowest clearance rate the city has seen since the beginning of July 2016.</div>
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<div>One year ago, 1,303 auctions were held across Melbourne and 79.4 per cent were successful.</div>
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<div>Its results included The Block winners Elyse Knowles and Josh Barker who sold their Coburg renovation project, just weeks after pocketing $547,000 winnings for their Elsternwick efforts.</div>
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<div>Stong bidding took <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-coburg-126699946" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Coburg sale price to $1.631 million</a> as four bidders fought for the offering. </div>
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<div>The price expectations for the renovated California-style bungalow sat between $1.35 million and $1.45 million.</div>
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<br>It sold in original condition in 2014 for $600,000.</div>
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<div>Across Sydney, preliminary results show that 61.5 per cent of the 756 reported auctions sold this week.</div>
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<div>There were 1,035 properties taken to auction across the city, down from 1,102 last week when the final clearance rate was recorded at 58.5 per cent.</div>
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<div>Over the same week last year, 1,082 auctions were held and a clearance rate of 79.6 per cent was recorded.</div>
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<div>In Sydney a large Paddington offering was the weekend's big seller with six registered buyers seeking the six bedroom Harris Street offering that fetched $5.16 million.</div>
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<div>It was on the market for the first time in 60 years.</div>
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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-paddington-126720598" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The 412sqm landholding</a> featuring a freestanding double-fronted main residence and a self-contained cottage with separate frontage had a R3 Zoning.</div>
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<div>The preliminary clearance rate in Brisbane rose to 49.6 per cent across 213 auctions this week, from 44.1 per cent across 209 auctions last week, while this time last year 262 auctions were held and a clearance rate of 45.2 per cent was recorded. </div>
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<div>Brisbane prices ranged from $344,000 at Margate to $1,415,000 at Milton.</div>
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<div>In Adelaide, a 66.3 per cent preliminary result was recorded this week across 146 auctions. Last week, 128 Adelaide auctions returned a clearance rate of 62 percent for the city, while at the same time last year, 137 homes were taken to auction, with 66 percent recording a successful result.</div>
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<div>Adelaide's top advised result to Domain was just $801,000 when a 1910 three bedroom house <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-parkside-126828162" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">95 Kenilworth Rd, Parkside</a> was sold. It had sold at $613,000 in 2007.</div>
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<div>Adelaide had the cheapest sale across Australia when $199,000 secured 8 McCartney St, Morphett Vale.</div>
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<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-morphett+vale-126297354" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Morphett Vale brick veneer and tile residence</a> was marketed as having "been subjected to termite damage" compromising the integrity of the home.</div>
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<div>"The home offers the experienced builder or those looking to acquire the property at potentially less than land value an opportunity to capitalise on 560 sqm in a great location," the marketing advised.</div>
<div>"This property is not for the faint hearted," it added.</div>
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<div>It had been a $300 a week rental for many years, having last sold in 1994 for $83,500.</div>
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<div>Perth’s clearance rate of 60 per cent across 25 auction results is up from last week, when 40 auctions were held and a clearance rate of 50 per cent was recorded.</div>
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<div>Canberra was the second strongest weekend market.</div>
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<div>Across Canberra, 130 homes were taken to auction with a clearance rate of 67.6 per cent, down slightly from 69.7 per cent the previous weekend. </div>
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<div>Prices ranged from $427,500 at Theodore to $1.64 million at O'Connor.</div>
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